The sequel to its River West location on West Lake, Baba Pita's modest Lincoln Park location features the same hummus- and salad-dominated menu as its predecessor, emitting a charming "hole-in-the-wall" atmosphere with several cushy, pillow-lined booths and the subtle background noise of Middle Eastern techno.

As one might expect, the hummus here particularly stands out, a blend that mixes perfectly with a plateful of warm pitas. But the entrees themselves more than hold their own. The chicken kabob sandwich packs a pita pocket with marinated chicken, tomatoes and plenty of parsley, with a garlic sauce for dipping at only $5.99. Add a small fava bean or tabbouleh salad (both tasty on their own without chicken) for $2.25, and we're talking about enough food to last you all day for under $10. While baklava is an obvious choice for dessert, it's cheaper to be even more exotic – 99 cents for mamoul, a Lebanese date-filled cookie topped with sugar.

A purchase of any entrée or sandwich comes with a free can of pop, a little complementary add-on to your meal that should nonetheless be ignored. Pay the extra $1.99 for the homemade mint green tea, a sweet, piping-hot treat that's worth it even on the hottest of afternoons. Plus, you can forget the obligatory post-dinner peppermint and just chew on the mint leaves when you're done.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Andy Seifert