When you're dealing with late-night college students, food doesn't necessarily have to be great, it just has to exist. Luckily for Edgewater hangout Deluxe Diner, the food not only exists, it's not half bad, either, and its proximity to Loyola University naturally makes it a popular hangout for nearby students. And with retro decor and a menu jam packed with comfort food, Deluxe appeals to patrons other than rowdy 20-somethings as well.

Deluxe's menu is all-encompassing and, at times, quite witty. The cheeseburgers are called beautiful; the starving student sampler consists of fried chicken strips, cheese sticks and steak fries; and there's even an entire section entitled greasy carb coma menu, which is pretty great self-deprecation comedy for a diner. Anyway, the menu is huge skillets, waffles and French toast for breakfast; fresh salads and specialty sandwiches for lunch; and pastas and pizzas for dinner. If you're looking to have fun while ordering, try one of the warp speed wraps, like the grilled chicken Run from the Klingon wrap or the chili/steak fries goodness of the Vulcan mind melt deluxe.

The interior features a chrome-centered decor of 1950s America, nicely complemented with the oldies radio. Drinking coffee in here feels natural, but there's plenty of booze to be had as well: Goose Island, Miller Chill and Guinness for beer, as well as a wide selection of cocktails, which, judging by the names and the font used in the drink menu, seem more so suited for the '70s. There's the Megalicious Mai-Tai, as well as a brandy and rum concoction called Between the Sheets. Odd, but I'm sure there's a college student or two willing to order it.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Andy Seifert