Meztiso
710 N. Wells
312-274-9500
Tapas have always seemed slightly absurd: if I wanted food on a toothpick, I would go to the grocery store on Saturday morning and eat samples. So I was pleasantly surprised on “Toothpick Tuesday” at the Latin restaurant Meztiso when, almost as soon as we’d ordered a pitcher of sangria, a small plate of steak skewers (not toothpicks) appeared, followed within minutes by grilled fish chunks, zucchini and squash tempura, and chicken bruschetta. We were even served seconds. There were only a handful of people enjoying the free dinner; the bartender said the crowd varies from week to week, but this night we nearly had the place to ourselves. Free nibbles start every Tuesday at 5 PM.