Rebecca Skoch

Few things are as comforting as ramen. The combination of rich, creamy broth with springy noodles is like a warm hug in a bowl. Though the dish may seem simple, a lot of love and labor actually goes into it. And only a handful of Chicagoland shops have mastered the art of ramen. You can find everything from Ramen Wasabi’s porky tonkotsu to gyukotsu-style ramen, a specialty of southern Japan, at Logan Square's Monster Ramen. There are even plant-based broths for vegans and vegetarians from Tokyo chain Rakkan Ramen. Some places adhere strictly to traditional toppings, while others mix things up with unorthodox ingredients such as fried chicken karaage and mussels. And you won’t break the bank, because these spots are among the finest cheap eats in Chicago. So it doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned noodles expert or if your only ramen experience is with the instant variety, our guide to the best ramen shops in the city will have you slurping all the same. RECOMMENDED: Discover more of the best Japanese restaurants in Chicago

You don't have to fly solo if you don't want to. There’s all the time in the world to find someone special—and not just for Valentine's Day—everyone deserves a special someone. From Andersonville to Pilsen, we’ve gathered the best Chicago bars for scoring a date. RECOMMENDED: Valentine's Day ideas

If you want to get to know the neighborhoods along the 606, there’s no better way than with a bar crawl. There are lots of watering holes along the route, including casual sports bars, great cocktail bars and plenty of spots to find a craft beer. Here’s where to get a drink near Chicago’s new elevated park. RECOMMENDED: Our complete guide to the 606

It's no surprise Chicago restaurants absolutely nail french fries, considering how great Chicago is at making hot dogs and burgers. These versions of our favorite side range from garlic fries at a Latin American restaurant to decadent foie gras fries, and they are totally worth seeking out. RECOMMENDED: Best burgers in Chicago

Made with everything from pizza dough to steam buns, many of the most unique doughnuts at Chicago restaurants can’t be bought by the dozen. We headed to a pizza restaurant, a ramen spot and elsewhere to turn up unexpected spots for these sugar-coated, doughy treats. RECOMMENDED: The best donuts in Chicago

Move over Milwaukee Avenue—Armitage Avenue in Logan Square is fast becoming the place in Chicago for a cocktail. With brand new cocktail bars, a revamped dive and neighborhood standbys, here’s a quick overview of where to go (and what to drink, natch) on your next bar crawl. 

When we have friends visiting Chicago for the first time, we take them for deep dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, soaked Italian beef sandwiches, smoked shrimp at Calumet Fisheries and jibarito sandwiches. These foods are the backbone of Chicago cuisine, and you should absolutely spend your first visit eating them. But for your second visit? We’ve compiled 25 dishes and drinks we consider the new Chicago classics. Many have remained firmly on menus, season after season, and there are some newcomers that have already made an impact. These are the dishes and drinks we find ourselves craving, and the places we recommend to friends and family when they visit. How many have you had? Use our checklist below to tally up the dishes and drinks you've tried and share the results.

Just a 90-minute drive from Chicago, Michigan's Harbor Country is fast becoming a culinary destination. Located just over the Indiana border on Lake Michigan, the area has classic restaurants that have been around for decades and cool craft beer desinations, doughnut shops and more, which combine to make the area so much more than antique shopping and sandy beaches. RECOMMENDED: Weekend getaways from Chicago

Cleveland's restaurant and bar scene has been gaining momentum over the past few years. Celebrity chefs like Michael Symon of Lola and Lolita have taken the lead in championing local dining, and long-standing favorites are finally gaining the recognition they deserve. Here are a few places (and some of the best burgers, brunch dishes and a cafeteria, around), not to miss during a summer weekend on the shores of Lake Erie. RECOMMENDED: Weekend getaways from Chicago

Chicago has recently experienced a renaissance of Bohemian cooking, with newcomers like Dusek’s Board & Beer and Bohemian House offering modern (and lighter) takes on the classic cuisine from the Czech Republic. But we're also interested in their predecessors—classic Czech food is highly influenced by its European neighbors (like German food), and the result is a warming mix of comfort food that's hearty and unapologetically rich. We had to head to the Cicero area to find them, but here's where to tuck into classic Czech cuisine, like goulash, schnitzels and sauerkraut. RECOMMENDED: Best Chicago restaurants

Ice cream sandwiches have come a long way from the neatly folded rectangles of wax paper from your childhood. These days, anything goes—sandwiches are being made with everything from gigantic cookies to doughnuts, waffles and even macarons. All those options can be overwhelming, so we’ve compiled our favorite ice cream shops and other places to get these grab-and-go treats.

When you mention pepper and egg sandwiches-a common breakfast choice among casual take-out joints that's extra popular during Lent-Chicago splits into two camps. Those not originally from the city will look at you perplexed, and ask what you're talking about. Those born and bred in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs will defensively hiss in distrust, spitting out the name of their favorite restaurant and condiment choices, challenging you to oppose them. Classically, the sandwich is composed of scrambled eggs and bell peppers and served on Italian bread, though no two are exactly the same. Below are a few of our favorites, along with tips and instructions for those who have yet to indulge. RECOMMENDED: Easter events in Chicago

Few restaurants hold the unexpected magic of a time machine, but step inside this North Side Italian gem and the spell is set. Sabatino’s has all the retro charm that today’s hip Italian spots can’t seem to echo—servers are outfitted in tuxedos, the tables are set with fresh flowers and thick leather menus and violinists serenade diners in the candlelight. When ordering, it’s hard to make a mistake amid the menu of old-school classics, like tender veal saltimbocca in a sage wine sauce, or the baked Alaska for two, which is lit at the table with festive sparklers. Any occasional imperfection seems charming in the atmospheric glow, bolstered by excellent red sauce and generous pours of wine. Even after all these years, Sabatino’s still has us enchanted.

In Montreal, poutine—fries doused with gravy and topped with cheese curds—is classic drunk food. So the bustling stretch of Milwaukee in Logan Square is pretty much the ideal place for Q-Tine, a poutine and barbecue joint that’s open till 4am on Friday and Saturday and 2am on Wednesday and Thursday.  The menu focuses mostly on variations on poutine, with creative toppings like cheesesteak, gyro meat and even slices of corn dog. But the classic poutine is a steal at $7, with more than enough crisp fries, meaty gravy and slightly melted fresh cheddar cheese curds to feed two. The barbecue menu is solid, with Memphis-style dry rubbed ribs and smoked meats. For the best of both worlds, order the pulled pork poutine, which tops the classic dish with a generous portion of fruitwood-smoked, tender pork. A large assortment of housemade sauces are also available, from traditional tomato-based barbecue to spicy hot sauces—try the snappy vinegar-based Hot Stuff sauce, made with loads of cayenne pepper, for extra heat. For drinks, cheap cans abound (like a $2.29 PBR), but the enormous 16-ounce watermelon margarita slushie is a surprisingly light and refreshing drink that will cut through the richness of your meal—and keep the night going.

This Lincoln Park Japanese spot (and sister to Arami) wasn't where we expected to find one of the best bowls of ramen in the city. The tantanmen ramen can make you, albeit briefly, forget your winter woes. The broth, made with nutty sesame and chilis, shimmers with spicy oil and specks of green onion, and comes topped with a firework of cheveux d'ange (impossibly thin ribbons of red pepper). Crisp baby bok choy and tender pork meatballs float on top, and make sure to fish out the delicate bites of sweet kabocha squash that settled at the bottom of the murky sesame depths. Every bite is coated with a slick of chili oil, resulting in pleasant tongue-burning warmth. The cleanly cut sushi is another highlight, and the sake list has many well-chosen options.

The annual Cider Summit is this weekend at Navy Pier, and the festivities kicked off early last night at the Fountainhead with the Power of the Press, a preview of the bar's sister spot, forthcoming cider bar The Northman. The bar is set to open shortly on Lincoln Avenue (date is still TBD), but if last night's preview is any indication, cider fans are in for a treat—there was an impressive selection of more than four dozen ciders from France, Spain, the U.K. and the U.S. on draft and in bottles. One of the standouts on draft was the Seattle Cider Company’s Gin Botanical offering, a dry and citrusy cider with light floral notes of juniper and fresh herbs. Cider cocktails were also available and included a hot bourbon cider. Chef Cleetus Friedman, who handles the Fountainhead and will also run the kitchen at the Northman, previewed two dishes from the upcoming menu, which is focused on hearty French country fare—there was a rabbit roulade with polenta, chestnuts and shaved Brussels sprouts, and escargot served with cider-laced butter and a biscuit made with creamy goat’s milk. With another brutal Chicago winter far from over, we’re ready to cozy up with a hot cider and some stick-to-your-ribs food, so the Northman opening can’t come soon enough.