The Whole Foods in Lincoln Park has a bounty of fresh produce, and a fleet of young, eager cooks. Is it possible that they could kick out a top quality taco? I was surprised to find that there was even an al pastor spit spinning when I arrived. More

As I found out recently, the Goose Island Wrigleyville Brewpub is a surprisingly solid option before or after a Cubs game. But as good as the restaurant's renditions of bar-menu classics may be (especially for the area), there is no question that Goose Island's Clybourn Brewpub steps up the quality of the service, the atmosphere, and, most importantly, the food. That's definitely true of the the massive Duck Reuben ($14), which trades the familiar corned beef for cured slices of duck. More

Unlike the ideally proportioned cocktails that come in cool coupes from Barrelhouse Flat, the porchetta sandwich ($15) arrives looking like a big hot mess. So, how does one politely dig into a sandwich the size of a football while sipping a cocktail, especially when said sandwich also happens to be dripping with juices and stuffed with heaps and heaps of meat? More

Even as the city acclimates to the idea of trendy doughnuts from fine dining vets, a $5 frosted ring of dough is still gutsy. When 2 Sparrows first opened, attention centered on the signature maple-bacon doughnut and foie gras-cherry Pop-Tart, but a new tiramisu-flavored doughnut trumps both of those creations. More

Hand cut fries are combined with frisée and braised pork cheek, tossed in a dijon mustard vinaigrette, and topped with a poached egg. More

Butcher & the Burger has gotten plenty of press for its burger, and for good reason. But, almost nobody has said anything about the second half of their concept: the butcher. More

When it comes to fusion tacos in Chicago, all roads lead to Del Seoul in Lincoln Park. When it first opened, it seemed to have the Korean basics down, but still needed help with the tortillas, but since then Del Seoul has expanded and hit its groove and now serves one of the best fish tacos in the city. More

Meatloaf is not cool. Never has been, and, hopefully, never will be. Satisfying and filling? Sure. But cupcakes... Well, that's a different story. So what happens when you combine cutest/most overblown dessert trend of the millennium with a very unsexy diner stalwart? More

There's no better classic to return to than the BLT offered at Austrian Bakery, where their double-decker ironically boasts American-sized proportions. The expected lettuce and tomato join copious amounts of mayo coating three slices of hearty white bread with crispy and chewy bacon in amounts you might be embarrassed to indulge in at home. More

Anyone who bemoans the lack of serious pastry shops or bakeries in this town will quickly find herself comforted by the pristine, elegant tartes, entremets, and macarons at Vanille Patisserie. The newest addition to the menu, The Eleanor ($6.65), is exactly the type of dessert you'd want on a warm spring day: bright, citrusy, and satisfying without being heavy. More

I like to consider myself a connoisseur of Eggs Benedict. Hollandaise sauce, ham, English muffins—I can pretty much taste the flavors in my sleep if I wanted to. But the Short Rib Eggs Benedict ($18) from Sprout was unlike anything I had ever ordered for brunch before. More

Balena, a massive new Italian-inspired restaurant in Lincoln Park, opens to the public this week. We sat down with chef Chris Pandel to talk through a few of these dishes you'll soon be able to order. More

Without some help, brie is too mild to be the centerpiece of a delicious sandwich. But as the grilled brie at Southport Grocery shows, when joined by sauteed mushrooms and served on outstanding focaccia, the creamy delight can be a critical component of something pretty special. More

You don't walk into Franks 'n' Dawgs expecting a traditional Chicago-style hot dog. It's not that kind of place. Instead, the sausages are often house made, sometimes with unusual ingredients, and are topped with all manner of toppings, relishes, and condiments. The result is a menu of crazy ideas, some more successful than others, but all of them ambitious. More

How does a pre-made sandwich with Charlie Trotter's name on it taste? Well, if the The Roast Beef with Horseradish, Cheddar, and Balsamic Glazed Onion ($7.95) is any indication, then pretty good. More