Had to do it. I love food. And my roommates just started a foodblog. So here are my favorites... I'll try to edit this and update as I go:
Rodan: Hipster bar. Good drink selection. Great asian influenced food. Cigarette rolls, wasabi tempura fries, fish tacos, pork tenderloin. Yum. Quinoa is supposed to be kind of bland. 1530 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 276-7036
Piece Brewery & Pizzeria: Duh, right? Shamelessly ripped off from Bar in New Haven, but darned good. Pizza and house brews. Mixed green salad. Mmmm. 1927 W North Ave Chicago, 60622 (773) 772-4422
Smoque BBQ: The newest latest and greatest. How happy am I that this place opened down the block from my house. Smoked BBQ. Two kinds of ribs, awesome brisket, good pulled pork, different sauces on each, great fries, great slaw, mac and cheese, etc. 3800 N. Pulaski Rd. Chicago, IL 60641-3139 773-545-7427
Leon's Bar-B-Q the Original: One of the great originals, Leon's makes awesome smoked BBQ. Great ribs, tips, and hot links. Awesomely hot hot hot sauce (50/50 hot-mild is good). Leon's Famous Ribs: The original 79th & Stony Island outpost is a hoot. Takeout only. 2418 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL (773) 975-7427 1640 E 79th St, Chicago, IL (773) 731-1454
Elephant & Castle Pub & Restaurant: This a chain, but my standby when I'm desperate for fish&chips and can't get to the Duke of Perth (see EA below). 111 W Adams St Chicago, 60603 (312) 236-6656
Sai Cafe: The oldie and still reigning goodie, Sai Cafe is still my favorite sushi place in the whole city. This despite the explosion of sushi restaurants and places serving sushi throughout Chicago and the U.S. Sai has always had really great fish (far, far above my minimum threshold) and continues to provide great portions and dining experiences at prices lower than competitors serving inferior food. Hot food is also very good here, but I never seem to make it far that way. Lincoln Park. 2010 N Sheffield Ave Chicago, IL 60614 (773) 472-8080
Blue Fin: Another standby, in large part b/c they know me and take care of me there. Good sushi, some inventive stuff, and almost always with Bluefin tuna akami and toro in the case. Sit at the bar and ask to have your salmon aburi (blowtorched). Superfantastiaclly delicious. Bucktown. 1952 W. North Ave Chicago, IL 60622 773-394-7373
Usagiya Pan-Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar: This place is newer, but I like it (and it's convenient). Good list of sake and offerings by the flight for tasting. Good sushi. Caterpillar maki is a favorite of mine. Good hot food. Ukrainian Village. 1178 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago 60622 (773) 292-5885
CoCoRo/East Restaurant: Real Japanese restaurants are pretty few and far between in the Midwest. This one is together enough to attract Japanese diners and businessmen drinking. It's also the only place I know in the city where you can get a real bowl of ramen (maybe others in Arlington Heights). Granted, it's B or B- ramen, but it's still leagues beyond anything in a package. Sushi has become more hit or miss lately, though it can be spectacular when it's on (great fish, beautiful fish, soft, perfectly formed rice, perfect cut and prepared with soft, easy texture). River North. 668 N Wells St Chicago, IL 60610-3717 3129432220
Woo Chon Restaurant: Really awesome and pretty authentic Korean BBQ. All the little sides (BK- what are these called?) are awesome too. Up towards K-town. 5744 N California Ave Chicago, IL 60659 (773) 728-8001
Jin Ju Restaurant & Bar: Upscale, fancier, 'they cook it for you' Korean BBQ. Great, great vegetables and the standard fare of cool cocktails, etc. Andersonville. 5203 N Clark St Chicago, IL 60640 (773) 334-6377
Pasta Palazzo: People call this place a gourmet pasta diner, and they are right on. Great specials, awesome cream sauces. Very affordable. Lincoln Park? 1966 N. Halsted St Chicago, IL 60614 773-248-1400
Iberico Cafe & Bar: One of my two favorite tapas places in town. Everything is soooooo goooood. River North. 737 N La Salle Dr Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 573-1510
Cafe BA-BA-Reeba: My other favorite tapas place in Chicago. Some things are different/better at each place. Making me hungry.. Lincoln Park. 2024 N Halsted St Chicago, IL 60614 (773) 935-5000
Hot Doug's: The Encased Meats Emporium and Sausage Superstore. Yup. The man went to culinary school and it shows. Awesome. Logan's Square? 3324 N California Ave Chicago, IL 60618 (773) 279-9550
El Nandu Restaurant: Empanadas! So many kinds, sooo good. The skirt steak's really good too. Logan's Square. 2731 W. Fullerton Ave Chicago, 60647-3015 773-278-0900
Duke of Perth: Scottish pub. All you can eat fish and chips (usually just fish) on Wednesdays and Fridays. Good for pre/post movie watching at the Landmark. 2913 N. Clark St. Chicago, 60657 773-477-1741
my home away from home: The Green Door Tavern: neighborhood bar/grill. great menu of burgers. friendly (read: cute) waitresses. Sierra Nevada no longer on tap, but no one's perfect. Huron & Orleans 312 664 5496
Sultan's Market: Delicious and cheap Mid-Eastern food. Falafel sandwiches, medium spicy are my favorite. Wicker Park. 2057 W North Ave Chicago, IL 60647 (773) 235-3072
Handlebar: Vegetarian food and beer for the bike messenger crowd. Good food, including fish dishes. Wicker Park. 2311 W. North Ave. Chicago, IL 60647 (773) 384-9546
i almost have too many to mention so ill hit the highlights. scoozi - italian on huron by bjorn's work. there is so much good italian in chicago it is criminal to just name one but i have been going there forever and their spinach and ricotta ravioli is life altering.
other italian places i love besides mama town's kitchen - mia francesca and la scarola
la sardine - on carpenter btwn washington and randolph - french food so good it makes you feel like youre looking into the face of god and seeing him looking back saying 'you are my most perfect creation'.
i also have a love affair with the brunch at del toro. a tapas place with good brunch? crazytown.
also lula cafe in logan square. not only for the food but also the added bonus of getting to see my bike in the window at boulevard and / or flirt with the dudes that work there.
AY, the little dishes of spicy pickled vegetable side dishes in a Korean restaurant are collectively called <i>panjan</i>, although I might have spelled it wrong.
A couple of places off the top of my head:
Nile Restaurant The only Hyde Park restaurant really worth mentioning, in my opinion. Really good Middle Eastern restaurant. The first decent restaurant I ate at in Chicago. My favorite hummous on the planet (which means in Chicago). Great Chicken Shawerma. Great filet mignos kebabs. As Whitney once said, "Whoever cooked these knows his way around a grill." Consistently good for the past 15 years.
Kuma's Corner I hadn't been there until a month ago. But I like it. They seem to have changed their menu quite a bit, getting rid of the entrees. But I've had great burgers there, and they have a cool beer selection.
oh and i almost forgot... i frickin love avec on randolph. the food is awesome. it has a bitchin wine list and the pours are generous. plus the interior is H.O.T.
i believe the first time i met dr. welsh we went there. it was quite yummy.
brunch: Sweet Maple Cafe - on Taylor in Little Italy, tiny place that is always crowded. Hearty, southern style breakfast with interesting specials (pumpkin spice pancakes, raspberry mochas, etc.)
thai: Thai Classic - in Wrigleyville, on Clark, cheap and AWESOME. for dessert: fried plaintains w/coconut ice cream
tapas: Haro - In Pilsen, also a small place, but the tapas are excellent, flamenco dancing on the wknd, and good place to take a date. (All tapas are 5 dollars this year as it is their 5 year anniversary)
Best independent fast food: Submarine Tender - in Forest Park (the FoPo), go there, look at the picture on the wall (you might see some faces you recognize), and then order the butter and garlic fries and call me and thank me. you're welcome in advance.
Lastly, traditional south indian food: Udipi Palace - on Devon Ave., go for breakfast and order a masala dosa.
cafe bolero - right around the corner from medill, stuffed hamburger or the miami sandwhich (which contains ham, pork, and bacon all from the same mythological animal). gotta love the atmosphere on tuesday nights
local option/local shack - 5 kinds of po boys, nuff said
feed - southern food, smells like your grandmas kitched, always have great specials (including some sort of sweet potato side), and its prolly the best roasted chicken i have had in the city. its my new bolero.