Acclaimed Chicago chef Paul Kahan revamped an old filling station into this uber-popular, hard-drinkin’, tortilla-lovin’ honky-tonk. The pork belly and lamb shoulder tacos rock the palate, as does the gulpable whiskey shot selection (ask for the $3 shot of the day). Cash only. Yelp reviews

Xoco is celeb chef Rick Bayless’ Mexican street-food hut. The focus is on warm, crusty tortas (sandwiches), caldos (meal-in-a-bowl soups), churros (crunchy fried dough spirals) and hot chocolate (ground from cacao beans and chili-spiked). The ham and cheese torta (with Iowa ham and Wisconsin cheddar) wins raves. So do the cucumber and lime margaritas. For a celeb chef who serves...