Dec 22, 2025 - Food and Drink

The 10 best dishes Monica ate in 2025

Monica Eng

Woman wearing glasses, a colorful knit hat, and a black jacket holds food with pickles and shredded topping outdoors at a winter market with snow and tents in the background. — Sauerkraut-topped pickled herring from the Christkindlmarket didn't make Monica's Top 10 dishes this year, but it was pretty delicious. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

I tried a lot of dishes this year. Here were my favorites.

1. The longanisa croissant ($10) from Del Sur Bakery.

Close-up of a crispy, layered golden-brown onion or pastry topped with chopped green onions, served on a colorful blue and yellow plate with dragon designs on a brown table. — Longanisa croissant filled with a savory Filipino sausage and drizzled with soy sauce caramel from Del Sur. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Believe the hype about this Filipino-Midwestern bakery run by chef Justin Lerias, but also heed his tips for beating the lines in our story here.

2. Lemon pizza ($14) from Sorellina outside Hollywood Casino in Joliet

Close-up of a freshly baked pizza with a thick, charred crust, topped with melted cheese, herbs, and shredded Parmesan on a red and white patterned plate. — This Neapolitan-style pie, topped with candied lemons, garlic crème and caciocavallo cheese, deliciously blends sweet, salty and citrus. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Even if you're not into gambling, the food court and restaurants outside the new Hollywood Casino complex in Joliet make this place worth a visit. I was astounded by Stephanie Izard's sandwiches at Lucky Goat and Giada De Laurentiis' Italian fare at Sorellina.

3. Berry cream pie from Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook

Slice of creamy cheesecake topped with fresh blackberries and dark red berry sauce on a white plate. — Berry cream pie at Prairie Grass Cafe. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Chef Sarah Stegner is renowned for her seasonal treats and this summer's berry cream pie (her mom's recipe) from July haunts me still. Check back with her next summer to see if she puts it on the menu again.

4. Sausage roll ($16) at Hawksmoor's Beef & Liberty Bar in River North

Three golden-brown sausage rolls on a wooden tray with a small white cup of dipping sauce and a filled wine glass in a dimly lit setting. — The Beef & Liberty Bar sausage roll. Photo: Courtesy of Hawksmoor

Even in a city of great sausages, this puff pastry filled with juicy pastured pork and Cabot clothbound cheddar stands out.

5. Roasted carrots ($10) at Community Tavern in Portage Park

Blue and white floral patterned bowl filled with roasted orange baby carrots topped with crumbled nuts and creamy dollops, beside a silver spoon on a wooden surface. — Roasted Werp Farm carrots with grilled leeks, Thai basil curry, almonds and miso mayo. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

You will never think of carrots the same way after eating these lovingly prepared root vegetables at Community Tavern where I got them as a happy hour snack.

6. Baklava cheesecake ($15) at Anatolia Mediterranean in Lincoln Park

Slice of creamy dessert with green pistachio crumbs on a white plate, served with a small square dish of dark chocolate sauce on a white tablecloth. — Baklava cheesecake. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

I would never spend $15 on a slice of cheesecake, except this one. Made with a decadent housemade Turkish cream cheese, one piece is so rich it's plenty for the whole table, especially drizzled in the intense chocolate sauce that comes with it.

7. Smoked and braised beef ribs ($40) at M'daKhan in Bridgeview

Two pieces of meat on rice — Smoked short ribs. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

For barbecue lovers (and even vegetarians), Bridgeview's M'daKhan delivers some of the best smoked meat and Middle Eastern food in the Chicago area. Even if you're far from the South Suburbs, this place is worth a trip for these tender, smoky ribs, housemade bread and more.

8. Slagel Farms eggs Benedict ($24) at Cima in Rosemont at the Hyatt Centric Hotel

White plate with roasted potato wedges and eggs Benedict topped with green sauce and herbs, on a woven black and gray placemat. — Slagel eggs Benedict with summer tomatoes at Cima. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Few have high expectations for an airport hotel restaurant, but Cima goes above and beyond with Publican Quality Bread and meat, produce and eggs from local farms.

9. Smoked chicken and collard cigars from Soul & Smoke in Evanston

Green leaves rolled and standing upright in clear glass ashtrays filled with grey ash on a dark surface. — Smoked chicken cigars. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Moto alums and Soul & Smoke owners D'Andre Carter and Heather Bublick served this "cigar" of smoked chicken in collard greens dipped in spice "ash" at special events in 2025 and plan to put it on the menu at their revamped Evanston location this year.

10. Beef rendang ($15) at Rendang Republic in Wrigleyville

Plate on banana leaf with brown spiced chicken, white rice topped with fried onions and lime, cooked greens, sliced peppers, green salsa, red chili sauce, and crackers. — A Rendang plate served with rice, beef rendang, collard greens, chilis and fried shallots. Photo: Courtesy of @actionbooth

Chef John Avila brought Indonesia's signature stew to Chicago in 2025 with spectacular results at his Rendang Republic. The big dilemma here is whether to get the rendang, Indo-inspired Duck Inn dogs or the chicken sandwich.

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