Time Out Chicago Tips Hat to Lake View Eateries

The end of the year beckons "Best of" reports when it comes to anything from photographs to customer service.

We'll be the first to admit that not all lists are worth a look. But this one is. Time Out Chicago recently released—a tad early, this year—its 100 Favorite Things we Ate or Drank in 2012 rundown. Bucktown, Wicker Park and Logan Square had particularly impressive showings, but so did other North Side neighborhoods.

Be sure to visit Time Out for a printable wish list that includes every nugget that made the cut.

Until then, we've plucked out the Lake View foods that ranked, along with comments from Time Out food reviewers, Julia Kramer, Heather Shouse and David Tamarkin. Bon appétit!

Appetizers

5411 Empanadas, 2850 N. Clark St.

• Mushroom, blue-cheese empanada
  • Comment: "Normally something as small as this palm-size pocket would be overpowered by blue cheese. Here, it’s balanced by a strong dose of thyme."

Backwoods

• Belgian-style fries at Backwoods
  • Comment: "The best fries in Chicago? No. The best salty, crispy, mayo-accompanied food served from a takeout window until 2am in Boystown? Oh, hell yes."

Indie Burger, 1034 W Belmont Ave.

• Onion rings
  • Comments: "There’s a lot to like about Indie Burger, not the least of which is its politics: These guys have done their research on what it means to be 'local' and 'sustainable' and haven’t sacrificed the burger’s flavor in the process. But enough political talk. Let’s talk about their crunchy, greaseless, perfect onion rings.

Entrees

D.S. Tequila Company, 3352 N. Halsted St. (Boystown)

• Steak tacos
  • Comment: "Yes, you’re at a place with the word tequila in its name, but trust us: These coffee-rubbed steak tacos taste good even before you get drunk." 

Falafill, 3202 N Broadway (Boystown)

• Curry falafel
  • Comment: "Falafel made with chickpeas is so…old-fashioned. These smooth-on-the-inside, super-crunchy-on-the-outside balls of curried pureed yellow lentils are the future."