Chicago
Thanks to nearly nonstop hours and an enormous menu that has everything from Taiwanese-style fried turnip omelets to minced pork with spaghetti, beef hot…
Must-see restaurants in Illinois
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
This Italian grocery store and butcher cuts a mean salami. If you’re planning a picnic, drop by and pick up a 9in sub sandwich or two (the Italian…
Illinois
Fork in to all the French classics – coq au vin, caussoulet, bouillabaisse – at this cozy little bistro across from the Ernest Hemingway Museum. If…
Chicago
This is a South Indian all-veg favorite, where friendly servers deliver well-spiced curries, dosas and iddlies (steamed rice-lentil patties) in the…
Illinois
This romantic little bistro serves a compact menu of both German and French classics. Dig in to escargot (snails) in garlic-herb butter or maybe a tender…
Chicago
The Wrigleyville location of long-running local favorite Smoke Daddy treats Cubs baseball fans to slow-cooked porcine delights and an easy-breezy vibe…
Chicago
Upmarket American dishes such as glazed short ribs, steaks and fried chicken are a hit at Dutch & Doc's, one of a new crop of restaurants gussying up…
Chicago
The Wrigleyville location of Chicago's West Town Bakery bucks the familiar bakeshop formula, offering quirky treats like French toast 'cakeballs' as well…
Illinois
While one would be forgiven for assuming Big Bill to be a legendary old-timer who used to shoot vodka with Ulysses S Grant, the owner here is actually a…
Chicago
Have a pillow ready for the inevitable sugar crash after you gorge yourself on the down-home, old-fashioned desserts made at this Lincoln Park bakery-cafe…
Chicago
It bills itself as an 'urban food hall,’ which translates to a midrange food court with more than a dozen different globally themed kitchens featuring…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
Don’t let the motorcycle theme, burly burgers and steel finishing intimidate you: behind the macho facade at this popular brunch spot are artful dishes…
Chicago
Though it's standard Indian food in a standard Indian-restaurant ambience, this is a nice option for the South Loop that offers a rare bonus: Nepalese…
Chicago
Kopi gives off a crunchy Asian trekker-lodge vibe, from the low tables and seating pillows by the front window to the bohemian clientele and flyer-filled…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
Hip but not in your face about it, this small indie cafe offers a variety of sandwiches, bagels, plant-based items (vegan chili, a black-bean burger), as…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
In the old ‘Polish Downtown’ is this hole-in-the-wall holdover, a true mom-and-pop joint (with owner Helena up front and husband Jerry in the kitchen)…
Chicago
Lao Sze Chuan is known for its hot-spiced dishes served in its bright-red room. House specialties include the three-chili chicken, which is tender and…
Chicago
The beauty of this little shop – besides the yummy, yeasty, perfectly sweet original glazed doughnuts – is its location right smack off the 606 trail…
Chicago
Honky Tonk's colorful, art-filled walls and live music by rockabilly, swing or blues bands give it a high-spirited vibe. Memphis-style dry-rub barbecue…
Chicago
Apart from signature hot dogs, carnivorous delights include the Italian sausage combo – which marries Italian beef and Italian sausage on a single soggy…
Chicago
A humble, hidden gem in Old Town, this mom-and-pop Middle Eastern spot has been serving falafel and pita sandwiches, kabobs and baked kefta (spiced lamb)…
Illinois
The best of the breweries on the Illinois side of the border from a food standpoint, Bent River does a swift trade in smoked meats (the brisket is tasty)…
Illinois
More is more at this cheap and cheerful burger and dog slinger, where Evanston comes to cheat on its diet. Fries quake beneath extravagant toppings such…
Chicago
Scenesters and the occasional celebrity glam it up while swirling specialty cocktails and forking into pan-Asian dishes and sushi, set against a backdrop…
Chicago
Folks line up for bubble teas packed with fresh fruit at this brightly colored, hip cafe in Chinatown Square. Do yourself a favor, though, and save one of…
Chicago
‘The Mr’ is a classic gyros joint. While the fluorescent lighting and plastic decor may lack charm, the gyros have a beauty of their own. Carnivores: this…
Chicago
The menu of thin-crust pizzas, sandwiches and salads draws U of C students to this colorful cafe and bakery. For breakfast, try the ‘eggs espresso,’ made…
Illinois
D'Arcy's piles up Springfield's best 'horseshoe,' a local sandwich of fried meat on toasted bread, mounded with french fries and smothered in melted…
Chicago
Lem's is revered for its smoky-sauced rib tips, which come cushioned between a bed of fries and topping of white-bread slices. You'll need a car to get…
Illinois
This Route 66 legend – the reputed birthplace of the corn dog! – has memorabilia and souvenirs in addition to the deeply fried main course on a stick.
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
The west side's quintessential taco stop after a long night of drinking. Also great for quesadillas, burritos, tortas and hangover-curing breakfasts.
Illinois
Pot roast, pork tenderloins and other Midwestern favorites arrive at the table, made with ingredients sourced from local farms.
