While many people are familiar with Goose Island Brewpub, Goose Island is actually an island in the north branch of the Chicago River and it’s the only island on the Chicago River in Illinois. It is an artificial island that is about one-and-a-half miles long and a half-mile wide. The island was created by William B. Ogden in 1855 who was also the first mayor of Chicago.
No one actually lives on Goose Island but the small near north side neighborhood features an active restaurant scene as well as nearly 200 households. In fact, many Chicagoans may have even traveled on Goose Island without realizing it when they passed through on Division Street or Halsted Street which are the main thoroughfares that connect the island with the rest of the city.
The only school on Goose Island is Kendall College which is Chicago’s premier culinary school. They opened their doors in 1934 and offer a Bachelor’s Degree program in various food service fields. The school is widely considered to be one of the best culinary institutes in the country. The Dining Room at Kendall College is a chance to experience cuisine that’s as good as some of the best restaurants in the city but at a fraction of the price. Students do all of the cooking under the watchful eyes of the school’s master chefs. You can often get a four-course meal for under $30.
Other dining choice in the area include the famous Goose Island Shrimp House, Finkel’s on the River, Flaming Wok’n Grill, Trattoria Gianni, Love’s Chicago and others. And who could forget about the Goose Island Brewpub opened in 1988 and now featuring over 50 craft beers.
If you’d like to learn more about real estate in the Goose Island neighborhood, please click here to visit the Menard Johnson & Associates Real Estate website where you can see available homes for sale in Goose Island along with other Chicago neighborhoods.
