A monument to tailgate culture for more than half a century, this tiny hot dog stand just steps from Ryan Field remains a game day destination for teeming hordes of Wildcat adherents hungry for victory and encased meats. The scene is far less chaotic when the team is on the road, transforming Mustard’s Last Stand into a charming escape for a burger on the patio.

Hewn, one of Evanston’s most popular bakeries, has earned such a large following it’s expanding to Lake County. The backbone of Hewn’s offerings is its assortment of hand-shaped, freshly baked bread upon which staff builds various sandwiches. It’s a perfect spot to pick up breakfast, as it offers a plethora of warm pastries and a substantial coffee menu.

Once one of the most popular spots in downtown Evanston, Dave’s Italian Kitchen abruptly shuttered in 2016, only to quickly reopen further north on Noyes with a wide selection of pasta, pizza, and traditional chicken dishes. Prices remain low and while the restaurant is no longer BYOB they offer a selection of affordable wines by the glass and bottle as well as beer from Evanston’s Sketchbook Brewing Company.

More than three years have passed since the death of Hecky Powell, who in 1983 brought his Chicago-style aquarium-smoked meats to suburbanites at his restaurant, Hecky’s Barbecue. His legacy, however, remains and continues to fill the bellies and hearts of Evanston locals with Creole recipes passed down from his mother and grandmother. Hecky’s biggest hits include rib tips, hot links, brisket, and its signature Juneteenth Strawberry Soda.

Veteran chef Michael Lachowicz (Aboyer, George Trois) casts a spotlight on the culinary skill and vast knowledge of his business partners — chef Miguel Escobar, sous chef Carlos Cahue, and wine director Sergio Angel — at Fonda Cantina, a bright and casual bar and restaurant. The chefs draw on their grandmothers’ cooking in Huandacareo in Michoacan and Huitzuco in Guerrero to present tender chile relleno (queso Oaxaca, pintos martajados) in a pool of tomato marjoram sauce, pork rendering-laced sope manteca, and a late-night selection of tacos like al pastor, carne asada, and gobernador.

For breakfast in downtown Evanston, few places have developed the reputation that La Peep has consistently held. A favorite for both NU students and residents alike, the chain’s menu covers the essential breakfast groups, from French toast to skillets and everything in between. Plus, it offers an especially popular pancake of the month, ranging from chocolate chip cookie to pumpkin pecan.

The Korean fried chicken experts at 10Q put out destination-worthy pieces of crispy, juicy poultry for carryout and delivery in Evanston. Customers can also find chicken wings, rice bowls, and more from the owners of BopNGrill.

Found may have closed but you can still feast on Amy Morton’s fare at The Barn, a tribute to her father’s steakhouse empire. Located in a brick stable dating back to 1883, the restaurant offers a traditional fine dining experience with dry-aged steaks, crab cakes, and pecan streusel carrot cake. The covered garden seating provides a perfect place to enjoy the weather or even just watch the rain fall while sipping an Old Fashioned or Manhattan.

This revamped suburban hit — known for more than two decades as Chef’s Station — leans toward fine dining with intricate dinner options such as pan-seared foie gras (caramelized peaches, toasted brioche) and oven-roasted New Zealand rack of lamb. Find it under the Davis Metra stop.

Serving Venezuelan-inspired Latin American street food, La Cocinita specializes in arepas — delectable cornmeal patties in crowd-pleasing varieties like El Pabellon (brisket, black beans, sweet plantains) and El Vegano (sweet potato, corn and carrot sofrito, salsa verde, guacamole). All the food is served in carryout containers so you can eat there or enjoy the weather by snagging seats a block west at Fountain Square. La Cocinita also operates a food hall outpost in New Orleans, as well as food trucks in both Illinois and Louisiana.

The quintessential Evanston bakery, Bennison’s has been a mainstay just off of the Davis Purple Line stop for more than 80 years. The menu offers nearly every type of pastry imaginable, its most popular offerings include doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, paczki, and danishes. If patrons are looking to shake things up, Bennison’s additionally offers specialty European delicacies such as apfelstrudel, an Austrian take on apple strudel.

A vast menu of tapas encourages groups to sample a medley of Catalonian and Andalusian flavors at this Spanish mainstay, which is best known for crowd-pleasing plates like bacon-wrapped dates, Spanish tortillas, croquetas, and grilled octopus. Consider all of them the perfect pairings for either of the house sangrias or the Spanish margarita, a cross-Atlantic spin on the classic with brandy and lemon juice.

This downtown Evanston spot from Sandy Chen, the owner of Chicago’s Le Sud, offers a wide selection of Chinese cuisine — Mongolian beef, garlic shrimp, and sesame chicken — as well as sushi and a weekend dim sum brunch with bottomless mimosas. Those who like to give back while dining out can call ahead to reserve table 23 and the restaurant will donate 23 percent of the check to a charitable organization.

A tried and true hit since 1994, Joy Yee’s suburban outpost is a magnet for students for its colorful bubble tea and pan-Asian menu of noodles, rice dishes, curries, and dumplings. The restaurant also has locations in Chinatown and University Village.

Housed inside one of Evanston’s coolest restaurant spaces, Union Pizzeria is an aesthetically pleasing spot where locals and visitors inhale piping-hot wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas like lamb sausage with eggplant, Gaeta olives, and rosemary. For squares of Detroit-style pan pizza with perfectly crispy, caramelized edges, fans should head to suburban sister spot Union Squared.

Get a taste of traditional Afghan fare such as juicy beef and chicken kabobs served with rice seasoned with saffron, carrots and raisins, and housemade chutneys. Kabul House offers an extensive selection of vegetarian fare including sweet pumpkin topped with yogurt and a date salad served with pomegranate vinaigrette. Their lunch specials are a great value.

This microbrewery was founded by former home brewers with a passion for historical and outside-the-box beers and has grown to operate sizable tap rooms in both Evanston and Skokie. Try out an Orange Door double-dry hopped IPA or a Pinky Sweater red rice pilsner while listening to live music.

Chef Vince DiBattista serves rustic Italian cuisine at this neighborhood restaurant, which has been in operation for more than two decades. Expect seasonal and locally sourced ingredients peppered throughout the menu’s dishes, from ricotta gnocchi with spinach and toasted walnuts to roast duck with polenta and sour cherry mostardo.

Located right on Evanston’s border with Chicago, Peckish Pig offers a very different dining experience than most nearby competitors as it works to elevate the standard brewpub experience. Its menu is impressively extensive, featuring popular items like bacon-wrapped dates and chicken wings but also more adventurous options like coconut curry mussels. Additionally, Peckish Pig offers eight to 10 house-brewed beers at all times, as well as multiple cocktails including a rotating slushy.