Wisconsin
With its dark, woodsy decor, the Old Fashioned evokes a supper club, a type of retro eatery common in Wisconsin. The menu is all local specialties,…
Must-see restaurants in The Great Lakes
Gold Coast
This family-owned business in a former railway terminal has been serving up wood-fired pizzas, fresh green salads and craft beer since 2012. Check out the…
Wisconsin
The book-stuffed Harbor View is a Slow Food stalwart. Staff write the changing menu on a chalkboard twice daily – once for lunch, once for dinner. Cross…
Minnesota
A scrumptious food hall, with stalls serving locally sourced sandwiches, pizza, ice cream and other food items in a spiffy, remodeled brewery space. In…
Chicago
Retro-cute as can be, little Spinning J harks back to a 1950s soda fountain, with a line of counter stools and a smattering of booths where you can sip…
Northern Minnesota
You'll find excellent soups and sandwiches, the town's best burgers, and an array of heartier evening meals, such as steaks and walleye, at this central…
Minnesota
A high-tone bistro with an eclectic menu of rice bowls, tacos and burgers, plus more ambitious dinner-time fare like steaks and fresh fish. There are lots…
Michigan
Order at the spice jar–lined counter, and then grab one of the close-set tables to await your beet burger with tofu bacon, Korean sweet-potato noodle stir…
Chicago
An excellent late-night option for this area, Velvet Taco features hip new takes on the eminently adaptable taco: spicy chicken tikka; Nashville hot tofu…
Chicago
A relic of Route 66, Lou's brings in elbow-to-elbow locals and tourists for breakfast. The old-school waitstaff deliver big fluffy omelets and thick-cut…
Northern Minnesota
The 'OMC' stands for 'Oink, Moo, Cluck,' but we'll give them a pass because of the outstanding quality of the smoked meats, as well as inventive menu…
Chicago
The name doesn't lie: it's all about dumplings in this bright room under bamboo lanterns. The dough pockets come steamed or pan-fried, in serves of 12 or…
Wisconsin
The Radish uses quality, sustainable ingredients in its deli wares. It's located by the docks and handy for amassing snacks to take on boat tours. At…
Indiana
This cute little grocery store and deli features toasted sandwiches, heaps of cheeses from the region (including awesome housemade goat's-milk cheese),…
Chicago
A Michelin-starred restaurant-lounge hybrid, Boka is a pre- and post-theater stomping ground for younger Steppenwolf patrons. Order a cocktail at the bar…
Michigan
The shop that launched the area's foodie frenzy, Zingerman's piles local, organic and specialty ingredients onto towering sandwiches in a sprawling…
Ohio
Hubcap-sized pancakes, 20 pie flavors each day, fat sandwiches and Amish specialties such as country-fried steak draw locals and tourists alike. Cash only.
Indiana
Bloomington's only craft distillery makes fantastic spirits with local botanicals, but their equally interesting, seasonally changing food menu is one of…
Cleveland
Citizen Pie fires up Neapolitan-style pizzas using an oven straight from the motherland. Watch the pizza maker slide your meal into the fiery dome, and…
Chicago
This always-hopping gastropub dishes up fanciful grub, from Gouda-topped venison burgers to mussels vindaloo or Guinness-battered fish and chips; a steak…
Illinois
Just off Main St (read: lures in more locals), Otto constructed this historic building in 1899 and turned it into a restaurant. He and his restaurant are…
Indiana
Sitting on privileged real estate along the Ohio River in Jeffersonville, this precious 1904 home's epic patio makes for a fine refueling stop with…
Chicago
It’s a mixed crowd at Valois. In fact, the clientele is so socioeconomically diverse that a U of C sociology professor wrote a well-known book about it,…
Illinois
This downtown Moline Thai restaurant whips up an authentic menu of Thai curries, rice and street food with occasional dabbles into Burmese, Laotian and…
Indiana
All things considered, New Albany's best restaurant is a one-stop evening out. Sky-high exposed-brick walls and and true-to-their-name Big Ass Fans…
Chicago
Renowned pastry chef Bobby Schaffer has opened one of Andersonville's newest spots, a Scandi-influenced bakery with an appropriately minimalist, elegant…
Chicago
You could easily walk right by this modest storefront without realizing the rich, buttery glory that awaits inside. The chef reworks his great-grandmother…
Michigan
Chowhounds hobnob at this stylish food hall, perusing top picks such as Slows Bar BQ, Fish Lads (stellar fish and chips), Love’s Ice Cream and Madcap…
Indiana
Punching above its culinary class by Columbus standards, HSC's seasonally changing menu satiates local foodies (and visiting architects) and is the best…
Chicago
Neighborhood folks dig into plates heaped with falafel sandwiches, creamy hummus, lamb shawarma, spinach pies and other quality Middle Eastern fare at…
Leland, Northport & Suttons Bay
You can’t go wrong at Fischer’s, a vintage supper club tucked in the woods. Loosen the belt for broasted chicken (it combines broiling and roasting),…
Indiana
Now a Northern Indiana chain, it started here in Middlebury and all because of the sought-after cinnamon-caramel donuts known locally as 'Amish crack.'…
Chicago
Fat Rice won a Beard Award for its dishes, which are inspired by the flavors of Macau, a former Portuguese territory off China’s coast. The unconventional…
Chicago
If you prefer your sushi served in a trendy nightclub-like space with dramatic lighting, or if your favorite maki is named after an American state, don't…
Chicago
Summertime visits to candy-floss-pink Original Rainbow Cone have been a South Side tradition since 1926, with evening queues frequently stretching outside…
Detroit
This homey diner, located in the imposing GAR building, takes its name from the government department that was once housed here. There are no wrong…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
This former gas station is now a taco-serving honky-tonk bar from big-name Chicago chef Paul Kahan. The place gets packed but it's worth the wait – pork…
Chicago
With an Instagrammable vibe and supercreative flavors such as gooey butter cake and goat's cheese with red cherries, the Wrigleyville location of beloved…
Chicago
South Siders of all stripes have been finding burger nirvana at this unassuming greasy spoon since 1942. Don't let the lack of fancy toppings and…
Chicago
You’ve seen chef-owner Rick Bayless on TV, stirring pepper sauces and other jump-off-the-tongue Mexican creations. His isn’t your typical taco menu:…
