Bucktown packs a big dining scene within a small footprint

Since 1921, Margie's has been dishing out the best homemade ice cream in Chicago. The shop also sells homemade candies. The family-owned business has a long list of ardent fans who have been frequenting the place for decades. The interior hasn't changed much - booths with wood paneled walls, decorated with authentic throwback decor. While you can order sandwiches and other dinner items here, the real reason people come here are for the unparalleled ice cream sundaes. They're accompanied by a gravy boat full of homemade hot fudge or caramel, and served in the restaurant's trademark white clamshell-shaped bowls. Milkshakes are so thick you will need a spoon. Being a local favorite, and in a small space, it's always crowded. The line moves, but it's long. So best to go in off hours if possible.

Named after a Central American volcano, Irazu is reputed to be Chicago's first Costa Rican restaurant. The family-run business offers indigenous dishes of plantains, gallo pinto (beans, white rice, spices, and veggies), excellent and affordable burritos, and yummy and distinct shakes concocted with oatmeal, guanabana and tamarind. The restaurant isn't fancy, but the food is terrific. To venture outside of the ordinary, try tacos filled with mashed potatoes or one of the numerous seafood and chicken dishes. A large outdoor patio and BYOB (without a corkage fee) are even more reasons to love this place. The restaurant does not accept credit cards and there is usually plenty of metered street parking to be found.

The restaurant is small and the menu is small. But there's a big payoff when you dine here: excellent Asian food and bento boxes. Grab a seat at one of the 12 tables in the modestly decorated space and see what's on the ever-changing chalkboard menu. Your choices could include rice noodles in a chili-scented broth, or foods with Japanese, Korean and Thai flavors in the bento boxes. Boxes might include a heaping portion of barbecue bulgogi, short ribs with rice noodles, or house-made kimchi.If they're serving barbecue pork steamed buns, it's your lucky day, because it's a favorite among diners.

Bill Kim's trendy Asian fusion joint is a little shack hidden beneath the Blue Line train tracks. Locals crave the Belly Dog with Togarashi Fries (a hot dog topped with egg noodles, kimchi salsa and pickled green papaya), Tostones in a chimichurri sauce (deep fried plantains smothered with chimichurri sauce and lime juice) and brussels sprouts and chorizo. Most dishes run around $9 and are freshly prepared on the premises. There is both communal seating and individual tables so you can share your BYOB with others or your own party. It boasts a huge vegetarian following. Metered parking is not impossible but since the place is literally below the Blue Line, you don't have to venture far for your meal if you take the el.

If the ambience doesn't absolutely win you over, the wonderful French food certainly will. Romantic, intimate (restaurant is pretty small, typical of un bouchon) and so French. The menu is in French (with English translations) and includes many of the best and traditional French dishes: soupe a l'ognion, salade chevre chaud, steak frites, confit de canard and moules frites. Favorites among diners include the soupe a l'ognion, steak frites and moules frites. The extensive wine selection offers a nice range of bottles and price ranges and a full bar includes beers. Finish off the meal with a slice of their famous lemon tart.

The Bristol's food is imaginative and the menu is constantly changing. The place specializes in meats and whole-animal butchery and while that is the big draw for many diners, its vegetable dishes such as the Hokkaido squash are no less exciting. The duck fat fries and monkey bread can often be found on many diners' bill. Its cocktails are not an afterthought, either, and it has an equally impressive beer and wine menu. Although a high-end dining experience, its casual and comfortable setting gives it a more contemporary bistro feel. The restaurant does accept reservations and they are highly recommended because it does get very busy, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.