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The Chicago Food Guy's Top 16 Chicago area Restaurants:
Poochie's Hot Dogs-3832 Dempster St, Skokie: The best hot dog place in the Chicago area, this good sized gem serves up char dogs, char cheddar burgers, char chicken sandwiches and plenty of other tasty food .
Michael's Hot Dogs-1879 Second St, Highland Park: This huge hot dog haven has top notch char dogs, italian beef and char chicken sandwiches.
Gold Coast Dogs-(Several Chicago area locations): A classic Chicago hot dog name, giving you mouth watering char dogs, char burgers and cheddar fries.
Irving's For Red Hot Lovers-3207 W. Lake Ave, Wilmette: Excellent char dogs and cheddar burgers are served at this North suburban favorite. The pizza puffs and italian beef are also winners.
Mustard's Last Stand-1613 Central St, Evanston: This little hot dog stand across from the Northwestern football stadium has unbeatable char dogs, char cheddar burgers and local charm.
Lou Malnati's- (Many Chicago area locations): Classic deep dish pizza cooked to perfection at these family owned pizzerias. The mix of sauce, crust and cheese make it a meal you will savor.
Home Run Inn Pizza- 4254 W. 31st St,, Chicago (several Chicago area locations): Among the best thin crist pizza in the country, the patented mix of sauce and cheese makes this a must stop.
Giordano's-(Many locations in Chicago area): The best stuffed pizza you will find anywhere. Stuffed spinach and sausage pizzas are the specialties.
Pizzeria Uno/Due-29 E. Ohio St, Chicago/610 N. Wabash St, Chicago: These deep dish pizza twins have the best pizza in the country, but only at these two flagship locations. Do not confuse these with the Pizzeria Uno chain restaurants, which are franchises and do not have the same pizza recipe.
Barnaby's- 960 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook: This full-service restaurant has some of the best thin crust pizza in Chicago, in addition to beer and root beer on tap.
Buffalo Joe's- (3 locations in Chicago area): 812 Clark St, Evanston : The best wings anywhere. Period. The menu features mild, medium or suicide wings, char dogs, char chicken sandwiches, char cheddar burgers, italian beef, cheddar chips and more.
BW-3 Wings- (Various locations in USA): 2464 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago): This restaurant and bar features some of the best wings around, available in such flavors as teriyaki and flamin'. The cheddar fries basket is unrivaled, along with the char chicken sandwiches and char burgers.
Pita Inn-3910 Dempster St, Skokie: Serving some of the best middle eastern food in the city, with unrivaled hummus and shawarma served in a self-seating, relaxed atmosphere.
Merle's Ribs- 1727 Benson Ave, Evanston: The best ribs you will find anywhere, offered wet or dry with a choice of sides, the inside will take you back to the Old West, while the ribs, pulled pork, Brunswick stew, or BBQ'd chicken will leave you content.
Original Pancake House-(various Chicago area locations): This breakfast place serves up the best pancakes and coffee you will find anywhere, while signature items such as the Apple Pancake and Dutch Baby will leave you wanting more.
Wiener's Circle- 2622 N. Clark St.: The self-proclaimed home of the char cheddar burger, this char cheddar haven is open late nites and is a favortie of after bar- patrons in the heart of Lincoln Park.

North Suburban Cult Favorites:
1. The Chicken Shack-1925 Ridge Ave, Evanston: This tucked away classic serves up their specialty, great fried chicken, at good prices.
2. Sarkis'-2632 Gross Point Rd, Evanston: Home of the "disaster" and "loretta", this greasy spoon specializes in breakfast served by the owner, Sarkis.
3. Philly's Best-815 Emerson, Evanston: Small storfront serves up solid Philly cheese steaks and hoagies at good prices.
4. M & H Grill (Vienna)-960 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka: Tiny hot dog stand has the best fries you will taste anywhere, with good prices and friendly service.
5. The Chuck Wagon-1120 Central, Wilmette: A local favorite with greasy but tasty eats.

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Top 3 Ice Cream and Dessert Favorites:
1. Homer's Ice Cream-1237 Green Bay Rd, Wilmette: Excellent ice cream in a variety of unique flavors, with unbeatable shakes, malts and sundaes.
2. Oberweis Ice Cream-(Many Chicago area locations): Unrivaled ice cream, sundaes, and shakes that are unusually rich and satisfying.
3. Hartigan's Ice Cream-2909 Central St, Evanston: Superb ice cream creations abound at this old time storefront that serves up many classic flavors, including the amaretto flavored Blue Moon ice cream.

There are many Vienna Beef hot dog stands in the Greater Chicagoland area, and here in Evanston, we have Mustard's Last Stand. Located next to Dyche Stadium, home of the Northwestern Wildcats (sure, tehnically it's now called Ryan Field, but I've never acknlowedged the name change), Mustards is a dietary staple of mine. Like many other Vienna Beef hot dog joints, Mustard's has great dogs, brats and polishes, but what distinguishes it from the others is it's specialty: the Bacon Double Cheeseburger (I've used capital letters here out of respect). Throw in some of Mustard's terrific fries and a coke, and you got a meal that I and many others have been enjoying for years.
Now every die-hard sports fan has some guy in some restaurant, store, or place of business who he talks sports with hard core. For me and many other frequenters of Mustard's, Keith is that guy. He is incredibly knowledgeable and talkative, and is more engaging than most sports talk show hosts. A regular on NBC's Sports Sunday, Keith is good for a burger and debate anytime. With many choice Chicago sports photos on the walls from years gone by, Mustard's is the perfect spot to enjoy great food

DR. Z'S TAKE

Dr. Z takes time out from his busy schedule in Bloomington, Indiana to give his monthly take on the Chicago food scene..........

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Match the Signature Menu Item With the Chicago Restaurant....................................
A. Suicide Wings                         1. Mustard's
B. Stuffed Spinach Pizza              2. Merle's
C. Bacon Double Cheese Burger    3. M & H Grill
D. Gyros Plate                            4. Pancake House
E. Apple Pancake                        5. Hub's
F. Baby Back Ribs, Wet               6. Poochie's
G. Char Cheddar Burger              7. Buffalo Joe's
H. French Fries                          8. Giordano's

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THECHICAGO FOOD GUY