From most recent to oldest, here are all the things I ate in Chicagoland restaurants, bars, pop-ups, etc. in 2018 that made me happy. This isn't necessarily a 'best of' list. These places and bites moved (or consistently move) the culinary needle for me. Sure, there are a few one-trick ponies but it's overwhelmingly a list of things I'd happily order again at places that, with very few exceptions, I'd enthusiastically recommend to others. Of course, between 'then and now,' a few of these places have changed their chefs, deteriorated in some significant way or reconcepted, though I don't think any have outright closed. Multiple entries indicate multiple visits . . .
Chivo, Beans, Arroz con Gandules -
Morena's KitchenChilaquiles Verdes, lengua taco, dos salsas -
El HabaneroSpicy Tiger wings -
LandbirdsMuffaletta, Dante, B. Franklin -
Tempesta MarketSkirt Steak -
Wildwood TavernAsada Special Pambazo, Al Pastor Pambazo, Green Pozole, Nachos -
El HabaneroCountry Loaf Bread -
Lost LarsonBun Bo Hue, Nem Nuong -
King PhoPascalini Salad with Gyros, Navy Bean Soup, Fried Zucchini w/Skordalia -
PsistariaLTH Holiday Dinner (multiple items) -
Aroy ThaiWings -
LandbirdsLentil Soup, Beef Shawarma & Hummus -
Larsa'sEverything Knot -
Fat Rice BakeryChilli Prawns, Prawn Balchao Fried Rice, Lacassa, Pork & Ginger Dumplings -
Fat RiceLumpia Shanghai -
Bayan KoTasting Menu -
Lula CafeCookies & Cream Custard Bar, Pumpkin Pie Custard Bar -
Pretty Cool Ice CreamHam, Butter & Pickles Baguette Sandwich -
Cafe Marie-JeanneLecso -
Finom CoffeeItalian Sub, Meatball Sub, Beef & Hot Sausage Combo -
Nottoli & SonAssorted Savory Pastries -
Tous Les JoursChilaquiles, Salsas, Lengua Tacos -
El HabaneroHot Doug's Atomic Pizza w/Pepperoni -
PieceMeatball appetizer, Skirt Steak -
MirabellaLamb Shank, Stuffed Chicken, Appetizer Sampler (ezme, hummus, octopus salad, baba ganoush), Mardin Eggplant Stew with lamb, Spicy Red Lentil Soup -
Gundis Kurdish KitchenUmami Ramen -
OiistarGriddle Cooked Beef Tongue & Short Rib -
Sizzling Pot KingGrilled Pork Neck Salad, Wings, Som Tum -
Aroy ThaiPappardelle, Fazzoletti, Tortellini -
DaisiesCarnitas, Beef Head Barbacoa -
Carnitas La EsquinitaOysters Hockafeller, Carpaccio, Weisswurst -
FunkenhausenTokyo Dog -
Boba BurgerChavas Special -
Chavas OriginalCilantro Rice, Beef Empandas, Crispy Yucca -
D'CandelaOmakase+ -
Omakase YumeGoat Soup, Kimchi Pajoun -
Golden ChopsticksFried Pork Belly-hot&dry, Crispy Numb Oil Chicken, Pea Leave with Garlic Sauce, Potstickers, Hot Oil Dumplings -
Golden Harbor (Champaign, IL)Tofu Laab, Jeun Gai Lao Fried Chicken Wings, Crab Khao Poon, Khao Piak Sen -
Sao Song Pop-Up @ Ludlow LiquorsIsland Creek Oysters -
Spilt Milk TavernSauteed Peas and Onions, Skirt Steak, Grilled Calamari -
EJ's PlaceHot Doug's Atomic w/Pepperoni -
PieceB. Franklin, Dante -
Tempesta MarketAssorted woodfired pizzas -
Our House PizzaCubano, Ropa Vieja, Papas Rellenas -
Taste of HavanaBeef Shawarma & Hummus, Lentil Soup -
Larsa'sCarnitas -
Carnitas La EsquinitaAsada-Combo Pamabazo, Lengua Taco -
El HabaneroBlack Trumpet & Chanterelle Mushroom Ragout -
Prairie Grass CafeLobster Lettuce Wraps (special), Crispy Potatoes w/Black Truffle Dip, Maine Lobster Dumplings, Black Truffle Croquettes, Cornbread Madeleines , Organic Fried Chicken, Foie Gras Bi Bim Bap, Berkshire Pork Chop, Mediterranean Sea Bass -
SKYRoasted Pork Feet w/Peanuts, Wonton In Hot Soup, House Special Spare Ribs -
A Place By DamaoBecks Burger -
Beck's ChicagoWedge Salad, Twice Baked Potato Gnocchi, Sloppy Marrow, Mississippi Mud Pie -
TwainParis Omelet -
Breakfast House-AshlandCarnivore -
Paulie Gee'sB. Franklin -
Tempesta MarketChinese Greens, Pork Fried Rice -
Szechuan KingdomGrilled Cheese with Bacon and Egg -
Diner GrillOysters Hockafeller, Charred Broccolini, Summer Spaetzle -
FunkenhausenPig Face Fritters -
Best IntentionsBraised Brisket -
DiPescara (I kid you not)Lengua Taco, Chilaquiles Verdes with Over Easy Eggs -
El HabaneroTortellini w/ Lentils/Collard Greens/Pork Sausage, Ravioli w/Black Truffle Ricotta/Corn/Cilantro/Cheddar, Linguine w/Ramps/Fresh Cherries/Bacon/Egg Yolk, Pappardelle w/Mushroom Ragu/Basil/Parmesan, Cavatelli w/Zucchini/Mint/Feta/Bottarga -
DaisiesBone-In Ribeye, Mashed Potatoes -
Swift & SonsChicharon Bulaklak, Sizzling Sisig, Inihaw na Baboy -
Bacolod Chicken HausSweet Corn and Salt Cod Brandade -
Good MeasureCholey -
TavaChicken Biryani, Lamb Vindaloo -
Spice RoomTrashy Sub Sandwich -
Panaderia La CanastaKaraage, Takoyaki -
Torino RamenPotstickers, Mapo Tofu -
New China StationDolmades, Arni Fornou -
PsistariaShrimp & Crab Dip -
BiXi BeerBi Bim Bop, Kimchi Pajeoun, Yuk Hwe, Mandoo -
San Soo KBBQJerk Chicken Taco, Oxtail Stew w/rice & beans -
Yamon Jerk GrillHam & Cheese Omelet, Hash Browns -
Diner GrillLamb Shank -
Bamyan KabobLamb on Bone w/Cumin, Green Beans w/Mushrooms, Pancake w/Smoked Pork -
Homestyle TastePork Gyros -
Charcoal FlameSausage, Pad Kra Pao, Grilled Pork Shoulder -
Fireside (Late-Night Thai menu)
Mapo Tofu with Pork, Peapod Greens, Sliced Ox & Maw -
Szechuan CuisineLengua, Al Pastor Tacos -
Carniceria Guanajuato #3Asada Pambazzo -
El HabaneroTostada Nachos -
The MoonlighterFries -
ScofflawDan Dan Noodles -
Peppercorns KitchenBanchan, Seafood Pajeoun -
So Dong GongBeef & Onion Dumplings, Lamb & Onion Dumplings, Chicken & Mushroom Dumplings, Pork/Shrimp/Leek Dumplings, Pork & Pickled Cabbage Dumplings -
Qing XiangChicken, Rohan Duck, Pasta & Clams, Aged Cheddar Rillettes, Wedge Salad, Grits & Shrimp -
RoisterFish Sandwich, Buffalo Wings -
ParsonsTakoyaki, Buta Slider -
WasabiBread & Snacks, Radicchio Salad, Tomatoes, Pre-constructed Baba Ganoush, Pork Hock, Corn Ice Cream -
Cellar Door ProvisionsGreen Beans, Happy Scallops, Short Rib, Stuffed Rigatoni -
GiantLBW Burger -
Little Bad WolfHot Doug's Atomic Sausage Pizza + Pepperoni -
PieceTasting Menu -
OrioleBolo Fries, Shrimp Fried Rice -
Old Habits @ Ludlow LiquorsDry Chile Fish, Chef's Special Kung Pao Chicken, Lamb w/Cumin, Potstickers, Spicy Chicken Wings, Combo Fried Rice -
New China StationEggs On Eggs, Whole Roasted Bass -
Band Of BohemiaKalbi, Cacciucco Soondubu, Bay Scallop Crudo -
PasserottoBuffalo Wings, Sausage & Chicken Gumbo -
Toons Bar & GrillRajas Empanada -
Cafe Tola LoncheriaChef Magic Tofu, Sauteed Sliced Pork with Chili Pepper, Hot Pot spicy/hot, medium spicy with beef tongue and bullfrog and black fungus -
Sizzling Pot KingWon Ton Soup, Combination Egg Foo Young, Egg Rolls, Combination Fried Rice -
House of Wah SunBasil Chicken, Catfish Hor Mok -
Rainbow ThaiUmami Ramen -
OiistarFried Dumplings, Steamed Dumplings, Crispy Chili Oil, Pork Banh Mi -
Lost LakePork & Onion Pancake, Beef Tendon Noodle Soup, Pork & Chive Potstickers -
Katy's NoodlesRib Tips, Crab Rangoon, Smoked Cauliflower -
Old Habits @ Ludlow LiquorsPiri Piri Chicken, Minchi Hash, Green Curry Mussels -
Fat RiceMandoo, Seafood Pajeoun, Bulgogi, Banchan -
San Soo Gab SanSausage, Pepperoni and Jalapeno Pizza -
Barnaby's of NorthbrookHot & Sour Soup, Potstickers, Moo Shu Lamb -
Hong HuaMeatballs, Lox, Chicken Liver Mousse, Chicken Parm Sandwich -
FrunchroomTasting Menu -
Cellar Door ProvisionsBraised Oxtails -
TropiCubaCheese Curds, Wings, Taco, Tostada Nachos -
The MoonlighterAguadito, Chicken -
D'CandelaPork & Shrimp Dumplings (small) -
Joong Boo ChicagoChasshu Ramen, Gyoza, Karaage Wings -
Ronin's SpoonChicken Fried Chicken, Catfish Po Boy, Burger, Coppa de Puerco -
Dove's LucheonetteCrispy Chickpeas, Fried Pickle Chips -
The Violet Hour5 Pintxos, Cantabrian Nduja & Pickled Egg, Sausage-stuffed Piquillos w/Manchego Mornay, Huevos Diablos w/Boquerones, Lemon Aïoli -
Bar BiscayFluke Crudo, Crispy Cauliflower (serrano-poblano hot sauce), Charred & Chilled Broccoli (garlic chips, pickled chilies, spicy peanut sauce), Crispy Rock Shrimp (broccoli, cherry bomb sauce) -
Fort WillowBeef Koubideh, Chicken Koubideh, Shish Tawook, Dill Rice, Hummus, Chicken-Lentil Soup, Vegetarian Okra -
Kabobi55-day aged Porterhouse, Roasted Ramps -
BoeufhausBeefy Boy, Rib Tips, Lumpia, Frensch Fries -
Old Habits @ Ludlow LiquorsItalian Sub w/extra meat & imported provolone -
BariTonkotsu Ramen-full spice -
High Five RamenSausage, Pepperoni, Onion, Jalapeno Pizza -
Barnaby's of NorthbrookBeef Empanadas, Chicken, Aguadito -
D'CandelaUmami Ramen -
OiistarSalsa, Tacos: Carne Asada, Al Pastor & Lengua -
Carniceria Guanajuato #3Empanadas: Green Chile Pork, Pinto & Cheese, Rajas -
Cafe Tola LoncheriaWhole Chicken & Chamomile, Maple Poached Salmon, Anson Mills Grits, Aged Cheddar Rillettes, Buttered Pipe Pasta & Clams, Wedge Salad, Rohan Duck Platter, Smoked Oysters, Cookies & Milk -
RoisterGrilled Pork Neck Salad, Som Tum (Thai style), Nor Noom, Thai Wings, Northern Larb Fried Rice -
Aroy ThaiFried Cheese Curds, Chili Cheese Fries -
The MoonlighterSalsas, Pambazo Asada, Chilaquiles Verdes Con Huevo, -
El HabaneroCaesar Salad, Fish Taco, California Street Corn -
Lonesome RoseLeafy Green Salad, Wild Boar Ragout -
Split RailAssorted Tamales -
Yvolina's TamalesCumin Pork Ribs -
Sze Chuan CuisineHandmade Bell Dumplings -
A Place By DamaoChilaquiles Rojos, Carne En Su Jugo -
Chavas OriginalOimen Ramen -
OiistarNow, can someone please bring me a Topo Chico?
=R=
Same planet, different world