BJ’s Market & Bakery

Designed like some sort of cross between Denny’s and Burger King—only with a soul-food slant—this South Side mini chain has long been a go-to. But while the food takes only minutes to arrive at your table, it tastes as if it were slowly, carefully cooked with love over a home stove. With its crispy, golden crust, the mustard-fried catfish is clearly the restaurant’s standout dish, but don’t discount the juicy smoked chicken, collard greens, red beans and rice or delicious peach cobbler, which puts those other fast-food pies to shame.