Ike Sewell knows something about delicious food. After all, he invented Uno's iconic take on Chicago deep-dish pizza. Having mastered Italian cuisine, he moved on to Mexican, opening Su Casa Mexican Restaurant in 1963. Located just off the Magnificent Mile, Su Casa has a swanky address and a giant neon sign in the shape of a cactus above its door, but its building is a bit more humble: a converted carriage house that dates to 1867. Considering all that, it's a welcoming surprise to find that the inside is lively and warm, with murals and folk art decorating the walls.

The menu is similarly steeped in tradition, but still maintains an air of excitement: shrimp fajitas come out sizzling and chicken with mole sauce zings the tastebuds. And there's music, too. On select weekend nights, Mariachis stroll through the restaurant playing their signature tunes as diners try to decide whether a cucumber margarita counts toward their daily vegetable intakes. Also, take advantage of discounted validation for the parking garage on the corner of Ontario and Wabash (10 East Ontario).