BIG STAR Mexican street fare from a pick-up window? Sounds tacky. Until Paul Kahan and co. made it cool, that is. 1531 N. Damen Ave.; 773-235-4039

XOCO Mexican street fare worth waiting an hour for? Sounds dumb. Until Rick Bayless made it good, that is. 449 N. Clark St.; 312-334-3688

NELLA PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA We hear that a certain Near North neighborhood might change its name to Lincolnella Park. 2423 N. Clark St.; 773-327-3400

HEARTY Upscale comfort food is the new black in Boystown. 3819 N. Broadway; 773-868-9866

DMK BURGER BAR Even without the burgers, Michael Kornick’s sharp Lake View spot would be pretty awesome. 2954 N. Sheffield Ave.; 773-360-8686

CHILAM BALAM Take your own pitcher of margaritas to this packed BYO. Then again, you’ll probably finish it before you get a table. 3023 N. Broadway; 773-296-6901

SABOR SAVEUR The French-Mexican menu makes more sense than the slick décor pair-ed with blaring mariachi music. 2013 W. Division St.; 773-235-7310

THE LUCKY MONK Beers, burgers, and skillet s’mores next to an AMC movie theatre and suddenly every night in South Barrington is date night. 105 Hollywood Blvd., South Barrington; 847-898-0500

KITH & KIN Sounds like a musty old Scottish pub, but it’s the most exciting thing to hit this stretch of Webster in ages. 1119 W. Webster Ave.; 773-472-7070

MERCADITO Everyone whines about the tiny portions at this modern taquería, then they come back for more. 108 W. Kinzie St.; 312-329-9555