844 W. Randolph St., West Town
Inside this rustic buger bar, look for farm-friendly touches like 10-foot exterior barn doors, antique furniture and wallpaper, an exposed pie-making kitchen and family-style dining tables.The burger menu is fairly streamlined, focusing on what they do best grass-fed, hormone- and antibiotic-free beef, with options for turkey or vegetarian lentil patties as well. Served on a poppy seed bun with all the fixings, these burgers pair up with sides such as rainbow dark potato chips with French onion dip, German bacon potato salad, garlicky mac and cheese and cucumber potato salad. If you're not in the mood for a burger, go for the Farmer's Wife salad with romaine lettuce, avocado, red pepper, carrot, watermelon, corn and lemon dressing. Look for daily specials such as a Great Lakes yellow walleye fish fry on Friday nights or grass-fed ground beef chili on Thursdays. Fun cocktails and canned beer round out the drink offerings. And after you're good and full, order homemade ice cream with flavors such as pecan crisp, vanilla, chocolate and burnt sugar, served in a cup or cone. READ MORE
844 W. Montrose Ave., Buena Park
The owners behind Hops and Barley open another neighborhood tavern focused on burgers, wraps and other comfort-food eats. Expect a full bar, small plates and a sidewalk cafe. READ MORE
3516 N.Clark St., Wrigleyville
This Wrigleyville bar and grill opened Dec. 2004 (in a former Billy Goat tavern) to serve classic American fare, including homemade burgers and fries, three different flavors of wings, chicken sandwiches, wraps and warm chocolate chip cookies, served with a cold glass of milk. Dark mahogany wood, a marble bar and rare black and white photos give the place a nostalgic feel, but the 11 plasma HDTVs keep this tavern in the present day. Steps from Wrigley Field, Merkle's is a pre- and post-game spot for Cub fans and plays host to loyal Illinois and Iowa alumni. READ MORE
4229 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Square
At this grilled-cheese-focused spot, a $6.95 classic grilled cheese and a cup of tomato soup are billed as being "for the 99 percenters." Buttery, thick-cut Texas toast comes stuffed with gooey cheddar and American cheeses, crispy bacon and a thin slice of tomato--basic but entirely satisfying. Beyond the classic, there are a half-dozen other options, all of which (of course) include melted cheese, but also ingredients such as grilled chicken, Polish sausage, chorizo and jalapenos, and shiitake mushrooms with truffle oil. Julius Meinl coffee will pair perfectly with breakfast sandwiches joining the menu soon, but for now, a soda is the way to go.READ MORE
228 W. Chicago Ave., Near North
You can see this urban farmhouse tavern's pledge to keep it local written all over the menu -- from the mussels in Half Acre Gossamer with red peppers, corn, scallions and garlic toast to the Wisconsin cheese curds with alder-smoked ketchup, the local, seasonal ingredients shine through. And that's not even mentioning the 24 craft brews on the massive beer list, which designates anything from outside Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan as "imports" and includes offerings from Half Acre, Goose Island, Two Brothers, Three Floyds and countless others. (As is usually the case with these seasonally-focused spots, both the food and craft beer menus are subject to change depending on availability and ingredients.) The rustic-chic decor includes locally-salvaged materials like a stained glass and copper ceiling tiles and a bevador holding more than 500 bottles. READ MORE
6411 W. 63rd St., Clearing
This classic restaurant keeps Midway locals full on breakfast foods, coffee and light bites. READ MORE
3404 N. Southport Ave., Lake View
The husband-and-wife team that oversees this earthy coffee house is focused on sharing a taste of Africa with Lakeview. They bring a discerning eye for coffee, selecting beans directly from African farmers then roasting them on site before they make their way into coffee drinks such as chai lattes, iced coffees and straight-up Joe. African sandwiches and meat pies are made from scratch daily and served up alongside a wide selection of homemade muffins, croissants, cinnamon rolls and other pastries. Neighborhood lunchers come for sandwiches and panini. Combined with handmade reclaimed furniture from Zimbabwe and African artwork on the walls, we’d say this duo does their roots justice. READ MORE
351 W. Hubbard St., River North
Enjoy family-style seating at this rustic sports bar, where you'll find favorites like chicken wings with whipped Stilton blue cheese, poutine cheese curds, a kobe beef burger with house made bourbon barbecue sauce and shallots and a selection of handcrafted drinks, like spiced plum and strawberry basil sodas. There's also whiskey bottle service and a wide beer selection. Enjoy it all while watching one of 25 televisions in the room.READ MORE
1502 Sherman Ave., Evanston
Head to Evanston for classic cocktails and "all-American" dishes including Colorado brook trout, chipotle-glazed pork chops and cedar-planked salmon. For a lighter meal, try ordering a medley of small plates that the owners call "American tapas." The dessert menu features familiar classics such as Texas sheet cake and triple-berry crumble.READ MORE
6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn
Slightly off the beaten path for most Chicagoans, but right on the mark for music lovers, Fitzgerald's has been showcasing all kinds of roots music for 25 years in blue-collar Berwyn. On any given week the place plays host to zydeco, country, swing, folk and bluegrass acts, and during the club's popular annual American Music Festival, perhaps all in the same night. READ MORE
2835 N. Broadway , Lake View
This Lakeview fine dining spot (aiming to open in March 2012) is named for its massive raised fireplace, which can be seen from the street and from every seat in the warm, homey dining room. Red brick walls and white tablecloths serve as the backdrop for American bistro fare with holiday, global and seasonal influences. On the menu, expect to find surf and turf combos, steaks, chicken, pork, ribs and fish, with starches and vegetables on the side, of course. READ MORE
1204 N. State St., Gold Coast
This bistro named�for the famous�Manhattan watering hole attracts a more mature clientele than many of its rowdy Rush and Division neighbors with a menu of American standards, including burgers, ribs, pot pie and an lineup of entree-sized salads. The decor features carved oak, brass railings and chic black-and-white tiles. Music piped through the place starts with '60s rock and�moves back in time to include Frank Sinatra and other vintage crooners. READ MORE
1758 W. Grand Ave. , West Town
This Ukrainian Village bar is an equal-opportunity sports spot – you’ll find baseball, basketball, football and hockey games broadcasted on 16 TVs, as long as it’s a Chicago-based team. Just a few blocks from the United Center, expect to find die-hard sports nuts flocking to the friendly neighborhood spot. On top of that, there’s a bevy of bar eats like burgers, salads, sandwiches and specialty wings with 10 types of house-made sauces. The vibe is strictly laid-back, with local folks kicking back and enjoying one of 60 domestic, imported and craft beers in bottles and on draft. On weekends things definitely liven up, with three party rooms featuring sports, house music and low-key, lounge vibe. READ MORE
301 S. Halsted St., Greektown
This Greektown breakfast and lunch spot has a well-deserved rep as the bee's knees with nearby West Loop condo dwellers for its updated, super-fresh takes on standard diner fare. Instead of a classic Denver omelet, try the popular signature omelet, studded with pancetta and filled with Boursin cheese, chives and shallots. Even the sides get tasty tweaks: Each table is set with house-made seasonal marmalades and a ramekin of honey butter. (Meli is the Greek word for honey, and it gets ample use here). Lunch fare includes salads, wraps, panini and sandwiches, and though Meli closes at 3 p.m., there are some dinner entrees on the lengthy menu, including lemon chicken pasta and skirt steak. During the week, morning commuters swing by for smoothies, fresh-squeezed juices and strong cups of Lavazza coffee. READ MORE
4004 N. Southport Ave., Ravenswood
The owners behind Broadway Cellars took over the former Deleece spot, overhauling the interior and adding banquette seating and a roomier layout. The American bistro menu includes Italian-inspired dishes and other global flavors from around the world, including appetizers, sandwiches, salads and entrees. This approachable spot aims to please the neighbors who will regularly drop in for a bite for dinner or weekend brunch. READ MORE
9519 W. Higgins Rd., Rosemont
Roy's serves Rosemont's on-the-go business and travel community with unfancy food, friendly service and long hours. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Roy's lounge also stays open until 4 a.m. every night.READ MORE
2100 W. Irving Park Rd., North Center
The name is Irish, but you won't be deluged by Emerald Isle kitsch at this friendly neighborhood restaurant and pub. You may, however, find yourself enchanted by the tableside magic show. Located in North Center, O'Donovan's draws a good mix of late-twentysomething blue- and white-collar patrons with a full menu (options include everything from burgers to prime rib) and a healthy selection of microbrews. An expansive beer garden is covered and heated in inclement weather. Magicians perform tableside magic Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, in an homage to the bar's original owners who were magicians. READ MORE
1983 N. Clybourn Ave., Lincoln Park
This Lincoln Park bar has one of the best lounging patios in the city. During warmer months, the tree-canopied space draws many crowds for dinner and drinks so scoring a seat can be tough. When temps drop, patrons warm up inside, taking seats in the overstuffed chairs and sofas arranged around a fireplace, or at the tables in the front of the bar. A dinner menu features upscale small plates like crab cakes and arugula salad with tomatoes and mozzarella, plus traditional pasta dishes and burgers. READ MORE
642 N. Clark St., River North
This chef-driven American bar and eatery in the old Manor space in River North places a focus on comfort food with local and sustainable ingredients. Don't expect it to look anything like Manor; the inside has been completely gutted. The group behind The Cedar Hotel and Stay are aiming for a comfortable, unpretentious vibe. The bar will be open for lunch and dinner, but will also have a late-night license. READ MORE
350 N. State St., Near North
What's in the name? A classic American dining club with a spirit of longevity, steadiness and timelessness, says proprietor and lifelong Chicagoan Keene Addington (founder and former CEO of Flat Top Grill). On the dinner menu you'll find familiar club fare using local ingredients such as pheasant pie, steak tartar and dover sole, along with a selection of wines and Prohibition era-inspired cocktails. For lunch, expect to see business and community leaders meeting for power lunches in a refined and conversation-friendly atmosphere. Addington envisions the club as an iconic Chicago mainstay, a sentiment reflected in the original artwork and artifacts (including mahogany from the old Pump Room). A jazz trio (including a 1918 Steinway piano) croons nightly playing tunes from a bygone era. READ MORE
