Around the World in Chicago: 5 Hidden Gem Restaurants 🌍✨

1️⃣ Tzuco 🇲🇽 Chicago’s top-tier Mexican cuisine! 🔥 Pulpo Enamorado – Grilled octopus, oily, slightly spicy, and incredibly tasty. 🔥 Costillas De Res – Braised beef ribs so tender they fall off the bone, perfect with tortillas. 🍹 Cocktails are creative—loved the cumin notes in Pabil and the chili-dusted rim. 🚫 Skip the daily special—sweet potato “burger” was a letdown. 2️⃣ Virtue 🇺🇸 Michelin-recognized soul food near UChicago. 🍞 Cornbread – Sweet bread with savory cream on top—a must-order! 🥩 Short Rib – Signature dish, braised to perfection. 🐟 Fish & Grits – Another star, fish with flavorful sauce. 🤔 Gumbo and Fried Gizzards were less impressive. 🍸 Cocktails were just okay—skip the Apple Jack and Uncle Honey. 3️⃣ Tanta 🇵🇪 Hailed as Chicago’s best Peruvian spot. 🐟 Clasico Ceviche – Peru’s national dish, definitely try it! 🍚 Chaufa Aeropuerto – Wok-fired fried rice with great wok hei. 🐙 Pulpo – Grilled octopus with mashed potatoes and taro chips—unexpectedly good combo. 🍣 Criollo Wagyu Sushi – Just average. 🐂 Corazon (Beef Heart) – Not very tender. 🍹 Pisco Sour – A must-try Peruvian cocktail! ❄️ AC is strong—bring a jacket in summer. 4️⃣ Proxi Delicate and delicious Asian fusion. 🌽 Tempura Elotes – Corn tempura (ask if not on the menu)—savory-sweet and addictive. 🦞 Lobster Sujebi – Tender lobster with chewy hand-torn noodles in rich sauce—outstanding! 🥩 Wagyu Beef Cheek – Well-cooked, but the coconut sticky rice was firm and lacked flavor. 🐟 Yellowfin Tuna Crudo – Decent but forgettable. ⚠️ Only downside: very slow service. 5️⃣ Acanto 🇮🇹 Cozy, delicious Italian spot across from Millennium Park. 🥩 Wagyu – Exceptionally prepared, memorable. 🐂 Beef Carpaccio – Tender and flavorful. 🦞 Lobster Ravioli – Not my favorite, but my friend loved it. 🥗 Tuscan Kale Salad – Surprisingly good for a healthy option. 🍰 Tiramisu – Classic, no surprises. #StudentFoodie #HiddenGems #RestaurantRecommendations #ChicagoEats #ExploreChicago