It takes a determined soul to brave the endless brunch lines at Uptown's Tweet, but I figured an unseasonably warm Sunday morning was the perfect time to see if Tweet lived up to its reputation. Approximately one hour and one cocktail later, I finally found myself seated with a menu in hand. Upon noticing that Tweet had not one, but SIX different variations of a breakfast burrito on their menu, I knew I had to try one—but which one? More

With four Loop locations, this "Über Sandwich Maker" (as they like to call themselves), focuses on organic ingredients, whole-grain, freshly baked bread, and authentic and imported meats. More

Before this assignment, SE Chicago editor (Nick Kindelsperger) sat me down and said, "You have a budget." The words that I heard in my mind were, "No steak." I raised my tangerine-sized fists to the air in defiant agony, but that didn't make the budget any bigger. Life is hard. More

Although Ravenswood's City Provisions is more known for its fresh and sustainable deli food and its catering, the Sunday-only brunch is not to be missed. Their interpretation of the lox plate proves that sometimes even the classics can benefit from a little updating. More

Avanti Caffé is located at 200 W. Jackson, just down the street from the Willis Tower (or "Big Willie," as some of the natives prefer). Though there are better Italian restaurants in town, what's really important to note here are the prices. More

Borinquen's rendition of the jibarito is still alive and well, especially if you stop by during the busy lunch rush. Freshly fried to order, the plantains are slathered with mayonnaise, topped with cheese and lettuce, and then stuffed with the meat of your choice. Steak is popular and good, but I have hard time ever saying no to the crispy roast pork. More

No matter how careful you are, you'll eventually make the trek out to Hot Doug's to find the doors locked. Happens to the best of us. Luckily, there are a number of amazing restaurant options around the area, including a number of different cuisines. Just don't try to get a hot dog. More

In a case of better late than never, , Chicago's first Quad Cities style pizzeria, has added yet another degree of variety to the city's diverse pizza scene. More

Eating a whole one might kill any hopes of a productive afternoon, but the mammoth burgers at Benny's Chop House, which are a bit more creative than the typical steakhouse offering, are worth checking out. More

A relative newcomer to the barbecue trail, Chicago's Smoque has quickly made a name for itself with meticulously studied barbecue staples. Believe the hype: The Irving Park smoke joint's beef brisket sandwich ($7.45), a standout in what is historically a pork rib town, is perfectly executed. More

It's gourd season, ya'll! That's right. It's that time of year when pumpkins overwhelm grocery store shelves and restaurant menus. And if there's one thing Chicagoans are crazy about, it's their pumpkin goods. Here are 7 pumpkin sweets we love in the Windy City. More

How good is the pizza at Great Lake? If you meet someone who has eaten there and they do not tell you they had one of the best pizza of their lives, you probably don't want to listen to anything that person has to say about food. More

Coalfire was an early pebble in the recent avalanche of pizzerias in Chicago that do not fit into the city's traditions of tavern, deep dish, or stuffed pizza. And from the time it opened, the place has remained a favorite for many in town. Across the board, I think Coalfire features some of the best ingredients in town but, unfortunately, that's not enough for me to overlook the flawed crust. More

The Brunch Dog at Franks 'n Dawgs is quite possibly all of the best components of brunch combined into one sandwich. It starts with a giant Slagel Farms breakfast sausage, topped with cob-smoked bacon, a fried egg, and then it's all drizzled with maple mayo. The combination is gloriously salty, greasy, eggy, and sweet, all at the same time, and will cure a hangover immediately upon consumption. More

Tucked away in the windowless basement of the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) is a cafeteria known as Cellar's Market. Even though it's in the basement of the CBOT, it's open to the public and often frequented by office workers in the vicinity. I heard about it from some excited coworkers who were looking for variety in their lunch options. Contrary to popular belief, we don't eat deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, and Italian beef every day. More