Chicago
Casual Lou's pays homage to the area's meatpacking past, when 'meat and three' cafeterias – where you'd select a meaty main dish and three sides – were…
Must-see restaurants in The Great Lakes
Chicago
Point to what you want in the glass case, then a staff member will load it into the lazy Susan and spin it around to you. The device is hardly big enough…
Michigan
On Michigan State University’s campus, the Dairy Store is where agriculture students show off their ice cream–making skills. They’re doing an A-plus job,…
Michigan
‘Meat and whiskey’ is the tagline at this handsome, dark-wood gastropub, where bacon-wrapped meatloaf, roasted pork belly and smoky beef stroganoff emerge…
Indianapolis
This rock 'n' roll craft-beer pub has Indy's heart, serving up innovative vegan and vegetarian fare until 2am, when most (drunk!) vegans are relegated to…
Chicago
The signature Italian beef sandwich, a Chicago specialty, arrives on a long white bun loaded with thin-cut roast beef that's been simmered and ladled with…
Chicago
Homey, family-run Papa's is a favorite of the local Puerto Rican community. Specialties are roasted chicken (as you can see from the birds slow-turning on…
Indianapolis
A smattering of food stalls fill the city's old marketplace, which dates from 1886. The 2nd-floor bar (open 2pm to 9pm Monday to Thursday and noon to 9pm…
Crane's Pie Pantry, Restaurant & Winery
Gold Coast
Buy a bulging slice of fruit pie, or pick apples and peaches in the surrounding orchards. Crane's also makes hard ciders and wines (the sauvignon blanc…
Chicago
Chicago has a lot of French bistros sprinkled around, but not many perfect the balance of fine yet unfussy dining in a sophisticated but welcoming…
Chicago
Ricobene's has been around for four-plus decades catering to construction workers, young families and other neighborhood types. While pizza and pasta take…
Wisconsin
Norse Nook hangs a sign that says, 'Pie Fixes Everything.' Try the chocolate mint, blueberry crunch or cherry cream cheese varieties, and you'll believe…
Chicago
Morton’s is a chain now, but Chicago is where it all began, with meat aged to perfection and displayed table-side before cooking. See that half a cow? It…
Chicago
For tasty, vegan fast-casual fare, Native Foods is your spot. The big ol' BBQ burger features seitan bacon and melted mock American cheese on a plant…
Chicago
With red-checked tablecloths, a free-play jukebox piled with classic rock and country, and a menu of Southern home cookin’, cash-only Feed has a chipper…
Chicago
Decadent, reimagined breakfast standards hit the tables at this cozy morning spot in a stunning art deco building. The Havarti omelet folds in green apple…
Chicago
Set up like a swanky beer hall with urbanites young and old sitting across from each other at long communal tables, Publican specializes in oysters, hams…
Chicago
The very first of the now-ubiquitous Lettuce Entertain You stable of restaurants, RJ Grunts came on to the scene in the 1970s, when Lincoln Park emerged…
Chicago
It's the gold standard for Chicago vegetarians and a longtime favorite, as the 'meat-free since '83' tagline indicates. Top marks go to the mushroom…
Cincinnati
Cincinnati chili is a local specialty. A 'five-way' is a version comprised of meat sauce (spiced with chocolate and cinnamon) ladled over spaghetti and…
Chicago
This two-story Italian food emporium overwhelms when you step inside. The winners among the many restaurants and cafe stations strewn throughout include…
Chicago
Chicago’s politicos and seen-it-all senior citizens get in the cafeteria-style line at Manny’s for the towering pastrami and corned-beef sandwiches, matzo…
Cincinnati
The Belgian-born chef here started his career making waffles at Findlay Market, and has now branched out to running four full-fledged bistros around town…
Chicago
This airy, Asian-vibed eatery fuses flavors from Puerto Rico, Korea, Japan, China and Vietnam. Eclectic dishes result, such as the 'baco' (a cross between…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
Named after a Jamaican folklore tale that Bob Marley adapted into a song, this bar-restaurant cooks up such Jamaican staples as curried goat, jerk chicken…
Michigan
Sovengard’s ‘New Nordic’ cuisine is all about local, seasonal dishes with a base in Scandinavian cooking. Smoked trout, gravy-sloshed Swedish meatballs…
Ohio
‘Hoyo’ means mother in Somali, and the brothers who run this restaurant use mom’s recipes for their traditional dishes. Staples include chicken suqaar …
Indianapolis
James Beard–nominated chef Abbi Merriss creates the city's most raved about upscale comfort food. Her daily changing menus call on the freshest local…
Michigan
The Grove is Grand Rapids’ go-to restaurant for high-end, farm-to-table fare. The menu is ever changing based on what's available seasonally from local…
Michigan
The Cheetah is a modern diner, where twinkly lights dangle over bustling, close-set tables. The hipster comfort food ranges from seven-cheese, bread crumb…
Gold Coast
This brightly painted little spot is good for a quick, healthy bite. The tacos, tamales and burritos are made without lard or shortening, and with…
Chicago
Floriole's chef started out selling lemon tarts, twice-baked croissants and rum-tinged caneles (a pastry with a custard center and caramelized crust) at…
Cleveland
Pork takes pride of place at the Pig, where rosy brick walls and chunky wood tables create a warm atmosphere. Indulge in pork rinds (pickle dusted), pork…
Indiana
This good-time bar and grill toes the line between diner and dive bar and manages to do both well. Come for well-done burgers, sandwiches and wraps (along…
Chicago
Natural light streams in the floor-to-ceiling windows that look out at Frank Lloyd Wright’s famed Robie House next door. Order a quinoa-and-roasted…
Indianapolis
Cafeterias are an Indiana tradition, but most have disappeared – except for Gray Brothers. Enter the time-warped dining room, grab a blue tray and behold…
Chicago
Looking up at the entry to this 2nd-story restaurant on Michigan Ave, you’d have no idea of the gem that waits inside. The restaurant has the comfortable…
Chicago
Meli is the Greek word for ‘honey,’ and it’s apt for this sweet breakfast spot. Cage-free eggs served over a bed of potatoes, spinach-and-feta omelets,…
Ohio
Grab a table in the old blacksmith shop, admire the iron tools on the wall, and then stoke your tastebuds with delectable crepes. Salmon with lemon dill…
Ohio
Little Eater coaxes fab flavors from vegetables. The dill-spiced spinach and leek frittata, carrot ginger soup and quinoa tossed with asparagus, snap peas…
