The hottest restaurant in Park Ridge is packing them in, not only because of their large menu, but also due to their different approach to some American classics. Make Room for Truman 550 W. Touhy Ave., Park Ridge 847-692-6205
A beloved barbecue joint that opened 11 years ago in North Chicago has been quietly attracting a devoted following, ever since it moved to Waukegan in 2012. Big Ed’s BBQ 4030 Northpoint Blvd., Waukegan 847-473-5333
New Zealand is known for its breathtaking scenery, worthy of a “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, but one of that country’s best-known coffeehouses has been quietly serving breakfast and lunch to Loop workers for about a year. Mojo Coffee 200 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago 312-631-3881
A McKinley Park bakery is a homecoming of sorts for a local family. After opening in Pilsen in 2003, they moved to Florida five years ago. But the family couldn’t keep away. So a few months ago, they re-opened on 35th Street, now focusing primarily on cakes. One of them is called a chocoflan, and it’s … Continued
Restaurants come and go all the time, but it was a surprise in the food community when Grace suddenly shut its doors last year in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. A legal dispute between the chef, GM and owner led to a high-profile vacancy. However, a new restaurant called Yugen opened in the space by an all-female … Continued
The Chinese New Year is coming up on Tuesday, and if you’re headed to Chinatown, be prepared to see a lot more baked goods and specialty teas. Tous les Jours 2144 S. Archer Ave. 312-225-8488 Bingo Tea 2150A S. Archer Ave. 312-328-6668
There is only one Chicago area restaurant combining both Filipino and Cuban cuisines in the city’s Ravenswood neighborhood. Bayan Ko is a result of the origins of the husband-and-wife owners, and sits just beneath the Montrose stop on the CTA’s Brown Line. BAYAN KO 1810 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago 773-698-6373
How does all-you-can-eat Alaskan King Crab and prime-grade beef burgers sound? It’s not some gimmick from a chain restaurant, but rather, a new concept tucked away in the basement of an oyster bar, from the folks at Lettuce Entertain You. Crab Cellar 1962 N. Halsted St. 773-248-1737
Chef Rick Bayless has been a part of Chicago’s food scene for over 30 years, but his latest project — a subterranean bar beneath his Frontera Grill — is a collaboration with his daughter, who is a cocktail impresario. BAR SOTANO Alley behind 443 N. Clark St., Chicago 312-391-5857
Pizza in Chicago has, for too long, been associated with one of two styles: deep or stuffed. But since my book came out a few months ago, I have been trying to shift the conversation to tavern style, artisan and Neapolitan. My latest find is in Bridgeport, near the home of the White Sox, where a … Continued
Like pizza and doughnuts, fried chicken is one of those universally loved dishes. There are two new options in Chicago making two very different styles of fried chicken – both of them delicious. Landbirds 2532 N. California Ave (773) 697-7107 Luella’s Gospel Bird 2009 N. Damen Ave. 773-904-7704