Place to eat: Artist's Cafe, Chicago, Illinois, United States

About this place:

Located at the base of the historic Fine Arts Building, this classic diner has been a popular lunch spot for theater and museum employees and patrons since 1961, and more recently students at the Columbia College art school nearby. Vintage, satisfying lunch counter fare (think burgers, tuna melts and malts — nothing gourmet, but nothing overpriced either) with efficient, if not exactly warm service. The atmosphere is worth the price of admission, but the homemade chips and the authentic malts are a bonus.