Where is Rick Bayless and his gems Frontera Grill/Topolobampo? Well, okay, those are the only ones I’m passionate about wanting to see mentioned. But there really are a bunch more great places.

Kudos are deserved, though, for his mention of Hot Doug’s, a Roscoe Village now west-of-Roscoe Village encased meat (e.g. hot dog) joint that makes you dream about encased meats. Although that may just be the duck fat fries talking.

And more kudos are deserved for acknowledging that the Thai and Mexican food in Chicago beats out NYC. There are no less than 5 great Thai spots within delivery distance of our humble abode, and plenty more than that, I’m sure, if we needed to look around. And yesterday, we added El Tapatio to the growing list of amazing Mexican joints we love (like Burrito House, La Condesa and Pancho Pistolas, to name three).

Most people talk about Chicago’s architecture or lakefront or politics, but damn, the food is amazing.