The hustle and bustle of this western sector of Lakeview is no joke. Southport Avenue, just a few blocks west of the exemplary and jam-packed Wrigleyville, is no exception to the sprightliness that Lakeview has become known for. However, despite the neverending foot traffic of this amicable neighborhood, there is the possibility for a more serene evening, indulging in eclectic diner comfort food. Welcome to Little Goat Diner.
Just a few blocks south of the Southport Brown Line stop sits the newly located and renovated diner location, loved and welcomed by the neighborhood. Spawned by renowned Chicago-based chef Stephanie Izard (of The Girl & The Goat fame), Little Goat Diner first opened in 2012 in the West Loop in collaboration with the illustrious Boka Restaurant Group. Little Goat migrated to Lakeview in early 2023, creating a colorfully quaint eatery for neighborhood patrons to indulge in all-day breakfast and classic diner dishes.
As this is an evening curation, it’s recommended to make a reservation because the dining room does tend to fill up. The yellow and green color scheme on the exterior will make you feel like you’ve entered a whimsical Wes Anderson film. You’ll also probably spot the take-out window in front, aptly called the “Grab n Goat,” which serves breakfast sandwiches, coffee and pastries to customers on the go in the morning.
While the sidewalk patio may be enticing when it’s warm, the restaurant is best experienced inside the narrow yet striking dining room. With standard tables and chairs toward the front, snug booths in the back and a traditional diner countertop to the left, Little Goat Diner does so much with meager space.
Upon entering, you’ll be greeted by a helpful host and seated, perhaps with a wondrous view of an old-school coffee machine or one of many eye-catching pieces of art on the walls.
The ecstatic waitstaff will have helpful recommendations, whatever your craving. To start with, the creamily delicious milkshakes are more than worth those extra calories. From there, dinner options range from a Korean-inspired Reuben sandwich to the Chili Crunch Chicken Dumplings, which are a restaurant staple thanks to their homemade chili crunch topping.
Aptly named “Breakfast Club” on the menu, other options range from mouth-watering shrimp and grits and delicious French onion omelet to an array of pancakes with craving-satisfying toppings.
Given Chef Stephanie Izard’s “Goat” empire, you could even label her the GOAT (Greatest of all Time) of contemporary Chicago cuisine. Little Goat will not only urge you to try her other restaurants scattered around the city but cement a new diner in your rotation that is so inviting and scrumptious that it makes it difficult to leave. Well, that and feeling stuffed from all the comfort food you just ingested…
As you digest your meal, make your way north a few blocks up Southport until you see those red lights that every Chicago film lover has ingrained in their brains. Directly under the marquee that displays new and old titles, you’ll find moviegoers standing in circles discussing (or debating) what they just watched in an undoubtedly passionate manner. You’re at the Music Box Theater, one of Chicago’s proudest landmarks and your next stop.
The main theater may be the start of the history-drenched star, you’re here to first check out the Music Box Lounge next door. You have the choice to enter through the main theater lobby or go through the main entrance of the lounge which is outdoors, directly to the left of the marquee. The lounge was designed by the Music Box to be a safe haven for all things cinema lovers to discuss films pre or post-screening or to simply hang out and enjoy a cocktail among fellow film nerds.
The space’s setup will make you feel right at home. The layout provides a variety of seating options, including tables, couches, chairs facing each other and even an outdoor patio if you want to enjoy fresh air and people-watch the dwellers of Southport.
Inside, friend groups gather at a round, window-facing table, while adjacent to them, a couple plays board games and sips cocktails from the bar. The walls are plastered with vintage movie posters, and a bookcase holds a wide-ranging selection of DVDs and VHSs sure to propel nostalgia.
Nestled at the back of the lounge, the bar offers traditional cocktails such as a reliable Manhattan, a trademark “Music Box” mule, and of course, an array of beers highlighting local Chicago brewing companies. Perhaps most exciting is the seasonal cocktail menu that often features concoctions based on film references, so you get to try a new cocktail while referencing pop culture at the same time. What’s not to love?
The Music Box Theater has been around for nearly 100 years, and yes, it’s partly due to the prestigious selection of films they continue to showcase, but it’s also due to their mission to provide a safe space for film lovers and casual movie-goers to immerse themselves in the magic of movies. The lounge is a perfect companion piece to the magical feeling the circa 1929 theater provides.
One of the many joys of warm weather is being able to enjoy indoor activities, well, outdoors. That may seem cliche, but the Music Box Garden emulates what a classic drive-in theater provides, just without the absurd amount of cars and muffled audio. The Garden is both beautifully designed and set up like your high school AV club got their hands on the projector for a movie night. In other words, it feels homemade in the best way possible.
You’re already at the Music Box Lounge, so all you have to do is spot that red and green neon sign directly next to the bar that reads “Music Box Garden.” Feel free to take your cocktail with you, and just like the famous Copacabana sequence in Goodfellas, you’ll walk down a narrow hallway that acts as a portal into pure bliss. Welcome to the Garden.
Depending on your group size, the Garden is designed to be a communal space where most of the chairs center around numerous tables that all face the same projector screen. And while you are technically in the alley behind the Music Box, the exterior is surrounded by wooden fencing that’s lined with red lights, so the ambiance is private and comforting.
The screening is typically preluded with a speech by one of the organizers of the Music Box Garden (they usually discuss the movie you’re about to watch and possibly share some fun trivia). Here, the mood is akin to an outdoor summer concert, but when the movie begins, patrons usually honor the respectful etiquette the Music Box highly promotes. The rest is self-explanatory: Enjoy the flick and the gust of that desirable summer air; you’re among friends and a unique summertime activity you can only find here.
Things to note:
– It’s suggested you buy your tickets online beforehand since the Garden only contains 40 seats.
– Screenings take place in the evening, so you may want to consider bringing a warm layer as autumn enters the chat.