47 ENTREES


46. Black pepper rigatoni at Charlatan People say that Matt Troost is one of the best pasta makers in the city. His spicy black pepper rigatoni, bathed in a wild boar ragu, with crisp kale leaves and shaved Parmesan, makes a convincing case. 1329 W Chicago Ave (312-818-2073, charlatanchicago.com). $23, half portion $12.


47. Fish-and-chips at Johnny’s Grill


Leave it to Irish native Sarah Jordan to teach Chicagoans a thing or two about fish-and-chips. In her superlative version, the fish stays flaky while enveloped in a light, crunchy golden batter. The crisp fries on the side are the ideal match. 2545 N Kedzie Ave (773-278-2215). $12.


48. Shrimp de jonghe at Formento’s Some dishes at the Italian throwback are well-done classics. Others, like Formento’s take on shrimp de jonghe (shrimp dotted with shrimp sausage and lemon bread crumbs, all luxuriating in buttery garlic sauce) are such improvements, diners will never want the original again. 925 W Randolph St (312-690-7295, formentos .com). $28.


49. Margherita pizza from Pizza Boss


One of the best pizzas in Chicago isn’t from a restaurant, but rather the giant Pizza Boss truck, painted like an Italian flag. The bubbly-crusted Neapolitan-style Margherita pizza is sprinkled with grated Parmesan and drizzled with olive oil. Food truck (@chipizzaboss, chicagopizzaboss.com). $11.


50. Pork schnitzel at Bohemian House


A heavy dish like pork schnitzel can prime someone for a nap, but Jimmy Papadopoulos’s take on the Czech


52


classic, with tender planks of pork accented with a spritz of charred lemon, almost begs you to order a second round, which you promptly will. 11 W Illinois St (312-955- 0439, bohochicago.com). $23.


51. Langosta at Rural Society


Our vote for underdog of the year: A simple grilled lobster, gently smoky from a turn on the parrilla and drenched with butter, manages to overshadow the meats at the Argentine steakhouse. 455 N Park Dr (312-840- 6605, chicago.ruralsocietyrestaurant.com). $48, half portion $24.


52. Diabo at Fat Rice


On trend: What is nduja? Say it: En-DOO-ya. The spicy, spreadable, Calabrian


sausage has been growing in popularity lately. And it’s pretty versatile. Try it swirled into ramen broth at Yusho (54), with shrimp on a pizza at Coalfire (60), or turned into pasta sauce at Cafe Spiaggia (55).


16 TIMEOUT.COM/CHICAGO December 2015–February 2016


A curry named after the Portuguese word for “devil” sounds daunting, but we’re up for any challenge Fat Rice throws us. Take this huge, fiery, family-style mix of chicken, braised beef, fried pork chop, scorpion peppers and mustard seeds—sour, spicy and sweet. It’s worth scraping the dish clean. 2957 W Diversey Ave (773-661- 9170, eatfatrice.com). $36.


53. Ají de gallina at Via Lima


The Peruvian newcomer serves one of the most soul- satisfying dishes in town: tender pulled chicken bathed in a thick sauce made from walnuts and ají amarillo, a vibrant yellow pepper. 4024 N Lincoln Ave (773-348-4900, vialimachicago.com). $19.


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54. Wandering ramen at Yusho 2853 N Kedzie Ave (773-904-8558, yusho-chicago.com). $25 for ramen, dessert and drink.


55. Bucatini at Cafe Spiaggia 980 N Michigan Ave (312-280-2750, spiaggiarestaurant.com/cafe). $15.


56. Garlic butter crabs at Angry Crab


5665 N Lincoln Ave (773-784-6848). Market price.


57. Duck-In-A-Jar at Longman & Eagle


2657 N Kedzie Ave (773-276-7110, longmanandeagle.com). $17.


58. Hot Doug’s Atomic Pizza at Piece Brewery & Pizzeria


1927 W North Ave (773-772-4422, piecechicago.com) $18.49–$25.49.


59. Kani tama at Strings Ramen Shop Lincoln Park


1629 N Halsted St (312-624-9604, ramenchicago.com). $16.95.


60. Shrimp and nduja pizza at Coalfire


3707 N Southport Ave (773-477- 2625, coalfirechicago.com). $19.


61. Shrimp and grits at Luella’s Southern Kitchen


4609 N Lincoln Ave (773-961-8196, luellassouthernkitchen.com). $15.


62. Dolsot bibimbap at Parachute 3500 N Elston Ave (773-654-1460, parachuterestaurant.com). Various prices.


63. Arroz con gandules and lechon at the Jibarito Stop


1646 W 18th St (312-988-0585, thejibaritostop.com). $10.


64. Smoked chicken at Honey 1 BBQ


746 E 43rd St (773-285-9455, honey1bbq.com). $14.75, half chicken $10.25.


65. Platter with gyro and chicken at the Halal Guys


49 W Division St (312-877-5575, thehalalguys.com). $9, small $8.


66. Kurobuta pork tonkatsu at Momotaro Izakaya


820 W Lake St (312-733-4818, momotarochicago.com). $18.


PHOTOGRAPHS: TOP LEFT, CENTER: NICK MURWAY; TOP RIGHT: MARTHA WILLIAMS; BOTTOM LEFT: JACLYN RIVAS


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