The October Hit List: Italian Village, Imperial Lamian, Marie’s Pizza, and More

A Downtown staple since 1927, the top-floor restaurant is the only one open at this three-restaurants-in-one temple to Italian-American fare. Famous for its twinkle lights and frescoed walls depicting a Tuscan village at night, the Village is chock full of lore (rumored both to be the home of Chicago’s first chicken Vesuvio, and a favorite haunt of Al Capone) and deliciously nostalgic comfort dishes, like veal marsala scallopini and the house specialty lasagne. Did we mention that Italian Village boasts one of the city’s most impressive — and surprisingly affordable — wine cellars? In two firsts since COVID-19, the Village debuted a small sidewalk patio and to-go ordering.   

Dining status: Patio and limited dining room seating are available; also carryout and delivery.

Owned and operated by the same family since 1940, this stalwart pizza restaurant-slash liquor store offers an exemplary take on tavern-style pizza, a holdover of the city’s manufacturing roots, when factory workers needed a snack with their post-shift beers. Firm, crispy crust topped with tangy-sweet tomato sauce and bubbling, singed cheese, Marie’s pizza is always cut in squares, as is custom — and which inexplicably makes it tastier. Order a six-pack of beer or a bottle of wine (owner Nadine Karavidas amassed an impressive lineup of boutique picks) to go, or eat in the sprawling piazza — formerly Marie’s parking lot — while weather permits. 

Dining status: Patio seating is available, more info here; ordering remains carryout and delivery only.

Comfort-food favorites, killer brunch, expert breads, and seasonal desserts and pastries (hello, apple cider donuts!) crowd the menu at this neighborhood bakery and diner, which has two other locations across the North Side. We’re partial to the Commercial Park sandwich, with bacon, scrambled eggs, white cheddar, arugula and hot sauce aioli on a flaky housemade croissant — technically a breakfast sandwich, but just as satisfying for lunch. 

Dining status: Patio and indoor seating are available; also carryout and delivery.

This no-frills, counter-service joint has been slinging hearty sandwiches since 1969, including the famous steak sweet. What’s a steak sweet, you may ask? It’s thinly sliced, charred steak smothered in sweet-and-tangy red sauce and piled high with sliced tomatoes and green peppers on a chewy sub roll. In other words: Make room, Italian beef.

Dining status: Pick-up is available at 773-238-7171. More info here.

From Glenn Keefer and Ryan O’Donnell, a pair of longtime friends (both formerly of Keefer’s Steakhouse) who know a thing or two about steak, Sophia is a neighborhood steakhouse for the North Shore. That means along with impeccably broiled tomahawks and spicy peppercorn-crusted flatiron steaks, expect an excellent grilled burger, generous crunchy salads and fried chicken special on Sundays — in dressed-down environs that still feel elegant. With an ample 5,200-square feet of dining room, there’s plenty of space to socially distance. 

Dining status: Patio and dining room seats are available; also carryout and delivery.

Chef and co-owner Paul Fehribach’s lauded Southern eatery mixes dishes and influences from New Orleans, the Carolina Lowcountry and Appalachia, leaning on the sustainable bounty of the Midwest when possible. Think sizzling (local) pork rice and gumbo ya-ya with house cured and smoked andouille, alongside seasonal offerings, brunch and a focused “little jones” to-go menu. Big Jones is also featuring Southern-tinged Thanksgiving dinners for four to go, featuring buttermilk rolls, cauliflower bisque and Cajun-style deep-fried turkey with giblet gravy and onion, apple and sage stuffing; plus cognac- and gin-based punch by the pint. Order and reserve your pickup time online.

Dining status: Patio and limited indoor seating are available; also pickup and delivery.

Because made-to-order tableside guac and margaritas are always a good idea, there’s Uncle Julio’s — for three decades and counting. Perhaps you want to venture outside the standard lime, strawberry or even grapefruit margarita for the preposterously good Swirl, a frozen half-marg, half-sangria. Endless drink options aside, Uncle Julio’s makes reliably tasty Tex-Mex dishes, like sizzling mesquite-grilled fajitas, carne asada enchiladas and camarones diablos with Mexican rice and charred beans.

Dining status: Indoor seating and patio seating are available; also carryout.

We first fell in love with this chic River North spot for its near-perfect, Shanghai-style xiao long bao. But there’s so much more to love — from succulent beef shank in chile oil to delicate, umami-rich crab fried rice, hand-pulled noodles with pork belly and a bevy of expertly made dumplings (don’t miss the har gao, with shrimp, white pepper and ginger). Pro tip: a new happy hour menu features $3 dim sum and $8 Suntori high balls.

Dining status: Indoor and patio seating are available; also carryout and delivery.

A Chicago favorite for platters of succulent chopped goat meat soused in tomato-based broth, this family-owned staple’s birria stands apart for not touching the consommé until it hits the table. Pile it on thick handmade tortillas: the savory meat, a few spoonfuls of house salsa and a squeeze of lime. Eat and repeat. 

Dining status: Carryout is available at 773-523-3700. More info here.

In the shadow of the behemoth Merchandise Mart, this sultry boite from Hogsalt Hospitality trades in wood-fired gastropub fare and classic cocktails. Think shaved prime rib sandwiches, charred cheeseburgers, smoked salmon caesar salad and rigatoni alla vodka tinged with Calabrian chiles. Bottled large-format cocktails include a deliciously no-nonsense Old Fashioned with whiskey, demerara and bitters.

Dining status: Pickup and delivery are available; reservations are recommended.

From October 15-17, chef Erick Williams is teaming up with Al’s Italian Beef to create a very special, never-before-seen meal at the Chicago classic. Available for pickup through Resy, for three days only.