Recent restaurant reviews and profiles from Tribune food critic Phil Vettel, Tribune Newspapers staff reporters and freelance writers. No stars indicates a restaurant has been profiled but not reviewed, and does not reflect on quality of dining.

18th Street BreweryAfter being named best new brewer in Indiana in 2013 by RateBeer, 18th Street Brewery launched brew pubs in Gary and, more recently, Hammond. Under head chef Craig Goodall, who spent four years doing catering with the Horseshoe Casino, the menu includes poutine, a cheeseburger with jalapeno bacon jam, chili-rubbed chicharrones, wings, cheese curds, chicken banh mi and more. The draft and carry-out lists are updated regularly online. Open: Lunch and dinner daily. Prices: Entrees $6-$16. 5417 N. Oakley Ave., Hammond, 219-803-0820. — Jessi Virtusio

BC Osaka This Asian buffet stands out from competitors in every way. Food is served on pretty white ceramic platters from a dark wood buffet complete with intricate carved cork art. On offer: Chinese, American and Japanese cuisine, including a soup buffet and beef, chicken, shrimp and veggies prepared on a hibachi grill. Or, nix the buffet for seating around the hibachi for a show of chopping, slicing and flipping before you eat. Open: Lunch and dinner daily. Prices: Buffet $10-$15, with discounts for children; hibachi menu $22-$38. 2999 E. Lincoln Highway, Merrillville, IN, 219-947-9888. — Heather Augustyn

Burgerhaus The menu at this fun-loving burger joint tells of a fictional character named Sir J.E. Burghstein, who traveled to lost civilizations to discover the “finest ingredients in the known world” — now used, of course, in the Burgerhaus kitchen. Burgers, a custom-ground blend of brisket and chuck from Davis Creek Farms in Kalamazoo, Mich., include The Salamanca, with chorizo, verde salsa, pepper jack cheese, avocado, chipotle mayo and crunchy tortilla chips. Also on the menu: salads, wraps, tacos, chili and fries. Open: Lunch and dinner daily. Prices: Entrees $10-$15. 3304 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso, 219-286-3296. — H.A.

The Dugout This hot dog spot has a place in the Vienna Beef Hall of Fame based on a host of criteria. The math comes to about a million and half hot dogs served over 30-plus years. Besides hot dogs, the restaurant also moves a lot of beef sandwiches and breaded steak sandwiches, as well as spaghetti and mostaccioli. Open: Lunch and dinner daily. Prices: $3-$8. 6300 W. 79th St., Burbank, 708-599-7333. — Phil Arvia

Embers Tap House The historic Volz Building in downtown Lockport has been completely remodeled for this 5,000-square-foot restaurant with wood floors and original brick walls, a second-floor banquet room and rooftop patio overlooking the Illinois & Michigan Canal. The menu of modern American food, with a focus on organic and locally sourced ingredients, comes from executive chef Mike Hernandez, formerly of downtown Chicago's swanky rooftop steakhouse Zed451. Try fare including a 12-ounce bone-in pork chop, calamari with homemade giardiniera and wings with vanilla bean porter sauce, plus salads, sandwiches and flatbreads with daily specials from the smoker. A kids' menu has five choices for $5 including a drink. On 40 taps, find selections from local craft breweries Pollyanna, Lagunitas, Two Brothers and Revolution. Open: Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Prices: Entrees $8-$18. 933 S. State St., Lockport, 815-552-3031. — Vickie Jurkowski

Fat Rosie's Taco and Tequila Bar Fat Rosie's delivers Mexican eats in a lively atmosphere. Drink margaritas alongside favorites like enchiladas, cochinitia pibil (roasted pork shoulder) and more. On Sundays, a Bloody Maria bar — the drink is made with tequila instead of vodka — features 30 condiments. Open: Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday, brunch and dinner Sunday. Prices: Tacos $4-$5; entrees $12-$24. 28 Kansas St., Frankfort, 815-534-1640 — J.V.

Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes Tasting the food at another location of Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes inspired Oak Lawn native Kal Mohamed to invest in bringing the international chain to the Southland. “I instantly got a gut feeling this is something Chicago will definitely appreciate,” Mohamed says. The fast-casual restaurant offers never-frozen American beef patties, turkey burgers and black-bean veggie burgers on white or wheat buns baked in-house, with the gluten-free option to sub in a lettuce wrap instead. On the side: regular or sweet potato fries and milkshakes. Open: Lunch and dinner daily. Prices: Burgers $5 and up. 6256 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn, 708-907-5571. — J.V.

The Original Pancake House At the Oak Lawn location of the national chain, find the basics — pancakes, eggs, waffles and crepes — sticking to the tried-and-true recipes of the Portland, Ore. original. The menu boasts 18 pancakes, but the house specialty is the apple version, baked with fresh apples and a cinnamon glaze. Open: Breakfast and lunch daily. Prices: Entrees $6-$13. 10900 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Lawn, 708-346-9800. — P.A.

Porkchop The Glenwood location of this barbecue spot shares a menu with its five other restaurants, all in the city. Sandwiches run the gamut, from grilled cheese to a fried oyster po'boy. Entree options include barbecued or fried chicken, brisket, baby back or beef short ribs, rib tips and a platter that touches all the bases — a quarter-slab, a hot link, pulled chicken and pork sliders, brisket, corn on the cob, coleslaw and cornbread with honey butter for $29. There are an array of desserts (highlighted by the bacon maple glazed doughnuts) and sides (including sweet potato fries and collard greens), and four house-made barbecue sauces are available at each table. Open: Lunch and dinner daily. Prices: Sandwiches $8-$12; entrees start at $13. 40 Nugent St., Glenwood, 708-757-9333. — P.A.

Uncle John's Bar-B-Que “All smoke, no joke” is the tagline at Uncle John's, a successor to one of Chicago's most iconic barbecue joints. Rib tips and hot links are the signature items, but the menu offers all the staples, including spare ribs, barbecue chicken, wings and more. The restaurant has seating for only 20 people, so most diners go with the carry-out option. Prices: Ribs and tips, hot links and turkey all start at $8.95. Chicken starts at $5.49, while combos start at $12.95. Uncle John's Bar-B-Que also serves a value menu with fries and daily specials. Mondays to Fridays. Open: Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday. Prices: $5 and up. 17947 S. Halsted St., Homewood, 708-960-4612. — J.V.