Mitchell’s Soul Food

Stellar soul food can be found in this unassuming Prospect Heights storefront. Seating consists of fewer than ten tables in a plain white room, but atmosphere will be far from your mind when the food arrives. Fork-tender short ribs come out with two sides (don’t miss the flavorful collard greens or sweet yams) and a slab of buttery, crumbly cornbread. The pleasantly greasy fried chicken is crispy on the outside with a juicy core. Although portions are comically large, especially for the shockingly low prices, do try to save room for dessert. The red-velvet cake, with its layers of cream-cheese frosting studded with pecans and cocoa-rich cake, dissolves distracting thoughts like why it’s red, and the sweet-potato pie is wonderfully spiced with nutmeg.