Simone’s Turns 1

Believe it or not, Simone’s is still kicking after an entire year of being Pilsen’s most modern night spot. Pilsen is a changing neighborhood, and Simone’s is at the forefront of catering to the recent Pilsenites without alienating older residents. Come any day of the week for great food, an extensive, yet economical beer selection, and the most ADD-friendly décor in all of Chicago.

For those of you not in the know, Simone’s is located at 960 W. 18^th Street and is open untll 2 a.m. It’s the perfect chill spot for any occasion, especially for Southsiders sick of bar hopping on the North Side. The beer selection is seasonal and offers a variety of micro brews as well as big brew favorites. If you are a return customer, don’t get too attached to a single brew because every season, or three months, the entire list, which includes drafts, bottles, and cans, changes. In fact, it’s part of the beauty of the place; you can go several times without having the same beer twice. Did I mention the burgers? Every succulent all-beef burger includes their delicious home-made French fries, which are a mix of sweet potato and russet shoestring-cut deliciousness. For all of you non-carnivores out there, they do offer vegetarian alternatives; I’ve just never bothered to ask , but I’m sure they are equally as delicious.

Why has Simone’s survived in the midst of the worst economic recession in recent history? Personally, I feel that it is, in part, due to the convenient location. Take a walk down 18th Street and try to find a place to grab a beer on a Saturday night that you would feel comfortable returning to. Simply put, Simone’s has created an environment in which the customer is not intimidated by pretentious attempts at hipness and modernity, but a down-to-earth spot where you can grab a beer and burger with strangers or friends.