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)…
Must-see restaurants in The Great Lakes
Door County
This modest coffee shop in the middle of downtown Sturgeon Bay is a handy spot to grab a quick breakfast or lunch. House favorites include a very good …
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)…
Minnesota
The Oasis is a greasy-spoon classic. Scoot into a turquoise booth (mind the duct tape) and fork into a haystack (aka hash browns filled with ham, cheese…
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…
Northern Minnesota
Try this big, slick brewpub in the main visitor hub of Canal Park for a predictable list of sandwiches, burgers and nachos. It does have a couple of…
Wisconsin
Situated on the second level of the Lambeau Field atrium, adjacent to the stadium, this is a decent lunch choice to pair with a stadium tour or visit to…
Ohio
Stop by this funky little restaurant in Laurelville for Jo’s famous melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts. Oh, and for the Hot Mess, a mix of eggs, biscuit,…
Minneapolis
These tattooed ladies with bright-hued hair make seriously badass doughnuts (including many vegan ones) in their punk pink shop in the heart of 'Eat…
Northern Minnesota
Dig into walleye sandwiches, fish tacos in fry bread (deep-fried flat bread that's popular in Native American cuisine), wild rice casserole and other…
Ohio
The Southern-style barbecue here isn’t going to change your life, but it’s good enough to satisfy hungry carnivores. Neon beer signs glow on the walls,…
Cleveland
The name doesn't lie – it's the best pho in town, where Cleveland foodies go to get their fix. It's nothing fancy, just a couple of plain rooms filled…
Upper Peninsula
It's tough to beat the broasted chicken, bacon cheeseburgers and hand-cut French fries that this food trailer rustles up. A couple of tables outside offer…
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…
Northern Minnesota
Sink your teeth into a beer-battered walleye sandwich or the Boathouse version of poutine (French fries topped with beef brisket, bacon, cheese curds and…
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…
Wisconsin
Handy soup and sandwich joint, strategically placed near the Rock Island ferry landing to catch hungry hikers on their way off the island. As the name…
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…
Milwaukee
Located in the Third Ward, the market's vendors sell cheese, chocolate, sandwiches, beer, tacos, frozen custard and more. Take them upstairs where there…
Minneapolis
The ultimate hole in the wall: 14 stools at a tiny counter. Whenever a customer comes in, everyone picks up their plates and scoots down to make room for…
Northern Minnesota
This woodsy little joint in the middle of nowhere is a welcome respite, whipping up stuffed hash browns (as in stuffed with gooey cheese) and killer pies…
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…
Indiana
Grab a counter stool, chat to the servers and let the sugar buzz begin at retro, stained-glass-packed Zaharakos, a 1909 soda fountain. The attached museum…
Ohio
Ha Ha is a longstanding Yellow Springs tradition for pizza. Its claim to fame is its organic whole wheat crust. Grab a booth in the no-frills room and…
Ohio
Burgers, steaks, fish and chips, and other spins on pub grub – plus a good beer menu – are the name of the game at this bar-cum-restaurant. There's a nice…
Wisconsin
Pilots around Wisconsin know this tiny, atmospheric airport diner as a great fly-in destination for bacon and eggs, pancakes and lunchtime sandwiches…
Wisconsin
Pop into this market/deli to meet farmers and munch their wares. Local meats, cheeses, breads and produce stock the shelves. Gluten-free and vegetarian…
Ohio
Grab a table or a stool at the bar in this old-school tavern, a good spot to tuck into fried perch, lobster chowder and burgers. A chocolatey Brandy…
Ohio
Union Street Diner has been fueling Athenians for decades. The no-nonsense spot slings everything from omelets and hash browns to chicken fried steak,…
Gold Coast
Beloved Sherman’s scoops massive cones in 50 flavors (try the Mackinac Island fudge). Can't decide? Order a 'tour' where you pick six flavors for sample…
Northern Minnesota
A delightfully old-timey malt shop conveniently located just east of downtown. Order at the window and munch your cone or slurp your root-beer float while…
Northern Minnesota
This homey coffee shop and bakery is a decent all-rounder for breakfast burritos and lunch sandwiches as well as coffee, cake and cookies, including a…
Minneapolis
Malaysian dishes – including red curry hot pot, spicy crab and fish in banana leaves – rock the palate in this contemporary restaurant in the heart of the…
Indiana
Little Tibet offers specialties from the Himalayan homeland, including Tibetan dumplings (momos) and noodle stew (thukpa), as well as Indian and Thai…
Cincinnati
Graeter's is a local delicacy, with scoop shops around the city. This one is on Fountain Sq. The flavors that mix in the gargantuan, chunky chocolate…
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…
Northern Minnesota
Head here for great brunches and gourmet pizzas (vegan and gluten-free versions too). It's also plugged into the local music scene and hosts bands. Fully…
Northern Minnesota
Ideal for a quick meal, this popular diner serves an all-day breakfast special ($10) as well as the usual suspects of burgers, BLTs and grilled-cheese…
Indiana
This is a decent spot for a ham-bean-and-cornbread lunch, but the pies and cakes are the main reason to come. Coconut cream and carrot take the prize…
