A walk on California, from Armitage to Milwaukee

Steve recommended Dodd Camera to me, so last weekend I took my camera there for a cleaning. I’d been noticing some spots in my photos and usually that means the sensor is dirty. I’ve had the camera for 6 years and have never gotten it cleaned, so I guess it was due! Anyway…. I didn’t wait around for the cleaning, but they called me to come pick it in less than 24 hours of when I dropped it off. Dodd is close enough to my house that that I walked there and back when I picked my camera up. On the way back home, I took some photos. This was with my 24-105 lens, which I need to practice on in the next month, in preparation for a trip! So, here are some photos I took on my walk from Dodd Camera, home.

tastee_freez

Tastee Freez is an old time-y ice cream stand that is only open in the warm months.

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I took Jess (B) there once for a sweet treat.

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I noticed that Brand BBQ was all papered up. A sign on the door said that they’re doing renovations. Who knows if that’s true or not. Dallas and I ate there once when they first opened a few years ago and didn’t love it. I don’t think we’ve ever been back.

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This part of Logan Square is really in flux. New stuff next to old stuff, more well off next to less well off.

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Some of the buildings are really old and ornamental.

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Some of the buildings are very new.

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Salem Evangelical Free Church seems to have been around forever.

wooden_graffiti

Here I spotted some graffiti made of wood. I can’t remember the artist who does this, but his “work” is all around Logan Square and Bucktown.

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Bang Bang Pie used to be a food truck before they opened a storefront in 2011.

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Ronny’s was a dive-y bar that closed in 2010 and has been empty since.

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Funky old house.

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I was taking some photos of the Chicago Fire Department, Station #43, when this happened:

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Exciting.

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Engine #43 has a Facebook page they use to stay in touch with the local community.

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They’re also the station that responded to the fire behind our house. Thankful to have them so closeby!

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township

This used to be Pancho’s, a Mexican/Puerto Rican restaurant/bar/performance space. Now it’s Township, an American, with a slightly Indian twist, restaurant/bar/performance space. I went to Township with Jess (G) once for dinner and it was decent. I’ve been meaning to go back.

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Little Mel’s. One place I haven’t been!

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Entrance to the California stop on the Blue Line.

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Under the Blue Line tracks, facing northwest.


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Logan Square Neighborhood Walk: California Avenue

One day a few months ago, I was wanting to go for a walk, but wanting to go somewhere new. I used to do these “neighborhood walks” and post photos on this site, but haven’t done it forever. So, I decided that maybe over the course of this summer I will try to walk Logan Square. When you look up Logan Square boundaries, people have varying opinions. For this exercise, I’m going to go with these boundaries for the neighborhood: Diversey to the north, Western to the east, Armitage to the south and Pulaski to the West. However you classify it, the neighborhood is HUGE. So, I think if I do this I’ll have to break it up into a bunch of chunks. As the summer has progressed I haven’t done a great job keeping up on this project, but I’ll keep trying. Here are my photos from my walk on California Avenue from Armitage to Diversey.


Los Arista Food & Liquors


A strip mall in Logan Square. The Papa John’s is new this year.


Zen Salon for Men


Condo building.


Salem Evangelical Free Church


Ronny’s


More Condos


Mandy’s Cleaners


For Sale


14th District Police Department


Cafeteria de Pancho


Little Mel’s


This place is going to be Masada’s (Middle Eastern). It’s been under construction since we moved to Logan Square, but seems to actually be making progress now. I like the look.


Boiler Room. Been here for many slices.


California Blue Line Station


Cozy Corner and Emilio’s Produce Stand


Taqueria Moran, Logan Bar & Grill


It was Mothers Day, so there were vendors out trying to sell flowers and stuffed animals and stuff.


Currency Exchange


Logan Square Pantry


Sierra Tire Shop


California Furniture


More Mothers Day stuff for sale.


And they say all the new condos look the same…


Letizia’s Fiore


Mops Beauty Shop (Dallas and I, along with several other friends, have been going here for years!)


Used to be a drive-thru, now someone’s home?


Digame Language Instruction, A Touch of Vintage


Gosu, Korean/Japanese restaurant we’ve been meaning to try


Hachi’s Kitchen


Provenance Food & Wine, Anong Thai


Buona Terra


This Starbucks has an awesome outdoor patio.


Logan Boulevard


Flowering trees on Logan Boulevard


Fellowship House Assisted Living


Color Me Salon


Again with the older houses that are all exactly the same.


Walgreen’s


Need a mattress or futon?


I’ve never been to or any Popeye’s. I may have been to an IHOP once or twice, but not this one.