If you have never seriously explored the food scenes in Chicago, you’ll be surprised to find that the Windy City is home to a wide spectrum of international cuisines – from the unpretentious and budget-friendly Chicago dog to fine dining establishments owned and operated by celebrity chefs. There are plenty of cheap eats on the street, as well as super expensive Michelin restaurants. Foodie travel blogger Gourmet Flyer published a dining guide to some of Chicago’s most iconic foods and must-eats while you are in town. Here is a brief summary of the guide.
Deep Dish Pizza
Surprisingly, the birth of the deep-dish pizza has not been historically and accurately documented and no one could say for sure who invented it. The common consensus is that it was invented by Uno’s founders Ike Sewell and Ric Ricardo Sr., who had a concept of making a very thick pizza – an idea that at the time very few people thought would work.
But many diners found the product of a very thick pizza with a tall and wall-like crust that’s stuffed with LOTS of cheese appealing. Soon, various renditions of the deep dish pizza were born.
Besides Uno’s, the other cross-town rivals are Giordano’s and Lou Malnati’s, each of them raves about their own secret recipe and baking process. Giordano’s pies have a deeper and more defined layering while Lou’s pies are more famous for their crusts and homemade sauce.
Chicago Dog
One of the few things that Chicagoans care more about than the Bears, the Bulls, and the Cubs is a good hot dog. Portillo’s is certainly one of the most popular and mainstream and you can grab one of those dogs in many locations in the city. You can also sample numerous versions of these well-loved dogs inside any of the major sports stadium, as well as in many casual restaurants. Probably due to the hot dog culture of the city and the competitions, when you order a Chicago dog anywhere in the city, you can almost always expect a higher level of quality and execution that is hard to find elsewhere in the country.
Italian Beef Sandwiches
There is really no consensus as to the true inventor of this iconic sandwich. One fact that is never disputed is that these Italian beef sandwiches originated right here in Chicago. Some foodie historians argue that all roads point to a makeshift food stand on Taylor Street in Little Italy in the year 1938 where the secret recipe was invented and subsequently handed down to the newer generations.
When in town, you have to check out Al’s for a bite of that legendary sandwich stuffed with tender slow-roasted beef soaked in a flavorful jus and accompanied by a blend of bell peppers and hot chili peppers.
Gourmet Burgers
America is the land of burgers and those who have traveled to Asia or Europe extensively will probably know it’s hard to find a decent burger overseas. Some of the best burgers in the US are actually right here in Chicago. The only way to get a table at Au Cheval is the old-fashioned way, that is, to stand in line. The wait is always an hour or longer on weekends and holidays, even when it’s freezing cold. The most popular celebrity burger in town is from Gordon Ramsay, and the good thing is that you don’t have to go to hell to grab one of its famous creations. In fact, you can even get a reservation online.
Trendy and Hip Dining
There is certainly no shortage of fine dining establishments in the Windy City. You will be amazed by the multitude of restaurants with white tablecloth and red wood furniture that cook up the best steaks and seafood. The best surf and turf can easily be found in town. But what is really worth checking out – and could be one of the highlights of your trip – is the trendy and contemporary eateries that serve gourmet cuisines with a twist of innovation and fusion. Girl and the Goat is on the top of the list, as well as several others. It takes fine dining to a new dimension and a higher level of sophistication. The typical stuffy atmosphere of a traditional steakhouse is replaced by an upbeat environment with super chill vibes.
International Cuisines
You may not know this or plan about this before your trip, but Chicago has one of the best and cleanest Chinatowns in the US. A wide spectrum of eateries is available – from the traditional dim sum restaurant to the authentic Hong Kong Style cafés. In fact, there are some very high-end and opulent Chinese restaurants in the downtown area which are perfect for business meals, special occasions, or banquets.
You probably know about Little Italy and where the original Italian beef sandwiches were born. But don’t forget about Greek Town where you can savor the most authentic souvlaki and gyros. There are many vibrant Latin restaurants in the River North area that mix upbeat music with hot and spicy foods from south of the border. Last, but not the least, you will find some of the most authentic ramens outside of Japan right here in Chicago, just steps away from the river.
Conclusion
The Windy City is an ideal foodie destination not only because of the diverse spectrum of international flavors that is available, but also that many of the most exciting restaurants are concentrated in the River North area and within walking distance from many major hotels. They are also easily accessible via public transportation.
I think by now you are super excited and can’t wait to explore the vibrant food scene of this amazing city. I am also quite sure that you would really like a dining guide that is easy to follow. So here you go. This is a list of some of the Best Cultural and Iconic Places to Eat in Chicago, which will take you to a most exciting foodie adventure as well as a diverse cultural dining experience while you are in town.
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