Order the Saigon Classic ($4.85), and the crackly baguette comes stuffed with ham, thinly sliced headcheese, soft pork roll, and salty, unctuous liver pate.
The Jumbo dog is messy and out of control, but it's also kind of impossible to hate. Though skinless, it brings along an extra beefy profile, standing up admirably to the cool mix of ingredients
The Calamari here are exemplary--breaded, deep fried, and tossed with picked banana pepper, jalapeño, and sliced garlic, a light grating of Parmesan cheese
Bangers here are stuffed into pork casings and are available with traditional spicing (ginger and nutmeg) as well as an herb version.
Like all great versions of the Vietnamese sandwich, the Saigon Classic Special ($4.85) is carefully proportioned.
Besides the presence of the thick-cut cucumber slices that you can easily flick off, the Red Hot is a flawless Chicago Dog, made all the more wonderful by an extra pillowy poppyseed bun.
"Seoul Sassy" is a seemingly mild soy, ginger, and garlic based sauce, until you get a few bites in and the heat and sweetness that have been lingering in the back move to the forefront.
The Buffalo wings at Toon's have an "exceptional balance of crunch and juiciness," with a pleasing depth and detectable smokiness to the meat." Some of the best in the city.
Tod Mun Pla, a fried ground fish and chili paste mixture, comes with a killer dipping sauce, which manages to be tart, funky, and spicy. Of course, just about every other dish is worth ordering too.
With thinly sliced roast beef stuffed in a fresh Turano roll and topped crunchy giardiniera, this Italian beef is a serious contender for one of the best in town.
There are creative weekly specials like crab rangoon or schnitzel and spaetzle, and the place is well-known for its mac and cheese pie. But I usually go for the Philly cheesesteak slice.
The ham on Ziggy's Ham Sandwich is thickly cut, salty, still juicy—miles away from the usual thin and slimy cold cuts. All it needs is a smear of some potent mustard, and it's good to go.
Gino's Special--two thick pieces of focaccia bread baked with sun dried tomatoes, layers of fresh mozzarella, thin-sliced prosciutto, basil, and, what every Italian dish needs, extra virgin olive oil
The turkey and cheese are thinly sliced and flavorful, while a pile of acidic coleslaw helps cut through the fat. Though addition of french fries makes for a few good bites, it's better without them.
The BFF is the kind of sandwich that drenches you from nose to chin in oil and meaty juices--salami, pepperoni, mortadella, and olive loaf topped with provolone, roasted red peppers, and red onion.
The Adana sandwich ($6.95 with fries) features a ground lamb kebab slightly charred on the grill wrapped with lettuce, tomato, red onion, love, and homemade lavash bread—but mostly love.
Great griddled burgers from a fine dining chef, plus crispy fries and thick shakes.
The sweet potato tempura roll ($4.50)--tempura-frying seems to bring the best out of this vegetable, leaving the center soft, starchy, and brown-sugar sweet, while encased in a crunchy exterior.
The Belgian Frites are well seasoned and extra crunchy, and though tasty on their own, there is a range of house-made sauces that change daily. The first is free, and each additional one is a dollar.
The Kao Soy is a mesmerizing Thai curry with egg noodles, chicken, onion, sour mustard, crushed peanuts, and lime.
Unlike New York slices, which make for good snacks, a stuffed slice at the Art of Pizza will likely fill you up, especially if you get some sausage on it.
Thick cut applewood bacon is coated in a hearty beer batter, fried to a rich mahogany, finished with a generous cracking of black pepper, and accompanied by a side of addictive chipotle mayo.
Try the ham and cheese--it sounds very simple, but it's actually very surprising...
The Blue Pig and Fig features a combo of Jamon Serrano, Ader Kase blue cheese, local fig and black tea preserves, whole grain Dijon mustard, and crisp field greens between a soft, yet crispy baguette
The chicken salad on the Muenster Mash is truly a mash up of cheese, nearly pulverized chicken, and a dill-heavy combination of herbs and garlic, all piled onto an everything bagel.
Two of Chicago's most beloved cinnamon rolls will only set you back $3 at Ann Sather. And they are huge.
The Booty Call is rolled in a box of cinnamon sugar and is crisp on the outside, slightly chewy, but still very tender. It even comes in a handy carrying case, so you can eat and walk.
One of a handful of always available flavors at this ice cream shop, Signature Sunset is a genius combination of Merlot ice cream and dark chocolate chips.
Grace's Caramel Bar provides a hefty vehicle for sugar consumption. Chewy caramel, chocolate chips, and walnuts are sandwiched between layers of chocolate that's a textural mix of cake and brownie.
