Yucatan, Bronx

Like many New Yorkers, Bruce Beck arrived in the city after studying theater; like many more still, he stayed for the food. Since joining the industry in 1979, Bruce has opened his own chocolate shop, written two cookbooks, taught chefs at The New School in Manhattan, and opened two restaurants—including the Mexican-inspired eatery Taco Sueño and its successor, Yucatán.

At the latter restaurant, chefs complement their familiar tacos and burritos with specialties such as pollo dorado a la Yucatán—a crispy half-chicken with chile habanero dipping sauce, pineapple slaw, and fries. At the full bar, mixologists prepare classic cocktails such as the margarita, a drink made to taste like the Caribbean's fruity, salt-rimmed waters.