1. SmallBar
8.5
2956 N Albany Ave (at Wellington), Chicago, IL
Bar · Logan Square · 39 tips and reviews
allen king: Get the Beer battered cheese curds followed by a pulled pork sandwich and frosty brew. You won't be disappointed.
Amy Graff: Teensy, tiny bar in a residential stretch of Logan Square has an awesome, affordable beer list and obscenely good food. Try $1 mini burgers (Tues), specialty mac 'n cheese, and anything deep fried.
James Mason: The Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday night cook only looks pissed off. Hes really a nice guy.
2. BIG & little's Restaurant
8.2
860 N Orleans St (btwn W Chestnut St & W Locust St), Chicago, IL
Fast Food Restaurant · Near North Side · 140 tips and reviews
Andy Dreyer: Fish taco was excellent! I also recommend the beer battered burger!
Heather Folsom: The big n little taco & bahn mi po boy are fantastic
Food Network: On an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Guy Fieri made the trip to this tiny Chicago joint, where the shrimp is battered and fried to order. Read more.
3. Toon's Bar & Grill
8.1
3857 N Southport Ave (at W Byron St), Chicago, IL
Bar · Lakeview · 55 tips and reviews
Time Out Chicago: Try the onion rings from our 100 Best list: They’re executed with attention to detail—thick-cut rings dipped in beer batter, fried golden and sprinkled with salt. Simple but standout.
Dave Easterling: $4.00 burgers and pineapple vodka shots on wedensday nights! And they serve Abita beer. 'Nuff said.
Serious Eats: This neighborhood bar serves some of the best Buffalo chicken wings in the city.
Chris Swingler: A good 'za. I think next time I'll order it well done and it will be perfect. (To beat: Wells Bros in Racine, WI)
Simon & Schuster: Al Capone’s sister had a deli here. Now, it’s a family joint that manages to be BOTH Irish & Italian, with great pizza and terrific corned beef. This is the oldest of the 4 Fox’s restaurants. Read more.
Kenneth Barnes: Great pizza
5. La Mez Agave Lounge
8.6
108 W Kinzie St (at Clark), Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · River North · 14 tips and reviews
Shannon Jeropke: Thriller ($13) No ones going to save you from the beast that is mezcal, velvet falernum, a tiki drink staple, apple juice and bitter lemon soda garnished with a torched lemon peel, rosemary and thyme.
Yana K.: Yummy tequila, awesome staff and an amazing time laten night :)
Time Out Chicago: The best drink here is closest to a classic margarita: the Double DAAisy, well-balanced with Espolón tequila reposado, Cointreau, lime juice, orange and agave: http://tmoutchi.us/13EV7jr Read more.
Edelweiss German/American Restaurant: DAILY LENT LUNCH SPECIAL: Two Grilled Tilapia Tacos with coleslaw, pico de gallo, fresh cilantro and guacamole all nestled in corn tortillas served with coleslaw and homemade Cajun potato chips $8.95
Chicago magazine: When the urge for a few steins, a heaping platter of sausages, and crispy-skinned roast duck strikes, this Teutonic stalwart and its oompah band await. Read more.
Therese Kono: Simply the BEST! PROST!
Jack Dogs: Great food, good beer, good atmosphere, great specials. Booths by windows are cold in winter. Can be loud. Service is good. Late-nighters beware: kitchen closes @10 on weekdays! Read more.
Bob Brown: The cookie skillet is addictive. Really.
Scott Falcone: Some of the best thin crust pizza in Chicago! Try the "white pizza"...only hold the onions. Garlic feta fries are amazing too.
11. Picante
7.1
2016 W Division St (at N Damen Ave), Chicago, IL
Mexican Restaurant · Wicker Park · 20 tips and reviews
Mark B: Al pastor tacos the only way they should be eaten: only onions and cilantro. Beer batter fish tacos make you homesick for San Diego, unless you aren't from there in which case now you know.
Alex Tomasik: Steak burrito, black beans, no sour cream, hot sauce. Good drunk food
BetsyM: Always get one white boy taco. But don't order ONLY white boy tacos. That's, like, real white.
X X: Surprisingly good cocktail menu and great service. Gorgeous patio.
Serious Eats: The aggressively seasoned meat has a nice balance of lean meat and fat on their corned beef sandwich, and is made in-house.
Time Out Chicago: You’re supposed to eat fish and chips in a musty pub for ultimate authenticity, right? Not come summer, and not when this Irish mainstay has a patio that’s a dead ringer. Read more.
14. First Draft
8.2
649 S Clark St, Chicago, IL
Sports Bar · Printer's Row · 22 tips and reviews
Ryan Sponseller: Might be my favorite wings in the city! Incredible!
Heather Folsom: Simply put, we will be back ASAP. Poutine, wild boar meatballs w/cheddar grits, mac, & gnocchi were all phenomenal. Impressive beer list and server Amanda was spectacular- so funny & knowledgeable!
Andrew Stiles: Good for sports if you can get a table. The goose island Ogden is a good local craft beer. Pizza was a pleasant surprise.