The Houndstooth Saloon tries hard to stand out on a block crawling with Wrigleyville sports bars. It can't escape the throngs of Cubs fans on game day, but this Southern-themed bar is all country the rest of the time. Houndstooth is named after the houndstooth hats worn by Bear Bryant, who coached the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team in the '60s and '70s, and the Alabama hospitality runs deep.

The jukebox in this corner bar is heavy on country-western and Americana tunes, with plenty of Johnny Cash and Lynyrd Skynyrd to go around. Red checkered wallpaper and a wagon-wheel chandelier reinforce the down-home feel without feeling too gimmicky. The countrified menu satisfies cravings for corn chowder, jambalaya and baby-back ribs, with most dishes priced under the $10 mark.

If the Southern-fried ambience gets to be too much, head outside to the sidewalk tables. The Houndstooth Saloon's location on the corner of Clark and Newport provides an excellent vantage point for people-watching.

Centerstage Reviewer: Aimee Hall