This one should come as no shock. When it comes to late-night eats, Chicagoans would be hard-pressed to find a dive as storied as the Hollywood, though with a facelift and a bit of gentrification, the Hollywood bears little resemblance to the place that once led folks like Jon-Henri Damski to wax poetic about late-nights scarfing toast with the crowd from Cheeks.

No slouch when it comes to late night victuals, the menu is chock full of the artery cloggers dished by its diner brethren. However, there's an ineffable ambiance about the place that is simply addictive (the token Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart Hollywood memorabilia just doesn't inspire this kind of loyalty). Though the teal-hued Hollywood is rarely packed, it's perpetually half-full, serviced by a personable and efficient waitstaff. The booths are comfortable and the lighting bright, though not overwhelming.

Centerstage Reviewer: Jacob Knabb