The Bristol Chef Chris Pandel does things with animal parts most others wouldn't dare and the experience is heightened because of it.

Rick Bayless' mexican haven is a Chicago institution spawning spinoffs around the globe of south of the border fare from street food to high end.

Before Logan Square had Longman & Eagle, it had Lula Café. More than a decade on, it's easy to see why people flock for its locally sourced menu, Sunday brunch and Monday night farm dinners.

Jason Hammel and Jason Vincent give us another reason to travel to Pilsen: their impeccably prepared rustic seasonal fare and a cool, modern Kevin Heisner-designed room to eat in.

Even though chef Koren Grieveson left and Erling Wu-Bower took over (he came back from the Publican and had worked under Grieveson), avec remains one of the most consistent—and packed—spots in town.

Some may decry this as a hipster diner, but the quality of food—crispy potato hash with duck heart gravy; foie gras, scrambled eggs and toast; and those damn tasty griddled burgers—with great cocktails and draft-beer list, puts this spot in a new category.

If you can stand your big, fat gourmet burger with headbanging pulsating metal music, go get in line now. There aren't many better burgers in Chicago.

The crown jewel in Tony Hu's ever-growing empire, the focus here is on Szechwan dishes, ranging from the basic to the downright adventurous.

Between Chris Pandel's rustic Italian fare, Amanda Rockman's heavenly desserts, a fantastic amaro-based cocktail list a veritable Italian wine bible, this partnership between the Bristol and Boka groups doesn't show any signs of slowing down.

Authentic Costa Rican fare in a casual mom-and-pop BYO setting with some of the best chicken burritos around. Experiment with the casado and an oatmeal shake.

In a neighborhood filled with big splashy openings, it's nice to know there's a cute spot where you can go for a quick glass of Sherry or wine at the bar or have a romantic dinner over Spanish small plates.

Normally we'd pass on a tiny, no reservations spot, but when there's a BYO policy and a chef who cooked under Thomas Keller preparing a globally influenced menu, we'll gladly make the exception.

Logan Square's hipster gastropub, with a kick-ass whisky selection, has made national headlines and even got a Michelin star. Like a nose-to-tail approach? So does chef Jared Wentworth.

Pat Sheerin has outdone himself with a polarizing menu of upscale charcuterie. Everyone has an opinion on this spot.

When we want to eat with our hands and sop up spicy Ethiopian sauces and tender doro wat and vegetables we head north to Uptown. Tip: they roast their own coffee, too.

Sure the massive Chinese menu is daunting as hell, but go with a group and you only need to know about one thing: the roasted Peking duck served tableside. OK, and some seriously tasty fat egg rolls.

Uptown's Argyle Street is also known as Little Saigon and Tank Noodle is the crown jewel for its authentic Vietnamese cuisine, especially the various steaming bowls of pho.

Coalfire changed the way we think about thin crust. If you like it super crispy with a little bit of char, this is your new haunt.

A few years in, Paul Kahan's temple to pork and shellfish remains strong, especially with chef Brian Huston overseeing the kitchen.

Where else can you get Brit-style flaky, buttery crust pies filled with beef, chicken or mushrooms and kale? BYO or better yet, order it to be delivered to Maria's next door and get a drink at the bar. Oh yeah, fish & chips Fridays start at 5:30.

Matt Troost's refined bar menu in a rock 'n' roll-vibed neighborhood spot with a killer beer list and fantastic parking lot patio is a great reason to hit Taylor Street.

This Southern-inspired spot has been around a while, but its new Boarding House lunch (with juicy fried chicken) hearty brunch platters and dishes culled from decades- and centuries-old recipes has given it new life.

As Americanized Japanese restaurants continue to come and go, Katsu continues to churn out uncompromising sushi in an unassuming building on the Far North Side for a quarter-century and counting.

Where else can you get a beer, a taco and a shot of whisky for under $10? Leave it to the Blackbird team, as well as new chef Cary Taylor, to make it happen.

Authentic Indian south of Devon can be tough to find. Throw in Nepalese, an array of curries, platters, and cocktails and you might not go back up north.

Mark Steuer's Carriage House has brought thoughtful Southern cuisine, and cocktails, to the Division Street bar scene. Stop in anytime now that they've begun brunch and lunch service.

Throughout chef changes and evolving menus, Sepia continues to be one of the most consistent restaurants in Chicago. Andrew Zimmerman's menus paired with a cutting-edge beverage program makes it a complete experience.

Curtis Duffy's inventive fine dining has been wowing diners, and media, from its inception. A glass-enclosed kitchen, spot-on wine pairings, and fascinating backstory only add to the draw.