The July Hit List: Chikatana, Ms. Biscuit, Little Wild, Shang Noodle, and More

This playful cantina joins the stellar restaurant lineup on Fulton Market with imaginative Mexican dishes, agave-focused drinks and a tlayuda (open-faced fried tortilla) menu starting at 10 p.m. for night owls. Drawing from street carts, fine dining and everything in between, chef Guillermo Reyes (Mi Tocaya Antojeria, Mercat a la Planxa) balances Mexican tradition and modernity, via dishes such as soft-shell crab tacos, roasted bone marrow with nopales salad, and crispy tlayudas topped with cauliflower chorizo, Oaxacan cheese and black beans. The open-air setting features patio seating for up to 64.

After a two-year hiatus and thanks to community support and government aid, this South Side staple is back serving up diner-style breakfast favorites, like pancakes, waffles, omelets and — yes — stellar buttery Southern-style biscuits. Call 773-268-8088, and expect a crowd.

Hand-pulled noodles and upmarket (mostly) Chinese favorites that won’t break the bank are the focus at this Streeterville newcomer. We can’t get enough of the pillowy steamed shrimp shumai, savory Taiwanese beef noodle soup with pickled greens, and comforting, Korean jjajangmyun with pork, shrimp and vegetables in Korean black bean sauce. The sleek environs are airy and welcoming.

This nine-year-old tavern is a longtime favorite for Lincoln Parkers finishing work, and DePaul students finishing class — with solid drinking food like fish and chips, messy meatball subs and excellent meat-and-cheese boards. A wide selection of craft beers and cocktails, plus one of the city’s finest whiskey selections, means you’ll never want for a nip while you’re here. The sidewalk cafe on quiet Lill St. is the ideal spot for a chill happy hour away from the bustle of Southport Ave.

The city’s first all-vegan ice cream shop brings oat-based soft serve ice cream to the Near North Side, from partners Mariana Marinho and Dylan Sutcliff (Sweet Ritual in Austin, Tex.). Expect cups and cones of creamy vanilla, chocolate, and swirl; sundaes like candy bar, with dulce de leche, chocolate shell, and peanuts; and “handshakes” — soft serve with whimsical mix-ins like confetti cookie dough. Order at the walkup window.

Speaking of Fulton Market after hours, this indoor/outdoor, year-round rooftop has joined the Ace Hotel’s fun-loving food and drink lineup — and takes reservations till 10:30 p.m. Perched seven stories up, Little Wild serves skyline views to match tasty bites, like cheddar-caramel popcorn and chicken katsu sliders with chile mayo, and fun drinks, like the Tonight, Tonight with mezcal, Campari, red vermouth and orange peel — all set to a soundtrack for good times.

This sprawling Logan Square bar exudes glitzy, joyous vibes, with fun-loving food and drink and environs inspired by a mid-century casino. Succulent Baltimore crab rolls with Old Bay aioli or pimento mac ‘n’ cheese are ideal foils for rounds of Stoli-spiked frosé with strawberry shrub. Garage-style windows open out to a roomy sidewalk patio, perfect for soaking in every drop of summer.

This woman-owned taqueria slings quirky, seasonally-driven tacos and beers in a relaxed space. Think handmade tortillas stuffed with grilled octopus, papitas con chile and sautéed cactus, or grilled mole cauliflower. We recommend starting each order with grilled bacon-wrapped jalapeños and a quenching round of palomas.

This longtime sports bar near McCormick Place is a great stop for a beer and a quick bite, or to catch a game on the wall-sized theater screen or one of the many flat-screen TVs hugging the bar. Expect a long menu of reliable pub food, including solid burgers. And give yourself plenty of time to choose a beer; there’s 99 on the list!

A quick-service operation featuring classic Jamaican cooking from Ricardo Blake (Jamaican Jerk Villa), St. Bess specializes in succulent, sweet-and-smoky jerk chicken, marinated and roasted in a barrel smoker over live coals. You can’t really go wrong here though, with meaty curry goat and warming, savory oxtail stew. Order online or call 773-792-1553.