You want fries with that.

Smoke Daddy BBQ

In the Division Street hotspot area of Ukrainian Village, Smoke Daddy is by far the best BBQ I've had since returning to Chicago. (Yes, it finally unseated the long-standing champion, Fat Willy's BBQ.)

However, Smoke Daddy is more bar (and live music venue) than restaurant, so you need check your mindset before deciding on which to visit. If you're only considering the food, go for Smoke Daddy. If you want a nicer, more traditional restaurant setting, the Fat Willy is your choice. Either way, be prepared for good BBQ.

Pint

Pint is a Bucktown/Wicker Park pub. It serves a variety of beers (a disappointingly too many are canned/bottled) and offers a fairly large menu of typical bar food. Sounds about average, right? From that perspective, it is. But what pushes Pint above average is the neat interior and good service. The interior design is nothing worth noting, but the architectural layout is unique and inviting. There are all sorts of nooks and crannies with tables, an upstairs, a backroom, and probably other areas that I haven't yet discovered. Service-wise, the people are friendly, good at the what they do, and make you want to come back again. All-in-all, it's not a bad choice of a place for a drink, a bite to eat, and a little socializing.

Four Seasons Easter Brunch

It's not inexpensive, but this ain't your typical Sunday brunch, either. First-class all the way, with a huge selection of dishes and attentive staff. (Yes, it's a buffet, but you'll still be well-served by the waitrons.) Take some time to look around the room, too, you never know who you might see enjoying the fare.

Asti Deli

As unlikely as it might seem, perhaps one day you'll find yourself in the far-flung suburbia of Bensenville. If you do, check out Asti Deli on Irving Park Road. Don't be fooled by its stripmall trappings, or cinderblock decor. Inside is homemade, authentic Italian food from friendly people. And at a good price. Take home a cured sausage and some sides for later, too.

Bar Louie

Bar Louie serves, well, bar food. There are many locations, one probably near you. The best thing about Bar Louis is the clean, friendly ambience and the nightly specials. Tuesday is $1 Burger Night, and while the tab ends up higher after you add some toppings, it's a very good burger at a great price. Get there early or you won't get a seat. This is meat-eating country, you know.

Feast

A jewel of Bucktown, Feast (on Damen, just North of The Crotch) is a great place to visit with friends, especially if you're looking for an active and energetic place. (In other words, it's not a good choice for quiet conversation.) Their homemade guac with still-warm chips makes a great appetizer, and the turkey burger will make you forget beef forever. And lets not overlook the approximately 1700 french fries that accompany your order.

Chicago Joe's

Chicago Joe's is a homey, super-friendly place to grab a good dinner at a decent price. The decor reminds me of The Green Door Tavern, but otherwise it doesn't compare. The food is more varied, better prepared, and the place generally cleaner. Of course, it's far-removed on Irving Park Road, but that's also offset by its actual off-street parking lot. Yes, a parking lot! This is midwest food, for the average guy, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Third Coast

I'm betting this place gets overlooked a lot, being as it is located in the lobby of a Gold Coast apartment building, but I think its certainly worth considering. I was there for lunch. The service was very good, the sandwiches fresh, satisfying, and interesting. Consider it sort of like a Bennigan's, but with out all the noise, flair, and indifference.

La Villa

A generally friendly (except for the lounge crowd) and casual family Italian restaurant. You can tell from the huge pile of butter cubes on the table that the serving size is going to be large, and is it ever. The chicken parmagian is tasty, but big enough for two "big boy" meals. The food is good, the ambiance homey, and the whole place seems very middle America. Plus, they have parking (two lots!). A relaxing, no-hassle, and fulfilling visit.

Hot Chocolate

This small Bucktown restaurant is our new favorite. Every singe dish--from the cocktails to the desert (naturally)--was perfectly prepared and presented. The atmosphere could be improved by turning off the bass-heavy stereo that raises already strained conversation to near shouting level, but if you can go on a quieter night (we were there on Saturday) you'll fare better (I hope) in this regard. Despite the conversation-killing noise, everyone in my party is very much looking forward to a return visit.