Wedged into the intersection of Devon and Clark, Deluxe breaks all the rules of the late-night diner set. The food is really good, as well as really cheap. The interior is decked out in gussied up retro fare. Its coffee holds a rep as the finest in the far North Side, and regulars scarf Chicago's ultimate banana split at an ice cream fountain straight out of Al's Diner, unfortunately sans Fonz. Pancakes, grilled cheese, burgers, omelets and wings fill the menu, and the Deluxe kicks in a sweet display case stocked to the brim with cakes and pies.

Be sure to sit by a window so you can scope the random folks yielded up by the ethnic mash that is Devon. The patrons are as diverse as the locals, and the waitstaff is almost too happy to be serving you flapjacks long after they should have devolved into pumpkins. Post-play drama queens counterbalance collegiate types and those in search of chalkboard specials and diner fare magnifique.

Centerstage Reviewer: Jacob Knabb