Plot & Plate
MLB's Chicagoland Restaurant Chronicles
If you hope to discover the soul of a city, you need not look any further than what is served on its plates and in its glasses. Food is a delicious translator, transforming a city’s complex identity into something you can taste and experience. It tells the stories of its history, culture, and the people who call it home. Dive into a city’s food scene, and you’ll uncover its entire story: immigrant traditions transforming into vibrant fusion cuisines, local ingredients painting a picture of the region’s heart, and those timeless comfort foods that whisper decades of local history.
Chicago feeds you more than just hunger. Each dish is a narrative: Bite into a savory Polish sausage, and you’re tasting the grit of immigrant neighborhoods. Indulge in pizzas as diverse and unique as the neighborhoods they originate from, alongside fusion dishes that embody the city’s endless ability to adapt and evolve.
current reviews
Frontera Grill-Chicago, IL.
Every year, during a winter stretch in late January, several of Chicago's top restaurants participate in "Restaurant...
Freddy’s Pizza-Cicero IL.
To begin, let’s address the elephant in the room: no pizza was eaten. Yes, we see it right there in the name, but we...
The heart of our food reviews
This is our food blog, where my wife, Margaret, and I uncover the diverse flavors of our city that tell its story.
From the vibrant neighborhoods of the city to the hidden gems in the suburbs, we’ll explore the diverse cuisines and culinary experiences that shape the rich personality of Chicago and its surroundings.
Our goal is to share our dining experiences in hopes of showcasing the distinctiveness and charm of our beloved city.
Now it’s your turn.
Dive into the conversation and tell me about your own food adventures. How does this place stack up against other memorable meals you’ve had? From local favorites to global discoveries, I’m all ears
The Ratings
During our visits to various establishments, we evaluate it in four categories: Ambiance, Service, Food Quality, and Enjoyability.
Each category will receive individual ratings from both Margaret and myself, as well as a combined rating. We believe it is important to include our separate ratings since each of us may have different opinions on what makes a restaurant stand out.
What satisfies Margaret may not satisfy me, so it’s important for you to understand our differing perspectives. Our ratings are based on a star system with a color scheme inspired by the Chicago flag. Margaret’s ratings will be represented in all red, mine in all blue, and the combined rating in the iconic two-color flag of the city.
Special Badges
A restaurant can have unique features and offerings that set it apart from others.
Does it cater to quick bites or is it kid-friendly? Is it the perfect spot for a special celebration, or does it fall short in execution?
We will grant special badges to restaurants based on their performance in each category.
OVERALL RATING
Our final rating for each establishment will be based on their overall performance. Instead of a traditional star system, we have devised five distinct metrics to describe our experience with each place. These metrics range from the best to worst and provide a simple explanation of our overall impression. They are:
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Elite-One of the Best
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Return Engagement – Will be back
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Worth A Try
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Fine, but Nothing Special
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Would Not Come Back
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