By Trent Modglin

Beacon burger at The Beacon Tap

This lively sports bar in Des Plaines has some of the best daily specials you’ll find in the area, not to mention an alluring patio for summertime. Thursdays happen to be $12 burger night, but trust us, the Beacon burger should be on your radar no matter what day you stop by. This beauty comes stacked high with a pair of four-ounce patties, crispy sriracha onion strings, Merkts cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles and a garlic-buttered brioche bun.

Oh, and their secret hot donkey sauce, a recipe we need to get our hands on soon. If they’d only hand it over. For a side, you can never go wrong with their crispy curly fries.

1374 Lee Street in Des Plaines. TheBeaconTap.com

The Burrito Don Juan at Don Juan’s Cantina

When you skipped lunch and a giant burrito from the popular Don Juan’s Cantina is calling your name, you should always answer. This deep-fried wonder comes with your choice of ground beef, chicken, chorizo or grilled skirt steak, as well as plenty of melted chihuahua cheese, rice and refried beans. We recommend topping it with sour cream and homemade guacamole. In other words… perfection.

When you skipped lunch and a giant burrito from the popular Don Juan’s is calling your name, you should always answer.

Might we add that it pairs rather well with one of their specialty frozen strawberry margaritas or an icy glass of Modelo, but that would probably go without saying.

650 N. Northwest Highway in Park Ridge. DJsCantina.com

Seafood platter at the Howard Street Inn

We’ve ordered this as an appetizer to share at the table on several occasions, but we think next time it’s going to serve as our entree instead. And we’ll just skip the sharing part. The reason is simple: It’s a Louisiana grandmother’s recipe. We’re talking a combination of blackened shrimp, buffalo shrimp, tuna-stuffed avocado and stuffed crabs.

We’re talking a combination of blackened shrimp, buffalo shrimp, tuna-stuffed avocado and stuffed crabs. … Each one could be its own appetizer, but combine them and it’s borderline ridiculous.

Each one could be its own appetizer, but combine them and it’s borderline ridiculous. Tough call, but the stuffed crabs are probably the highlight with fresh lump crab meat, bread crumbs, peppers, celery, scallions, some subtle Cajun seasoning and remoulade sauce all baked together and then stuffed back into the crab shell. Insider’s tip: Take advantage of some great daily drink specials too.

6700 W. Howard St. in Niles. HowardStreetInn.com

Indo Chinese chicken noodles at Thalaiva’s Indian Kitchen

South India’s Kongu region is the source for the majority of Thalaiva’s dishes, made from time-honored recipes passed down through generations. And making a decision is never easy here, even if you do have your favorites.

We recently added the Indo-Chinese chicken noodles to our order and couldn’t be more delighted to have found a new favorite side dish. It’s a savory and flavorful bowl of stir-fried noodles with mixed vegetables, soy sauce and enough spices to give it a nice-but-not-overwhelming kick.

110 S. Prospect Ave. in Park Ridge. ThalaivasIndianKitchen.com

Chicken gyro at Mully’s Grill

We have a very difficult time not just going with our old reliables here — those being the Mully’s burger, Italian beef or regular gyro. But we went the chicken route on a post-basketball game visit this winter, and we may be adding it to the short list.

Hand-stacked seasoned chicken, onions, tomatoes and tzatziki sauce stuffed into a pocket pita with some tasty Greek rice alongside. Go ahead and ask for a second pita because you’re gonna need it.

24 Main Street in Park Ridge. MullysGrill.com

This Irish specialty in a mild curry sauce had somehow escaped us until recently, but it won’t any longer.

Chicken curry at Harp & Fiddle

We thought we’d tried almost everything on the Harp & Fiddle menu since moving to town six-plus years ago, but we were wrong.

This Irish specialty had somehow escaped us until recently, but it won’t any longer. Tender chunks of chicken are sautéed with fresh vegetables, tossed in a mild Irish curry sauce and laid over a bed of basmati rice to make for one delightful meal.

110 Main Street in Park Ridge. TheHarpAndFiddle.com

Fried chicken sandwich at Tavern on the Point

Sometimes, a good old fashioned fried chicken sandwich just hits the spot. And we really enjoyed this Edison Park restaurant’s version this winter. It’s perfectly crispy and juicy, topped with coleslaw and a spicy mayo and served on a soft brioche bun. Choose between fries, seasonal fruit or a salad on the side and you’re good to go.

6724 N. Northwest Highway in Edison Park. TavernOnThePoint.com