Using your list, here's my input FWIW (I'll only talk about places I've been, or have read consistent comments from people I trust) :
90 Miles Cuban Café-Good, not great Cuban sandwiches. I'm an occasional customer, based more on convenience of location than quality of food.
Glenn's Diner-Neat little place with very good seafood. We capped off a
Contingent tour here a few years ago. Everyone was very happy with the food. Be sure to try the "Shrimp-cargot"; Glenn's take on escargot, but made with shrimp instead of snails.
Smoque-Hands down the best
North side 'Que Chicago has to offer. Everything is good, but the brisket is the standout meat. Second best would be the sausage which they import from a Texas manufacturer. Excellent vinegar based slaw, and be sure to get the Mac & Cheese.
Cemitas Pueblo-Fantastic! We led another
Contingent tour last fall that included Cemitas Pueblo. We ordered a bunch of different sandwiches and split them up. I'd lean toward the Atomica and the Al Pastor.
Hackneys-Haven't been here in
years decades. This used to be the go to place for the best Burgers in the north 'burbs. Hackney's still has its charms, but there are plenty of other places to great Burgers these days; Paradise Pup in Des Plaines, for one. The main reason to go now, IMHO, is for the onion loaf appetizer.
Taste of Peru-We did a family dinner here last summer. Seven people made it possible to order a bunch of entrees and apps. One big stand out that I highly recommend is the Aji de Gallina; shredded chicken in a walnut cream sauce. Wow! They have an extensive menu (fortunately with pictures of most dishes), so the more people you can get to join you, the more dishes you'll get to try.
Honky Tonk BBQ-Read good things; never been.
The Depot Diner-See above.
Tre Kronor-Ditto. Although, I know my daughter and son-in-law (abe_froeman & Mr. Maki, here on Roadfood) have been and loved it.
Chuck's Southern Comfort...-Another one I've never been to but read good things about. You should check out the LTHForum's "Great Neighborhood Restaurant" listings. You'll get some good information on a lot of the places you're looking at, plus many that the media aren't yet aware of:
http://lthforum.com/bb/vi...c.php?f=28&t=32599 There's also a version complete with a map:
https://maps.google.com/m...1c483d5e1c71db&z=8 Dell Rhea's Chicken-A Route 66 landmark. Very good fried chicken, but once you've had Stroud's in Kansas City (which I will be doing), it's hard to be objective about fried chicken from anywhere else.
Irazu-An old favorite. Excellent Costa Rican food. I always go simple; Arroz con Pollo, you can't go wrong. Also be sure to try the Strawberry Lime Iced Tea. It would be better if you had it on a hot summer day, but I think you'll still enjoy it during the Chicago winter.
Vito & Nick's-The defining
South side pizza. Also the nexus for discussion on what constitutes a "real" Chicago Pizza; Pan or thin. Never been, but hear good things from fanatical fans.
Kuma's Corner-Good Burger, but severely over-hyped. If you're not into
very loud Thrash Metal Rock, tattoos & piercings, or if you're not interested in following a long list of rules, skip Kuma's. There are plenty of good-to-great Burgers in this town that don' t require so much effort.
White Palace Grill-A classic! If you're looking for a late night diner with good-not-great food but loads of ambiance, White Palace is the place.
Hope that helps.
Buddy
<message edited by BuddyRoadhouse on Tue, 12/11/12 5:17 PM>