Two Chicago spots are among the 50 best restaurants in America

Chicagoans already know about the depth of the city’s dining scene, but the New York Times has just weighed in and named two local spots to its list of the 50 best restaurants in America right now.

The Times staff traveled across the county, visiting places both new and old, in search of the most exciting bites. In the end, Chicago’s own Evette’s and Dear Margaret made the cut for their “amazing” food.

Evette’s, which is also one of the restaurants inside Time Out Market Chicago, explores Lebanese and Mexican flavors through a Midwestern lens. Named after owner Mitchell AbouJamra’s grandmother, the Lincoln Park shop offers favorites that include crispy golden fries topped with spit-roasted shawarma, and halloumi tacos dressed with jalapeño tabouli and whipped feta—a creation the Times declared “ingenious.”

Over in Lakeview, Dear Margaret was praised for its take on French-Canadian cuisine. First-time restaurateurs Ryan Brosseau and Lacey Irby have built a warm and inviting dining room to enjoy comforts such as smooth duck liver pâté with pink lemon marmalade and buckwheat granola, and smelts fried in beef tallow.

“Thanks to the grace of its cooking and service, Dear Margaret feels like an old soul,” the Times said.

Having two restaurants honored put Chicago on equal ground with other cities like San Francisco, Nashville, Washington D.C. and Portland, Maine. New York City led the way with five inclusions.

After an extremely challenging two years for the restaurant industry due to the pandemic, things are finally starting to look up as a slew of newcomers are opening each month. The accolades have returned as well: The James Beard Awards were held in Chicago this past summer for the first time since 2019, while the Michelin Guide continues to award its prestigious stars to the city's best restaurants.

Check below for the full list of the 50 best restaurants in America in 2022 according to the New York Times.

• Abacá, San Francisco

• Anajak Thai, Los Angeles

• Andiario, West Chester, Pa.

• Apteka, Pittsburgh

• Audrey, Nashville

• Bacanora, Phoenix

• Bacoa Finca + Fogón, Juncos, P.R.

• Bonnie’s, New York City

• Brennan’s, New Orleans

• Cafe Mutton, Hudson, N.Y.

• Canje, Austin, Texas

• Chicken’s Kitchen, Gretna, La.

• Daru, Washington, D.C.

• Dear Annie, Cambridge, Mass.

• Dear Margaret, Chicago

• Elvie’s, Jackson, Miss.

• Evette’s, Chicago

• Freya, Detroit

• Gabriella’s Vietnam, Philadelphia

• The Harvey House, Madison, Wis.

• Here’s Looking at You, Los Angeles

• Kabob Grill N’ Go, Phoenix

• Kann, Portland, Ore.

• Kato, Los Angeles

• Kitty’s Cafe, Kansas City, Mo.

• Leah & Louise, Charlotte, N.C.

• Leeward, Portland, Maine

• Little Mad, New York City

• Little Saint, Healdsburg, Calif.

• Locust, Nashville

• Lucian Books and Wine, Atlanta

• Lutèce, Washington, D.C.

• Ma Der Lao Kitchen, Oklahoma City

• Mamey, Coral Gables, Fla.

• MÄS, Ashland, Ore.

• Matia, Eastsound, Wash.

• The Musket Room, New York City

• Neptune Oyster, Boston

• Off Alley, Seattle

• Petite León, Minneapolis

• San Ho Won, San Francisco

• Semma, New York City

• Sister, Dallas

• Smoke’N Ash B.B.Q., Arlington, Texas

• Thaily’s, Chandler, Ariz.

• Tito & Pep, Tucson, Ariz.

• Twelve, Portland, Maine

• Yeyo’s, Bentonville, Ark.

• Zaab Zaab, New York City

• Zitz Sum, Coral Gables, Fla.