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.

SOUTH SUBURBS

18th Street Brewery After 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, Ind., 219-803-0820. — Jessi Virtusio

Arrowhead Ales Brewing Co. From the house porter demi-glace short rib to the beer-candied bacon creme brulee, the secret ingredient is beer, beer and more beer at family-friendly Arrowhead Ales Brewing Co. For instance, Devil’s Breakfast, one of the signature brews crafted in the seven-barrel system located onsite, is an imperial oatmeal stout made with chocolate and coffee that’s used in the syrup for the IPA-fried chicken and Belgian waffles. There’s plenty on the menu beyond the beer as well. Open: Lunch and dinner daily; late-night Friday-Saturday. Prices: Entrees $9-$20. 2101 Calistoga Drive, New Lenox, 815-717-6068. — Vickie Jurkowski

Diane’s Place This Palos Height spot grew out of moving the longtime Tastee Freez at 119th Street and Harlem Avenue to 123rd Street and Harlem. The new restaurant offers char burgers, sandwiches, cake, homemade candy and, of course, ice cream. Diane’s Place also hosts monthly cooking classes and Sunday classic car shows from spring to fall. Open: Daily. Prices: $1.50 and up. 12306 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Heights, 708-923-0010. — J.V.

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 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. — V.J.

Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery Smoked meats have been added to the menu at this Flossmoor mainstay, and the establishment’s year-round beers are back to their original hoppiness, thanks to head brewer Ryan Czaja. On the menu: smoked chicken, smoked ribs and smoked pork. Open: Lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Prices: Sandwiches $11. 1035 Sterling Ave., Flossmoor, 708-957-2739. — J.V.

Girl in the Park At this casual, family-friendly restaurant, you’ll find creative cocktails and locally sourced food. The top-selling burgers are made with a blend of 28-day aged brisket and chuck beef, and served on a pretzel, brioche or gluten-free bun. The menu also offers gluten-free pasta, truffle fries, Buffalo chicken pizza, and Southwestern and Greek chicken salads. Open: Lunch and dinner Wednesday-Sunday. Prices: Entrees $10 and up. 11265 W. 159th St., Orland Park, 708-226-0042. — V.J.

MyGrain Brewery Thirteen craft beers on tap, friendly service, a gastropub menu and a modern-industrial vibe in a historic setting are what you’ll find here. The menu has vegetarian and gluten-free options and ranges from fresh takes on tacos, burgers and fish to duck poutine with Fresno chilis, octopus with baby bok choy and charcuterie with fig jam. The owners try to incorporate beer anywhere they can. Open: Lunch and dinner all week. Prices: Entrees $9.95-$24.95. 50 E. Jefferson St., Joliet, 815-345-3339. — Vickie Snow Jurkowski

Opera House Steak & Seafood A chef who hand-cuts all wet-aged steaks and an in-house pastry chef are the behind-the-scenes stars of a new Plainfield steakhouse, located in a grand setting that housed operas, motion pictures and a dance hall in the early 1900s. The 18-ounce bone-in Kansas City strip and roasted halibut with lobster risotto, lemon basil mustard cream sauce and garlic-roasted tomatoes are the most-requested entrees. Open: Dinner Tuesday-Saturday. 15060 S. Illinois St., Plainfield, 815-782-5916. — V.J.

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. — V.J.

Twisted Q This Homewood spot is so much more than just barbecue. Owner Doug Brown takes pride in dishes from salmon to banana leaf-cooked tilapia, in addition to slow-smoked brisket (cooked for 14 hours) and other standard barbecue fare. Open: Lunch and dinner daily. Prices: Dishes $4-$11. 2053 Ridge Road, Homewood, 708-957-8899. — J.V.

Uncle John’s Bar-B-Que Visit 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.