Iliana Regan’s Elizabeth was such a hothouse flower that when general manager Tim Lacey bought the business and announced he’d keep it going under a new name, it didn’t seem like anything could take its place. Lucky for him (and us) his search for a chef led him to Christian Hunter (pictured), who has established … Read more
This is a city filled with great tacos, but La Chaparrita stands above the rest. Is it the grocery store ambience, with papel picado, which make it feel like it’s straight from Mexico City? Is it the squeeze bottles filled with piquant salsas (the orange habanero one, please) and the little plastic bowls of lime … Read more
Chicago has a number of great old-school Korean barbecue spots, but when the desire for galbi, marinated short ribs, and all the banchan hits, more often than not, we’re heading here. Executive chef Andrew Lim’s dishes draw on his experiences as a second-generation Korean American. Think Korean fried chicken wings with ranch; kimchi fried rice … Read more
The goat-whisperers at this family-run birria spot, which recently added an Uptown location, butcher the animals in house, then steam the meat, marinate it in mole, and finish by roasting it. The result is meltingly tender birria that’s available in all kinds of formats. You can order plates of birria with tortillas and consommé, cilantro, … Read more
Once you have tried Lem’s, you can’t help but develop a particular craving for it whenever you want barbecue. Because nowhere else in town does it quite as well. Lem’s, run by sisters Carmen Lemons and Lynn Walker Harvey, whose father and uncle started the business in 1954, is the city’s oldest Black-owned barbecue joint … Read more
When we want a fun tasting menu that doesn’t completely break the budget, we go to Indienne. There, in the muted roses and teals of the beautiful dining room, chef-owner Sujan Sarkar (pictured, below) and culinary director Sahil Sethi explore Indian cuisine through a fine-dining lens. The bites that begin every meal set the tone: … Read more
Tigist Reda’s warm and joyful Ethiopian restaurant never delivers a less-than-stellar experience. Start with an order of flaky sambusas (we like the ones stuffed with lentils) and kay seer salata, a bright and spicy beet salad mixed with pickled onions, jalapeños, and a lime vinaigrette. Then, feast. Order platters loaded with silky collards, split yellow … Read more
In a city of great sandwiches, Chris Cunningham’s friendly spot stands apart, thanks to terrific renditions of American regional offerings. Picking a favorite is impossible. Is it the pork tenderloin sandwich, tender as can be and topped with red onion, pickles, mayo, and mustard? Or the beans and greens melt, a play on the Philly … Read more
Every neighborhood needs a good neighborhood restaurant, and residents of Bridgeport are lucky that theirs is the Duck Inn. Kevin Hickey’s comfortable joint has a packed bar in front and a cozy dining room in back with a peek into the kitchen. If it’s your first visit, get the rotisserie duck, which is presented with … Read more
Urban food halls — with their poke bowls, cronuts, and Detroit-style squares — rarely live up to the hype. You eat something trendy, pay too much, and enjoy the architecture. Food courts, on the other hand, with their neon lights and cafeteria seating, still connect because they dish up the quick, craveable things you know … Read more
