If you're reading this at home, you're already in Zig Zag Kitchen's most popular dining room. Despite its large space—a nice one, at that, with plenty of seating—most of the orders at this Lincoln Park spot are for carry-out, delivery or catering. That makes it really easy to get a table and sneak a peek at the cooks bringing food out for catering orders.

Nearly two dozen sandwiches and salads bearing a slight Latin and Mediterranean influence populate the menu. Served with chips for $5.95, picks include the Southwest chicken breast, with smoked gouda, cilantro and homemade barbecue sauce; and the Zig and Zag veggie options, the latter topped with hummus, provolone, tomato, cucumber and lettuce.

Dress up your bread-filled meal with an appetizer (try the guacamole or hummus and pita), or go the very classy route with a bona fide entree; pasta dishes, pizza and kabobs keep hungrier callers happy. Nothing costs more than $15, so even if you pig out you won't break the bank (and it's BYOB, so the drink tab is your responsibility). Whether you eat in or carry out, the food won't be a disappointment, and it's a lot easier than making it in your own kitchen.

Centerstage Reviewer: Mac McCormick