Named after owner and veteran of the Chicago Board of Trade Steve Skrine, this is one of those stories where someone said, "hey, you cook so well you should open a restaurant!" But instead of the person shrugging off the compliment or opening a restaurant that crashes and burns, this story ends with a successful lunch spot.

The tiny South Loop storefront doesn't offer a whole lot on the menu, but what it does sell beats your standard lunchtime fast-food fare by a fair margin. Focusing on its specialty pork chop, seasoned beyond belief and grilled to a warm, juicy finish, Skrine Chops' choice menu item is, well, the Skrine Chop.

Other meats on the menu include the Skribs (a full slab of ribs for $16) and grilled chicken over rice (with side for $8). Three sides, which are far more appealing than a sack of fries, round out the menu: blue-cheese potato salad (huge chunks of spuds and celery with a nice kick of spice in the mix), the smashed potatoes and red beans and rice. You can also get sandwiches, which pack on a scoop of potatoes for added texture and taste.

Skrine stumbles a bit in its value—for a little less than $9 you walk out with one pork chop, a small tub of potato salad and no drink. Not much by way of economy, but the day traders seem to like it. With little space inside, it's best to take your lunch across the street and enjoy the tree-shaded plaza in the warmer months. Or, better yet, shuffle down the street to the Sky Ride Tap or Cal's Liquors.

Centerstage Reviewer: Karl Klockars