Tacos are popular at any hour but even more so during lunchtime. This fast-casual spot, originally hailing from St. Louis, does things a bit differently by blending Mexican and Korean flavors. The results are tacos, burritos, nachos, and waffle fries sporting sweet-and-savory bulgogi beef, spicy pork, soy-marinated chicken, and tofu.

Salads are a reliable, albeit maligned, lunch choice. This D.C.-based chain livens things up with a large bounty of locally-sourced ingredients. Skip the typical Caesar salad and build a healthy and tasty bowl packed with items like roasted sweet potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, hot chickpeas, roasted steelhead, herbed falafel, and much more.

A bowl of ramen in the middle of the day can help fend off the forthcoming Chicago weather. This Japanese shop’s signature Hokkaido miso is a full-bodied pork broth with noodles, bean sprouts, ground pork, marinated egg, char siu, and more.

Chef CJ Jacobson showcases a California-inspired take on Mediterranean cuisine at his River North eatery. During lunchtime, Ēma switches to a self-serve experience to accommodate those short on time. The hot and cold bars — priced by the pound — are brimming with greens, grains, meats, and hummus spreads. Customers can eat their meals in the dining room or take them to go.

It’s impossible to make a wrong decision at Rick Bayless’s sandwich shop. The signature tortas are packed with meats like Baja chicken, pork carnitas, and braised short rib. They’re paired with meal-in-a-bowl soups, crispy churros, and some of the finest hot chocolate in the city.

The local Middle Eastern chain makes things simple. Choose a pita or bowl; add meats, salads, and garnishes; and finish it off with sauces. What separates it from the competition is the quality — the fluffy bread is baked on site, juicy chicken shawarma comes straight off the spit, and the falafel bear a perfectly crisp exterior.

Chicago’s food hall scene has reached its apex, which is good news for the city’s hungry workers. Located in the Loop, Wells Street Market is home to a tantalizing roster of vendors. Diners can chow on sandwiches from Tempesta Market; nigiri, sashimi, and maki rolls from Takashi Yagihashi’s Tabo Sushi; and mouthwatering gyros courtesy of Piggie Smalls, a restaurant from Jimmy Bannos Jr. and the team behind the Purple Pig.

Good barbecue in the downtown area is scarce but Blackwood’s multiple locations help make up for it. The meats are slowly smoked for hours and include brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, and spicy pork sausages. Slather them in regional-style sauces and order some homemade sides for a real Southern feast.

Small, portable, and easy to eat, empanadas make for a great midday meal. This local chain offer some of the best in town, filled with a variety of ingredients. The soft, flaky pastries come in options like barbecue chicken, beef braised in Malbec, and bacon with dates and goat cheese. Don’t forget the chimichurri or red hot sauce, either, for a bit of spice.

Fresh seafood at an affordable price point doesn’t have to be a rare catch. Brown Bag Seafood Co. reels in diners with sustainable fish, shrimp, and lobster, available in a number of styles. The restaurant delivers, as well, for those who can’t escape the office.

Chicagoans don’t have to travel to the coasts to get luscious lobster rolls. This Northeast chain brings the Atlantic to town with lobster, crab, and shrimp sandwiches alongside chowders and bisques.

With one in seemingly every neighborhood of the city, poke restaurants are in large supply these days. But this California chain might just be the best of the bunch thanks to its depth of unique ingredients, such as scallops, albacore tuna, seaweed, wasabi tobiko, lotus chips, and more. The possible combinations are immeasurable so patrons can prevent lunch from getting stale by enjoying a different poke bowl, salad, or burrito each visit.

Looking for lots of options? The Loop’s bustling dining hall has nearly all the bases covered. Several of the city’s most popular bites are found here, such as the Budlong’s Nashville hot chicken, Smoque’s barbecue, tacos from Antique Taco, and more.

The creative mash-ups at this Asian-Latin spot won’t be replicated anywhere else. Chef Rafael Lopez crafts fusion bites like chorizo egg rolls, “bacos” (bao tacos), Cuban banh mi, and Asian-style paella.

Cafecito’s Cuban sandwiches have been winning over the South Loop for many years now. Its Cubanos are highly regarded but other selections, such as the ropa vieja (skirt steak, plantains, black beans, tomato creole sauce) and chivito (steak, ham, bacon, fried egg, mozzarella), are equally noteworthy. And if an afternoon spark is needed, try the café con leche, a Cuban espresso sweetened with sugar and mixed with steamed milk.