Rule of thumb when it comes to fast-food dining in Chicago and beyond: When in doubt, eat where the cops eat. And I've never been in Windy City Gyros without seeing a couple of cops stop in for a burger, a beef or a chicken sandwich special. A takeout joint in the Greek diner style, Windy City Gyros is also a late-night destination for drunken dining on the north edge of Lakeview.

The eponymous gyros sandwich is piled high with meat and glistening with grease (in a good way), burgers are cooked to order, fries are always hot and chickens constantly spin in their rotisserie oven. Salads are pre-portioned and sit in their plastic containers, awaiting the poor soul that would dare attempt eating healthily here.

The cost might be a touch higher than the norm; such is the price you pay for having your food cooked after you order as opposed to having it hanging out under the heat lamp. This also means you'll wait a couple minutes if you don't call in advance – but you can kill some time with the video slot machines ("for entertainment ONLY!") across from the counter.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Karl Klockars