Where to Dine - Chicago - page 79

2024 N. Halsted St. (at Armitage Ave.). & 773/935-5000. www.cafebabareeba.
com. Reservations recommended on weekends. Tapas $4-$13; main courses
$9-$30. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 5-10pm; Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat 11am-
midnight; Sun 11am-10pm. Subway/El: Red or Brown line to Fullerton, or Brown
Line to Armitage.
Twin Anchors BARBECUE A landmark in Old Town since
the end of Prohibition, Twin Anchors manages to maintain the fla-
vor of old Chicago. It's a friendly, family-owned pub with Frank
Sinatra songs on the jukebox and pictures of Ol' Blue Eyes on the
walls (he apparently hung out here on swings through town in the
1960s). But rather than striking a self-consciously retro pose, this
feels like the real deal, with a long mahogany bar up front and a
modest dining room in back with red Formica-topped tables
crowded close. Of course, you don't need anything fancy when the
ribs—the fall-off-the-bone variety—come this good. Even
non-meat eaters may be swayed if they allow themselves one bite of
the enormous slabs of tender baby back pork ribs. (Go for the zesty
sauce.) All of this means that you should prepare for a long wait on
weekends.
1655 N. Sedgwick St. (1 block north of North Ave.). & 312/266-1616. www.
twinanchorsribs.com. Reservations not accepted. Sandwiches $6-$9; main courses
$11-$24. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 5-11pm; Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat
noon-midnight; Sun noon-10:30pm. Subway/El: Brown Line to Sedgwick.
INEXPENSIVE
Goose Island Brewing Company AMERICAN Some of the
best beer in Chicago is manufactured at this comfy, award-winning
microbrewery on the western edge of Old Town (an impressive cast
of professional beer critics agrees). In the course of a year, Goose
Island produces about 100 varieties of lagers, ales, stouts, pilsners,
and porters that change with the seasons.
The food here is far more than an afterthought. If you prefer to
chow down in a restaurant atmosphere (rather than sitting at the
large bar), there's a separate, casual dining area that attracts plenty of
families on the weekends. Cut-above bar food includes burgers
(including a killer, dragon-breath-inducing Stilton burger with
roasted garlic), sandwiches (pulled pork, blackened catfish po' boy,
chicken Caesar), and some serious salads. Goose Island is also known
for its addictive homemade potato chips, doughy Bavarian pretzels,
fresh-brewed root beer, and orange cream soda. The zero-attitude,
come-as-you-are ambience is very refreshing for a lazy afternoon pit
stop or a casual lunch or dinner. A second location at 3535 N. Clark