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.

AneMoNe This family-owned restaurant offers Italian-, Greek- and French-inspired dishes. Among the more popular items are the Neapolitan-style pizzas baked in the wood-burning brick oven, identical to the ones used in Naples, Italy. Other menu items include handmade pastas, homemade gelatos, sandwiches and kebabs. Entrees start at $12.99. The restaurant also serves breakfast, including omelets, skillets and pancakes. Open daily. 6431 W. 127 St., Palos Heights, 708-897-0003.

— Donna Vickroy

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. — Jessi Virtusio

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. Other traditional breakfasts include oatmeal and corned beef hash. Open: Breakfast and lunch daily. Prices: Entrees $6-$13. 10900 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Lawn, 708-346-9800.

— Phil Arvia

Paddy B's Restaurant and Pub A comfortable pldace with reasonable prices, Paddy B's is a staple in the community. The pub grub menu includes sandwiches, burgers, chicken and seafood. Owner Tim McCarthy says, “We're known for our corned beef sandwiches. We go that extra mile and don't use processed beef. People appreciate that.” Open: Lunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday. 11969 W. 143rd St., Orland Park, 708-349-3077. — J.V.

Palos Hills Pancake House The 50-seat restaurant offers a family-friendly atmosphere that encourages lingering over coffee — or getting some work done on your laptop via the free Wi-Fi. Breakfast favorites include biscuits and gravy, crepes, eggs benedict and French toast stuffed with honey cream cheese; service is attentive and excellent. Open: Breakfast and lunch daily. Prices: Entrees $6-$10. 10719 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills, 708-974-9010. — J.V.

Papa Joe's Only a mile from its longtime home at 107th Street and Cicero Avenue, the new restaurant on 111th Street seats approximately 120 people. The menu features longtime favorites such as pastas, seafood and pizza as well as broiler selections and chicken dishes. Appetizers include fresh raw clams, Grandma's baked shrimp and Joe's wings. All sauces, soups and pastas are made in-house. Open: Dinner daily, lunch and dinner Sundays. 5900 W. 111th St., Chicago Ridge; 708-636-5030.

— J.V.

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.

Red Cup Cafe & Deli With a comfortable atmosphere of velvet couches, leather chairs, bookshelves and vintage vinyl playing from the turntable, this restaurant suits both solo Wi-Fi sessions and lunch with the gang. Choose from a menu of sandwiches, soups, salad and quiche; baked goods include pistachio and French toast muffins. Baristas whip up all the usual coffee drinks, plus rich Mayan hot chocolate. Open: Breakfast and lunch Monday-Saturday. Prices: Entrees $7-$9. 115 Broadway, Chesterton, Ind., 219-929-1804. — Heather Augustyn

The Red Palm Bar & Grill A 20-foot palm tree adorned in red lights welcomes patrons to this island-themed oasis in Evergreen Park, where a wood-fired oven turns out everything from chicken wings to pizza. A taco flight includes steak, chicken and Hawaiian shredded pork; a Hawaiian pizza is piled with pineapple, bacon and ham; and Hawaiian-style guacamole is made with diced pineapple, mango, cilantro and jalapeno. The island theme permeates the 70-seat patio, which features fire pits and Tiki torches; in colder weather, sip tropical cocktails indoors. Open: Lunch and dinner daily. Prices: Entrees $8-$12. 3020 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park, 708-581-3154.

— J.V.

Tribes Alehouse A new chef has overhauled the menu at this family-friendly brewpub. Dishes now include a lobster crabcake with lemon-habanero tartar; avocado stuffed with blue cheese and mushrooms; and a burger with Serrano ham, goat cheese and beer onions; and jerk-marinated chicken with coconut and black bean rice. The beer list remains impressive, teaming a selection of ales made at the new Tribes brewery in Mokena with brews from Two Brothers, Pipeworks, Half Acre and more. Open: Lunch and dinner daily. Prices: Entrees $12-$28. 9501 W. 171st St., Tinley Park, 708-966-2015. — Vickie Jurkowski

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. Lunch selections featuring mini versions of menu items are served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Open: Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday. Prices: $5 and up. 17947 S. Halsted St., Homewood, 708-960-4612.

— J.V.