Sunday on Oakley: Little Italy's Best-Kept Secret Dining Tradition Is Back for the Season
By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/University Village Little Italy ·
University Village Little Italy has no shortage of Taylor Street icons, but savvy neighbors know that some of the neighborhood's most authentic warm-weather magic happens one block over — on South Oakley Avenue, where a beloved Sunday street closure tradition turns the corridor into an open-air dining destination all season long.
On Sundays, the stretch of Oakley Avenue near the neighborhood's classic Italian restaurants transforms into a pedestrian-friendly alfresco experience, with tables spilling onto the closed street and the aroma of eggplant parm drifting through the air. Chez Joel Bistro — the charming French-Italian gem anchoring the stretch — draws regulars and first-timers alike who rave about the outdoor seating and the neighborhood intimacy that's harder to find on busier blocks. It's the kind of low-key, community-built ritual that makes Little Italy feel like a village within the city.
With Memorial Day weekend officially marking the start of Chicago's outdoor dining season, and foot traffic building across the Near West Side heading into a landmark summer, the Oakley Sunday scene is a perfect reminder that Little Italy's soul runs deeper than any single street. Whether you're a longtime local or just discovering the neighborhood, this Sunday is a great excuse to pull up a chair on Oakley and soak it all in. Tried the Sunday street dining on Oakley? Tag @SocialhoodChicago with #LittleItalyChicago and share your plate — let's celebrate the neighborhood together!
Sources:
1. https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Taylor+Street+Restaurants&find_loc=Chicago%2C+IL
2. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g35805-d27931209-Reviews-Little_Italy_university_Village-Chicago_Illinois.html
3. https://www.choosechicago.com/neighborhoods/little-italy-university-village/