Scene: A summer spent grilling sirloins and filets outside on my charcoal grill is over, but the urge to bite into a juicy steak knows no season for a lot of us.
Meat eaters, rejoice. With the bitter winds biting - or, anytime, year-round - a happy respite for downtown workers exists in Mr. Filet Steakhouse, a small, unassuming diner tucked under a parking ramp on Seventh Street.
Clean, neat and cheery, Mr. Filet is owned and operated by a Greek-American family known for their friendliness (they usually ask your name if you're a newcomer).
Because my dining companion is an unabashed White Sox fan and was wearing Sox apparel on the day we went there, he received some extra attention from one of the owners, a friendly Chicago native who wondered if we were from the Windy City.
Mr. Filet is a small but efficient neighborhood joint where you place your order with the smiling man at the counter, grab an orange plastic tray and move along past a small case with side salads and pie. Get a drink and pay for your order at the cash register. Then, if your food's not ready, they will bring it to your table.
The setting is simple and no-frills, but it feels very citified. Sit by the window and you can watch the traffic just beyond and crowds rushing by on their noon hour.
Food: The specialty is the filet mignon, which may seem a bit sinful for lunch. But, at less than $9 for a small cut, it's a great bargain. Add an iceberg lettuce salad with your choice of several dressings and fries or a baked potato. The meal also comes with a slice of Texas toast.
Mr. Filet also offers ribeyes, breakfast foods and some other sandwiches, including gyros.
On the clock: My steak, fries and Texas toast were ready in a little more than five minutes.
Price: Menu items including steaks, sandwiches and soup are less than $9. My filet meal was $9.60, with a pop.
