Mike: This is the kind of Chinese restaurants that needs 2-3 visits to figure out what you like. Kimchi & pork belly fried rice? Bad. General Tso Chicken? Good. Pork pot stickers? Excellent.
Mike: This place has the best authentic Maxwell Street Polish on the north side. Poppy seed bun and topped with grilled onions, mustard, and sport peppers. Don't sleep on the char burger either!
Mike: Just as good as the original Milwaukee shops. They have it all: iced coffee, nitro, lattes, fresh baked goods, you name it. Just make sure you take a freshly roasted bag home with you.
Mike: Although not old school, Smoque is king for BBQ in Chicago. It's impossible to go wrong here but first timers should stick to ribs and mac & cheese. (But my personal favorite is the pulled pork)
Mike: Quite possibly the best rib tips and hot links in the city. The rib tips are slow smoked and tender but still have a little authentic pull. Not oversmoked like most places.