🤠 Your walking guide to Western Avenue

Ed Burke Is Leaving Prison

Former Ald. Ed Burke was released Tuesday after nine months in federal prison. Burke was originally sentenced to two years on racketeering, extortion, and bribery charges. He can now finish the rest of his sentence at home or a halfway house. Prior to his 2019 arrest, the 81-year-old was the longest-sitting alder in Chicago history. [Sun-Times]

• Related: Learn more about how Burke rose to — and fell from — power. [Hey Chicago 💻]

Leo High School Choir Killed It on ‘America’s Got Talent’

The all-boys choir from Leo Catholic High School in Auburn Gresham hit the “America’s Got Talent” stage Tuesday — and wowed the judges. Yes, even Simon Cowell. The boys sang “Born for This” by The Score. Watch the video here. [NBC]

First Factory Homes Open in Humboldt Park

The first set of factory-built homes has risen in Humboldt Park as part of a pilot program aiming to create 120 new homes in Cook County. The Humboldt Park houses on North Homan Avenue were made by Inherent Homes, a modular homebuilder with a factory in North Lawndale. [Block Club]

Western Avenue is like the Nile of Chicago. The city’s longest continuous road stretches from the North Side boundary to 119th Street on the South Side. (It continues further in the burbs.)

Over the next few months, I’ll be exploring those 24+ miles and bringing you different Western Avenue guides. Today, we begin on Western and Armitage Avenue.

What to Do

The start of this walk is pretty legendary: Margie’s Candies has been on Western and Armitage since 1921, serving up decadent sundaes in addition to the titular candy. (For me, it’s that hot fudge … 🤤)

But if it’s too early for sweets, head across the street to Arturo’s Tacos. Yes, you can go to Arturo’s while the sun is out. The famed night-owl taco joint is (usually) open 24 hours on weekends, the last restaurant standing in its longtime late-night rivalry against the ol’ Lazo’s Tacos.

Across the street, there’s a new breakfast option on the scene too: El Bagelero. Their bagels are perfectly chewy, seedy, and light.

Walk south, and you’ll pass Sweet Rice, which serves street-style Thai in a lively dining room. (Sometimes there are robot waiters 🤖) Go another block and you’ll find Challengers Comics, a colorful, double-storefront comic shop. (Check for upcoming signings here. A “Godzilla” author will visit Aug. 2.)

Another block and you’ll hit a 606 entrance on Bloomingdale Avenue. Head on up to find Wolf & Company, the city’s first restaurant with direct access to the walkway.

On the ground floor, smell their fancy flower bouquets before heading toward North Avenue. Just a couple doors west of Western, on the south side of North Avenue, is Premium Cigars. (There’s no website, but I’ve got the pics to prove it.) Ask for Mario. He’ll hook it up.

Now keep on trekking toward Cortez. On the way, you’ll pass many dentists, several salons, Roberto Clemente high school, Eerie Division Street Health Center, and Sun Rey Cafe, an unassuming diner with pop-up Filipino specials.

Finally, past Division, you’re in Ukrainian Village … pretty much at Empty Bottle. This reliable rock venue has a solid bar — try their Earth Juice with vodka — and free concerts on Mondays. This Thursday, catch the talented (Chicago native) Grander World Whimsy. And every Friday, there’s honky-tonk! Get Western on Western 🤠