Gaijin is a great all-day Japanese restaurant specializing in okonomiyaki and kakigori.

The Region is a counter service spot in Roscoe Village with excellent (and ugly) burgers.

Middle East Bakery is a spot in Andersonville that’s equally great for a quick lunch or picking up groceries.

Eataly’s an Italian megastore with restaurants, bars, and lots of tourists.

Phodega is a small counter-service spot with great pho that also sells corner store essentials.

The Grafton is an Irish pub in Lincoln Square with decent bar food and a great fireplace.

Taste of Lebanon is a small, cash-only Lebanese spot with excellent chicken shawarma and lentil soup.

Sweet Pepper is a counter service Venezuelan spot with great arepas and fried sweet plantains.

Good Fortune is a New American spot in Logan Square with a frequently changing menu.

Cellar Door Provisions is an excellent cafe and restaurant in Logan Square that’s useful for a lot of situations.

Fulton Galley is a food hall in Fulton Market that also has a full bar.

Tortello is a pricey Italian counter-service spot in Wicker Park with perfectly fine pasta.

Friend BBQ is a casual spot in Chinatown that focuses on Chinese barbecue.

Szechuan JMC is a casual restaurant in Chinatown with great Szechuan food.

Eleven City Diner is a deli and diner in the South Loop.

Cabra is a great Peruvian-inspired small plates restaurant in the West Loop.