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2 / 10
TANTA This lively Peruvian newbie calls Leches de Tigre “the cebiche hangover cure.” Test it out after a couple of pisco sours. 118 W. Grand Ave., 312-222-9700
Photo: Anjali M. Pinto -
3 / 10
HONEY BUTTER FRIED CHICKEN Rain or snow, the door opens at 5 p.m. Rain or snow, the line forms at 4:30. 3361 N. Elston Ave., 773-478-4000
Related: Find out more about Honey Butter Fried Chicken here.
Photo: Courtesy of Honey Butter Fried Chicken -
4 / 10
BEATRIX Rich Melman let three talented chefs loose in the Lettuce test kitchen and wound up with another SRO hit in River North. 519 N. Clark St., 312-284-1377
Related: Browse pics of Beatrix’s roast chicken sandwich, chocolate chunk cookie, and other goodies on our photo blog What Penny Eats
Photo: Beth Rooney/Chicago Tribune -
5 / 10
THE DAWSON Hamachi, panzanella, Mughlai curry. Yep, as American as apple pie. As popular, too. 730 W. Grand Ave., 312-243-8955
Related: Find out what the Dawson has to offer here.
Photo: Patrick Fahrner Photography -
6 / 10
SEASONS 52 Just say, “Nothing on our menu is over 475 calories” and the Fitbitters will come. 55 E. Grand Ave., 312-832-1752
Photo: Courtesy of Seasons 52 -
7 / 10
TRAVELLE It takes chutzpah to open a gorgeous dining room in a landmark Mies building directly across the street from Trump Tower. Take that, Donald! The Langham Chicago, 330 N. Wabash Ave., 312-923-9988
Photo: Mike Schwartz -
8 / 10
HOMEGROWN CAFE How Gilbert Langlois kept his fan base after morph-ing Chalkboard: He made chicken and waffles his signature brunch item. 4343 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-477-7144
Photo: Ratko Radojcic -
9 / 10
BARBAKOA In the fullness of time, Jerry Kleiner (Carnivale, Gioco, etc.) and Dudley Nieto (Zocalo, Adobo Grill, etc.) met and joined forces over modern Latin fare. 1341 Butterfield Rd., Downers Grove, 630-852-2333
Photo: Courtesy of Barbakoa -
10 / 10
DOC B’S FRESH KITCHEN Gold Coasters thought there was a law against having a normal nabe spot in their ZIP code. 100 E. Walton St., 312-626-1300
Photo: Marcin Cymmer