Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago TribuneIt's only the first day for TriBecca's Cubano at Revival Hall, but it's hard to imagine this won't be a hit. Crunchy bread holds thin layers of intensely flavored meat, gooey cheese and crisp pickles. Wildly untraditional, as you'd expect, but all works stunningly together. 125 S. Clark St., revivalfoodhall.com — Nick Kindelsperger
Louisa Chu/Chicago TribuneGinger, garlic and carrot omelet (with cheese!) at Susie's Noon Hour Grill. Susie said no omelets -- the pan is not working today for hash browns. But then she asked, "Is rice OK?" Um, yes, please. Even better for her tender astonishing eggs. 6930 N. Glenwood Ave., 773-338-9494. -- Louisa Chu- Grace Wong/Chicago TribuneI waited a little more than 30 minutes for this dish, and I'd do it again. The tiebu dejun at Goree Cuisine is a feast, with whole fish the star. It's covered in spices and lightly fried, resulting in crispy skin and flaky, tender meat, accompanied by savory sauteed cabbage, spicy onions and flavorful rice. I still can't decide whether the fragrant vermicelli with savory sauce and sweet plump raisins or the fried plantains were better as a side, but I'm sure when I return, I'll end up ordering both anyway. $13, 1126 E. 47th St., 773-855-8120, goreecuisine.com — Grace Wong
- Louisa Chu / Chicago TribuneThis"surf and turf" tray with smoky skinned fish, deep-fried shrimp and veg, plus softly simmered beef literally turned heads in the Mitsuwa food court. Quite a feat where so many beautiful bentos beckon. Looks like a lot for lunch, I know, but I can't help indulging just a bit when I'm lucky enough to get out here. 100 E. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights; 847-956-6699; www.mitsuwa.com/ch — Louisa Chu
- Phil Vettel / Chicago TribuneBlackbird is one of two Chicago four-star restaurants that serve lunch (Topolobampo is the other), and it does so with an irresistible deal: Three courses for $25 (and a couple of featured wines for $10/glass). Among the choices is this beautiful parsnip veloute, with pistachios and cocoa nibs for texture and a dollop of creme fraiche for heft. The lightly sweet soup is perfect for a still-chilly Chicago afternoon. 619 W. Randolph St., 312-715-0708, blackbirdrestaurant.com — Phil Vettel
- Louisa Chu / Chicago TribuneBest known for steaks, this French-German beef house makes amazing sandwiches at lunch only, including this surprisingly delicate take on a classic. Get the feathery green salad too, and save room for dessert, today chocolate bavarois, because you deserve dessert Friday or any day. $12, 1012 N. Western Ave., 773-661-2116, www.boeufhaus.com — Louisa Chu
- Bill Daley / Chicago TribuneA slice of chicken pot pie? Absolutely, especially if it's ordered at the airy, light-filled Evanston cafe operated by both Dollop Coffee Co. and Hoosier Mama Pie Co. This generous slice is filled with tender pieces of chicken, thin slices of red jacketed potatoes, carrot coins and peas, all bound in a light, creamy sauce. The crust is gorgeously golden with a thick yet flaky rolled collar on the edge. A slice is $6.75, a small pot pie is $11, a large pie is $33. 749 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847-868-8863, www.dollopcoffee.com, www.hoosiermamapie.com/evanston.html — Bill Daley
- Louisa Chu / Chicago TribuneThis sandwich, with surprising salsa verde, roasted tomato and pickled peppers, already makes Frunchroom, a neighborhood newcomer, a destination. Pro tip: Order a housemade dessert ahead, especially the orange blossom almond Basque cake, if available, because they will run out. 4042 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-853-2160, frunchroomchicago.com — Louisa Chu
- Louisa Chu / Chicago TribuneYou won't recognize the neighborhood anymore, but the corned beef may be better than ever. Sit at the lunch counter, open since 1933, and get the house-made, thin-sliced, warm West Side specialty on soft rye with mustard, pickle, lettuce and tomato. 16 S. Western Ave., 312-226-5094. -- Louisa Chu
- Joe Gray / Chicago TribuneBojan's muffaletta makes me grateful for the full size kitchen towels that serve as napkins at Tempesta ... Because it's a messy beast. Olives, lettuce, mozzarella, mortadella, salami, pesto ... Did I forget something? It's a jaw-stretcher and can feed two. Not bad for $13.50. 1372 W. Grand Ave., 312-929-2551, http://tempestamarket.com/ — Joe Gray
- Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago TribuneThe tamales at Yvolina's Tamales are wonders — plump and airy, yet light and not greasy. The massive banana leaf-wrapped chicken and salsa verde tamale is topped with a complex red mole. Fantastic Pilsen lunch option. 814 W. 18th St., 312-731-3167, www.yvolinas.com — Nick Kindelsperger
- Bill Daley / Chicago TribuneA Cuban sandwich ($6.99) on a sunny but chilly April day brings welcome memories of sultrier lunches on Key Biscayne. The "sandwich Cubano" is served up in a no-nonsense restaurant adjoining a food market on the northern edge of Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood. La Unica layers slices of roast pork and ham in a toasted baguette with a spry shot of mustard and lots of gooey cheese. (Yes, I took a bite out of it before taking this photo; couldn't help it.) Half of La Unica's menu is devoted to Cuban food, the other half is devoted to Mexican, Colombian and Peruvian dishes. 1515 W. Devon Ave, 773-274-7788, launicafoodmart.eat24hour.com — Bill Daley
- Grace Wong / Chicago TribuneIn case you're someone who is still on that healthy eating grind, The Autumn Chopper salad from Arbor is definitely lighter lunch fare. Romaine, kale, roasted squash, apples, pomegranate and pumpkin seeds are tossed in a cider vinaigrette and topped with crumbled montamore cheese. 2545 W Diversey Ave, 312-866-0795, arborprojects.com — Grace Wong
- Bill Daley/Chicago TribuneMohinga is a rice noodle and fish soup considered "an essential part of Burmese cuisine," according to the menu at this Devon Avenue restaurant serving the food of Myanmar and Malaysia. The soup ($4.49) is spicy and warming with lots of rice noodles. Fresh cilantro and hard-cooked eggs are among the accents. 2305 W. Devon Ave., 773-856-0192, the-family-house-restaurant.business.site. -- Bill Daley
- Louisa Chu/Chicago Tribune5 Loaves Eatery is perhaps best known for its crunchy crusted and juicy chicken with waffles. But make sure to get the grits here and as a rule in life. Plus the homemade lemon zest pancakes, salmon croquettes and chocolate cake whenever available. 405 E. 75th St., 773-891-2889, 5loaveschicago.com — Louisa Chu
- Grace Wong / Chicago TribuneStop by the casual lunch counter at Local Foods and snack on the B&L burger, made with juicy La Pryor beef, with a slice of MightyVine tomato, salty cheddar cheese and crisp greens. The dill pickle from Pucker Pickles is sweet and the mayo and Carolina seasoning (made with brown sugar and cayenne) give the burger a silky, sweet and creamy mouthfeel. Soft, pillowy brioche buns hold it all together. The result? A burger I inhaled way too quickly. $9, 1427 W. Willow St., 312-432-6575, localfoods.com — Grace Wong
- Grace Wong/Chicago TribuneThe plantain sandwich at Nana, topped with seasoned grilled chicken, cheddar, pickled red onion and a cilantro-lime slaw, gets a little messy, but you won't regret it. The slaw and onions deliver a vinegary punch that pushes through the initially savory and slightly spicy bite. The chicken has a hint of smokiness, is well-seasoned and not overcooked, and a mayo-based spread adds a touch of creaminess. On the side are Cuban black beans and rice that are mild in flavor and provide a welcome respite from the flavor bomb that is the sandwich. $13. 3267 S. Halsted St., 312-929-2486, nanaorganic.com. -- Grace Wong
- Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago TribuneThe Chicago French Market contains an ever-increasing collection of quality food stalls, including the newcomer, Tiger Ceviche, where you can snag fresh and feisty versions of the Peruvian street food. I went with the Tiger's Paw ($8), a mix of sweet mango and crunchy apple, along with plump pieces of corvina (worth the $2 upcharge) and a captivating habanero orange dressing. $8. 131 N. Clinton St., 781-606-0112, tigerceviche.com. -- Nick Kindelsperger
- Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago TribuneWe can't discuss lunch in Chicago without mentioning Manny's Deli. I went with a half-pastrami, half-corned beef sandwich, because I hate making hard decisions. On the side are a potato pancake and two pickles, with a fine knish in the back, which I just couldn't pass up. Chicago might be a very segregated city, but Manny's is one of the few places where everyone comes to fill up. 1141 S. Jefferson St., 312-939-2855, https://www.mannysdeli.com/ — Nick Kindelsperger
- Bill Daley/Chicago TribuneThe New England classic gets a zesty rendering at this popular restaurant across from Millennium Park. Warm lobster is dressed with salty Old Bay-seasoned butter and adorned with dime-size radish coins, celery hearts and crispy fried onions. All this is stuffed into a New England-style split-top roll whose sides are toasted a golden brown. $28. 24 S. Michigan Ave. 312-372-4243, thegagechicago.com. -- Bill Daley
Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune
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It's only the first day for TriBecca's Cubano at Revival Hall, but it's hard to imagine this won't be a hit. Crunchy bread holds thin layers of intensely flavored meat, gooey cheese and crisp pickles. Wildly untraditional, as you'd expect, but all works stunningly together. 125 S. Clark St., <a href="https://www.revivalfoodhall.com/">revivalfoodhall.com</a> — Nick Kindelsperger
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Breakfast and dinner seem to get all of the love. Lunch, on the other hand, is often a quick, grab-and-go affair, with busy folks giving little thought to what they’re eating, as they rush from their local sandwich shop back to their workplace.
This month, we will remedy that. Throughout April, Food & Dining is seeking out Chicago’s best lunches, around town and in the suburbs, as our monthly “Craving” series explores all things lunch. And we’re adding a more immediate element to our daily gallery of what we’re eating.
For more than two years, we’ve been posting images of what we’re eating and drinking, from tacos (May 2016) to beer (July 2017) to fried foods (March). And thousands of you have been following along, here on Food & Dining’s online page, as well as on our reporters’ social media feeds. For April, we’re taking you to lunch with us … virtually.
Follow Food & Dining reporters to their favorite lunch spots live on social media — via @ChiTribFood on both Instagram and Twitter and on the reporters’ personal profiles — and here. Check the photo gallery above at lunchtime every weekday in April for inspiration on what you might want to eat next — life’s too short for bad lunch.
