If you have done literally any research on the food scene in Chicago, you will have come across the Goats. A mini franchise that encompasses three concepts, loose variations on a theme, the brain children of chef Stephanie Izard. Their presence is pervasive in the contemporary food culture of the city and their fame extends far beyond city limits. In fact, they’ve just opened up a location in the burgeoning food destination that is the Arts District of Los Angeles. All in all three solid choices for a meal in the city, and well worth planning ahead for a trip.

Girl & the Goat: This is the main event, the restaurant that started it all. Reservations book out weeks ahead, even a decade after it first landed in West Loop’s now bustling Restaurant Row. The food is creative, drawing inspiration from global cuisines in a curated menu that extends from goat empanadas to tempura whitefish to the fan-favorite sautéed green beans with fish sauce vinaigrette and cashews. The menu and drink selection evolves seasonally, but the crowds are evergreen.

Little Goat Diner: LGD is like the more casual all-day sibling in the family. A spot that is reliably a hit in the busy blocks of W Randolph, delivering on the comfort foods you’d expect from a diner but with a creative spin you’d expect from the Goat franchise. Casual enough to be a spontaneous meal (it’s busy, particularly for brunch, but if you can spare a wait it is doable), but cool enough to feel special. On the wide of the dinner is their darling bakery outpost Sugargoat Sweets.

Duck Duck Goat: The Chinese-inspired Duck Duck Goat pays homage to the diverse cooking techniques and flavors of China and Chinese American cuisine, expanding the Midwestern palate in a Chicago-friendly format through various iterations of duck (ie: duck fried rice, Peking duck) and goat (ie: xi’an goat slap noodles) as the name implies. The space feels like a Vegas version of a Chinese restaurant, but who would expect anything less of a West Loop restaurant? And then of course to take it over the top there is the neighboring Baobing, a Taiwan-inspired snack window with cocktails and sweet and savory treats.