Category: American

What can be said about Jane's Restaurant that hasn’t been already? Is it the charming, country exterior? How about the beautiful White Room inside? Or, can it simply be the wide selection of fresh, healthy entrees? Answer: it’s all the above, and then some!

Even from Jane’s unassuming exterior, something nudges you to go on in and give it a try. More than anything else, it resonates a bygone era, more akin to Grandma’s house out in the country than a restaurant in the pulsating Buck town / Wicker Park neighborhood. As you walk in, you again are sent traveling back in time, this time to a Victorian-era bakery or ice cream parlor. The glue that binds the two together is the use of white and cream tones, covering just about every inch of the establishment. What would normally seem to be a bit institutional or even sanitary actually works in Jane’s favor, creating a gentle calm and peace, allowing you to just be.

The wait staff is prompt but not quick or hurried, intuitively knowing just when you’re ready to begin ordering. The selections they go over with you have that American contemporary theme, but seem to touch upon a nice hodge podge of everything perfectly, from the Pepper Encrusted New York Strip streak to the Creole Blackened Grouper and right on down to the Mustard Glazed Chicken breast. A nice selection of domestic and international wines are kept cool in their cellar, complimenting their wonderful, home style dishes. Also, vegetarians seem to have found a new haunt in town, as almost half of their choices cater to them.

What has truly made Jane’s stand out though is their wonderful breakfasts. The eggs Benedict are simply superb and the pancakes include apples or apricots sprinkled with powdered sugar and complimented with warm syrup. Even the coffee is a couple grades higher: Intelligentsia roasts replace the standard food service beans other restaurants push off on their patrons. Plenty of other choices are also available, each prepared tastefully yet just like you’d expect at Grandma’s. And yes, go for their Sunday brunch! While brunch has become the new standard for most restaurants these days, Jane’s has taken this notion to a whole new level, adding just a touch of Grandma’s love to every item.

So when you find yourselves in Bucktown, be sure to give Jane’s a try, morning, noon or night! She’s saving a table just for you.

Don’t let the newspaper-themed and reasonably priced menu deceive you: Chicago Joe's cuts out on all of the fluff and only offers the best the city has to offer! With its shoot from the hip slogans and their famous raw oysters, this trendy location that literally screams Chicago and is sure to make any night a Friday night out!

As expected by natives, world famous Joe’s aims to please with its gut busting portions and decadent flavors. Besides the fall off the bone ribs and incredible Italian sausages, guests are treated to giant burgers, homemade soups, and their popular Oysters Rockefeller. Even vegetarians will be pleasantly surprised to find a few items on the menu, like their veggie burgers and sides. Oh and yes, try the key lime pie for dessert, if there‘s room!

Also, be sure to check out their amazingly fresh brunch buffet on Sundays, which is quite possibly one of the best spreads in the city. Their eye opening Bloody Marys compliment just about everything available, from the fresh salmon to traditional breakfast standbys. Nobody leaves here hungry!

So, for out of towners and locals alike, Joe’s has something for everyone and encourages all of their new found friends to Vote (for Joe’s!) Early and Often!

Located near the northern Chicago border of Rogers Park, this local institution serves up a wide selection of organic vegetarian and free range fare, with a peace lovin’ hippie vibe no other restaurant can compare.

Founded back around the time of that infamous Democratic Convention, the Heartland Cafe has been a place where activists can meet and post bulletins, folk musicians can sing about the events of the day, and strict vegetarians can bring their carnivorous friends to dine together on variants of traditional and contemporary favorites. Tie dyes, cut offs and sandals aren’t necessary, since the Heartland makes a point of welcoming each and every person, no matter what path they may follow.

A vegetarian’s dream come true, the Heartland offers a large selection of meat-free entrees, sandwiches and appetizers, like their Seitan Barbecue sandwich, the Macro Plate and their ever so Spicy Black Bean burger. Decadent desserts like the Mixed Berry or Peach pie are so good, no one would be the wiser it’s vegan! Customers can also try out some of their various meat-based dishes, like their famous Buffalo burgers, Chipotle Shrimp, Chicken Chardonnay or the Farm Raised Catfish. Their Buffalo Sirloin steak is a real crowd-pleaser and comes complete with garlic mashed potatoes, bread, veggies and topped off with grilled onions.

A nice compliment to any meal is a good drink, and their famous Buffalo Bar serves people up right! Literally dozens of domestics, micro brews and imports are available, making it one of the best places in the entire city for finding those rare libations no one else carries. Grab a pint while checking out a performance!

Besides the restaurant and bar, a main attraction is the general store and gift shop guests walk through upon entering, taking them through a virtual time warp back to the Woodstock era. People far and wide enjoy exploring their vast display of periodicals and gifts, chatting with the owners about various causes, points of action or just shooting the breeze.

Overall, the Heartland Café is quite possibly one of the best places in the entire city for taking just about anyone, from the stuffy suits to the granola-munchers, and everyone in between.

Hold onto your bibs folks, because Fat Willy's Rib Shack makes short order out of southern cooking with its finger lickin’, smoky fare! From the baby back ribs to the brisket and right down to the pecan pie, everyone within whiff shot of this artery-clogging rib joint is sure to start salivating - the name says it all!

Right across from the large cineplex, Fat Willy’s invites its guests to savor in its variety of traditional southern favorites, like baked macaroni and cheese, vinegar coleslaw and pulled pork sandwiches, on top of the best beef brisket in town and yes, let's not forget about those ribs and tips! Of course, the foundation of any good barbeque is its sauce, and Fat Willy’s own concoction is no exception. Bottles of two coldsore aching varieties are available, with the hot sauce contained in the pancake house-style syrup bottle. Sop it up with their steak fries and Texas toast!

Sides abound and compliment entrees, like baked sweet potatoes, home made corn bread and roasted corn on the cob. For those looking for something a little more on the light side of things, their Roasted Veggie salad is fresh, flavorful and otherwise top notch, justifying its $14 price tag. And be sure to wash it all down with one of their famous Hogaritas or southern sweet tea.

The ambiance can be jarring for those who require quiet, personal space, as most of the indoor, cow hide patterned tables are pushed snugly together. The outdoor patio is probably better suited, but can also get vocal, due to its proximity to the lines forming from the theater. Unless it’s early, the place is usually hopping with couples and even families, making the decibel level rather high. Therefore, it is highly advised for those making it a dinner and movie night to choose a later film, since the small dining area can become quite busy and staff can sometimes be short handed.

So for those who want a great place to go and offer enormous portions, Fat Willy’s proves to be the ideal spot for great food and lots of fun!