Chicago

The Wiener's Circle

The food is only so-so, the prices fair, but what makes this walk-up joint famous is the staff, who have zero patience for customers and the colorful language skills of a bartender at the seediest dockside bar imaginable. A favorite of the late-night crowd, who after a long night of drinking seem to find major entertainment value in being served a massive dose of profane invective with their greasy chili fries and Chicago-style hot dogs.

Sun-Thu 11AM-4AM, Fri Sat 11AM-5AM·$3-7

Greek Islands

One of the best and probably the biggest Greek restaurant in the city, with about 400 seats. Good standard Greek food: seafood, lamb, and chicken.

Sun-Thu 11AM-midnight, Fri Sat 11AM-1AM·Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

Frontera Grill

Renowned chef Rick Bayless presents authentic Mexican cuisine as most have never experienced it (outside of Mexico), with a particular emphasis on seafood. Frontera won the 2007 James Beard Award for Outstanding U.S. Restaurant. Also has Topolobampo, the dressier side of the house where reservations are necessary.

Lunch Tue-Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM, Sat 10:30AM-2:30PM; dinner Tue 5:20-10PM, Wed Thu 5-10PM, Fri Sat 5-11PM·Wheelchair accessible

Harold's Chicken Shack

The great South Side fried chicken chain is cheap, usually a little dirty, and always delicious. Harold's was born right near here on 47th street, by the way, in north Kenwood, although the original location (at Greenwood) closed long ago.

$2–5

Alinea

Ranked seventh in the world in 2012 by Restaurant Magazine (second in the USA), and Chicago's only restaurant to hold three stars from Michelin; that's only the beginning of the acclaim for Alinea and Chef Grant Achatz. Reservations can be tough to get; start well in advance with the ticket system on their website and keep an eye on their social media for same-night tables.

Tickets $210 and up, depending on time and day; more with wine pairings

Boka

The menu mixes Japanese, Mediterranean, European, and dang ol' Midwestern food without apparent self-consciousness. Plenty of seafood and a raw bar, too. Dinners are satisfying but light, making it the perfect place for a pre-show meal. You won't need formal dress, but you will need a reservation.

Sun-Fri 5PM-2AM, Sat 5PM-3AM·$50+

Runaway Cow

A splash purple and green neighborhood ice cream parlor offering vegan ice cream, sundaes, and hot dogs.

Noon-10PM daily·Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible · Fully vegan

Pizano's

Deep dish pizza that has roots in the family that produced UNO's and Lou Malnati's, but will serve a worthy thin-crust, too.

Sun-Fri 11AM-2AM, Sat 11AM-3AM·$12-20 · Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

Alliance Bakery & Café

Just a look at the whirls of frosting and gingerbread fortresses in the window tends to bring a smile. The tarts, cupcakes, and coffee back that up. Alliance has been here for more than 80 years. There's a pleasant, inviting cafe next door with free WiFi.

Mon-Sat 6AM-9PM, Sun 7AM-9PM·$3-7 · Wheelchair accessible

Gio's Cafe & Deli

Some of Chicago's best Italian is hidden in a tiny checkerboard tablecloth deli, more resembling a grocery store than a restaurant, hidden further still in the residential streets of Bridgeport. It's also, as you might expect, a steal of a bargain. Delicious Italian pastas, chicken, and panini.

Mon-Sat 8AM-9PM·$5-25 · Vegetarian options

Pequod's

Great place to get caramelized/burnt crust Chicago style deep dish pizza, considered a secret favorite.

Mon-Sat 11AM-2AM, Sun 11AM-midnight·$6-12 · Outdoor seating

The Publican

Come hungry and carnivorous, as the Publican delivers mighty plates stacked high with ham, lamb, pork bellies, and other meats. There's also quite a lot of gourmet seafood from around the world. The Sunday brunch will destroy you.

Mon-Thu 3:30-10:30PM, Fri Sat to 11:30PM; Sun 10AM-2PM, 5-10PM·$20-35 · Wheelchair accessible

XOCO

The newest outlet in the Bayless empire focuses on "street food" of Mexico, with highlights including the red chile chicken and the Xoco salad (pork carnitas, mixed greens, and avocado-lime dressing). Good soups are on later in the day. No reservations are taken — just line up and watch the chefs at work, as the kitchen is in full view.

Tue-Thu 8AM-9PM, Fri Sat 8AM-10PM·$10-14 · Wheelchair accessible

Petterino's

Petterino's is a classic Chicago restaurant, serving high quality steaks, salads, and seafood dishes. The restaurant caters to the theater-going crowd, and reservations for dinner are wise.

Mon 11AM-9PM, Tue-Thu 11AM-10:30PM, Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat 11:30AM-11PM, Sun 3:30PM-7:30PM·$12-40 · Outdoor seating

Atwood

Popular restaurant with a bar in the classic Hotel Burnham. Good location and atmosphere for dinner before a show.

Breakfast Mon-Fri 7-10AM, Sat 8AM-10AM, Sun 8AM-3PM; lunch Mon-Sat 11:30AM-3:45PM; dinner Sun-Thu 5-10PM, Fri Sat 5-11PM·$17-30

Bongo Room

Great breakfast, with two stars: the design-your-own omelets and the big, delicious praline banana pancakes. Show up early: the line has been known to run down Milwaukee on weekends.

Mon-Fri 8AM-2:30PM, Sat-Sun 9AM-2PM

Bruna's Ristorante

Opened in 1933, and owned by an immigrant from Siena in Tuscany, who brings that influence to some of the dishes served here.

Mon-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PM, Sun 1-10PM·$16-25

Carnivale

This chic Nuevo-Latino club has a great wait-staff and nice, colorful yet understated decor. They're always ready with a margarita, but only the (delicious) appetizers are available in the afternoon hours.

Mon-Thu 11:30AM-10:30PM (bar to midnight), Fri 11:30AM-11:30PM (bar to 1:30AM), Sat 5-11:30PM (bar to 1:30AM), Sun 5-10PM

Chilam Balam

Cash only BYO creative Mexican joint with a continuous line out the door for dinner. Known for fresh ingredients, moles, and small plates.

Tue-Thu 5PM-10PM, Fri Sat 5PM-11PM, Sun Mon closed·$14-30

Coco Pazzo

Very tasty Italian cafe. Try the gnocchi, and save some room for the fruit desserts.

Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM; dinner Mon-Thu 5:30-10:30PM, Fri Sat 5:30-10:30PM, Sun 5-10PM·$30+

Ed's Potsticker House

Potsticker House

One of Chicago's great neighborhood restaurants, though you would never know it from the inauthentic sounding name. Chicago's Chinese community more and more bleeds across neighborhood boundaries into Bridgeport proper, and this restaurant is the showcase of the culinary possibilities this creates for the area. It's a mom and pop run Chinese restaurant specializing in Northern Chinese cuisine. There are a lot of great dishes on the menu (hint, not the ones you've heard of before) — aim for the lamb cumin, soup dumplings, or the whole Szechuan style tilapia.

Sun-Thu 10AM-10PM, Fri Sat 10AM-11PM

Girl and the Goat

"Top Chef" winner Stephanie Izard offers ten options each from the meat, seafood, and vegetable categories; sharing plates is advised, and pairing with beer is highly encouraged (30 carefully selected brews on tap). Though the menu changes with the chef's creative whims, variations on the "pig face" theme seem to be a mainstay.

Sun-Thu 4:30PM-11PM, Fri Sat 4:30PM-midnight·$25+

Grand Palace

Dingy hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant in a more secluded area serving authentic Cantonese cuisine.

Sun-Tue, Thu 11AM-9PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-10PM·All items:

HaiSous

Highly-rated upscale Vietnamese restaurant, known for its modern interpretation of traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

Mon-Fri 5PM-11PM; Sat 10AM-3PM, Mon-11PM; Sun 10AM-3PM·$40-60

Honky Tonk BBQ

Exactly what it sounds like — the speakers deliver honky tonk music, while the kitchen serves pulled pork sandwiches, beef briskets, rib tips, and cornbread. There's a full bar as well, with live music on Thursdays and weekends.

Tue-Fri 4PM-2AM, Sat 4PM-3AM, Sun 4PM-2AM; kitchen closes at 11PM·$10-16

Irazu

A family-owned neighborhood spot offering Costa Rican food since 1990. Casual atmosphere with seriously good food. Try the oatmeal shake.

Tue-Sat 11AM–9PM·$20-30

Joy's Noodles and Rice

Long standing Thai food restaurant on Broadway in Boystown. Numerous noodle, curry, and rice dishes at a very affordable price. BYOB, so stop at Treasure Islando before hand and get a nice bottle of wine to go with your meal. Good price on lunch specials, or use it as a great meal to start your night out on the town.

Sun-Thu 11AM-9:30PM, Fri Sat 11AM-10:30PM·$8.50-11

Kasia's Deli

Some call these the best pierogies in Chicago — high praise, indeed. The cabbage rolls are also highly recommended. If you like what you eat but live out of state, take comfort: Kasia's will deliver the good stuff anywhere in the USA.

Mon-Fri 9AM-7PM, Sat 9AM-6PM, Sun 10AM-2PM·$3-8

La Cantina Grill

Unpretentious, good Mexican cuisine. Live music on Friday nights.

Mon-Thu 11AM-11PM, Fri 11AM-2AM, Sat noon-2AM, Sun noon-10PM·$10-15

Lao Sze Chuan

Often considered the best Chinese in the Chicagoland area, Lao Sze Chuan serves up fiery Szechuan cuisine. Not only is the food excellent, the service is as well, and it even has a nice ambiance. As is often the case in Chinatown, sometimes the most inauthentic sounding names hide the best dishes; Tony's Chicken is the restaurant's rightly famous dish, served with three types of chili sauce. Other famous dishes include their very unusual cumin lamb, as well as the tea duck. If what you want isn't on the menu, tell them what you want and how you want it cooked — they'll likely invent the dish on the spot!

11:30AM-midnight daily·$10-17