SOUTH SIDE
1. You’ve been to: Pilsen’s Nuevo Leon (1515 W. 18th St. 312-421-1517), where Mexican culinary classics are king.
Now try: The more upscale Picante Grill (1626 S. Halsted St. 312-455-8500), where Mexican gets a bit more mod.
2. You’ve been to: The recently relocated New Checkerboard Lounge (5201 S. Harper Ct. 773-684-1472).
Now try: The New Apartment Lounge (504 E. 75th St. 773-483-7728), where there’s never a cover, and every Tuesday features Von Freeman on sax.
3. You’ve been to: Creative classes and foreign flicks at the Beverly Arts Center (2407 W. 111th St. 773-445-3838).
Now try: The brand-new Hyde Park Art Center (5020 S. Cornell Blvd. 773-324-5520), celebrating its grand opening this weekend.
More Top Picks Best Lab Scales
4. You’ve been to: Traditional French bistro/Hyde Park staple La Petite Follie (1504 E. 55th St. 773-493-1394).
Now try: Soon-to-open Koda (10352 S. Western Ave. 773-445-5632), which plans a contemporary French menu.
5. You’ve been to: Dim sum at Phoenix (2131 S. Archer Ave. 312-328-0848).
Now try: The city’s only Malaysian spot, nearby Penang (2201 S. Wentworth Ave. 312-326-6888). And stay on the lookout for Mulan (2017 S. Wells St., Chinatown Square), slated to open this spring.
6. You’ve been to: Sox standby Schaller’s Pump (3714 S. Halsted St. 773-376-6332).
Now try: U. of C. hang, Woodlawn Tap (1172 E. 55th St. 773-643-5516), where Nobel Prize winners go to grab a drink.
7. You’ve been to: The Loop location of South Side chain Ricobene’s (multiple shops including 5160 S. Pulaski Rd. 773-284-2400) for its renowned steak sandwich.
Now try: An unbeatable banana shake at the one and only Janson’s Drive-in (9900 S. Western Ave. 773-238-3612).
8. You’ve been to: Chatham sugar shack Dat Donuts (8249 S. Cottage Grove Ave. 773-723-1002).
Now try: Newbie Beverly Bakery (10528 S. Western Ave. 773-238-5580), where a husband-and-wife team knows sweets.
9. You’ve been to: The Jackson Park beach house (6401 S. Stony Island Ave. 773-256-0903).
Now try: Wolf Lake (in the William W. Powers Conservation Area, 12949 S. Avenue O. 773-646-3270), where you can drive onto an isthmus and fish.
10. You’ve been to: Leon’s Bar B Que (multiple shops including 8249 S. Cottage Grove Ave. 773-488-4556).
Now try: Lower-profile Lem’s (311 E. 75th St. 773-994-2428). Succulent rib tips have made it a South Side institution.
NORTH SIDE
1. You’ve been to: Java joint Intelligentsia (3123 N. Broadway. 773-348-8058).
Now try: Edgewater’s Metropolis (1039 W. Granville Ave. 773-764-0400), which custom-roasts its beans on site.
2. You’ve been to: A little ballpark called Wrigley Field (1060 W. Addison Ave. 773-404-2827).
Now try: Lincoln Park pooch playground Wiggly Field (2645 N. Sheffield Ave.), where you can celebrate leash liberation without fear of tickets.
3. You’ve been to: Gay-boy mecca Roscoe’s (3356 N. Halsted St. 773-281-3355).
Now try: Attitude-free Scot’s (1829 W. Montrose Ave. 773-528-3253) in Ravenswood, where you can actually hold a conversation.
4. You’ve been to: Comic genius-incubator Second City (1616 N. Wells St. 312-337-3992.
Now try: Playground Improv Theater (3209 N. Halsted St. 773-871-3793), which hosts open-mic Thursdays.
5. You’ve been to: Frontera Grill/Topolobampo (445 N. Clark St. 312-661-1434) and the original Mia Francesca (3311 N. Clark St. 773-281-3310).
Now try: Fonda del Mar (3749 W. Fullerton Ave. 773-489-3748), founded by alums of those spots–and you can get a table.
6. You’ve been to: Gibsons (1028 N. Rush St. 312-266-8999), where celebrities like to meat up.
Now try: Select Cut Steak House (2808 N. Halsted St. 773-244-1500), where the only stars are the juicy, half-pound burgers ($7).
More Top Picks Monoprice Maker Select V2
7. You’ve been to: The infamous beer garden at meaty Moody’s Pub (5910 N. Broadway 773-275-2696).
Now try: Wicker Park’s Handlebar (2311 W. North Ave. 773-384-9546), where you can veg out on a more modest patio.
8. You’ve been to: The Vic Theater’s Brew & View (3145 N. Sheffield Ave. 773-472-0449).
Now try: Facets Multimedia (1517 W. Fullerton Ave. 773-281-9075), where cinephiles can read subtitles in peace.
9. You’ve been to: A show at Metro (3730 N. Clark St. 773-549-0203), and you’ve fought the all-ages crowd.
Now try: Uptown’s slightly more intimate Kinetic Playground (1113 W. Lawrence Ave. 773-769-5483).
10. You’ve been to: Green Mill’s Uptown Poetry Slam (4802 N. Broadway. 773-878-5552).
Now try: Funky Buddha Lounge’s Mental Graffiti, with its younger crowd (728 W. Grand Ave. 312-666-1695).