It's Time You Discover Chicago's Best Hidden-Gem Restaurants

It ’s no secret that many of Chicago ’s best , most beloved restaurants choose for humbleness over flash . But today we ’re talking about those comically unassuming , great region joints and holes in the wall , places where the col between modest appearances and especial eats is canon - sized . For instance , the most delicious authentic Polish transportation in the metropolis … found inside what looks like a grandma ’s previous Cape Cod , or incredible fried chicken … served inside a section store supercenter . The embodiment of " no frills , " these 10 hidden - gem eating house put it all in the kitchen .

Uncle Remus

Authentic local flavor shares a ceiling with the world ’s largest multinational big - box retailer at the Walmart frontier settlement of Uncle Remus , located some three - and - a - half mile north of the electrocute - chicken favourite ’s original South Austin location . There are no jarring juxtapositions on the crustal plate , though , just well - proportioned breading , spicy - peppery seasoning , and bucketful of the unique - to - Chicago “ mild sauce ” ( from what we amass , a blend of barbecue sauce , catsup , and red-hot sauce ) . As always , couple with a side of rancorous Remus vs. Harold ’s debate .

Podhalanka

flank by evilOlive to the west and Chopin Theatre to the east , this homey Polish pillar is the overlooked in-between child of a busy West Town stretch of Division St. The ever - lowly exterior and sun - faded signaling do the bare minimum to greet you , but once inside , the decades - stewed aroma of cabbage , squawk , and potatoes gives you a proper " hello . " The defiantly traditional fare : borscht with kielbasa , garlic - and - beef gourmandize sugar , and crispy potato pancakes with liberal dollops of sour cream and applesauce .

Isla Pilipina

EL Ideas

In the case of EL Ideas , the aggressively modest facade – an overlooked building at a literal dead end – seems more a conceptual choice a la undercover supper club than it does a “ have it away it , just pore on the food ” apportioning of resources . But the incongruity is so stark in comparison to Chef Phillip Foss ’ upscale - on - the - inside post - Moto whimsy , we could n’t reject . Signatures like compulsory plate - work ( for one class , at least ) and liquid - nitrogen ice rink cream and small fry are already attracting with child crowds to the small space . So make reservation now for a table perhaps sometime in the second Hillary Clinton administration .

Huaraches Doña Chio

fall away down a quaint occlusion of Elmdale Ave , just east of Clark St ; find the ground - floor tenant of a characterless flat building ; step beyond the generic vertical blinds ; and grab a seat at one of the padded banquet chairs . From there , so much utilitarianism goes vanish out the windowpane , because Huaraches Doña Chio is one of a miniscule few local restaurant that hand - trade maize tortillas in house with saucy masa . When having your huarache pinch with poblano pepper or spicy poulet , the added time and attention to detail in the kitchen is tangible .

Fat Johnnie’s Famous Red Hots

Chicago suffers no shortfall of hot dog hut , but it ’s rarer than a salubrious Derrick Rose to blob one that ’s an actual hovel . This humble stand , built into a residential backyard near Marquette Park , in reality boasts a local - caption reputation for the Mother - in - Law , which slap propriety in the face by slapping a tamale with chili on a hot - dog bun . Other Frankenstein enjoy include the Super Sundae ( tamale and chili in a pipe bowl ) and the Mighty Dog ( essentially the female parent - in - Law with a tamaleandhot domestic dog sharing a bun ) .

Mini Hut

So invisible that its advertised address actually lands you at the chiropractor around the corner , Mini Hut kindly remind patrons to move into at the side doorway , on Normandy Ave . When you do witness it , the gimcrack - less décor – a tiny weather condition - beaten canopy outside , stark walls and miserable cap inside – proves to be the ultimate Chicago restaurant four flush . The chicken is slap - your - nan undecomposed , extendedly marinated , behind - fried for 20 minutes , with a famously rich , larder breading .

Harvest Room

Another diamond in a strip - mall , this relative newcomer belie a 2d common Chicago food reverence : do n’t get at with the ‘ burbs . Chef Jonathan Harootunian hits the sweet dapple with acclaimed takes on the familiar ( Warren Burger , Scotch orchis ) and fresh ( steak with patatas bravas ) . opened for breakfast , lunch , and dinner with local , farm - to - table , seasonal , vegetarian- and gluten - free - friendly on offer .

Mr D’s Shish-Kabobs

Mr D ’s Shish Kabobs is a mannequin of spartan functionalism : plain white stucco exterior ; blank white walls , buffet , and tabletop ; a tiny , one-time - school changeable - missive menu that probably has n’t change since mammoth walked the region . Everything at this modest Montclare basic exists to support the true star , the steak sandwich . The sandwich itself is actually fairly dim-witted , too – a moist rib center , served with Lycopersicon esculentum and onion on a French cast – but it ’s still one of the most crave - cause in the Edwin Herbert Land .

Da Rae Jung

A few descriptors tend to recapitulate across reappraisal for this Korean junction : cramped , dingy , all the panache of a conversation about weather ( OK , we made up that last one ) . But Da Rae Jung ’s shruggingly presentational style really could n’t be more at odds with the lively noodle dish , the spicy goat soap , the juicy grill marinated bitch , the sharp homemade kimchi , the … well , you get the idea .

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Stephen Gossettis a Thrillist contributor who ai n’t getting by on looks either . Send him a backhanded compliment:@gossettrag .

Harvest Room brunch