Danny's serves Italian comfort food at this popular neighborhood spot. Their specialties are neckbones and fried meatball sandwiches. Melrose Park 1419 N 15th Ave Melrose Park, IL 60160 (708) 343-9999 Premiered 1/23/2009
A family-run Italian spot with many gluten free options. River Grove 8343 W. Grand Ave. River Grove, IL 60171 (708) 453-1000 Premiered 2/6/2009
This casual neighborhood spot serves the cuisine of the South, from barbecue to Cajun and Tex-Mex to Mexican. Burbank 6501 W. 79th Street Burbank, IL 60459 (708) 229-8700 Premiered 10/24/2008
This low-key Chinatown eatery, a sibling to Argyle Street's Cafe Hoang, features Vietnamese and Thai fare. The menu, which mirrors the Uptown location, covers plenty of ground, offering appetizers and soups, noodle and rice dishes and entrees from both countries. You'll find standards such as egg rolls, tom yum soup, pho, pad Thai and chicken fried rice. But there are more adventurous options too; including spicy catfish simmered in a clay pot, soft shell crab with tamarind sauce and crispy-fried whole red snapper with sweet and sour fish sauce. Not familiar with Southeast Asian staples? Food photos (with corresponding menu numbers) are mounted on the storefront's windows, in the entryway and on the walls inside to help you make a decision. Cafe Hoang is BYOB. Chinatown 232 W Cermak Road Chicago, IL 60616 (312) 674-9610 Premiered 11/7/2008
This modern Logan Square BYOB treasure features frequently changing five-course ($55) and seven-course ($80) tasting menus. Sample dishes include: sweet corn and green gazpacho with fried green tomato and juniper; grilled Kobe beef rib-eye with shaved asparagus salad and summer truffles; and a chocolate mousse pyramid and saffron beignet. Planning a get-together? Owners also run a catering company from the back of the space. Logan Square 2728 W. Armitage Chicago, IL 60647 (773) 486-7511
Mid-priced Italian food served in a casual atmosphere. Lincoln Park 2465 N Clark Street Chicago, IL 60614 (773) 935-3388 Premiered 2/13/2009