'Hoods #43: Belmont-Cragin, Jan 16 2016

I organized this one.
Emily and Paul had recently moved to Belmont-Cragin, so we decided to learn about their new 'hood!
It was also our 6 year anniversary of 'hoods-ing.
Bill and William and I were the participants, with a visit to Emily H and her new baby Hannah :)

Belmont-Cragin 'Hoods flickr album/pics

'Hoods Belmont-Cragin packet

This hoods was balls cold. Crazy cold. So so cold.

We started by grabbing some Somethin Sweet Donuts. We got some to go for Emily, as well. Nice, locally owned. In competition with the Dunkin across the street.

We walked/drove through the Wrightwood Bungalow historic district. Lots of, well, bungalows.

Next we found a farmhouse built in 1858 sitting rather neglected at the back of some sort of industrial yard.

There was a fairly unassuming Belmont-Cragin mural. Pretty unimpressive. But, better than a kick in the pants.

Then came Emily H's house, and baby Hannah :)

Riis park had a park house that had, well, seen better days.

Gotta stop at Unique at the Brickyard mall for some thrifting delights.

We drove by Steinmetz high school, which mostly got me excited because of the documentary Louder Than a Bomb. Seen it? It's about a slam poetry competition in Chicago, and the Steinmetz team is featured. Go watch it. Right now.

We busted in on some sort of service at Saint Ferdinand Catholic Church.

It was now so cold that we mostly just kind of drove through our second bungalow district, Falconer Historic district.

But, man, we ended on a high note. Sol de Mexico. THAT was some EXCELLENT, finely crafted, Mexican food. Bill literally licked his plate. Michelan recommended. So good.

In the end, not super impressed with Belmont-Cragin. We may have been unduly influenced by the brutal weather. But other than bungalows, not much to do or see here. Except eat at that Sol de Mexico. I'd go back just to revisit that meal. Note, even Emily and Paul have since moved away. To the Pacific Northwest, sure. But Belmont-Cragin couldn't hold them. They DID sell their house super fast, and for above asking. So SOMEONE out there loves Belmont-Cragin.