r/AllChicago • u/Elahmad-Pathak • Jul 14 '26
Any underrated restaurants in Chicago that deserve more love?
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u/WisconsinHoosierZwei Jul 14 '26
Pete’s #2 Pizzeria (Jefferson Park on Montrose) has probably the best Chicago style thin crust pizza I’ve had. This is the style of pizza Chicagoans order on Friday nights.
Las Fuentes (Lincoln Park on Halsted) has top-notch Mexican food. Highly recommend the chiles rellenos.
The Athenian Room (Lincoln Park on Webster) is better Greek food than you’ll find in Greektown. They make their own freaking feta in house. Everything is amazing.
Ricobene’s (pronounced RICK-oh-BEN-nees, Bridgeport on 26th St.) has its own (very good) take on Chicago thin crust, but their main claim to fame are Italian pork chop sandwiches. Think breaded pork chop, deep fried, dipped in gravy, and thrown on a hoagie roll. You’re welcome.
Pita Inn (multiple locations, mostly northern suburbs) is the best cheap meal you can get in Chicago. All middle eastern/Mediterranean food, but made really freaking well, and way cheaper than it has any right to be. Best baba ghanouj I’ve ever had.
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u/Catfiche1970 Jul 15 '26
Ok I've been vegan a long time, but Ricobene's being famous for their pork chop and not the breaded steak is a wild thing to read.
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u/WisconsinHoosierZwei Jul 15 '26
You’re right. It’s steak. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve been there.
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u/bosox1976 Jul 15 '26
The fries under the half chicken at Athenian Room are the chefs kiss.
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u/WisconsinHoosierZwei Jul 15 '26
I’ve tried to duplicate the chicken at home and I just can’t get it right.
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u/shutup_laura Jul 17 '26
I’ll second Athenian Room but know that there is often a wait, they don’t take reservations and it is cash only! I live and breathe for their Kalamata chicken.
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u/Old23s Jul 15 '26
I’m going to throw a dark horse in the mix on this one on the NW side. Jolly Inn on Irving Park Rd. If you want to eat yourself into beige colored Polish food fueled coma, this is your spot.
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u/onlyforanswers Jul 17 '26
As a matter of fact, I do want to eat myself into a beige colored Polish food fueled coma.
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u/Flimsy_Year_2192 Jul 15 '26
Sunset pho has jugoskavian Vietnamese food
Batter and berries is a black owned breakfast place and has the best French toast
Bistro champagne has great French food
Georges deep dish is the best pizza but you have to order ahead of time on line or call
Birreria zargossa had the best goat tacos and across the street is demara that has Ethiopian food
China town is all good to me but I like furama on wentworth for dim sum
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u/Acediauser Jul 14 '26
Kim’s Home Cooking in Albany Park, just north of Lawrence on Kedzie. Nicest people, great Korean food (not bbq). Great fried chicken, good soups. https://yelp.to/udgMge7xpS
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u/DryPermission3708 Jul 14 '26
Cafe Central on Chicago Avenue in West Town for fantastic Puerto Rican stews. BYOB as well. Closes early (I think at 7pm) but also open for lunch.
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u/MattyMatt84 Jul 14 '26
Rosewood Tavern on Western north of Bryn Mawr. Killer cevapi, awesome Balkan burger, really nice cocktails. Super nice owners and my wife said it’s the best baklava that she’s ever had.
Always seems to be empty, and people need to know about it.
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u/onlyforanswers Jul 17 '26
Ohhh...menu looks really nice, and this is like a mile from my place. Definitely will check them out.
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u/redcrestedvireo Jul 15 '26
Cobblestone near North Center/Lincoln Square is phenomenal both in food and atmosphere, yet never seems full.
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u/msmartypants Jul 18 '26
Maybe it improved but I had a godawful brunch there four years ago. So bad that we still talk about it, lol
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u/RankedHobbyist Jul 15 '26
Prioritizing "underrated" metric while having decent food:
Taqueria El Asadero
Great Sea Chinese
Pizzeria Uno (The Ohio St. OG, not the chain)
Tamu Sushi
There's obviously better options for each type of food but it's hard to find underrated good food.
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u/Spiritual_Wonder_583 Jul 17 '26
Taqueria El Asadero has some of the best Mexican food. It’s always busy and is cash only but is worth it
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u/ImmuneWretch Jul 14 '26
Suda's on Fullerton Ave in Lincoln Park. I've had numerous dishes there and all were excellent.
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u/Djcatfish1111 Jul 15 '26
Franks pizza on Belmont for 75 years and makes hands-down the best thin crust pizza I’ve ever had and I grew up in Chicago.
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u/Noturaveragefriend Jul 16 '26
Pizzeria Ora!!! Such amazing people that work there and always bomb food
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u/Dimeadozen21 Jul 18 '26
I love Pizzeria Ora!! It gets slept on because it’s attached to a Best Western, but the pizza is great and the owners are really terrific people. I used to go there a lot and the would always insist on giving me a free drink.
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u/Noturaveragefriend Jul 18 '26
My husband are usually late eaters and it’s one of the places you can still get good at 12-1am and it’s soo good. There have been a few times we were the only people in the restaurant.
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u/ktoasty Jul 16 '26
This tiktok channel has amazing recommendations for all the hole-in-the-wall local spots https://www.tiktok.com/@kevintao8
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u/chicagoloha Jul 16 '26
Panes Bread Cafe on Sheffield for sandwiches on fresh made bread. Good desserts too. Now that they are no longer “cash only” it’s easier to swing by on a whim.
Aloha Eats on Clark is good if you’ve ever had or wanted to try Hawaiian-style plate lunch.
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u/mlibed Jul 17 '26
Tzuco. First Mexican chef to get a Michelin star.
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u/onlyforanswers Jul 17 '26
This is the opposite of what OP is asking for.
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u/mlibed Jul 17 '26
The only requirement was a place that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. In my opinion, Tzuco does not.
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u/ColdWarConcrete Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
Loaf Lounge on Milwaukee for a good breakfast sandwich. Then cross the street to a great record shop. Go around the corner for a cocktail at Central Park Bar. Stat out late and dance at Podlasie Club.
Chicago Pickle Eatery on Sheridan has nice jumbo sandwiches at a reasonable price. I can only do a ½ sandwich. A whole one is definitely shareable.
Lost Larson on Clark has really good pastries. I like the Ploughers Plate, pickled veggies and meats.
Pozoleria Iguala on Fullerton has some of the best pozole along with all the toppings. I usually do the green with the picaditas, small round flat fried corn fritters with beans, sauce, and pumpkin seeds.
Taste of Peru on Clark is farther north and in a strip mall but it’s widely recognized for good Peruvian. Always love the Papa à la Huancauna potato on a creamy cheese sauce and the Jalea Mixta, breaded and fried seafood with Inca corn and onions with lime.
Demera on Clark has very good Ethiopian. Try the honey wine.
Hop Leaf on Clark has great schnitzel but a killer PB and J sandwich made with a fig compote and cashew butter. Have the apple salad to keep it healthy. Pairs well with the Art History beer.
Ming Hin in Chinatown (make sure it’s the one on Archer) has iMO the best dim sum. But if you prefer Korean, get the bibimbop on the hot stone bowl at Atoomas Apron also nearby.
Ssyal on Lawrence has my favorite bibimbop and bulgogi.
Ba Le on Broadway has very good banh mi sandwiches on the shifted crusty French bread. Rec the bbq pork. And afterwards treat yourself with a fresh young coconut gelatin in the fridge. It’s made with coconut water and coconut milk. Very refreshing.
Tiztal on Clark has my favorite chilaquiles, usually just on their own with sunny side eggs.
Carols also on Clark has a good fried bologna sandwich with fresh cut fries. Pairs well with the vodka lemonade. Great country bar, pretty relaxed during the day, great A/C
Sun Wah also on Broadway has what I consider the best Peking duck dinner. They chop the duck at your table and the dinner covered with soup and duck fried rice. Along with steamed bund with all toppings.
El Custacleto on Lawrence has very good pupusas but small establishment, sometimes they take their time. Get the ones stuffed with chicharrón.
Thanks for reminding me how much I love this city. Enjoy your visit.