Yet another restaurant specializing in a classic Chicago-style pizza, Carmen's serves tasty thin-crust in addition to the very filling stuffed version. You'll find the usual toppings: spinach, sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, green peppers and black olives, to name a few. If pizza isn't your thing, take your pick of pasta dishes (capellini, manicotti or linguine) or have a sandwich loaded with Italian beef or sausage. The dessert menu is far less extensive, but has the eternal Italian favs: cheesecake and cannolis.

The restaurant is located in downtown Evanston only a block away from the Century Theatre. Though the outside of the restaurant is less than aesthetically pleasing, the interior is pleasant, and the restaurant's two spacious floors are well suited for meetings or social gatherings.

Average cost: $10-$20