Chicago

Calypso Café is a “mutt” restaurant, serving various dishes from around the Caribbean. This Hyde Park spot is easy to get to, has a bright, spacious atmosphere, great staff, and is next to the famous Checkerboard Lounge. Although the main dishes aren’t “authentic” worth a dam, they taste quite good. So unless you’re a snotty professional food critic or missing your long lost Caribbean roots (cook it yourself), the level of authenticity doesn’t matter. The portions are humongous, even the appetizers and drinks. Start off with the conch & shrimp fritters or the Plantain Nachos drizzled with black bean sauce, cheese, pico de gallo, and jerk chicken. It serves about three; so don’t be stingy. Mix that with a giant, tasty island drink so that you can be nice and mellow. Then relax and take in the tropical vibe because the service is slow. It’s the islands mon, whatchu expect? For the main course, grab the delectable Pineapple-Glazed Tilapia or the Oxtail Stew. End your quasi-Caribbean experience with a heavenly slice of that Key Lime Pie baby! I promise, Calypso Café will get you through until your next trip to the islands.

Photo:  Tina Fakhrid-Deen