Chris' Northland Tavern & Grill

I love this small neighborhood spot.

The drinks are reasonably priced, the people are friendly, and the staff is great.

The rules are lax which I always enjoy. I've been able to bring my small, well behaved dog which I love. The bartender was even happy to see her and there was a little Yorkie for her to sniff and play with.

This is definitely a nice change of pace from the other places in the neighborhood.

Chris's reminds me of the bars in my hometown.  In my hometown, it would be like a shot and beer joint with a closed down factory across the street.  In Chicago, it's like a shot and beer joint with a closed down factory across the street that was converted into lofts so that some douche could talk about exposed pipes and brick in his retrofitted urban pad.  

As is to be expected in a shot and beer joint, there's a simple draft list.  But hey, you don't need anything too fancy.  After all, you're just washing down a shot.  

I walked in on my long walk home, and I must have been the only non-regular in the place.  If you've never walked into a bar and had people stop talking, you're either not ridiculously attractive or you're simply not a familiar face.*  Memories are short in bars, though, so just order a coldbeer and act like you've had one before.  

A very kind barmaid was nice enough to offer my parched face a water with my beer, and she refilled it without my asking when it became ice cubes and nothing more.  

Although once a social smoker, I don't partake anymore.  However, Chris's does not frown on its regulars lighting up.  Some will in turn frown on this, but any bar that lets this pass is alright by me.  I think American culture takes a step back every time a state tells its residents they can't smoke in bars.  The way of the cowboy has given to the way of the yuppie.  

If none of this works for you, you will not see a single hipster here.  That has to be a bonus for most people.  

*I am both ridiculously attractive and an unfamiliar face to the regulars at Chris's, so their minds were pretty much blown.

A nice dive in the hole on Ashland. This place serves adequete food for its look. This place is small and has one pool table. the bartender was very friendly and attentive. They had many beers though most are in a bottle. nothing really much more to say about this place and chalking down another bar.