Irazu
Named for the highest volcano in Costa Rica, this tiny restaurant located between Wicker and Humboldt Park represents the city’s only Costa Rican eatery. Opened by Miriam and Girardo Cerdas in 1990, Irazu’s popularity rose early on and never looked back. Finding a middle point between Mexican and Central American cuisine, Irazu specializes in foods using atypical ingredients, like plantains, cassava and yucca. For the less adventurous, it’s worth noting that Irazu serves the greatest vegetarian burrito anywhere, stuffed with rice, beans, hot peppers, avocado and mushrooms.
1865 North Milwaukee (773)252-5687
Best of Chicago 2002