Chicago is a town for you if you want a great meal. The streets are lined with great restaurants. But here are the foods you absolutely need to sample while in Chicago. These are the best foods in Chicago, the foods Chicago is known for, the foods Chicago does best.
- Chicago Style Hot Dog
jeffreyw/Flickr What makes a Chicago style hot dog so awesome? It’s gotta be all the fresh toppings piled on top of the dog. And remember, NO KETCHUP.
- Italian Beef Sandwich
jeffreyw/Flickr Everyone claims to have the best Italian beef sandwich. At the end of the day, all that matters is how dripping wet it is.
- Deep Dish Pizza
Norris Wong/Flickr This “pizza” definitely feels more like a casserole. And we are okay with that. Bring on the cheese.
- Original Rainbow Cone
Natalia Wilson/Flickr Rainbow Cones = summer. Everyone has their favorite flavor layer, but I gotta go with Palmer House (New York Vanilla with cherries and walnuts).
- Goose Island Beer
Lauren Polinsky/Flickr Chicago is a beer town, and Goose Island leads the charge. It’s all about their 312 beer. That’s the loop area code for those not in the know.
- Garrett Popcorn
snowpea&bokchoi/Flickr No one does popcorn like Chicago. It’s all about the Chicago mix (caramel and cheese).
- Cheesecake
stu_spivack/Flickr Eli’s Cheesecake is synonymous with Chicago. Is there a better dessert?
- Donuts
Dave Crosby/Flickr Everyone has their favorite donut shop. Whether it’s Doughnut Vault or Do-Rite, you’re gonna have a long wait.
- Tamales
Aaron/Flickr Chicago has loads of ethnic communities, perhaps none more prominent than the Mexican community. There is nothing like getting a hot tamale fresh off the cart.
- Portillo’s
Sam Howzit/Flickr Really, Portillo’s is its own category. You can get a great beef sandwich, hamburger or hot dog here. And fries. And cake. And…
Hungry for more? Check out the top Illinois foods.
jeffreyw/Flickr
What makes a Chicago style hot dog so awesome? It’s gotta be all the fresh toppings piled on top of the dog. And remember, NO KETCHUP.
Everyone claims to have the best Italian beef sandwich. At the end of the day, all that matters is how dripping wet it is.
Norris Wong/Flickr
This “pizza” definitely feels more like a casserole. And we are okay with that. Bring on the cheese.
Natalia Wilson/Flickr
Rainbow Cones = summer. Everyone has their favorite flavor layer, but I gotta go with Palmer House (New York Vanilla with cherries and walnuts).
Lauren Polinsky/Flickr
Chicago is a beer town, and Goose Island leads the charge. It’s all about their 312 beer. That’s the loop area code for those not in the know.
snowpea&bokchoi/Flickr
No one does popcorn like Chicago. It’s all about the Chicago mix (caramel and cheese).
stu_spivack/Flickr
Eli’s Cheesecake is synonymous with Chicago. Is there a better dessert?
Dave Crosby/Flickr
Everyone has their favorite donut shop. Whether it’s Doughnut Vault or Do-Rite, you’re gonna have a long wait.
Aaron/Flickr
Chicago has loads of ethnic communities, perhaps none more prominent than the Mexican community. There is nothing like getting a hot tamale fresh off the cart.
Sam Howzit/Flickr
Really, Portillo’s is its own category. You can get a great beef sandwich, hamburger or hot dog here. And fries. And cake. And…
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