#81 Lawrence Bus

Hopping on a CTA #81 (Lawrence) bus used to be my daily commute to/​from work when I lived in Albany Park. This particular route runs 24/​7, and many TSAs and ORD workers catch this one. Yes, together in the same bus we were like a large, happy family.
At around 10pm, working professionals coming from ORD and Rosemont would get on the blue line train. As many of us were getting discharged at the Jefferson Park stop, we had the last exercise of the day: running all the way to #81 and hoping everyone of us had a seat (unlikely…because this one is always crowed during that time).
Eastbound #81 begins at Jefferson Park Transportation Center. Immediately there’s the first point of interest:
— Copernicus Center: the annual north side Polish Fest on Labor Day weekend is hosted here. They have different activities going on throughout the year.
Let’s get back on the bus and continue our journey, or you may remain in the neighborhood and get a new tattoo at Chitown Tattoo, off Leclaire and I-​90. I’ve heard many good reviews on their work.
As we are heading east, we will be passing Mayfair and Albany Park. Albany Park is known to be one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Chicago. There are a few hole-​in-​the-​wall places that actually were gems in my opinion:
— Fish N’ Go (cash-​only): ask Nick, the owner, if there are oysters available. My parents used to surprise me with their delicious fried oysters after a long day of work.
— Lawrence Fish Market (cash-​only): affordable prices on quality sashimi, sushi, and maki rolls. Put their number on your speed dial and call ahead.
— Markellos (cash-​only): lights are on ²⁴⁄₇. I guarantee that you will never go hungry cruising through Albany Park.
Ladies and gentlemen, now you’ve arrived at the CTA Kimball Brown Line station. That’s probably what I’m missing the most living in Albany Park. The brown line provides an easy access to the Chicago Loop. From there it connects to other transportation options to the south/​southwest side of neighborhoods.
By the way, «Hot Dog Station» on Kimball by Kimball Brown Line station is a good place to grab a quick bite. I don’t know or can’t recall the owner’s name, but he resembles «Aiden» from Sex and the City.
Wow, this review is becoming very long, and I should wrap it up ASAP.
«Ravenswood» is the next neighborhood. It overlaps with Lincoln Square, near CTA Western Brown Line station. Many people love to hang out here during summer for the farmer’s market on select Thursday evenings, trendy bars, and cool small businesses.
Metra Union Pacific/​North Line has a stop at Ravenswood. This particular Metra routine starts at Chicago-​Ogilvie Transportation Center (OTC) and goes to all the way up north in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Attention passengers… we are approaching to Uptown. «Little Vietnam» is within the Uptown neighborhood. Many Vietnamese or other Asian-​themed restaurants, bakeries, and businesses are nearby.
If you ever wanna see some skimpily-​dressed young men and women, come to «Aragon Ballroom» across from CTA Lawrence Red Line station. I almost got hurt by random glass bottles flying over my head while I was waiting for the bus on a late Saturday night.
The CTA #81 (Lawrence) bus tour is officially coming to the end. Now it’s time to take a quality break at the beautiful, magnificent Lakeshore Path.

This is the worst service I have seen in my life after 8:00pm on Ravenswood /​Lawrence area the bus does not run (bus tracker does not even show it so your forced to walk or take a cab after gym) the drive of this route should be fired, how hard is it to be on time for each stop when its cold and wet and you have people waiting for it to arrive.

god I hate you so much. So much. you look like the UN threw up.

Thank you for being on time every morning! And thank you for never making me wait more than 10 minutes when going to or from the gym. You get me a lot of places I need to go and for that I appreciate you.

The magic #81 Lawrence bus is open 24÷7÷365, is as clutch and critical as it gets. It starts by Lake Shore Drive and flows through Uptown to pick you up from The Green Mill, Uptown Lounge, Kinetic Playground, The Aragon, The Riv, WIld Pug, or Crew. It goes on west in quick fashion, passing by El Quijote for late night eats, passes by Crafty Beaver and also Golden Nugget.
If you need to hop on the Metra, the #81 Lawrence can drop you off at Lawrence and Ravenswood to hop on over. A giant Chase branch exists there that used to be BankOne that used to be First Chicago. Keep going west and you’ll find Wendy’s, CVS on Damen and Lawrence, El Taco Loco for late night snackery and Walgreen’s open until Midnight.
Not going to Lincoln Square? That’s all right, the #81 will take you on over past Harvest Time for groceries, past by Restaurant Sarajevo, Greek bakeries and a world of small businesses. If it’s late and you still haven’t stopped try some George’s Kebob by Kedzie and the new Mediterranean joint on the corner. Want something less ethic? How bout some Huddle House diner food that’s open ²⁴⁄₇?
The Filipino grocery is nearby, Popeye’s Chicken, Subway, Donut Doctor and a world of $ 5 hair salons. Want some late night high carb fare? How bout some ²⁴⁄₇ Markello’s Bakery? You can take the bus all the way to Jefferson Park, but I am getting off here, see you.