Ararat, Mundelein

Once featured on ABC7's "Hungry Hound" segment, Restaurant Ararat doles out authentic comfort foods with origins in Armenia, Georgia, and even Russia. Tucked away in a Mundelein strip mall, this hidden gem features a menu packed with more than 70 dishes—including more than 17 kinds of shish kebabs, an Armenian specialty. Chefs cook these kebabs slowly over hardwood charcoal, relying on spices, fragrances, and other secret ingredients to elevate already sumptuous meats to another level. If you aren't planning on using the kebab skewer as a giant toothpick, though, the khachapuri adjarskie is also a good bet. This baked dish—essentially a Georgian pizza—comes loaded with feta cheese and topped with an egg yolk.