Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
This purveyor of Quad Cities–style pizza (distinguished by a malty-crust pie snipped into thin strips) encourages guests of all ages to let their hair…
Must-see restaurants in The Great Lakes
Chicago
This small storefront makes more than 30 types of tamales, including many in atypical, vegetarian flavors such as quinoa and lentil, eggplant and cheese,…
Wisconsin
It's breakfast all day and all night at Short Stack. Order at the counter, then hopefully find a free table amid the cutesy, mismatched decor. Staff use…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
A bright, stylish cafe, Milk & Honey has become the hangout du jour for discerning neighborhood socialites. Waffles and pancakes in different flavors …
Ohio
Follow your nose into Kauffman’s to grab a loaf of warm-from-the-oven bread. More than 200 loaves bake daily, along with cinnamon pretzel doughnuts, mint…
Chicago
The chef is only in her 20s, but she has already apprenticed under Rick Bayless and brought his ‘farm to table’ philosophy to this vibrant brick-and…
Chicago
When it’s too cold for a tailgate party, come to this spot in the Tremont Hotel owned by the famously cantankerous former coach of the Chicago Bears (who…
Chicago
Located in the Ogilvie train station just west of the Loop, this sprawling Euro-style food hall has stalls offering Belgian fries, Montreal-style smoked…
Michigan
This modern, clean-lined cafe focuses on healthy dishes for breakfast and lunch using ingredients that are organic and antibiotic free. The honey oat…
Minneapolis
Fried chicken, shrimp and grits, peppery mac and cheese, smokey collard greens and buttery biscuits arrive at close-packed tables. Sunlight pours in the…
Karl's Cuisine, Winery & Brewery
Upper Peninsula
The menu at convivial Karl's spans pasties (beef or chicken plus veggies baked in a crust), Lake Superior whitefish, burgers, sandwiches, stromboli and…
Chicago
Vegheads don't have to miss out on the Chicago food experience – this 100%-plant-based fast-casual restaurant rocks the mock meat with a wide-ranging menu…
Ohio
It seems all of the countryside is at this pizza parlor in the evening: the high school baseball team, Amish teens on a date, families and groups of…
Chicago
This candlelit BYOB Argentine steakhouse makes an idyllic date location, serving classic skirt steaks and other tender grass-fed options. In addition to…
Chicago
An old-style cafe, with creaking wooden tables and chairs set throughout several rambling rooms of a large old house; antique cameras and kitchen…
Indiana
You cant go wrong at this gourmet taqueria on Valparaiso's pretty and revitalized main square: douse your Handle Bar (spicy skirt steak, avocado, queso…
Chicago
Iberico’s creative tapas burst with flavor. Among the standouts: salpicon de marisco (seafood salad with shrimp, octopus and squid), croquetas de pollo …
Chicago
This hot-dog joint beside the L track has a sign that's launched a thousand Instagram posts. Take the requisite photos while you wait for your Chubby Dog,…
Chicago
For once, a place touting itself as one of Frank Sinatra’s favorite restaurants can back it up – a fact evidenced in the framed pic of Ol’ Blue Eyes by…
Chicago
The entire menu at this sunny, modern space is 100% gluten-free. Breakfast dishes are the specialty, including thick stacks of pancakes, honey-butter…
Wisconsin
Green Bay's entry into the supper-club sweepstakes has been going strong since 1948. All of the steaks, chops and seafood you'd expect, served in a…
Cleveland
This low-lit, white-tablecloth bistro in Little Italy prepares modern takes on classic Italian dishes. Kasha-stuffed zucchini with cashew cream sauce,…
Chicago
As famous for its unruly, foul-mouthed ambience as for its charred hot dogs and cheddar fries, the Wieners Circle is a normal hot-dog stand – with damn…
Wisconsin
Titletown is a charming restaurant and bar, with a comforting fireplace in winter, that occupies an old railway station. The menu has all the usual…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
This late-night Wicker Park standby serves up slices and pies of thin-crust pizza with both standard and inventive toppings: macaroni and cheese, chicken…
Indiana
This colorful Greek family diner sits right in front of a steel mill, whose workers pile in for the cheap, hearty pancakes, chopped steak burgers, bacon…
Chicago
Whether you’re dining outside under the oak tree or tucked in a cozy corner inside, the atmosphere and exceptional French fare make Chez Joel a romantic…
Ohio
Occupying a vintage house in the Brewery District, complete with flowery wallpaper and old family photos decorating the rooms, Ambrose & Eve oozes cozy…
Chicago
The Green Door, tucked in an 1872 building, is your place to mingle with locals over a beer and well-made burger amid old photos and memorabilia. During…
Cincinnati
At this homey storefront in Northside, order at the counter and the congenial staff assembles your delicious Nepali meal on the spot as you pick the type…
Ohio
Brightly painted and woodsy-casual in ambience, Village Bakery uses organic veggies, sustainably produced meats and farmstead cheeses in its eggy…
Chicago
This clubby bistro is just steps from the Loop theater district and fills up fast with ticket-holders. The seasonal menu provides exceptionally flavorful…
Chicago
Many dishes at this warm Argyle St eatery require some assembly, pairing shrimp, beef or squid with rice crepes, mint, Thai basil and lettuce. For an…
Chicago
This comfortable, upscale steakhouse does Chicago proud. Expect perfectly cured meats hand-cut on-site and an atmosphere befitting the city’s famous…
Wisconsin
This place offers an eclectic range of starters and mains, with an emphasis on colorful presentation and locally sourced ingredients. Stella's is arguably…
Northern Minnesota
The garden in the parking lot is the tip-off that the Duluth Grill is a sustainable, hippie-vibed place. The dineresque menu ranges from eggy breakfast…
Indiana
With a lively location right on Bloomington's town square, Samira's is justifiably crowded for its somewhat upscale take on traditional Afghani cuisine…
Michigan
Part of the Zingerman's empire, this big, clamorous restaurant focuses on traditional American dishes like buttermilk-battered fried chicken, pit-smoked…
Chicago
For a cheap à la carte lunch in Chinatown, this bright bakery has fluffy BBQ pork buns, bite-sized egg custard tarts, coconut and winter melon pastries…
Cleveland
Bright-hued, trinket-filled Brewnuts has a novel concept: it makes its doughnuts using craft beer as an ingredient. Stuff your face with coffee chocolate…
