No. 26: Mi Tocaya Antojeria, which satisfies our cravings
(Down from 20) Chef Diana Davila describes her dishes as "little cravings," a term that doesn't quite convey the complexity of her creations — especially her peanut butter y lengua,...
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No. 25: Tzuco, a homecoming for chef Carlos Gaytan
(New) When his 10-year-old restaurant Mexique closed, Carlos Gaytan returned to his native Mexico (where he heads a highly regarded restaurant along the Riviera Maya), vowing to return. Eighteen months...
No. 16: Mako, home of amazing omakase
(New) B.K. Park is one of the best-known sushi masters in Chicago, thanks to his early work at Mirai Sushi, Arami and Juno (he still owns the latter). His newest...
No. 28: Rooh, embracing tradition while defying it
(New) Sujan Sarkar has acclaimed restaurants in New York and San Francisco, and now he's in Chicago, introducing his modern takes on Indian cooking in a two-story space along the...
No. 27: S.K.Y., the visiting chef who stayed put
(Down from 22) Stephen Gillanders' appearance in Chicago was meant to be brief; his plan was to open a Los Angeles restaurant. But he and wife Seon Kyung Yuk (whose...
No. 29: Brindille, keeping the Nahabedian flame alive
(Down from 25) Brindille began as a secondary restaurant to Carrie and Michael Nahabedian's famed Naha, but took center stage when the Nahabedian cousins closed Naha in 2018. Carrie and...
No. 15: Galit, a taste of Israel and beyond
(New) I don't know what enticed chef Zach Engel to leave New Orleans (where he won a James Beard award at Shaya) and join One Off Hospitality alum Andres Clavero...
No. 13: Elske, where everybody feels the love
(Down from 12) Denmark is more a state of mind than a state of cuisine at Elske, a true labor of love (what "elske" means in Danish) for chefs David...
No. 30: Frontera Grill, the restaurant that launched an empire
Rick and Deann Bayless opened Frontera Grill in 1987, and Chicago's restaurant scene has never been the same. A pioneer in regional authenticity and sustainability, Frontera Grill single-handedly elevated Chicago's...
No. 14: Kumiko/Kikko, two restaurants in one, both stellar
(New) There are two ways to experience this West Loop gem; I recommend both. At Kumiko, the main-floor dining room, you can sample remarkable cocktails by Julia Momose, mixed and...