Ghareeb Nawaz Restaurant

2032 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60659

Vamsi V. writes: Where do I even begin writing about this place??

This was one of the Indian restaurants (I should not call this place a restaurant but, what the heck) I ate in the first week I moved to Chicago. I have to tell you, the food is pretty good and dirt…

Janik's Cafe
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village

2011 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622

nikki c. writes: If Janik's Cafe were a mail-order bride profiled to be sold on a website she would list favorite sexual positions as: ALL including anal, 69, trapeze, butterfly chair and on top of a hot sizzling car hood.

Yes, this place aims to please with such an…

What's Cooking
Neighborhood: North Park

6181 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60659

Greg P. writes: The average age of the customers is at least 100, you might get run over by a valker, vheelchair or scooter, and there might be a little of a vait on a veekend. However, if you like a nice matzo ball soup or other tasty Jewish cuisine then you come…

Coffee Chicago
Neighborhood: Edgewater

5256 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60640

carolynne r. writes: ooh Coffee Chicago I am so sorry!  I cant believe I disregarded you so hastily for so long!  I cant even count how many times I have driven by and not stopped to try you.  I dont even have a good excuse either, I mean, your exterior is very cute and…

Flounders
Neighborhood: DePaul

2201 N Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614

Kristin C. writes: Floundahs I'm so glad I found yahs!  (Woo-hoo New England accent).

In the case of Flounders, I decided I must visit multiple times before reviewing.  It's backyard is practically my front yard so one could say, it had me at hello.  Still, I wanted to…

Hacienda Tecalitlan Restaurant

820 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

baby h. writes: This place is amazing.  The interior alone is so impressive with it's high archways, elegant seating and tall-backed chairs.  They also have a nice-sized dance floor for their friday/saturday night music and dance.  

The margaritas are awesome and…

Bead In Hand

145 Harrison Street
Oak Park, IL 60304

Nancy K. writes: Wow, Ooh, Ahh!  You must stop in and look around to experience this once.  Every conceivable bead one can imagine,  what a wonderful place!  I was overwhelmed with all of the possibilities on my first visit, I will need to go back and linger longer.…

Yum Thai Restaurant

7748 Madison St
Forest Park, IL 60130

Brendan G. writes: This is our favorite Thai restaurant. Best one in the area, hands down. This little hole-in-the-wall place is, to quote Robert R's statement "like finding a diamond in the rough."  HUGE portions that you can save for another meal.

Definitely try the…

Ethel's Chocolate Lounge
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Magnificent Mile

520 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60686

Arnab M. writes: Apart from the slightly pricey numbers, the chocolate is excellent. I got a dozen different dark chocolate truffles for $14 which really isn't cheap but at least it tasted flawless and rich and relaxing and, most of all, very indulgent. The staff…

Vines on Clark
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3554 N Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60610

Heather K. writes: When I think "Wrigleyville," I think " frattyfrattydrunkfr atty." Vines has a really nice atmostphere that is sort of the antithesis to that whole vibe. Totally chill, great service, good drink specials on non-game days, and delicious food.

Went with…

Bed Bath & Beyond
Neighborhood: Near North Side

530 N State St
Chicago, IL 60610

Evann G. writes: I love Bed Bath & Beyond.

We limited ourselves to 3 bags, since we had to walk home with it... it was hard not to buy more.

I didn't see any problem with this store being exceptionally cramped. It seemed just like a normal BB&B to me, right smack in…

Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket

645 Joliet Rd
Willowbrook, IL 60527

Lizzi C. writes: The BEST fried chicken ever.  Small family owned restaurant located on the original Route 66.  Opened in 1946.  Has cute memorabilia all over the place.  But don't go for the atmosphere go for the food.  Very laid back, casual.  Live bands on the…

Old Jerusalem
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Old Town

1411 N Wells St
Chicago, IL 60610

Jackie R. writes: Its nothing exciting to look at...yet becomes exciting when your food arrives and it exceeds all of your expectations.  I actually cant say ive had better middle eastern food.  My boyfriend moved to the states when he was 18 from the middle…

Francesca's Fiore

7407 Madison St
Forest Park, IL 60130

Kevin S. writes: 'Bruno Puntz-Jones! Don't be eat by alligator! Is party! I be mad.'  

So said the inimitable international B-Movie star, Francesca Fiore, the seedy Italian actress, as played by Scott Thompson on Kids in the Hall, possibly my favorite character on…

Salvatore's Restaurant
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

525 W. Arlington Place
Chicago, IL 60614

James D. writes: We had our wedding reception here and have dined on several other occasions. The atmosphere is great and the food has been terrific.
If you get invited to a private party (or are thinking of throwing one) the veal is definitely not to be missed if…

Lincoln Restaurant
Neighborhood: North Center

4008 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60618

Karen A. writes: For the meatiest cheesiest omelettes and for the hostess with the biggest hair in Chicago, this is worth checking out.*

*Also referred to as "the fat peoples restaurant" by a member of my family, who, at the age of 5, walked in to The Lincoln and…

Fernando's Restaurant
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3450 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Jess T. writes: I once had so many margaritas here that I thought it would be prudent to poke the couple seated next to us, point at their newborn baby, and ask why it "looked retarded."  Apparently the baby was perfectly normal; I just (a) don't really know what…

The Silver Palm
Neighborhood: Noble Square, River West

768 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Natalie R. writes: I love this little place. It's the perfect date spot. The bartenders are way fun and when we there on a slow night, let us pick the iTunes. The bar space is perfect for small groups of friends to hang out and feel pretty. The dining car is quiet and…

Giordano's Pizzeria
Neighborhood: Near North Side

730 N Rush St
Chicago, IL 60611

Amy C. writes: Today's Quiz is Multiple Choice.  

Giordano's Spinach Stuffed Pizza is:

a)  What I miss most about living in Chicago.  

b)  What I will be ordering when I have "my last meal on earth."  

c)  One of the best gifts I ever got from an ex. ***

d)  All of the…

Chicago's Pizza
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3006 N Sheffield Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Antonio A. writes: I'm not going to act like the aficionado of Chicago style pizza but picture this.  

In town from LA...lost after you met people who got you drunk as hell from partying at who knows how many bars...you hop into a cab and slur some random words that…

Palmer House - Hilton
Neighborhood: The Loop

17 E. Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60603

John B. writes: If you're looking to spend a lot of time in your room, you probably won't like the Palmer House. The rooms are fairly small, though certainly clean and well appointed. I stayed in a single room -- which is to say it had one double bed -- and it…

Sweet Tomatoes

1951 McConnor Pkwy
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Kristin C. writes: Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeet Tomaaaaaaaaaaaatoes.

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeet Tomaaaaaaaaaaaaatoes.

You hate goin' to the Suburbs but nobody cares
You'd rather eat Chili's than this salad bar fare!
You get your salad first then you're waitin'…

Sushi Wabi
Neighborhood: Near West Side

842 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60607

Colleen C. writes: Usually I am a fan of mom 'n pop sushi houses, as they suit me just dandy...

However, when an evening calls for a bit of ambiance and the ladies of Yelp are starving...Sushi Wabi, a perfect choice. (kudos to Andrea W).

With an 830 reservation on a…

Flying Saucer
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park

1123 N California Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Lindley E. writes: Props to the Saucer for opening up an hour earlier than just about every other brunch place in town.

And props for...

location: just down the street from me
Anti-Pop: not carrying coke or pepsi
Consistency: for being unfriendly, almost always
Inclusive:…

Argo Tea
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

958 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Colleen C. writes: A round of applause for Argo...

Seriously, this is one legit operation. A non-corporate entity that runs as smooth as...ahem...that "place" across the street.

Their drinks are whimsical and creative without coming off as lame-o-rama. In my opinion, at…

The Grooming Gallery
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village

911 N. Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622

Mike M. writes: Barb and her terrific staff at The Grooming Gallery have been taking care of our two dogs for over 5 years.  We came to know TGG after several negative experiences at chain stores' grooming departments where we were over-charged for bad grooming (for…

Waxman Candles
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3044 N Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657

Tina B. writes: Support your local kick-ass candle shop!  I'd don't mind paying a few extra bucks for Waxman goods.

1) candles smell great  (but not too strong)
2) they're made in the 'hood
3) the melted wax just chips right off of the holders (or my mantle...oops)
4)…

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

798 W Algonquin Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Nancy K. writes: Louisiana-style food.  (pronounced pa-pa-do)

This is one of the best places for seafood in the Chicagoland area.  We came here for the first time for lunch and had one of the best times in recent memory (and we have been hitting some really decent…

Northeastern Illinois University
Neighborhood: North Park

5500 N Saint Louis Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

jason t. writes: what can i say? i go here because it's cheap. i can only base my judgment on my own department, which i have to say is 90% fantastic. class sizes are small and most of the faculty are very enthusiastic and seem to know what they're talking about. we…

Wttw Channel 11
Neighborhood: North Park

5400 N Saint Louis Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Jess S. writes: Geoffrey Baer ... can I have your children?

Golden Budha
Neighborhood: The Loop

312 W Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60609

andrea w. writes: Like Elizabeth I was a little sketched out by trying Golden Buddha as well...it looks super shady from the outside.  I had images  of myself being home all weekend with food poisoning!

When we stepped inside i was very surprised to see how cute it…

Gentry On Halsted
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3320 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60657

David R. writes: Nice and cozy piano bar in Chicago. Lovely & Friendly bartenders,but the pianist was horrible! . Anyway this place is my favourite one.

Sam & George's
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3000 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

dina d. writes: Sam and George's is the Cheers of diners...

Seriously...the mustached man in charge referred to just about everyone that walked in by their first names.  He was friendly with every single customer, including me, and I even caught him singing the Luna…

Pressure Billiards & Cafe
Neighborhood: Edgewater

6318 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60686

Joe T. writes: I walked/drove by Pressure Billiards and Cafe almost daily after it opened in Fall 2005 but I didn't notice it until I heard some good things about it from my friends. I decided to check it out one Saturday and I have been going almost every weekend…

Psycho Baby
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

1630 N. Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

Kathleen O. writes: My niece is an alternative punk rock star.  I asked if she wanted to be a star when she grew up, and she said she's one now.  

"She explained:
--  I don't need to know how to play an instrument, because I am punk.
--  I don't need to be famous, because…

Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

1913 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Shane H. writes: Trying to find a doctor's network when you are new to a city is really tough.  You don't want to end up at Joe's Slice and Dice for your physicals!!!!   "Just try and relax" does not cut it! *shudder*

Northwestern Network really is a comforting place.…

Webster's Wine Bar
Neighborhood: DePaul

1480 W Webster Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Rachel W. writes: I admit that I'm a creature of habit, and pragmatic to a fault. I buy the same cotton underwear at Gap (they have no seams and fit), the same jeans at Levis (again, they fit), and own about 10 white tee shirts and 10 white collared shirts, which…

Daley Plaza Farmer's Market

Daley Plaza
Chicago, IL 60686

Ellen M. writes: What I've got to say is this:

*Shitake mushrooms
*Fresh asparagus
*Baby garlic
*Two loaves artisan bread
*5-year cheddar
*Raw milk cheese

Twenty bucks.