Nine spots for heated outdoor patios

Last week we wrote about ice cream shops opening for spring. This week, it's all about heated patios. What, you thought it was too cold to hang out outside? Think again. And when you're done thinking, check out one of these spots:

90 Miles Cuban Café This sibling location of Clybourn Avenue’s popular Cuban carryout joint is nearly a spitting image of the original—same toasted Cuban sandwiches, same flaky empanadas, same garlicky yuca chips, same potent café con leche. But even if the tiny interior, with its newspaper-covered walls, elicits the same claustrophobia, the big draw here is the spacious side patio, complete with a provocative mural, colorful planters and a table for playing dominoes. 2540 W Armitage Ave (773-227-2822). El: Blue to Western. Bus: 49, 56, 73. Breakfast, lunch dinner. Average main course: $9.

Big Star The bar that took over the Pontiac space is just that: a bar. With whiskey shots, cheap beer, quick cocktails and a newly-enclosed, heated patio. Of course, if you can just drink and not partake of Paul Kahan’s tacos, you have more restraint than us. Braised lamb and pork belly have our names on them, but since each is about $3, you can afford to try them all. And with the conversion of a portion of the patio into a heated, enclosed patio this winter, you may even be able to get a seat. 1531 N Damen Ave (773-235-4039). El: Blue to Damen. Bus: 50, 56, 72. Average beer: $4.

Café con Leche The original owner of Logan Square’s Café con Leche left that post to scoot a bit farther down Milwaukee Avenue, where he’s kept the Cuban standards, plus added dinner and a slew of American classics to the menu. The BYOB policy and sizable patio have made for booming business (especially in nice weather, although the patio gets makeshift walls and heat lamps in winter). For dinner, carne asada is a hit, near-charrred outside but tender and juicy. 1732 N Milwaukee Ave (773-342-2233). El: Blue to Western. Bus: 49, 56. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Average main course: $12

Fireside Ravenswood locals flock to this bar for its namesake’s warmth (everyone loves the covered, heated patio) and coziness. Bartenders tend to pour heavy here—we ordered a Scotch on the rocks and found ourselves drinking from a full highball glass—so some food from the adjoining restaurant will be in order to soak it all up. 5739 N Ravenswood Ave (773-561-7433). El: Red to Bryn Mawr. Bus: 22, 36, 50. Average beer: $5.

Kitsch’n on Roscoe Packaging timeless diner fare in the kitsch of the seventies helps this candy-colored eatery draw large crowds. Rays of retro sunshine pour from the flower power interior: Bright-orange Formica tables sit on linoleum floors, and the yellow walls are dotted with memorabilia from Me Decade stars like Gumby and David Cassidy. The menu playfully follows (leisure) suit with items such as “Green Eggs and Ham” (spinach pesto, scallions, smoked ham, Texas toast and hash browns) and “Not Your Mom’s Meatloaf,” served with rosemary-garlic mashed potatoes. 2005 W Roscoe St (773-248-7372). Bus: 11, 50, 77, 152. Breakfast (Mon-Sat), brunch (Sun), lunch, dinner (Tues-Sat). Average main course: $7.

Purple Pig To understand the allure of the Pig—a collaboration of chefs Jimmy Bannos (Heaven on Seven), Scott Harris (Mia Francesca’s) and Jimmy Bannos Jr.—you have to be comfortable enough that you chat up the strangers next to you (whether you're inside or at one of the outdoor tables, tented and heated in chilly weather) and eventually steal their food. Goat-cheese-and-squash arancini come five to an order, in an earthy sage pesto so good most people close their eyes while they savor it. That’s when you swoop in and take one. Same goes for the mortadella smear, the milk-braised pork shoulder and the genius deep-fried deviled egg. If you share the hot brioche stuffed with ricotta and chocolate, though, you’re an idiot. 500 N Michigan Ave (312-464-1744). El: Red to Grand. Bus: 3, 65, 145, 146, 147, 151, 157. Lunch, dinner. Averge small plate: $7.

SushiSamba Rio Not only is the plush rooftop patio with a 40-foot bar, sharp sound system, sofas and stools perfect for a nightcap (or night-starter), it’s great for food as well. Chef Dan Tucker’s menu features gems from the Japanese robata grill, such as lush yellowtail cheeks and a simple skirt steak dressed in malbec butter. Harmless duck croquettes, boozy caipirinhas and over-the-top sushi rolls round out the experience. Eat as much as you can—you’ll need the calories when you retire to the roof. 504 N Wells St (312-595-2300). El: Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Merchandise Mart. Bus: 65, 125, 156. Lunch, dinner. Average small plate: $13.

Village Tap Roscoe Village has gentrified over the last few years, and the same goes for its watering holes, especially this one. These days it's yuppie central, but it's still one of the best places in town to grab a beer from the extensive list, chat with the friendly bartenders and hang out on the all-season beer garden. 2055 W Roscoe St (773-883-0817). El: Brown to Paulina. Bus: 50, 77, 152. Average beer: $3.50.

ZED451 At this sunny, stylish eatery, meals are served churrascaria-style: Diners start by grazing on the “Harvest Tables” (a.k.a. salad bars) and return to their table to have proteins—perfectly cooked salmon, juicy filet and chicken thighs, etc.—brought over by men carrying huge skewers. It’s not a bad way to eat if you’re incredibly hungry (or seeking a heated rooftop; ZED's reopens tomorrow). But if you want to eat light, you might want to reconsider heading for a place that doesn’t know the meaning of “a la carte” and is usually packed with dude who could double for linebackers. 739 N Clark St (888-493-3451). El: Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Chicago; Red to Chicago/State. Bus: 66, 156. All you can eat: $44.