Go to any small town in the U.S. and you're sure to find a quaint downtown area where all the merchants have settled in on "Main Street." Rockwell looks just like Main Street, with its independently owned shops and restaurants sitting beside the infamous town tap. The idyllic Main Street wouldn’t be complete without a railroad crossing, and Rockwell has one, too, courtesy of the Brown Line. Hop off at this hasn't-been-updated-in-decades station to escape the hustle and bustle of city living.
Best of the nightlife
Loafers
You won't find a phone listing for this place no matter how hard you try. The owner, Helene, wants to keep it that way. Forget the phone, she just wants you to stop by for karaoke on Tuesdays or a last-minute barbecue cookout compliments of Helene herself. In business for more than 30 years, this neighborhood staple offers up fat $5 pitchers every night, $2 PBRs, $1 drafts and $1 Busch and Natural Ice. Mixed drinks don’t cost more than $2-$3. With one lonely TV above the bar and sports memorabilia all over the place, you could call Loafers a sports bar, but I'm willing to bet most folks are more interested in what’s on the grill or who's rocking the mic.
Good for groups
Cafe Blu
This BYOB cafe is the perfect spot for a hefty Eastern European dinner, and not just because there's no corkage fee. The hosts and owners, Mira and Pera, an older couple who love customers so much they make sure to meet each one, walk through the restaurant checking in on diners and straightening up tablecloths and chairs. They create a friendly, comfortable atmosphere; there is usually at least one family dining in the small but tidy cafe.
Cheap eats
Con Sabor Cubano
The menu here offers no surprises, though the brief selection provides plenty to satisfy. Of the five sandwich options, the popular pan con bistec (steak sandwich) and pan con lechon (roasted pork sandwich) get the most hits. Each is served on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, onions and shoestring potatoes. For the best deal, though, look to the frita Cubana (Cuban burger). Order your sandwiches at the counter and they'll be delivered promptly on blue lunchroom trays. Con Sabor Cubano recently expanded its menu to include tamales, empanadas, croquetas and papas rellenas.
Where to chill
Time Out Tap
You'll have a hard time spending more than three bucks on anything here. Still, this neighborhood tap has no desire to up its prices. The bartenders are generous with their pours and there’s always someone to talk to or play a round of pool or darts with. A word of warning: Don't be put off by the exterior, which has no view of the inside. Just look for the bright white Heinemann's Old Style sign and you'll find yourself at a true Chicago tap.
In-the-know spot
Rockwell's Neighborhood Grill
You don't need a beer in hand to relax here. Diners grab a chair on the sprawling outdoor patio or in the cozy dining room, where an accommodating staff serves a variety of breakfast items, including French toast, omelets and scrambled eggs and toast. For lunch, have a veggie burger, a grilled chicken burrito or a Southwest chicken sandwich. Specialties include the 10-ounce Angus top sirloin, pork chops and the chicken Monterrey. Be sure to ingest the decor as well as the food. The walls are covered with dozens of black and white photos of famous city officials from yesteryear, a complementary juxtaposition to the dining room's more modern exposed brick walls, cushy carpets, comfortably spaced tables and resident TV.
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