Notable residents' favorite thing about Wicker Park

What’s your favorite thing about the ’hood?

“I’ve been here for a long time—since I was 17—and watching the neighborhood change…it’s become a special place now, you know? It’s really special. I remember in the beginning people [wouldn’t eat Middle Eastern food]—they were like, ‘Hell, naw!’ And now they’re like, ‘Yeah, I’ll try it.’” —Shadi Ramli, owner, Sultan’s Market, 2057 W North Ave

“If I can’t say Piece (1927 W North Ave), I’d have to say HotChocolate (1747 N Damen Ave). The food there is killer, and Mindy [Segal’s] desserts are just disgustingly good.” —Jonathan Cutler, Piece brewer

Subterranean (2011 W North Ave) sustains my need for music until summer, when Wicker Park Fest and the Do-Division street fair are two of my favorite events.” —Vincent Uribe, proprietor of apartment gallery LVL3, 1542 N Milwaukee Ave

“I like that after all the years I’ve been here, I can walk down the street and run into old friends and keep discovering new places. [Wicker Park] still has a little village feel.” —Dennis Lafferty, creative art director, Gro Salon, 2119 N Damen Ave

“The prosciutto bruschetta in particular is my favorite from Francesca’s Forno (1576 N Milwaukee Ave). For sweet treats, I like the pomegranate kefir with raspberries, granola and/or mochi from Starfruit Cafe (1745 W Division St), [and] I love the peanut-butter/chocolate vegan milkshake from Earwax (1561 N Milwaukee Ave).” —Meghan Lorenz, freelance jewelry designer (Aragon LTD) and window dresser