Mondays

Fried chicken at Hopleaf

The first Monday of the month, Andersonville’s beer mecca batters up birds, fries them to a pleasing golden crunch, and sets them atop fluffy Belgian waffles. The special pairs nicely with a Kwak, a strong Belgian ale. Bonus: The price of a Kwak gets bumped down to $5 on chicken nights. $18. 5148 N. Clark St., Andersonville

Tuesdays

Brisket tacos at Smoque

Arguably the best place in the city to celebrate Taco Tuesday is not a taqueria but, of all places, a barbecue joint. The folks at Smoque swaddle their famously tender slow-cooked brisket in a flour tortilla, smother it in a smoldering barbecue sauce, and serve it all up for a few bucks a pop. $4. 3800 N. Pulaski Rd., Irving Park

Wednesdays

Torta ahogada at Dove’s Luncheonette

Once an everyday offering, this beloved mess of a sandwich—ham, cheese, crunchy escabeche onions, and a fried egg on a bolillo roll, all swimming in a smoky orange salsa—now shows up only on Wednesdays. Just what you need for a midweek boost. $12. 1545 N. Damen Ave., Wicker Park

Thursdays

Roman-style pizza at Half Acre Balmoral

The wide-ranging whims of the chefs at this convivial, out-of-the-way taproom turn to pizza on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Specifically: massive rectangular slices, doughy and topped with simple, ultrafresh ingredients such as ricotta and summer tomatoes. $4 to $6 per slice. 2050 W. Balmoral Ave., Bowmanville

Fridays

Pepper, egg, and sausage sandwich at Johnnie’s Beef

The pepper and egg sandwich is a Lenten tradition at sandwich shops around town. But Johnnie’s Beef makes one worthy of being offered year-round. It’s bolstered by briny giardiniera and the decidedly un-Lenten addition of Italian sausage. $4. 7500 W. North Ave., Elmwood Park

Saturdays

Doughnuts at Off Site Bar

The tiny watering hole tucked into the back of Longman & Eagle groggily rubs the hangover out of its eyes to fry up two varieties of doughnuts for the weekend, and their delicate, yielding bite is worth lining up for before they sell out. Recent flavors have included a Corona and lime and a malted milk chocolate. $2.50. 2657 N. Kedzie Ave., Logan Square

Sundays

Cornish hen dinner at Daley’s Restaurant

A Thanksgiving meal in miniature: a whole Cornish hen roasted to perfection and served with cornbread stuffing, zingy cranberry sauce, and soup or salad. Really want to drive the point home? Add a slice of homemade sweet potato pie à la mode for $4 more. $15. 809 E. 63rd St., Woodlawn