Tasting the Magnificent Flavors of the Windy City
Chicago food is renowned for some of the most unique dishes in the country. The signature foods you’ll find are influenced by many diverse cultures. In addition to the iconic deep dish pizza, Chicago offers a ton of tasty meals that will leave a lasting impression. Rejoice for we have searched and found the best restaurants to indulge in these delightful delicacies. Here’s our favorite foods to have in Chicago and where you can find them!
Deep Dish Pizza
As the pinnacle of pizza grandeur, no trip to Chicago is complete without trying this famous pie. The iconic deep dish style of pizza is known for its characteristically high crust, filled with a thick layer of cheese and sauce. Of course the timeless feud for number 1 pizza still rages on between Giordano’s and Lou Malnati’s, so I would suggest trying both. If you’re willing to go out a bit further, try the local’s favorite Pequod’s. It’s extremely filling so I recommend sharing with someone!
Jibarito
One of the best Chicago foods you probably never heard of is the Jibarito. This Puerto Rican inspired sandwich consists of 2 fried plantain buns atop various meats or seafood and is seasoned with savory spices and garlic. The Jibarito embodies the heart and soul of Puerto Rico all in one plate! Find it at Jibaritos y Mas, along with an entire menu of authentic Puerto Rican cuisines. Boriqua!
Italian Beef Sandwich
Another Chicago classic is the Italian Beef Sandwich. Originating back in the 1930s, this meal consists of shredded beef on a French roll and topped with peppers. Have it dipped in a savory “jus” to enhance the flavor and enjoy Chicago food the way it was meant to. There are so many places to choose from, but we enjoyed the Italian beef at Giordano’s and Buona.
Chicago Style Hotdog
Also known as the Chicago Red Hot, this eclectic union of ingredients augments the flavor of this simple meal. It is comprised of an all beef Frankfurter atop a steamed, sesame seed bun, and loaded with sweet green pickle relish, onions, tomato wedges, yellow mustard, a pickle spear, celery salt, and sport peppers. Our favorite place for the Chicago dog is at the famous Portillo’s.
Flaming Saganaki
This famous appetizer is a Greek-inspired cuisine is sure to leave a flashy impression. Pan fried cheese gets lit on fire right before your eyes. Try the gooey, melted deliciousness at Athena Restaurant. Opa!
Pretzel Sandwich
This addition may be a bit eccentric, but its still worthy to compete with the great Chicago foods. This Pretzel sandwich found exclusively at Hannah’s Bretzel is one of my top 5 favorite sandwiches of all time. The phenomenal blend of high quality ingredients make this a great lunch spot if you’re in a hurry. Each sandwich comes on an organic pretzel baguette with your choice of uber healthy ingredients like avocado, turkey, and the house-made horseradish aioli.
Barbeque Rib Tips
Lesser known than the Southern or Carolina style, Chicago barbeque has evolved into its own culinary movement. The Rib Tips are made with the usually discarded portions of the spare ribs to create a unique smoky flavor. For all the carnivores out there, this is a must try while in the city! Check out Lem’s Bar-B-Q or Honey 1 BBQ.
Chicago is a great place for foodies to expand their culinary horizons. It’s a fantastic city to experience a diverse mix of food each inspired by distinctive cultures. The signature Chicago food alone is worth a visit to the windy city. To experience more delicious hidden gems with a local guide, consider taking a food tour. If you are looking for more iconic things to do while in Chicago, check out my top 10 things to do in the city. As always thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
Here’s our Chicago food vlog tour!
