From Comics to Clothes: Gems to Explore in Brighton Park

I grew up hanging out along 47th Street and Archer Avenue because it was near where I lived in Gage Park. The CTA Kedzie Orange Line was my main method of transit, my old dance studio was right off Archer, and Paco’s Tacos is still where I get my tacos today.

Before we dive into my recs, let’s brush up on some history. After the forced removal of the Potawatomi, the land was bought by investors to make a commercial center, and in 1851 was incorporated as its own municipality. In 1889, Brighton Park became part of Chicago. First home to many Polish Chicagoans, the area is now largely Latino.

Archer Avenue slices through the neighborhood and is home to many beloved businesses and institutions – including some of my favorites.

Something to Eat

• 🌮 Paco’s Tacos has some of the best tacos in the city, coming from the originals at La Internacional Supermercado.
• ♨️ The Original Leon’s BBQ has slow-cooked classics.
• 🥪 Cafe El Meson, a Puerto Rican coffeehouse, is one of the few Southwest Side spots you can get a jibarito.

Something to See

• ​📖 Check out Latino-owned comic store Raw Comics.
• 👖 Visit the Zemsky’s for school uniforms, work wear, scrubs, and all kinds of apparel. (This brings me childhood memories of shopping for khakis, but I still get pants here.)
• 🫂 The Brighton Park Neighborhood Council Community Center is in the works but should be up sometime next year.

Something to Do

• 💬 Brighton Park Poets meet at the local library branch every first and third Sunday of the month. The next one is March 17.

• 😍 Need some new ink? Check out .
• ⚽ Play soccer or football at the Brighton Park Community Campus Football/Soccer Field.