It's all about the pork at The Publican. While Paul Kahan's place features just as much seafood, there's no hanging artwork of an oversized fish on the walls, I'm just saying. More

Not nearly as ubiquitous as dogs or Italian beef, jibaritos are more the cult classic of Chicago originals. More

Behind an entrance that would give your average abbot door envy, Old Oak Tap is an altar where Ukranian Village brunchers come to pray. More

Maybe I've just been extremely lucky with my sandwich picks, but I really haven't run into one I didn't finish, until now. More

Better known for heartiness over refinement, Wisconsin cuisine evokes images of summer sausage, curds, brats, and other beer soaker-uppers. Probably fried, with butter on top. More

Going to Superdawg and not ordering the eponymous offering (which still rates as my favorite in town) is much like going to Egypt and not seeing the pyramids. More

Fork invites you to sit down and have some good food paired with good drinks. A little of this, a little of that, with friendly, knowledgeable staff, and no pretenses. I'm still not 100% sure that's upscale casual, but it's certainly worth checking out. More

That buttery, toasted roll is just dandy, but here it's like a piccolo showing up at a death metal show; beautiful instrument, just the wrong concert. More

Largely a Venetian thing, cicchetti are essentially Italian tapas, small shared fare to linger over, preferably with a glass of white wine. However, if Venice is not in your immediate future, you can find a nice rendering of the concept right here in Chicago, at Ombra. More

The jerk chicken sandwich ($5.99) sandwich tastes like the rich, moist chicken has been slow-cooked for hours in peppery jerk spices. More

A little beer nerd outpost smack in the nucleus of the yupster bubble of Ukrainian Village, Small bar attracts moustaches the way puddles attract rain. More

The secret to the beef shawarma is the Meat to Other ratio, which is about 10:1 More

A friendly rockabilly/punk/hipster-esque neighborhood joint, with an almost speakeasy feel, a pool table in back, and a menu of tatted-up Italian fare that may cause some double-takes. More

Robert Duvall liked the smell of napalm in the morning. I might also suggest a late-morning stroll up Clark Street in Andersonville, where you can instead find yourself inhaling the aromas of fresh kebabs lapping up open flames pouring out of Reza's. More

Since browsing the aisles for sea-salted capers and fresh mozzarella is known to stimulate the appetite, luckily they are fully prepared with a deli counter that turns out great, no-frills sandwiches More

The distinction of neighborhood bar means the place is physically located in a residential neighborhood, and is frequented by said residents. And then also by outsiders like me, who come just for the food. More

It is the Goldilocks of tuna sandwiches—not too creamy, not too dry, not too salty, not too oniony, and, ultimately, not too exciting. More

Great food doesn't open its door to suggestions; good food, however, leaves that door slightly ajar. More

The salty brine of the oysters is cut by a subtle sweetness in the cornbread dusting, and they are fried up nice and crunchy, then piled high on a French roll. More

I would describe the food as somewhere between Midwest comfort and upscale cafeteria. And that is in no way a slam. More

Johnny Brown Bag has had staying power possibly because it's exactly what you think it's not. It is a cozy little BYO restaurant, complete with a menu of small plates, pizzas, pastas, and, yes, sandwiches. More

British food used to be the butt of a lot of jokes; greasy and dull, a lot of it didn't make the trip across the pond for good reason. But places like Red Lion Lincoln Square are doing its best to change that impression. And it's working. More

The beauty here is in the simplicity. Take a whopping nine ounces of warm, thinly-sliced corn beef and answer two questions: Mustard? Yes, please. Bread? Dark rye for me. And that's the sandwich. More

Twisted Spoke could easily be the friendliest little biker bar in Chicago. Sounds kind of like a Broadway musical, doesn't it? Please don't tell them I said that. More

The pastrami is a bit fatty (fine by me), savory, and luscious, with hints of smoke and lingering black pepper. More