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.

95ate5 It’s a family affair at 95ate5, where woodwork is courtesy of general manager Bill Mix’s father, while Mix’s brother supplied the tree strung with Edison bulbs. The restaurant seats 100, with live entertainment on the weekend, open mic on Tuesdays and trivia on Wednesdays. Eight beers are on tap daily, with the rotation including Wildrose Brewing Co., Trumpet Brewing Co. and Burn ‘Em Brewing. Open: Lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Prices: Entrees start at $7. 9585 N. Industrial Drive, St. John, Ind., 219-365-6506. — Jessi Virtusio

Bella Mia The folks at Bella Mia in Midlothian strive to make every diner feel special, offering friendly service in a homey mom-and-pop environment. House-made pastas include lasagna, linguine and baked mostaccioli. Open: Dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Prices: Entrees $14-$28. 4648 W. 147th St., Midlothian, 708-925-0239. — Vickie Jurkowski

Benton Street Bakery Cafe Benton Street Bakery Cafe sits in a historic Crete building that formerly housed Annie’s Cafe and Tea Room. On the menu, you’ll find classic baked goods and cafe-style sandwiches, with additional pastries such as cheesecakes and Napoleons on Fridays and Saturdays. Popular lunch selections include the Cuban and pulled pork sandwiches. Open: Breakfast and lunch Tuesday-Saturday. Prices: $1.50 and up for pastries, $4 and up for lunch items. 1375 Benton St., Crete, 708-672-7417. — J.V.

Burger 21 Orland Park’s Burger 21 is the first Illinois location of the Florida-based fast-casual burger joint. As you can guess, there are 21 available burgers, from traditional beef to seafood burgers. The spicy Thai shrimp features both Sriracha and Sriracha aioli with sesame Thai slaw on a toasted brioche bun. Wash it all down with something from the retro shake bar. Open: Lunch and dinner daily. Prices: Burgers $6-$9. 14650 S. La Grange Road, Orland Park, 708-737-7952. — J.V.

Chevere Latin Cafe Owned by a Venezuelan immigrant, this cafe is serving up arepas, jibaritos and baked goods like the Trumparepa, an orange corn cake with cheddar and chicken, and the Ombamarepa with black eye round beef, black beans and ripe plantain. Open: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Prices: Entrees $8-$20. 81 N. Chicago St., Joliet, 815-582-4353. — V.J.

Enrico’s When Enrico’s Italian Dining closed in 2012, some were skeptical about the Frankfort staple reopening in a new location. Fast-forward about four years to the Vineyards of Frankfort shopping center, where the restaurant found a lovely new home. The new Enrico’s is rooted in the original, which the owner’s late father, Harry D’Ercole Sr., opened in 1974. One favorite: baked mostaccioli served with a rich meat sauce, a family recipe developed in 1958. Open: Late lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday. Prices: Entrees $11-$15. 20535 S. LaGrange Road, Frankfort, 815-469-4187. — 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. 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.