Mart Anthony's, Chicago

Mart Anthony's first opened its doors to the West Loop neighborhood in 1981 and established itself as a homestyle Italian bar and grill. It’s a place where owner Marty Campo treats his customers like family, calling regulars by their first names or “snuggle bear” and making sure everyone is fed well. One longtime patron even claims that his 90-year-old Italian parents still come to the restaurant once a month to enjoy the one place they can get what they consider to be great Sicilian-style food. Even after relocating to River North, the neighborhood eatery continues to garner a loyal following of local patrons.

The homey feeling the restaurant exudes isn’t the only thing drawing in the crowds—people also can’t get enough of the menu that’s based on four generations of family recipes. The signature braciole's rolled filet tenderloins brim with cheese and prosciutto, and platefuls of housemade pasta arrive with a glaze of fresh sauce straight from the churns. Oven-crisped pizzas emerge with hearty handfuls from the selection of 16 available toppings, which include sausage, fresh garlic, and hot giardiniera.