From the extraordinary blend of flavorful quality beef to the house-made bun to perhaps the best cheddar available on a burger anywhere, everything about the hamburgers at Owen & Engine is unimpeachable. In the ongoing debate over who has the best burger in Chicago, this one has to be part of the discussion.
A visit to St. Petersburg, Florida is not complete without trying at least one grouper sandwich. The only challenge is figuring out where to go since seemingly every restaurant in town sells them. Let me make it easy for you; go to Mid Peninsula Seafood Market & Restaurant.
Without some help, brie is too mild to be the centerpiece of a delicious sandwich. But as the grilled brie at Southport Grocery shows, when joined by sauteed mushrooms and served on outstanding focaccia, the creamy delight can be a critical component of something pretty special.
Q's Restaurant & Pizzeria has served the people of Hillside for well over 50 years and exudes old school pizzeria charm. But Q's is an exemplar of how legendary suburban pizzerias can live on in greatness due to nostalgia more than the pizza.
Most of the week, Inovasi is merely a very well-received restaurant serving up an ever-changing menu of innovative contemporary American cuisine. But every Tuesday, an extra menu appears and the restaurant transforms into destination dining for any burger lover in Chicago.
Bongo Room is, rightfully, known for having some of the best pancakes in Chicago. But if you find yourself there and in a mood for something savory, this beef tenderloin and portobello sandwich is eagerly waiting to be eaten.
No restaurant in the ever-expanding empire of Scott Harris has gotten more praise than Davanti Enoteca in Little Italy. The hype means that two hour waits are fairly common on weekend nights. The food just might be worth it.
Park Burger became a Denver institution almost immediately after opening its doors less than three years ago. Based on my visit, I'd have to say it definitely lives up to the hype.
There are countless average to above average pizzerias that get the designation, "it's good for the neighborhood." But as I discovered at Fornetto Mei, when the neighborhood is packed with excellent pizza options, decidedly mediocre pizzas aren't going to elicit much more than a shrug.
We live in an era when people are willing to get out of bed just to go stand in line for an hour or more to eat breakfast. When diners show that kind of commitment to getting a good meal, expectations rise accordingly. Fortunately, when it comes to pancakes, Chicago's restaurants are up for the challenge.
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