Surprises are great, and so is The Duck Inn.

Parson’s Fried Chicken & Fish serves good fried chicken on the best patio in town. This is an excellent hangout spot when it’s nice outside.

Middle Brow is an all-day brew pub that specializes in pizza and bread.

Little Bad Wolf is a gastropub in Andersonville serving upscale bar food in a cool and relaxed environment.

Saint Lou’s Assembly is a throwback restaurant reminiscent of a 1950′s cafeteria-style meat and three. It also has an excellent outdoor patio.

Fish Bar is like the offspring of a New England fish shack that spent some time in New Orleans. Nothing wrong with that.

Homeslice is a pizza spot ideal for hanging out with your friends for food and drinks.

There’s no denying Big Star is an anchor tenant of the Wicker Park dining scene, but that doesn’t mean everyone feels the same way about it.

Parlor Pizza, where you can day party outside likes it’s college again and eat some pizza in the process.

Happy Camper is a semi-sports bar in Old Town that's more about eating pizza and socializing than it is watching anything on T.V.

Centennial is a laid-back restaurant in River North serving craft beer and pub food with an Indian twist.

Jake Melnick’s is all about the wings. Firecracker wings in particular.

Expat is a small patio. Literally. There's no inside. But it's a worthy spot for small plates and people watching when it's nice outside.

Federales is a Mexican restaurant in the West Loop that's always a party. Go for a good time and eat some tacos if you're hungry.

Go to Bub City for live country music and some action at the bar, but don't expect top notch barbecue.

Mahalo is a Hawaiian restaurant that hopped on the poke trend. The island vibes are heavy, but the food isn't great.