Few things are as representative of Southern cuisine than a seafood feast. One of last year’s biggest surprises offers a variety of fresh catch—from crab legs and shrimp to crawfish and lobsters—for diners to get their hands on. Include a generous BYOB policy and you can understand why it’s one of the longest waits in town at the moment. There's also a newer location in Wicker Park.

Cajun fare has seen a bit of a renaissance around these parts in the past few years and Luella’s is one of the newer spots doing great things in the kitchen. The menu offers a fine take on Southern cooking with contemporary creations like a Creole-flavored roasted beet salad as well as traditional dishes such as chicken & dumplings and shrimp po’ boys.

Having a varied spread of dishes is always a good thing so head to Pearl’s for Cajun small plates and other Southern-inspired comfort foods. Sample a bit of everything by feasting on smoked pork poutine, crispy boudin balls, Mississippi catfish bites, savory crawfish cheesecake and more. The menu also offers a variety of barbecue options and big plates like blackened catfish and a double cut pork chop.

Jimmy Bannos' popular downtown Cajun eatery has been around for three decades and is always a solid lunch spot for classics such as jambalaya, red beans and rice with andouille, and a variety of po’ boys.

One of Chicago’s top destinations for Southern cooking features a comforting menu of beignets, boudin rouge and other charcuterie, Cajun-style gumbo, shrimp and grits, and more educational and historic Southern recipes. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the famous fried chicken, an Edna Lewis recipe that fries the bird in leaf lard, ham drippings and clarified butter.

Legendary Chicago blues artist Buddy Guy calls this club home and frequently performs here. Enjoy dinner and a show like you would on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans and take in live music seven nights a week. The menu features soulful selections like Cajun popcorn (fried crawfish tails), etouffee, and fried oysters.

It’s best-known for its barbecue but you can also find plenty of Cajun dishes on the menu at Chuck’s Café. Next time pass on the delicious ribs and brisket and try a po’ boy instead, or one of the many other specialties like crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and the Southern fried catfish dinner.

A popular breakfast and brunch spot in Lakeview, Wishbone will satisfy that Cajun craving in the morning with favorites like jambalaya omelet, shrimp and grits, crawfish cakes, and blackened catfish.