BLOG
Top Rated Coffee Shops In West Loop
Hey Chicago coffee addicts! We’re back again with another article on the top-rated coffee shops (according to Google reviews), and this week we’re covering Chicago’s West Loop. Although West Loop is best known for Randolph Street’s restaurant row and Fulton Market’s dining scene, the neighborhood also has a number of really good coffee shops to get your caffeine fix. From hidden matcha bars to Vietnamese robusta specialists and pastry-forward cafes, you’ve got a decent set of options to try out. In case you stumbled onto our blog for the first…
The Guide To Owning A Dog In Chicago
Hey Chicago dog lovers! There are many cities where having a dog is sometimes inconvenient due to a lack of pet amenities and stricter bylaws, but thankfully, Chicago isn’t one of them. The Park District maintains 33 designated off-leash parks spread across the city’s neighborhoods, and there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and breweries that welcome dogs on their patios. And of course, the lakefront is accessible, walkable, and great for leashed dogs. If you just moved here with a dog, or you’re thinking about getting one, this guide covers…
Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Chicago (2026 Guide)
Hey Chicago foodies! Did you know that Chicago is among the top 5 North American cities with the most Michelin-starred restaurants? Before 2025, there were 19 in Chicago, but Feld got added to the list in last year’s guide, making a total of 20 restaurants in this city that hold a Michelin star right now. The 2025 guide brought a few changes, including a promotion, a demotion, and the addition of the latest venue. If you’re not familiar with how Michelin works, here’s the short version: ★ 1 star:…
Chicago Facts You Might Not Know
Hey Chicago! We write about this city every single week (we’re the only real estate team that is committed to weekly articles), and honestly, it’s easy because there is always something new or interesting to cover about Chicago. This week, we put together some of our favorite Chicago facts that don’t usually make the standard tourist guides. A few of these might surprise you even if you’ve lived here for years. If this is your first time here, we’re the Ben Lalez Team, and we’ve been helping people buy and…