Since opening in mid-August, Gaston Acurio's first foray into the Midwest has drawn rave reviews and buzz from diners and media. It's no wonder he's one of the most renowned chefs in the world.
The thin crust pies can be ordered with traditional red sauce or topped with olive oil, and the quality ingredients like prosciutto, Italian sausage, spicy salami and arugula pay tribute to Italy. Read more.
Sure it's tough to get in, but Stephanie Izard's hamachi crudo with crisp pork belly; pappardelle with goat, pork and veal sugo; and intricate veggie dishes make it worth the wait. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
While a second location is open in Lincoln Park, the first in Evanston remains a cult destination and the gold standard for griddled, no-frills burgers. [Eater 38 Member]
Go further then Pad Thai and get adventurous with Northern Thai specialties like gang hung lay and housemade sausage, with sticky rice on the side. [Eater 38 Member]
Authentic Indian south of Devon can be tough to find. Throw in Nepalese, an array of curries, platters, and cocktails and you might not go back up north. [Eater 38 Member]
Coalfire changed the way we think about thin crust. If you like it super crispy with a little bit of char, this is your new haunt. [Eater 38 Member]
Katsu continues to churn out uncompromising sushi in an unassuming building on the Far North Side for a quarter-century and counting. [Eater 38 Member]
Grace's fine dining has been wowing diners, and media, from its inception. A glass-enclosed kitchen, spot-on wine pairings, and fascinating backstory only add to the draw. [Eater 38 Member]
When you want more than spanikopita and gyros, David Schneider's authentic regional Greek fare (and amazing Greek wine list) beckons you to this beautiful dining room in Wicker Park. [Eater 38 Member]
The Sheerin brothers have outdone themselves with a polarizing menu of upscale charcuterie. Everyone has an opinion on this spot. [Eater 38 Member]
If it were just fish and chips and chowdah, we'd still be won over; but everything you'd think you're on one of the coasts. [Eater 38 Member]
Jason Hammel and Jason Vincent give us another reason to travel to Pilsen: their impeccably prepared rustic seasonal fare and a cool, modern Kevin Heisner-designed room to eat in. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
The cheeseburger here may look like a simple, griddled double patty burger, but don't be fooled: this burger is what food writer Francis Lam calls "tremendous work, thin patty diner style magic."
A cute spot where you can go for a quick glass of Sherry or wine at the bar or have a romantic dinner over Spanish small plates. [Eater 38 Member]
Uptown's Argyle Street is also known as Little Saigon and Tank Noodle is the crown jewel for its authentic Vietnamese cuisine, especially the various steaming bowls of pho. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
One of four Chinatown spots owned by Tony Hu, the focus here is on Szechwan dishes, ranging from the basic to the downright adventurous. [Eater 38 Member]
The Bristol chef Chris Pandel does things with animal parts most others wouldn't dare and the experience is heightened because of it. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
