Frontera Fresco, Skokie

The Chef: Rick Bayless is often credited with introducing Americans to more refined south-of-the-border cooking at his Chicago restaurants Frontera Grill and Topolobampo (a favorite of the Obamas).

Fast Food 411: Ablaze in poppy colors, Frontera Fresco specializes in gringo-friendly Mexican street food: tortas, tacos, huaraches, small-batch salsas, and Mexican beer.

What to Order: Sweet corn and green chile tamale; chorizo quesadilla; mango limeade.