I will be visitng the Hyde Park area in a few weeks and would love to hear what is cooking on the vibrant South Side!

Just a few favorites

Harold's Chicken Shack, located at Kimbark Plaza @ 53rd and Woodlawn

Jimmy's located at 55th and Woodlawn, for burgers/pub grub

Lem's BBQ, 59th and state (5914 S State St) open after 3pm

Tropic Island Jerk Chicken Restaurant (two locations) (did a review in the FT Chicago dining section, do a search).
1922 E 79th St (at Jeffery)
773-978-JERK (5375)
M-T 11am -11pm, F-S 11am-12pm, Closed Sunday

&

419 E 79th Street
773-224-7766
M-T 11am-11pm,F-S 11am-12pm, Sunday 11am-10pm

I went to graduate school at U of C. So these experiences are at least 3 years old, fwiw...

Ditto to Willie's recommendation for Harolds, and for Jimmy's. And Willie is a self-admitted chowhound, so he knows his food and I trust his reviews wholeheartedly. Though Jimmys is pretty much a bar. (It may have changed as Jimmy died about 18 months back and there was some sort of battle with the University and city over reopening it as it was across the street from a church. I haven't been there since '99)

There are some very good Thai places on 55th st. near the IC (train) line. Siam comes to mind, we used to eat there all the time. This is one of my wife's favorite Thai places in the entire country.

I'm a fan of ribs n' bibs for bbq. 53rd and Dorchester. Take out only. I also liked Dixie Kitchen, this was in Kimbark Plaza as well. (I think 51st and Lake Point) (Willie, this was the name of the place I forgot about) To me Dixie Kitchen had good cajun food.

Lastly for your post-bar noshing, if you are a going out on the town person, the Tiki was an epic late night (we went there anywhere from midnight to 5am) joint where we would always go for Chicken Wings. Lots of southside locals went there. On 53rd by the train line. "Bea" and her husband Ted were the proprietors, both were nuts always tending bar and her sister was the waitress. Worth a visit if it's late enough and you're in a wild mood.

Jsquared you can hit me an email directly if you have other questions about the area, as I am pretty familiar. I'd be happy to help you on your voyage. Note: don't venture south of 63rd late at night trying to find places to eat or you might get shot.