The Tacos de Panza, featuring luscious hunks of pork belly smothered in tomato guajillo sauce and showered with queso fresco, all swaddled in warm tortillas Mehr erfahren.
When to go: Wednesday night is open mike night, but cover acts are discouraged. Mehr erfahren.
Drink saké. Don’t know it? No problem—manager Kerry Tamura can suggest one to ease you in. Mehr erfahren.
Catch a movie or two at the Chicago International Film Festival.More than 100 films will be shown, but the only one known now is Ed Norton and Robert De Niro’s prison thriller Stone. Oct 7–21 Mehr erfahren.
Drink this: Matchbox's excellent cocktails, such as its margaritas, come with powdered sugar. Mehr erfahren.
Never-frozen, freshly griddled and smashed patties covering every square inch of the place should do the trick. Though we think it’s the addiction to the dark brown, salty, skin-on french fries. Mehr erfahren.
When does the combination of metal patio furniture, brick flooring, industrial-sized trash cans and not a speck of greenery qualify as a popular beer garden? Mehr erfahren.
Thought you’d want to know: Intelligentsia has been nominated for Best Local Coffee Roaster in Time Out Chicago’s 2011 Eat Out Awards. Vote now! Mehr erfahren.
XOCO, Rick Bayless', fast-casual ode to tortas, caldos, churros and chocolate. Mehr erfahren.
Get a complete festival schedule and check out reviews and photos of the fest: http://ow.ly/5FNeQ
Thought you’d want to know: Intelligentsia has been nominated for Best Local Coffee Roaster in Time Out Chicago’s 2011 Eat Out Awards. Vote now! Mehr erfahren.
When to go: There’s free live (usually country) music Friday and Saturday nights at 10p.m., grab a comfy booth in the front room if you can handle the volume. Mehr erfahren.
It’s the rooftop deck (covered in a tent in chillier months) and alfresco patio that steal the show at this Wicker Park bar and restaurant. Mehr erfahren.
If ZED’s rooftop lounge were yours alone, you’d be the most popular kid in town, because this space is primed for entertaining: It has an outdoor bar, rustic lounges and a sleek fireplace. Mehr erfahren.
The exhibit on the history of gold ("Gold") will explain its natural beauty, scientific value and role in history. Oct 22–Mar 6 Mehr erfahren.
Go there: Belly up to the bar, built in the 1930s to resemble the USS Normandy. Mehr erfahren.
Eat this: Remy Ayesh's bar food is some of the best bar bites in the city. Mehr erfahren.
Richard's is underrated, and the best place to grab a drink before or after dinner in West Loop. Mehr erfahren.
Thought you'd want to know: Bangers & Lace has been nominated for Best New Bar in Time Out Chicago’s 2011 Eat Out Awards. Vote now! Mehr erfahren.
This affordable Loop diner is stocked with a full bar and menu of munchies, hot sandwiches and breakfast served all day. Mehr erfahren.
Can’t snag a bleacher seat at the Friendly Confines? Don’t fret. Brimming with beer, burgers, apps and wraps, this friendly bar just a stone’s throw north is the next-best place to park your tush. Mehr erfahren.
Thought you’d want to know: D.S. Tequila Co. has been nominated for Best New Patio in Time Out Chicago’s 2011 Eat Out Awards. Vote now! Mehr erfahren.
Jimmy Bannos Jr. feeds the need for both style and sustenance, dishing out salads of crispy kale and pig’s ear, dropping a spoonful of ricotta into a pool of pork-neck-bone gravy. Mehr erfahren.
Thought you'd want to know: Haymarket Pub & Brewery has been nominated for Best New Bar in Time Out Chicago’s 2011 Eat Out Awards. Vote now! Mehr erfahren.
Paul McGee, the bow-tied man behind the Whistler, is everyone’s favorite bartender: He’s patient. And not only are his cocktails delicious, they make anyplace charging more than $8 a drink seem greedy Mehr erfahren.
Go there: Hit it during the week, the best bar in the Loop is now closed on Saturdays. Mehr erfahren.
Thought you’d want to know: Intelligentsia has been nominated for Best Local Coffee Roaster in Time Out Chicago’s 2011 Eat Out Awards. Vote now! Mehr erfahren.
Picnic tables and a great whiskey selection make this teeny rooftop, overlooking a fairly blah section of the city, a laid-back spot to catch some sun. Mehr erfahren.
