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.

Ariston The Vienna Beef Hall of Fame has made Ariston part of its 2016 Hall of Fame class, lauding the restaurant as “both a purveyor of consistently good quality food and a credit to the community.” But a typical day at the venerable Hazel Crest joint sees hot dogs as just one of dozens of options — gyros, Italian beef, Polish sausage — sold out of its kitchen. Also available are a variety of burgers, rotisserie chicken, tacos and burritos. Open: Daily until late. Prices: Entrees $3-$8. 17501 S. Kedzie Ave., Hazel Crest, 708-799-6166. — Phil Arvia

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, Ind., 219-947-9888. — Heather Augustyn

Bear Down Barbecue & Catering Co. Bear Down Barbecue is always smoking, even when a certain Chicago team isn’t. What started as a farmers market favorite is now this brick-and-mortar shop, which smokes meat daily using a combo of cherry and oak wood. Meats can come either dry-rubbed or sauced in a blend of sweet heat and tang. Open: Lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday. Prices: $6-$25. 20857 S. LaGrange Road, Frankfort, 779-324-5256.

— Jessi Virtusio

Harvest Room Chef Jonathan Harootunian manages a nifty balancing act at this eco-conscious south suburban restaurant, presenting cutting-edge dishes with dashes of molecular gastronomy (sweet-pea risotto with yuzu shrimp and a sphere of liquid lemon) as well as comforting pappardelle pasta with bison sugo, and a first-rate hamburger. The ambitious beverage program includes very good craft cocktails, a deep wine list and specialty teas. Open: Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Prices: Entrees $13-$35. 7164 W. 127th St., Palos Heights, 708-671-8905. — Phil Vettel

Hidden Manna Cafe This cafe is known for its Cajun-Creole fare. Gumbo and rice, and shrimp and grits are customer favorites. But common items like soup, salads and sandwiches are also available. Open: Breakfast and lunch Monday to Thursday, breakfast through dinner Friday and Saturday. Prices: $8 for signature items. 3613 W. 216th St., Matteson, 708-248-5571. — J.V.

Miller’s Ale House This casual, family-friendly restaurant and bar is great if you want to walk in and watch the game. The Florida-based nationwide chain opened in the Chicago Ridge Mall spot formerly occupied by Tilted Kilt. The menu is heavy on grilled items; expect steaks, seafood and more, such as the quarter-pound full rack of baby back ribs served on Mondays, or the 12-ounce prime rib on Thursdays. Open: Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Prices: Entrees $8-$12. 6401 W. 95th St., Chicago Ridge, 708-290-3312. — 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.

Primal Cut Steakhouse Primal Cut offers steaks carved and dry-aged in-house, served in a beautiful dining room. Selections include a 22-ounce bone-in rib-eye and 22-ounce bone-in New York strip. Open: Dinner daily, lunch Saturday-Sunday. Prices: Sandwiches and steaks $10-$60. 17344 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park, 708-407-8150. — Vickie Jurkowski

Redbird Cafe Chefs Megan Chandler and Reed Hanawalt, both of Homewood, make seasonal farm-to-table dishes from a menu created by owner Kim Nolen. The restaurant’s vegan and vegetarian following flock to a menu that is extensively plant-based. Open: Breakfast and lunch daily. Prices: Dishes start at $6. 2057 Ridge Road, Homewood, 708-914-4947. — J.V.

Rustic Knead At the counter of this bakery and sandwich shop, watch bakers shape, cut and dress the dough for Danishes, kolaczki and more. Breakfast sandwiches come with egg, cheese and bacon; at lunch, BLTs and more tower on house-made baguettes, made from flour milled to order in Wisconsin. Loaves of bread to-go include rye, whole grain, raisin walnut and sourdough. Open: Breakfast and lunch daily. Prices: Breakfast $4 and up, lunch $7 and up. 1130 State St., Lemont, 630-296-0660. — V.J.

Skillets Walk into Skillets, and you’ll see customers greeting owner Carol Kirincic as if they were old friends. It’s likely because they actually are; the co-owner of longtime favorite Michael’s, on 45th Avenue, and her husband had sold the place in 2013 and were just getting comfortable with retirement when the new owners couldn’t keep up. Not wanting to see their 28-year legacy disappear, the two got back in the game and reopened as Skillets, with shorter hours but an expanded menu. Hits include a tequila lime chicken sandwich, served on a pretzel bun, and fluffy, simple cinnamon French toast. Open: Breakfast and lunch daily. Prices: Entrees $5-$9. 2040 45th Ave., Highland, Ind., 219-924-7604. — Michelle L. Quinn

Tribes Alehouse This family-friendly brewpub offers dishes that 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 is impressive, teaming a selection of ales made at the 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, 708-966-2051. — V.J.