Chicago's 2013 Michelin Guide doesn't come out till next week, but the dining guide (yes, compiled by a tire company) revealed Wednesday which Windy City restaurants made its list of Bib Gourmands.
The Bib Gourmand category--mere mortal status compared to the coveted Michelin Stars--is defined by the company as restaurants that offer "two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less (tax and gratuity not included), and are often of most value to a city’s residents, who regularly dine in neighborhood restaurants."
This year's list has eight more restaurants included over last year, according to Eater Chicago.
Though favorites like Lula Cafe in Logan Square and Hopleaf in Andersonville were cut from this year's category, Business Week notes there were 19 new restaurants for 2013. A few critical favorites, like the West Loop Girl & the Goat, kept their Bib Gourmand status--an indication they won't be getting a star in next week's guide.
Restaurants -- or at least their marketing teams -- tend to boast the ranking when one is awarded, though there's skepticism in many foodie circles the guide is irrelevant to (non-tourist) American diners.
"Is there a better indicator of how out of touch Michelin is than the fact that the company released its Bib Gourmand announcement hours after the election?" Time Out Chicago food critic Julia Kramer wrote Tuesday before taking a closer look at Michelin's picks.