A slightly cheaper, greasy spoon diner stasis between Hollywood Grill to the south and Golden Nugget to the north, this Bucktown spot shuts its doors before the bar set can flood – 7 p.m. on weeknights, even earlier on the weekend. It largely dishes $4.95 breakfast and lunch specials to the hungover set in throngs, who really could care less that the place is drenched in beat-up, pink pleather booths and matching pink Venetian blinds.

The menu is poster diner, with salads, burgers and melts easily scored for $5-$6, while chops and dinner plates fall anywhere between $8 for a roast half chicken and $13 for a NY strip. The one odd exception to 'diner' would be the Korean-inspired bul-go-gi dish, which is just some sliced up rib-eye marinated with a little sugar and a side of rice ($11).

And then of course all that good American comfort food comes with a requisite bowl of soup or salad, potato, vegetable, etc. Keep count on coffee, though, there’s a two-refill minimum.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Gavin Paul