Rosa's is strictly a neighborhood hangout, but it has all the atmosphere required to fuel its heartfelt lamentations. Mama Rosa and her son, Tony Mangiullo, run a homey, lovable spot that, despite its somewhat distant location, is decidedly one of the best joints in town for spirited, authentic Chicago blues. (Because of its off-the-beaten-track location, it attracts local fans rather than tourists.) Rosa's also sponsors a blues cruise on Lake Michigan every summer. Shows start at 9:30pm Tuesday through Saturday.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Chicago 2009, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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