Blue Nile Restaurant (CLOSED)

You wouldn’t know it by looking at it, but this unassuming strip-mall gem is a restaurant to be reckoned with in Chicago’s Ethiopian scene. There are many dishes we’re tempted to pile onto the spongy injera, from the kitfo (buttery yet fiery ground beef) to the lega tibs (garlicky, oniony but slightly tough lamb). But no matter what, the yekuanta firfir is a must—the chunks of flavorful charred jerk beef mixed with peppery sauce is so delicious it should keep this place from going extinct.