Army & Lou's
422 E. 75th St.
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 483-3100
http://www.armyandlous.com
Hours: breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesday-Monday

Ever had pork chops for breakfast? You can at this famed South Side establishment, along with salmon croquettes, baby beef liver and, yes, eggs. The soul-food staples don't end in the a.m., though; the menu includes everything from freshly fried chicken to sweet apple cobbler. It's no wonder this place was a favorite of former mayor Harold Washington, who held weekly meetings in the restaurant (which boasts stained glass windows and a pew at the entrance to welcome the post-church crowd) during his time in office.

BJ's Market & Bakery
8734 S. Stony Island Ave.
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 374-4700
http://www.bjsmarket.com
Hours: breakfast, lunch and dinner daily

You might be tempted to fill up on sides at this decade-old restaurant, with options including greens with smoked turkey, black-eyed peas, creamed corn and carrot salad. But save some room for protein; options range from honey barbecue tenders and the signature mustard-fried catfish to a whole smoked chicken (just $7.99 with no sides). There's even a vegetarian sampler available, though we can't imagine many non-carnivores come through here. Sweet tooths, on the other hand, come regularly for the chess pie and banana pudding.

Cathy's Ultimate Soul Food Diner
5638 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL
(773) 287-9510
http://www.cathysultimate.com
Hours: breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday

It's fitting that this West Side restaurant is dedicated to the owner's late mother, a former Board of Education cook; the banquet hall schools patrons daily in traditional soul-food dishes. Beef ribs, pork chops and chicken (smothered in Southern-style gravy) top the menu, but don't forget to take a gander at the side dishes, especially the inimitable smoked turkey potato salad. If that doesn't suit you, Cathy also serves up "monster" sandwiches, "super" salads (including the Junk Salad, with sunflower seeds and raisins) and "mega" desserts, plus a full breakfast menu. Nothing will run you much more than $10.

Daley's Restaurant
809 E. 63rd St.
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 643-6670
http://www.centerstagechicago.com
Hours: open daily

Believe it or not, this restaurant isn't named after the head of the Chicago political machine; a young Irish iron worker opened the place just in time for the World's Columbian Exhibition in the late 19th century. Over a century later, it's still going strong, and its "wall of fame" shows the various celebrities who have found it a favorable place to eat over the years. Some favorite menu items include chicken gumbo and deep-fried catfish, and weekends see a surge of locals stopping in for pancakes, pork chops, omelets and other breakfast fare.

Soul Vegetarian East
205 E. 75th St.
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 224-0104
http://www.soulvegetarian.com
Hours: breakfast, lunch and dinner daily

Think vegetarian fare is limited to rabbit food? Think again. At this all-vegetarian soul-food eatery, you'll find meat-free variations on classic Southern dishes. Try the "chicken" pot pie or the wheat-gluten Garvey Burger, along with a side of fried cauliflower or creamy carrot salad (dishes run $4-$12). After a big, fat slice of potato pie to top off your meal, you'll have all the evidence you need to prove that veg-heads can be as unhealthy as anyone.

Edna's
3175 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 638-7079
http://www.centerstagechicago.com
Hours: lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday

Owner Edna Stewart claims to have the best biscuits in town, and you probably won’t argue after you taste her buttery works of culinary art. They’re just one option among an array of succulent sides here, a list that includes fried okra and candied yams. The mains shouldn’t be disregarded, either, with choices like fried steak and baked catfish for well under $10. Once you’ve had a piece of the homemade peach cobbler, you’ll barely be able to waddle out, let alone dance to the blues emanating from the jukebox.

Izola's Restaurant
522 E. 79th St.
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 846-1484
http://www.centerstagechicago.com
Hours: open 24 hours Thursday-Tuesday

This spot is purportedly where Harold Washington made his decision to run for mayor of the city, but recently, more people probably know of it due to the glowing review it received in Saveur magazine. No matter how you come to find out about the place, though, you’ll always have the same reaction: mmm. The place serves up down-home dishes like fried catfish, pork chops and chicken, with an array of homemade sides, in both a diner-like counter space and a larger main dining room. Don’t miss the Sunday buffet, or the whole pies available for sale.

MacArthur's
5412 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 261-2316
http://www.macarthursrestaurant.com
Hours: lunch and dinner daily

A dining experience here is not only good for the belly, it’s good for the soul. That’s because this cafeteria-style spot gives back to the community with a staff made up of Austin locals and offers extremely low prices to keep everyone happy. It’s also Barack Obama’s favorite restaurant in the city. We’re betting he doesn’t have to stand in the typically long line here anymore, but you won’t mind waiting for the huge portions of turkey legs, smothered pork chops, short ribs, baked mac ‘n’ cheese, collard greens and more.

Negro League Cafe
301 E. 43rd St.
Chicago, IL 60653
(773) 536-7000
http://www.thenegroleaguecafe.info
Hours: lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday

Spring training is just starting, but you can get in the baseball spirit now at this Bronzeville cafe. Though its decor may focus on the past (the Negro League ended in the 1940s with the integration of the majors), the restaurant’s food offers some modern twists on classic soul dishes. But the burgers, named for various former players, are what will catch your eye the most, from the Hank “Lawn Mower” Presswood (topped with sauteed onions, white American and mushrooms) to the Charlie "Goulash" Johnson (tangy mayo, ketchup, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions and white American).

Soul Queen Restaurant
9031 S. Stony Island Ave.
Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 731-3366
http://www.soulqueen.com
Hours: lunch and dinner daily

The monstrous buffet is the main draw at this Oprah-approved spot, since you can get everything your heart desires in one (OK, maybe two) trips. Fried chicken, roasted turkey wings, braised short ribs, beef vegetable soup, banana pudding and more are available every day, and there are also daily specials. It’s only $7.75 per person after 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and all day Friday and Saturday (add another $2 if you’re coming on Sunday). You can also grab individual dishes and sides for carry-out.

Pearl's Place
3901 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60653
(773) 285-1700
http://www.centerstagechicago.com
Hours: breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday, breakfast and lunch Sunday

Like fried chicken? Pearl’s will make it however you like, and offer you a heaping helping of mac ‘n’ cheese or one of many other sides to go along with it. It’ll taste so good, you might consider taking it to one of the rooms in the adjacent motel to savor alone. But don’t leave without a taste of the famous sweet potato pie; there’s a reason it’s legendary. At the weekend buffet, you can get all this and more.

Boo's Soul Food Cafe
8414 S. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 298-9997

Hours: breakfast, lunch and dinner daily

Fans of this classic soul-food spot were boo-hooing when it closed its doors in Morgan Park last year, but they didn't have to cry for long. Owner Willetta Tatum opened this new location in late 2007, and the ham-hock faithful have come right back. Occasionally available specialties include chicken and dumplings and baked fish, along with several sides like mustard and turnip greens or cabbage. Make sure to save room for dessert, as Boo's serves three flavors of banana pudding.

Captain's Hard Time Dining
436 E. 79th St.
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 487-2900
http://hardtimedining.com
Hours: breakfast, lunch and dinner daily

You'll have a hard time not eating everything on the menu at this South Side institution, a favorite of politicians from Bobby Rush to Carol Moseley Braun. They might come for the center-cut pork chops or the blackened catfish, but we're betting the oxtails and ham hocks and meat loaf (only $5.95) are big draws as well. It should be easy to find an early morning dining partner when you mention the deals to be had, like catfish steak and grits with 2 eggs for $8.95.

Coco's
426 S. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 786-2070
http://www.centerstagechicago.com
Hours: breakfast, lunch and dinner daily

Loop workers love this place, and for good reason: Who wouldn't want to spend a lunch break savoring some authentic Southern fare? Most get their meal to go, but don't expect many frills if you're eating in at one of the 10 tables; the daily special, which comes with your choice of meat, two sides and corn bread, arrives on a paper tray. If you've really had a bad day at the office, splurge on the deep-fried lobster ($10.50 for a small portion, twice that for a large). Once you've dunked a few succulent bits into the sweet sauce, you won't even remember what a TPS report looks like.

Table Fifty-Two
52 W. Elm St.
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 573-4000
http://www.tablefifty-two.com
Hours: dinner Tuesday-Sunday

Even if you're one of those people who boycotts every book with an "Oprah's Book Club" sticker – because, darn it, that woman is not going to tell you what to do – you should still check out this O-approved restaurant. Why? Her personal chef, Art Smith, knows what he's doing. His beautiful, classically decorated dining room hosts feasts full of dishes like buttermilk-fried chicken breast, skillet cornbread and hummingbird cake (the Sunday supper special is the most Southern-friendly), in addition to more modern, upscale fare like a multi-grain risotto with squash and green apples. You might need an Oprah-esque budget to eat here; entrees can run as high as $39.