Chicago
Little Andy's earns big praise from foodies who swoon over the authentic Thai menu. Andy's not afraid to use organ parts in his dishes, or to atomically…
Must-see restaurants in The Great Lakes
Indiana
Set in a converted grain storage building, this atmospheric little spot cooks up surprisingly good steaks, burgers and comfort foods such as meatloaf-and…
Chicago
Twin Anchors is synonymous with ribs – smoky, tangy-sauced baby backs in this case. The meat drops from the ribs as soon as you lift them. The restaurant…
Chicago
At this long-standing, delightfully ersatz tapas joint, the garlic-laced menu changes often but always includes hot or cold small plates of vegetables and…
Chicago
Yoshi's is one of the most innovative casual places in town, known for its changing Japanese- and French-flared menu and gracious standards during the…
Wisconsin
Family-owned O&H has been around forever. The bakery's claim to fame is its kringle, an oval-shaped Nordic pastry with a sweet filling. O&H's kringles are…
Chicago
Artopolis is one of the city’s top bakeries – many of the nearby Randolph St restaurants get their bread here, and locals often pop in to ogle the…
Northern Minnesota
What better place than Bemidji, purported birthplace of Paul Bunyan, to fork into a lumberjack breakfast (eggs, hash-brown casserole, sausage and pancakes…
Gold Coast
Luisa’s charms with its folksy wood tables and farm art on the walls. The little room is always abuzz as whopping plates of pancakes, scrambled eggs and…
Chicago
Piled high with savory beef that soaks through the thick bun, Al's sandwich is one of Chicago's culinary hallmarks. This is the original location of the…
Leland, Northport & Suttons Bay
Martha cooks in a cozy red clapboard house. She serves breakfast until afternoon, which means you can sleep late and still fork into her blueberry…
Minneapolis
Smack Shack started life as a food truck and a kind of menu anarchy still prevails (how about 'king crab carbonara' or 'lobster poutine?'). The emphasis…
Milwaukee
This hip, industrial space in the Third Ward is a butcher shop with a cafe that serves lunch and dinner. It stacks a meaty sandwich, such as the roast…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
Found along the hip run of bars and restaurants on Division St, Takito Kitchen has a menu of tasty new twists on Mexican food that's 100% gluten-free…
Chicago
Fresh, fresh meat and vegetable dishes, distinctly seasoned, set this Pakistani place apart from its competitors on Devon. Try the ‘frontier’ chicken,…
Michigan
Step inside to a world of buoys, lures and nautical items that hang from the ceiling in this makeshift sea shanty, and await your basket of Great Lakes…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
Pick from assorted flavors of macaroons, red velvet cupcakes and other creamy-frosted goodies in the bakery, then take them to the ‘lounge’ next door (or…
Indianapolis
The on-site micro-farm raises kale, beets, eggs and other ingredients for this eatery's homey dishes; 100% of the profits are then plowed back into the…
Gold Coast
Enter the low A-frame building, grab a seat at a scuffed wood table and order one of the local beers on tap while waiting for your excellent, doughy-crust…
Chicago
Neighborbood professionals swarm this place to refuel while typing away on their laptops. The big tables and comfy chairs are part of the appeal. So are…
Illinois
This independent butcher sources its meat and dairy from local farms in Fairbury, IL, and makes damn sure you feel welcome when you step through the door…
Chicago
El Milagro is a classic. On one side it's a restaurant, with a cafeteria-style line for plates of beef stew simmering in tomato sauce or chicken in…
Kingston Kitchen at the Village Inn
Michigan
The Village Inn was an island staple known for its planked whitefish. Now Chef Shawn from Jamaica has taken over, and while you still can get the…
Gold Coast
From smoked trout to cod tacos to good old fish and chips, high-quality seafood in a vast array of preparations is the signature at this gourmet grocer…
Chicago
At this off-the-beaten-path neighborhood spot, the namesake dish is made up of double-buttermilk-battered bird sprinkled with smoked paprika, onto which…
Northern Minnesota
This smallish cafe includes a restaurant and food store, focusing on locally sourced, organic ingredients. The menu changes daily, though expect a range…
Vienna Beef Factory Store & Cafe
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
A true Chicago hot dog uses a Vienna Beef weenie, and there's no better place to indulge than right at the source – the company's HQ cafe. Grab a tray, go…
Michigan
You'll need to fuel up for the day's bike explorations, and the cowboy-themed Chuckwagon is the place to do it. Grab a stool at the counter and watch the…
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
Chicago
Sometimes you don't want a fancy-pants tasting menu or Tasmanian pepperberry cocktail in West Loop. Sometimes you just want fried chicken, mac 'n' cheese…
Chicago
Chicago's favorite, long-standing vegetarian restaurant expanded from Lake View and opened this fancier branch in Logan Square. Poutine, meatloaf,…
Door County
Hands-down, this tiny cafe-restaurant is the best lunch option in Sturgeon Bay. Choose from an eclectic mix of well-done dishes such as walleye sandwiches…
Red Wing
Popular downtown diner makes an ideal landing spot for a quick breakfast or lunch. Slide into a booth and tuck into oversized portions of eggs and hash…
DeBoer’s Bakkerij and Restaurant
Gold Coast
The dishes at family-run DeBoer’s are more Dutch-influenced than true Dutch. Klompen cakes (like pancakes with caramelized apple or other fruit added),…
Wisconsin
This legendary Green Bay burger joint does its classic cheeseburgers served on a bun with a pat of butter slathered between (you read that right). The…
Chicago
They call it ‘Southern reconstruction cooking,’ which means items such as corn muffins, cheese grits, fried chicken, buttermilk rolls and crawfish patties…
Chicago
Parson's fries its chicken skin hard, so the super juicy flesh underneath comes as a surprise. Everyone eats outdoors at picnic tables under striped…
Minneapolis
Soon you'll be craving flavors you never knew existed, such as pikachu (mango chili), Saigon nights (Vietnamese coffee and Hennessy) and 'Uma Thurman' (we…
Minneapolis
In the heart of Somali Minneapolis you'll find very good Somali food served in a modest setting. From the entrance, Baarakallah resembles a private club,…
Michigan
Shatila has been enticing sweets eaters for more than 40 years. The glass cases bulge with Middle Eastern pastries on one side and French pastries on the…
Indiana
A town meeting point, coffeehouse, bar and wine shop, and restaurant, Sara's Harmony Way is a little bit of everything with a whole lot of cozy. Pop in…
