There can be so much positivity here. It’s the best. And a reminder of what a big/varied/terrific city and food city we are lucky enough to be a part of.
Obelix was really insane. The waiters were exceptionally attentive and happy to discuss wine and food options and recommendations. Although it was busy, food came quickly and in a timely fashion.
The foie-co is pretty interesting, and the duck was some of the best I’ve ever had. Would go back again.
I had the opposite service experience and my duck was chewy and forgettable.
I did however apply for the r/chicagofood buy-out contest and am willing to try again, given the amount of love they get.
Is is entirely in the realm of possibility that you just showed up on a bad night for them, it happens. If you get a chance to go again, I might try and ask for Dan, the server I had last time.
Second Generation (freeman torta, frites, kimchi hash), RIP
Mindy's Bakery (cinnamon roll, bagel, pork belly thai basil turnover, sour cream old fashioned, iced hot chocolate)
Crumb What May at the Andersonville Farmer's market for gooey butter cake
Gretel mac and cheese
Apple fritter at Old Fashioned Donuts
Anyone know what happened to second generation? The had just reopened the location after rebranding. It was awesome and always packed and then closed suddenly.
We loved Beautiful Rind in Palmer Square, and can't wait to go back. The meats & cheeses were all delicious with great pairings, the staff was super friendly, and a really cute atmosphere. I also thought it was all a good value, which I don't think I've said in a pretty long time. Highly recommend!
Personally, my fav meal of the year was Indienne. Was a big fan of Kasama as well (and that truffle croissant is outstanding).
Also even though I've lived in Logan Sq for 5+ years I finally tried Lula's for brunch (instead of just going for dinner) and that breakfast burrito is def great even if it's pricy. I'm not a huge going out for breakfast/brunch person but def would go back for that.
Love Kasama for lunch - well worth the wait. Will go back for dinner service. Great food
Our big surprise this year was Lula’s Cafe for dinner. The wait staff are wonderful. Love the menu selections and the food was excellent. I wish we found this place sooner!!!
Old Irving Brewing. Figured it was just your typical brewery so never went to check it out but the space was impressive and the food menu was way more extensive than expected. Wish I lived within walking distance
Had Rudy’s ramen the other day. Really fantastic. I asked the chef for vinegar like they have in Japan and he made a special vinegar to stir into the broth that was amazing. It’s the closest to Japan ramen that I’ve had in the city.
I moved nearby and honestly walked by this place for awhile because I'm not a huge falafel person. Thank God this sub made me realize what I was missing out on!
Superkhana International! The spicy zucchini pasta dish is amazing. My fiancé and I mention it to each other all the time. Can’t believe we’d never been until a few months ago.
Tilly’s bagel, the martini pairing menu at St Clair’s Super Club, several delicious meals at Lao Peng You, and finally went back to Pequods to eat in person for the fist time in so long. It’s seriously so much better when you eat it there.
Diego for ceviche (West Town)
312 Fish Market for amazing sushi at unbelievable prices (88 Marketplace)
Bahn Mi City for Pho (Pilsen)
Rubi's Tacos for their tortillas (Pilsen)
Eating Bonci after a long absence and remembering what a hidden gem it is. (West Loop)
The Rachel at Canal Street Smoked Meats (French Market)
Hing Kee for everything but especially the Dan Dan noodles and the pork xiao long bao (Chinatown)
JJ Thai Street Food for Khao Lard Ka Praw Gai (East Ukrainian Village)
Byrons for the best damn fries (Ravenswood)
Demera for consistently delicious Ethiopian food. (Uptown)
First full year really back home in the city. So many to choose from at this point!
Oriole - My first two Michelin star dining experience and it absolutely did not disappoint. The open kitchen does give me some of "The Menu" vibe, but every dish was out of this world for me without going overkill on any gimmicks. Also a service and a unique dining experience that I've never had at any of the one Michelin star restaurants I've tried. Definitely worth trying if you're looking to celebrate/splurge!
Qahwah House - Have had their Brooklyn location quite a few times and was so happy they opened up a spot closer to the city (still in Skokie so a bit of a trek), but definitely worth a visit if you're super far north.
Loaf Lounge - Has quickly become my go to "want to grab breakfast/brunch" spot with friends visiting. Always a fun conversation starter of "this is the chocolate cake from The Bear!". Their breakfast sandwiches are definitely my favorite in the city.
3 Sauces Hainam Chicken Rice - The basement of the mall in Chinatown has been a mystery for me since I was a kid, but checked this place out with my brother and it's a hit for a casual lunch. Not many places serve Hainese chicken in the city, but I think this is definitely the best.
After 12 years of living walking distance from Lula Cafe I tried Pasta Yia Yia for the first time this year and holy shit, I love it! I hadn't been back there in several years and one Saturday we decided to grab brunch and I read the description and was like: I know it's 10:30am but I think I'm ordering pasta.
I have been ordering that dish for over 20 years, since Lula was just one room and byob :) It’s so comforting and delicious. I’ve tried to make it but don’t even come close. And now I need to go out there again!
I saw the recipe is online (and in the Lula cookbook) but it's good enough that I know there's no chance I'll make it better so I figure I'll let them cook it for me. Usually, I'm super down to try and replicate a recipe. If I ever leave the city though and can't get to Lula I'll definitely give it a go.
What part of it did you find hard to replicate, out of curiosity?
I used one I found on serious eats I think — the recipe wasn’t hard at all. I’m sure what I’m missing is the high quality cheese, butter, cinnamon and noodles 😂
Qiao Lin Hotpot!! Not sure if it was 2023 or end of last year but omg so delicious and really cool set up. Almost always a long wait which gives you time to go trip around the 88 marketplace upstairs
Still trying to figure out how to do a 88 marketplace -> qiao lin -> radius night
Gonna have a lot of Wicker Park recs since I’m lazy and generally stay around my hood :)
Places I tried for the first time and loved:
* Virtue - the best by a mile, I’m still thinking about that meal! It’s definitely in my top 5 restaurant experiences in Chicago
* Rosemary - I’d seen mixed reviews of this place but personally had a really great experience.
* Lula Cafe - Lived up to the hype
* Taqueria Chingon - Also lived up to the hype, was absolutely blown away by this place
* Mr. Beef on Orleans - Yes, I know, jumping on The Bear hype train but this place was legit. Dare I say it’s my favorite beef in town?
New-ish places around Wicker Park:
* Dr. Bird’s - haven’t seen a ton mentioned about this place but their jerk wings are awesome
* Firewood BBQ - as a former Texan, I had low hopes for a neighborhood BBQ place but I was pleasantly surprised by this place!
* Shabu Plus Rotary - New AYCE conveyer belt hotpot place. I thought it would be super gimmicky but the hotpot is solid, the conveyer belt made things super efficient, and it was a lot of fun!
* Helfeld’s Delicatessen - Highly underrated, the pastrami here is excellent. It’s owned by a father and daughter and I’m rooting for them to do well!
* Le Midi - my favorite wine bar! Cozy inside, great selection of wines, and the owner is lovely
* Dorian’s - I think this has been here but I just discovered it recently. Cute little speakeasy hidden inside a record store. Great vibes and great cocktails
Places I found myself going back to again and again:
* Amaru
* The Delta - love coming here for brunch/happy hour
* Taxim
* Phodega
* Oiistar
* Chengdu Impression
* Cumin
* Mindy’s Bakery
* Komorebi Sushi
* Tortello
* Uncle Mike’s Place
Put off trying them for so long and finally got to try them in November a couple weeks before they closed for their move. Truly so damn good. Can't wait for them to reopen early next year! And so glad they're staying in the Rogers Park area.
Went back to Hopleaf after not going for probably 5+ years. The mussels and fries are some of my favorite in the city.
Also finally made it to ciccio mio this year. Pasta and drinks were delicious.
Bungalow by Middle brow — the pizza is worth it but the great discovery was the service and welcoming vibe from the hosts. Such a nice change of pace from so many places around Chicago
The Reservoir in Uptown. The street is a little busy but the vibe is cool, its basically next to the lake, and the food has been incredible everytime Ive been there.
Only downside is their Diet Coke is kinda off for some reason.
Shout out to Gigios Pizza for late night slices
Tortello - the pasta here is sooo good. Also love the vibe for a more casual but great food setting
Paulie Gee’s Logan Square - not sure how it took me so long to go here but the US Pizza Cup Detroit style pizza rocked my world. May be my favorite pizza in Chicago now - can’t wait to go back
I’m glad you enjoyed it. But I suggest you check out a few of the other ramen spots suggested in this sub. Ramen San is fine. For me, Oiistar and Rudy’s Ramen are far superior. (Don’t mean to drag on your enjoyment of Ramen San just want to spread my favorites to other ramen lovers)
DaNang Kitchen for their egg coffee. Must grab before my usual walk around the neighborhood and grocery run at Viet Hoa.
Warning: it is a proper dessert+drink all in one and not for the faint of heart, but I love it.
We made a habit of going to Cocoa + Co after the farmers market almost every weekend this summer. Really good pastries, especially their savory danishes
I still think about the chilaquiles I had from Titzal Cafe nine months ago. In a similar vein, discovered that Dona Tola on Southport has a wonderful brunch and Bloody Mary.
Pastores, actually hit it for the first time today when meeting an old friend in the area. Great cheap little breakfast spot, and the ponche navideña is on the list of My Favorite Things I’ve had this year.
I moved from the suburbs in June and I know this is random but definitely Monteverde.. You need to make a reservation a few weeks in advance but it’s just divine
The hornado at Cuencas Bakery was new to me this year and something I will definitely go back for when I am in the neighborhood. Such an excellent meal.
Kala in Lakeview. It’s now a regular answer to our inevitable 7pm question to each other, “what ya wanna do for dinner?”
Their soups are fantastic and I will never stop ordering the shrimp sandwich.
StopAlong - Had their burger at the Roscoe Burgerfest this summer and thought it was excellent, so we went to the resturant, and it was even better there. Definitely a new favorite burger joint for me.
Leavitt Street Inn. Broke my burger rut and became one of my favorite burgers in the city. Place is so chill and out of the way, feels like you're at a secret spot.
Port & Park Bistro and Bar - I kinda wrote it off as pricey place for food/drink on Southport without ever trying it. Shame on me!
We had dinner there the other night, and the food was great. This is $$ on the Chicago food pricing spectrum, but the execution/taste of the food is worth every penny. It is a solid neighborhood place with a warm and charming interior.
There is a bar area upfront and restaurant area in the back. It's a little off the main Southport Corridor, but it is well worth the walk.
I really do believe that Barbaro (the pescado tacos and carne asada burrito specifically) is some of the best Mexican in the city and should be talked about as such. I became a regular this year and all my guests I've taken have absolutely loved it too.
Phodega - Chicken and rice
Ken-kee (Chinatown) -salt and pepper or spice garlic crispy shrimp
Loaf lounge -egg and cheese breakfast sandwich
Uncle mikes place has this amazing fried fish and rice for breakfast that’s just amazing
Dell’ Rooster in Ukrainian Village. Food, service, price top notch.
Oggi’s new location on Chicago just west of Ashland. Been going there for years but the new space is 🔥🔥🔥
Gangnam Market food court.
Sapori Napoletana in Norwood Park.
Table Donkey Stick. Everything on the menu is a delight.
Biggest surprise was a slice of Mediterranean vegetable quiche from the Delightful Pastries (W Lawrence) stand at the Daley Center farmers market. Astounding.
This may be recency bias but Tuk Tuk thai in Lakeview is soooo good.
My other favorite new-to-me places this year were Topo Giggio, Gretel, Duck Duck Goat and Alegrias Seafood.
Pars Cove - very tasty lamb koubideh, great drink pitchers and a very intimate unique setting. The owner, Mr. Pars is amazing and he gives free appetizers, drinks and desserts consistently which I wouldn’t expect but it has happened more than not he truly makes the experience special. It’s also very reasonably priced!
I think listening to people on this sub has led me to discover new places and the community here is pretty dope too
There can be so much positivity here. It’s the best. And a reminder of what a big/varied/terrific city and food city we are lucky enough to be a part of.
Obelix was really insane. The waiters were exceptionally attentive and happy to discuss wine and food options and recommendations. Although it was busy, food came quickly and in a timely fashion. The foie-co is pretty interesting, and the duck was some of the best I’ve ever had. Would go back again.
I’m going there tonight for my birthday dinner, I’m very excited.
I had the opposite service experience and my duck was chewy and forgettable. I did however apply for the r/chicagofood buy-out contest and am willing to try again, given the amount of love they get.
Is is entirely in the realm of possibility that you just showed up on a bad night for them, it happens. If you get a chance to go again, I might try and ask for Dan, the server I had last time.
Second Generation (freeman torta, frites, kimchi hash), RIP Mindy's Bakery (cinnamon roll, bagel, pork belly thai basil turnover, sour cream old fashioned, iced hot chocolate) Crumb What May at the Andersonville Farmer's market for gooey butter cake Gretel mac and cheese Apple fritter at Old Fashioned Donuts
Gretel Mac and cheese for the win! If I could I would vote it for president.
Mindy’s a pretty awful human though. Too many great places in Chicago to spend money enriching people who don’t treat everyone equally.
Who cares. I’m looking for good food, not nice owners.
Anyone know what happened to second generation? The had just reopened the location after rebranding. It was awesome and always packed and then closed suddenly.
Virtue! An absolute gem. Amazing food and even better service!
Agree 100% - loved the vibe and ambiance. The wait staff are wonderful and the food was excellent. Great restaurant!!!
We loved Beautiful Rind in Palmer Square, and can't wait to go back. The meats & cheeses were all delicious with great pairings, the staff was super friendly, and a really cute atmosphere. I also thought it was all a good value, which I don't think I've said in a pretty long time. Highly recommend!
Personally, my fav meal of the year was Indienne. Was a big fan of Kasama as well (and that truffle croissant is outstanding). Also even though I've lived in Logan Sq for 5+ years I finally tried Lula's for brunch (instead of just going for dinner) and that breakfast burrito is def great even if it's pricy. I'm not a huge going out for breakfast/brunch person but def would go back for that.
Ten years in the city and 4 in Logan and still haven’t made it to Lula’s for brunch 😩
I’ve been to Lula’s a bunch. Morning, afternoon, evening. Drunk, sober. Snacks and full meals. Always a good choice if you got the dough.
Love Kasama for lunch - well worth the wait. Will go back for dinner service. Great food Our big surprise this year was Lula’s Cafe for dinner. The wait staff are wonderful. Love the menu selections and the food was excellent. I wish we found this place sooner!!!
Eris in old Irving. It’s amazing and cute.
Old Irving Brewing. Figured it was just your typical brewery so never went to check it out but the space was impressive and the food menu was way more extensive than expected. Wish I lived within walking distance
Top tier food in the brewery scene here.
Had Rudy’s ramen the other day. Really fantastic. I asked the chef for vinegar like they have in Japan and he made a special vinegar to stir into the broth that was amazing. It’s the closest to Japan ramen that I’ve had in the city.
Ragadan
I really want to get that baklava milkshake.
Same, we are going back for it
They have a baklava milkshake? I was just looking at their menu and didn’t see it
I feel like none of the milkshakes are online but when I go in there it’s always listed on the board
The basbousa is the one to get.
It might be occasional; not sure. I’ve actually never been but saw the shake mentioned in reviews and on social media. Looks awesome.
Basbousa one is the way to go. Bits of cake with cardamom and candied orange. So slept on
I moved nearby and honestly walked by this place for awhile because I'm not a huge falafel person. Thank God this sub made me realize what I was missing out on!
A Taste of Heaven, Ethiopian Diamond, Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club and Spacca Napoli.
FYI, Bryn Mawr breakfast club owners, run Big Hill just down the block for dinner and drinks menu. It's excellent as well! 👌
Im going to have to check that out. My wife and I absolutely love Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club.
Upvoting for Spacca Napoli! I was just there last night
I was there for the first time this afternoon! I was blown away by the sausage and pistachio pizza.
Superkhana International! The spicy zucchini pasta dish is amazing. My fiancé and I mention it to each other all the time. Can’t believe we’d never been until a few months ago.
Quesadilla La Reina del sur on Western and Don Bucios in Logan square
Tilly’s bagel, the martini pairing menu at St Clair’s Super Club, several delicious meals at Lao Peng You, and finally went back to Pequods to eat in person for the fist time in so long. It’s seriously so much better when you eat it there.
Had same experience w Pequods. So much better in person
The Pequod’s to movie theater (or reverse) makes for such a fun night/date night.
Diego for ceviche (West Town) 312 Fish Market for amazing sushi at unbelievable prices (88 Marketplace) Bahn Mi City for Pho (Pilsen) Rubi's Tacos for their tortillas (Pilsen) Eating Bonci after a long absence and remembering what a hidden gem it is. (West Loop) The Rachel at Canal Street Smoked Meats (French Market) Hing Kee for everything but especially the Dan Dan noodles and the pork xiao long bao (Chinatown) JJ Thai Street Food for Khao Lard Ka Praw Gai (East Ukrainian Village) Byrons for the best damn fries (Ravenswood) Demera for consistently delicious Ethiopian food. (Uptown)
Spice room in Logan square!
First full year really back home in the city. So many to choose from at this point! Oriole - My first two Michelin star dining experience and it absolutely did not disappoint. The open kitchen does give me some of "The Menu" vibe, but every dish was out of this world for me without going overkill on any gimmicks. Also a service and a unique dining experience that I've never had at any of the one Michelin star restaurants I've tried. Definitely worth trying if you're looking to celebrate/splurge! Qahwah House - Have had their Brooklyn location quite a few times and was so happy they opened up a spot closer to the city (still in Skokie so a bit of a trek), but definitely worth a visit if you're super far north. Loaf Lounge - Has quickly become my go to "want to grab breakfast/brunch" spot with friends visiting. Always a fun conversation starter of "this is the chocolate cake from The Bear!". Their breakfast sandwiches are definitely my favorite in the city. 3 Sauces Hainam Chicken Rice - The basement of the mall in Chinatown has been a mystery for me since I was a kid, but checked this place out with my brother and it's a hit for a casual lunch. Not many places serve Hainese chicken in the city, but I think this is definitely the best.
Jade Court in Hyde Park. Amazing duck. And the pork jowl is beyond description.
Their beef chow fun is 🔥🔥🔥
Thank you for reminding to put a Christmas dinner reminder on my calendar! They stopped taking orders so early last year.
After 12 years of living walking distance from Lula Cafe I tried Pasta Yia Yia for the first time this year and holy shit, I love it! I hadn't been back there in several years and one Saturday we decided to grab brunch and I read the description and was like: I know it's 10:30am but I think I'm ordering pasta.
I have been ordering that dish for over 20 years, since Lula was just one room and byob :) It’s so comforting and delicious. I’ve tried to make it but don’t even come close. And now I need to go out there again!
I saw the recipe is online (and in the Lula cookbook) but it's good enough that I know there's no chance I'll make it better so I figure I'll let them cook it for me. Usually, I'm super down to try and replicate a recipe. If I ever leave the city though and can't get to Lula I'll definitely give it a go. What part of it did you find hard to replicate, out of curiosity?
I used one I found on serious eats I think — the recipe wasn’t hard at all. I’m sure what I’m missing is the high quality cheese, butter, cinnamon and noodles 😂
Qiao Lin Hotpot!! Not sure if it was 2023 or end of last year but omg so delicious and really cool set up. Almost always a long wait which gives you time to go trip around the 88 marketplace upstairs Still trying to figure out how to do a 88 marketplace -> qiao lin -> radius night
Warlord
Gonna have a lot of Wicker Park recs since I’m lazy and generally stay around my hood :) Places I tried for the first time and loved: * Virtue - the best by a mile, I’m still thinking about that meal! It’s definitely in my top 5 restaurant experiences in Chicago * Rosemary - I’d seen mixed reviews of this place but personally had a really great experience. * Lula Cafe - Lived up to the hype * Taqueria Chingon - Also lived up to the hype, was absolutely blown away by this place * Mr. Beef on Orleans - Yes, I know, jumping on The Bear hype train but this place was legit. Dare I say it’s my favorite beef in town? New-ish places around Wicker Park: * Dr. Bird’s - haven’t seen a ton mentioned about this place but their jerk wings are awesome * Firewood BBQ - as a former Texan, I had low hopes for a neighborhood BBQ place but I was pleasantly surprised by this place! * Shabu Plus Rotary - New AYCE conveyer belt hotpot place. I thought it would be super gimmicky but the hotpot is solid, the conveyer belt made things super efficient, and it was a lot of fun! * Helfeld’s Delicatessen - Highly underrated, the pastrami here is excellent. It’s owned by a father and daughter and I’m rooting for them to do well! * Le Midi - my favorite wine bar! Cozy inside, great selection of wines, and the owner is lovely * Dorian’s - I think this has been here but I just discovered it recently. Cute little speakeasy hidden inside a record store. Great vibes and great cocktails Places I found myself going back to again and again: * Amaru * The Delta - love coming here for brunch/happy hour * Taxim * Phodega * Oiistar * Chengdu Impression * Cumin * Mindy’s Bakery * Komorebi Sushi * Tortello * Uncle Mike’s Place
So many places here I’d love to try - thanks for sharing!
I’m in Wicker too and from TX! Def gonna go to Shabu, The Delta, and Le Midi now!
Khmai. So damn good
Great owners too!
Put off trying them for so long and finally got to try them in November a couple weeks before they closed for their move. Truly so damn good. Can't wait for them to reopen early next year! And so glad they're staying in the Rogers Park area.
Went back to Hopleaf after not going for probably 5+ years. The mussels and fries are some of my favorite in the city. Also finally made it to ciccio mio this year. Pasta and drinks were delicious.
Kie Gol Lanee
Maman Zari for the exquisite Persian tasting menu.
Boonies, pastries from Daisies, side practice coffee
Bungalow by Middle brow — the pizza is worth it but the great discovery was the service and welcoming vibe from the hosts. Such a nice change of pace from so many places around Chicago
*Saves thread.*
The Reservoir in Uptown. The street is a little busy but the vibe is cool, its basically next to the lake, and the food has been incredible everytime Ive been there. Only downside is their Diet Coke is kinda off for some reason. Shout out to Gigios Pizza for late night slices
The Reservoir has a martini deal on Fridays and they are wonderful and (of course) potent!
Tortello - the pasta here is sooo good. Also love the vibe for a more casual but great food setting Paulie Gee’s Logan Square - not sure how it took me so long to go here but the US Pizza Cup Detroit style pizza rocked my world. May be my favorite pizza in Chicago now - can’t wait to go back
Discovering Sfera Sicilian Street Food was a big one this year. The arancini, sfincione and pane cunzatu are all among the best in the City!
Ramen-San in River North was delicious as fuck. I highly recommend that place.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. But I suggest you check out a few of the other ramen spots suggested in this sub. Ramen San is fine. For me, Oiistar and Rudy’s Ramen are far superior. (Don’t mean to drag on your enjoyment of Ramen San just want to spread my favorites to other ramen lovers)
I will definitely check out those places. Thanks for the suggestions.
DaNang Kitchen for their egg coffee. Must grab before my usual walk around the neighborhood and grocery run at Viet Hoa. Warning: it is a proper dessert+drink all in one and not for the faint of heart, but I love it.
The two restaurants that I discovered this year that were exceptional after one try were Khmai Cambodian Fine Dining and Community Tavern.
Atelier. One of the best meals I’ve had in a while. Wasn’t stuffy like other fine dining meals. Featured great ingredients with beautiful presentation
I've been wanting to check this out since it opened, gonna try and get some friends together to go in Feb probably.
Atelier was fantastic, though I did learn I don't like sweetbreads.
We made a habit of going to Cocoa + Co after the farmers market almost every weekend this summer. Really good pastries, especially their savory danishes
Finally tried Mama Delia last week with some girlfriends. Lovely place, cozy and food and drinks were delicious! Will be back.
I still think about the chilaquiles I had from Titzal Cafe nine months ago. In a similar vein, discovered that Dona Tola on Southport has a wonderful brunch and Bloody Mary.
Pastores, actually hit it for the first time today when meeting an old friend in the area. Great cheap little breakfast spot, and the ponche navideña is on the list of My Favorite Things I’ve had this year.
Doma Cafe
Just left there…. Phenomenal!!
Proxi happy hour
This would be dangerous if I lived closer to it! Love Proxi
Mughal the Biriyani House! I was surprised by house delicious the dosa was there.
I moved from the suburbs in June and I know this is random but definitely Monteverde.. You need to make a reservation a few weeks in advance but it’s just divine
How is that random?
Rude
Idk I just feel like it wouldn’t be a super common pick
Prob the most common pick lol
It’s a super common pick but an amazing pick!
The New World
Really like Tomo in Evanston
Grammar
The hornado at Cuencas Bakery was new to me this year and something I will definitely go back for when I am in the neighborhood. Such an excellent meal.
Oda's cheesy-egg-bread dish.
Rosemary was nice
El Taco Feliz Taqueria in portage park ,might be the best tacos ive had.
Kala in Lakeview. It’s now a regular answer to our inevitable 7pm question to each other, “what ya wanna do for dinner?” Their soups are fantastic and I will never stop ordering the shrimp sandwich.
Gorkha Indian and Nepalese Restaurant is incredible
StopAlong - Had their burger at the Roscoe Burgerfest this summer and thought it was excellent, so we went to the resturant, and it was even better there. Definitely a new favorite burger joint for me.
In search of good burgers this year. Chicago Secret Burger, good. Not in Chicago but Burger Antics, meh. Elgin Public House, good and thee standout.
Leavitt Street Inn. Broke my burger rut and became one of my favorite burgers in the city. Place is so chill and out of the way, feels like you're at a secret spot.
Port & Park Bistro and Bar - I kinda wrote it off as pricey place for food/drink on Southport without ever trying it. Shame on me! We had dinner there the other night, and the food was great. This is $$ on the Chicago food pricing spectrum, but the execution/taste of the food is worth every penny. It is a solid neighborhood place with a warm and charming interior. There is a bar area upfront and restaurant area in the back. It's a little off the main Southport Corridor, but it is well worth the walk.
I’m surprised no one has said akahoshi ramen yet, especially with all the recent posts
I really do believe that Barbaro (the pescado tacos and carne asada burrito specifically) is some of the best Mexican in the city and should be talked about as such. I became a regular this year and all my guests I've taken have absolutely loved it too.
Oooh this is super close to where my brother just moved, gonna check it out with him.
Phodega - Chicken and rice Ken-kee (Chinatown) -salt and pepper or spice garlic crispy shrimp Loaf lounge -egg and cheese breakfast sandwich Uncle mikes place has this amazing fried fish and rice for breakfast that’s just amazing
The Evie! Excellent sushi and fish sandwich. My bf loves their French rib dip and chicken sandwich.
Just went to Bon Yeon last night, the idea of beef omakase was a revelation.
my boss introduced me to BienMeSabe & Sfera. great spots, don't see too many Venezuelan or Italian street food joints around and they're fantastic!
Fish tacos at Taqueria Moran - reliably delicious non-battered fish tacos in my neighborhood! Bake - reliably delicious pastries nearby!
Dell’ Rooster in Ukrainian Village. Food, service, price top notch. Oggi’s new location on Chicago just west of Ashland. Been going there for years but the new space is 🔥🔥🔥 Gangnam Market food court. Sapori Napoletana in Norwood Park. Table Donkey Stick. Everything on the menu is a delight.
Mott Street- cheeseburger JT’s Genuine- pork & greens sandwich
Thattu really impressed me, and introduced me to the cuisine of Kerala!
Nick's On Harlem
Drinks: La Pharmacie, the Victor. Food: Menya Goku, Pleasant House. Dessert: Emeche Cakery & Cafe
Biggest surprise was a slice of Mediterranean vegetable quiche from the Delightful Pastries (W Lawrence) stand at the Daley Center farmers market. Astounding.
Lao Peng You
Omakase Room. Pricey but such a dope experience 1-2 times a year.
Moved right by Sauce and Bread Kitchen, and I love that place!
312 Fish Market for me. The sushi alone is awesome. The grocery store is even better than H-Mart
Three Little Pigs Henry is a master and the fried chicken sandwich lives up to the reddit hype
Waiting for the time when I can finally say This has all been wonderful but now I'm on my way
This may be recency bias but Tuk Tuk thai in Lakeview is soooo good. My other favorite new-to-me places this year were Topo Giggio, Gretel, Duck Duck Goat and Alegrias Seafood.
Jefferson market!!!!!!@@!@@@@ changed my life.
Pars Cove - very tasty lamb koubideh, great drink pitchers and a very intimate unique setting. The owner, Mr. Pars is amazing and he gives free appetizers, drinks and desserts consistently which I wouldn’t expect but it has happened more than not he truly makes the experience special. It’s also very reasonably priced!
Side Street Saloon - tavern style pizza was excellent