Tasty burgers await at this counter.
Stuck in a rut when it comes to eating out? Good thing the Chicago restaurant scene gets an injection of new life almost every week. Whether you want to know where to go tonight or what opening to mark on your calendar, our guide to fresh spots for feasting has all the details you crave.
Visit a new restaurant lately? Tell us what you think about it.
Ready to Digest
All Cuban, all the time at 90 Miles Cuban Cafe
These days there seems to be a Cuban restaurant on every corner, hawking pressed water bread pork, ham and swiss cheese filled cubanos and sweet caramelized plantains. That being said, this Roscoe Village cafe is one of the best.
Deleece Grill Pub goes all-American
The former Shochu got a quick makeover into this casual Lakeview American eatery. While there are a few remnants of Shochu's Asian roots, this is primarily a meat-and-potatoes place.
Chelsea Grill keeps it comfortable
Chef Robert Butterfield has given comfort foods a bit of his own spin, showing that fine dining and dishes like mac 'n' cheese don't have to be mutually exclusive. A simple menu and good beer make a winning combination in Lincoln Square.
Rockstar Dogs rocks out in Lincoln Park
A nice hit in East Village, Rockstar Dogs brings its rock and roll-themed menu into the heart of Lincoln Park, where drunken voyagers can satisfy their cravings for whatever type of hot dog their intoxicated heart desires.
Province carves out its own niche
Though it might seem like it on the surface, Province is not the second coming of Nacional 27. True, former Nacional Chef Randy Zweiban is bringing his famed ceviches and some Latin flair to his meals at this new West Loop spot, but, unless someone does a few too many shots, you won't find a salsa dancer in sight.
Get a taste of Detroit (this is a good thing) at Steve's Deli
This second location of Steve's (the original is the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills) is pretty much a home away from home for those folks. Huge sandwiches and Jewish delicacies dominate the menu and are available for your home from the take-away market on the other side of the restaurant.
Family friendly food at John's Place Roscoe Village
It's a family affair at this offshoot of the Lincoln Park location, which will make the brunch crowd smile with scrambles and fresh squeezed juices abound.
More sushi on Southport at Lips
OK, let's be honest: The name is more than a little off-putting. And the signage (a blank face with a pair of lips) is just as confusing. Is it a salon? A cosmetic shop? A botox boutique? Perhaps there's some secret agenda in the works for Lips, but in the meantime the shop is rolling out nigiri and maki rolls for its Southport neighbors.
Get a fresh start at The Publican
Whether it's the winter squash soup from Indiana or Iberico de 'bellota' ham from Spain, you know exactly where the ingredients are coming from. Choose from simple menu options or chef's recommendations, but a glance at the menu is enough to see that simple doesn't mean colorless.
Mediterranean-infused dining comes to Bucktown at The Bristol
The latest Bucktown spot features fancy finger food, gourmet specialties, and an exotic cocktail bar with special ingredients galore. Get the monkey bread appetizer for $3, and thank us later.
Build your own burger at The Counter
Your days of "hold the onion, please" are finally over. Located in Lincoln Park, The Counter lets you customize everything that goes on your bread, from meats to sauce.
Add some spice to your meal at Jamaica Jamaica
This Evanston spot is a little bit lounge with faux-marble countertops and leaf wood-carvings on the wall, a little bit restaurant with jet black roll-ups and a way-beyond tapas menu, yet gives a cafe feel with a juice and vegetable bar.
The bird is the word at Bucktown's Wingstop
The wing has been dominating bar menus for years now, so it's no surprise they would soon get a restaurant of their own. Indulge you fowl cravings with a number of wing options, including cajun, BBQ and Hawaiian.
You've never seen a cupcake like this at More Cupcakes
Ever had bacon on your cupcake? This trail-blazing cupcake cafe offers specialties like the BLT. That's right; a bacon/lettuce/tomato cupcake, a concept so absurd yet so brilliant, you're really just incredibly grateful McDonald's didn't get a hold of it first.
Jaipur brings classic Indian cuisine to the West Loop
The menu is made up of traditional Indian fare: Menu options range from popular entrees like Tandoori chicken to a sweet carrot pudding that is one of Jaipur's specialties.
Boston Blackie's brings more burgers to town
The popular Loop burger spot opens its newest location in Lincoln Park, because DePaul kids need burgers too.
Stay healthy on the run at Bionda To Go
The popular lunch spot offers a bevy of traditional Italian choices from its Wicker Park and South Loop sister locales. You'll find a full menu of sandwiches, salads and pastas including baked mostacolli and cheese ravioli. So far, the biggest hit here has been Joe's mama's meatball sandwich, but the pasta dishes are hot sellers, too.
Go upscale Asian at Urban Belly
Chef William Kim heads up this new upscale Logan Square restaurant, serving up $6–$8 dumplings, ranging from chicken and mushroom to Asian squash; rices like short rib and scallion, and phat rice; $12 soba noodles covered in bay scallops, king oyster mushrooms and blue crab broth; and sides like traditional kimchi.
Get a steak like no other at Churrasco Brazil
Villa Park's resident Brazilian steakhouse offers fine meats in "churrasco" form. Servers ("gauchos") bring different cuts to your table, and you can pick and choose from your favorites. Does it get any easier than that?
Trattoria Valle d'Itria takes us back to the old country
It's obvious when you approach Trattoria Valle d'Itria that it's all about celebrating the homeland and graciously bringing the Tuscan atmosphere and cuisine to the North Shore. And the food ain't too shabby, either.
It's more than just fast food, it's Marc Burger
As part of the Macy's Culinary Council, chef Marcus Samuelsson (C-House in the Affinia Hotel) is joining several of his co-council members in opening his own "fresh food fast" dining experience in Macy's. And with relatively reasonable prices and a quick turnaround on orders, Marc Burger delivers.
More than just French fries and Perrier at Haussmann Brasserie
From the fairway to the dinner plate, world renowned chef Jacky Pluton has always merged his love for sport and cuisine, especially his love for classy French cuisine. And the tradition continues with his Northfield creation, where a Parisian passion highlights an exquisitely disguised American menu and as you dine in the elegant dining decor.
Everybody screams for iCream
This Wicker Park cafe is the wave of the future in desserts, as you get to choose your style, flavors and ingredients and watch it made in front of your eyes (with liquid nitrogen!).
Go vegan crazy at Mana Food Bar
Vegans and those who enjoy gluten-free dishes will be in hog – rather, horseradish heaven at Mana, a Wicker Park restaurant with an all-meatless menu. Select from dozens of choices, like the spanikopita or blue cheese tart, and watch them magically disappear into your stomach (the restaurant's name translates to "the things magic is made of").
Get iced at Red Mango
Getting frozen yogurt at Evanston's Red Mango is a super-charged experience. The authentic, frozen to perfection, zero-fat yogurts are wholesome, and the red-capped employees efficient and impersonal. Club-like music blares from the stereo and customers buzz in and out, like McDonald’s on steroids. Yet the stuff sold here is way more healthy than Mickey D's could ever dream of, and it's pretty addictive, too.
Keep it hot (and cool) at Hot Woks Cool Sushi
With a stock of fish not even Sea World can claim, Hot Woks Cool Sushi brings to Old Irving Park what residents elsewhere have been eating up like sharks. Co-owner and sushi chef Woranat Wathakeyanon, aka Noom, lent his inventive hands to both Tank and Sushi Wabi, resulting in an already profitable Hot Woks just 75 steps from the turnstiles at the Irving Park Blue Line stop.
Get your mole on at Real Tenochtitlan
Washed in corn yellows and sunset reds and bleach white tablecloths, this new Geno Bahena mole spot nails South American, puebla charm, complete with lofted ceilings that simulate a patio experience, and a VIP dining room commanding the entire space.
Hot Off the Grill
Espression by Lavazza Cafe
This new cafe specializing in espresso opens in the Drake Hotel.
Farmerie 58
Seafood menu gets a rustic touch in River North.
Antica Pizzeria
A wood-burning pizza place warms up Andersonville.
Flaco's Tacos
Fatten up at this South Loop taqueria.
Bonton
This Lombard European wine bar from the owner of the adjacent Praga includes modern decor, tapas and over 200 wines.
Soul
Fill up on regional American fare at this Clarendon Hills restaurant.
Madame Tartine
The former BB's has morphed into a French brasserie.
Sikia
This student-run restaurant offers upscale takes on classic African cuisine.
Tapas Las Ramblas
Stop in for traditional tapas at this Andersonville spot in the former Il Fiasco space.
Grand Station Restaurant & Cocktails
Expect classic American comfort food like roasted chicken, burgers, salads, seafood and steaks at this Arlington Heights restaurant.
Briejo
This Oak Park spot will offer creative American comfort food.
Still Cooking
Pizza Fusion
Get your pie with all-organic ingredients, gluten-free, and with lactose-free cheeses at this Naperville spot, due to open in January.
Hiro's Cafe
A new Japanese restaurant takes over the old Koryo space on Broadway this winter.
La Trattoria del Merlo
Freshly made Italian in Lincoln Park; opens this fall.
Eivissa
This tapas and sangria spot opens this fall in Old Town.
Jackson Park Grill
This high-end restaurant (with executive chef Jason Paskewitz) takes over River North later this year.
Olo
This expansive Mediterranean restaurant is set to hit downtown this fall.
Sunda
This modern Asian restaurant from the team behind Rockit Bar & Grill opens this fall in River North.
Masada
The owners of Sultan's Market open this Logan Square Middle Eastern sit-down eatery in early 2009.
My Pie
Northbrook gets the reincarnation of the popular Lincoln Park pizzeria, which closed in June 2008. Expect it to open in spring 2009.
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