Chicago Food Writers Reveal Their Top Restaurant Standbys of 2017

As the world gets ready to bid adieu to 2017, Eater asked a group of local Chicago critics and writers about the year in restaurants and bars. The nine questions varied from their favorite dining neighborhoods to what we can expect for headlines in 2018. Here are their answers — copied and pasted, totally unadulterated — for their top restaurant standbys in 2017.

Carrie Schedler, Chicago magazine: I ate more food from Floriole, MingHin, Cellar Door Provisions, Juno, Boka, Parachute, Roister, and Northern Taste than anywhere else this year. (I think I'm 90 percent carbohydrate at this point.)

Mike Sula, Chicago Reader: D’Candela, Aroy Thai, Taqueria el Asadero, Lawrence Fish Market, House of Wah Sun, Joong Boo Snack Corner, Jet’s Pizza (Turbo Crust ®)

Morgan Olsen, Time Out Chicago: My credit card statements don't lie: Cellar Door Provisions, Mott St., Mi Tocaya, Revival Food Hall and Small Cheval.

Chandra Ram, Plate: Avec (always and forever). The food and vibe at Baker Miller makes me incredibly productive and happy when I park myself there with my laptop for a morning of breakfast and writing. Floriole is another favorite for working and eating, and Bebu is practically a conference room for us at Plate; we hold half of our meetings there. And Café Marie-Jeanne and City Mouse are my spots for the sometimes absolutely necessary 3pm cocktail and bite.

Michael Nagrant, RedEye: Paulie Gee’s Logan Square, Lee’s Chop Suey, Panda Express, Rainbow Thai, Giant, Coalfire Pizza

Michael Gebert, Fooditor: Anywhere I go more than once in the same year is a favorite by definition. Three times or more: Proxi, Quiote, Hai Sous/Ca Phe Da, Cafe Izalco, Arbor, and counting delivery, Pizzeria Bebu.

Matt Kirouac, Zagat: Split-Rail opening in my neighborhood has been a real blessing. I can't get enough of those fancy chicken nuggets, and the cocktails are sublime. Others: Estereo, Owen & Engine, La Sirena Clandestina, Whiner Beer's taproom, Vol. 39.