📌 Where to Eat in Chicago: A First-Timer’s Guide to the Best Bites
🍕 Chicago’s Food Scene: More Than Just Deep-Dish
If there’s one thing you should know before visiting Chicago, it’s this: come hungry. The city is known for its deep-dish pizza, yes, but its food scene goes far beyond that. From legendary hot dogs to Michelin-starred dining, Chicago is a city that takes its food seriously. Whether you're here for a weekend or a week, these are the must-try eats and where to find them.
🍕 1. Deep-Dish Pizza – Who Does It Best?
Chicago’s most famous food. But where should you get it? The debate is never-ending, but here are the top contenders:
📌 Lou Malnati’s – A local favorite, known for its buttery crust and chunky tomato sauce. https://www.loumalnatis.com/
📌 Giordano’s – Famous for its stuffed deep-dish, where the cheese is baked between two layers of dough. https://giordanos.com/
📌 Pequod’s Pizza – If you love a crispy caramelized crust, this is the place for you. https://pequodspizza.com/
💡 My Pick? Pequod’s. The caramelized crust gives it an edge over the rest.
🌭 2. The Chicago-Style Hot Dog – A Must-Try
"No ketchup. Ever." That’s the Chicago hot dog rule. It’s a perfect balance of flavors, loaded with:
✔️ All-beef frank on a poppy seed bun
✔️ Yellow mustard, chopped onions, sweet pickle relish
✔️ Tomato slices, a pickle spear, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt
📌 Where to Get It:
Portillo’s – The most well-known, classic spot for a Chicago dog. https://www.portillos.com/
Superdawg Drive-In – A vintage, 1948-style drive-in experience. https://superdawg.com/
Gene & Jude’s – No-frills, no ketchup, just an old-school Chicago dog done right. https://www.geneandjudes.com/
💡 My Pick? Portillo’s is the safest bet for a first-time visit.
🍖 3. Italian Beef – Juicy, Messy, and Essential
Another Chicago staple, Italian beef is a thinly sliced roast beef sandwich served on a French roll, dipped (or drenched) in savory jus.
📌 Where to Get It:
Al’s Beef – One of the original spots for Italian beef. https://www.alsbeef.com/
Johnnie’s Beef – The perfect bread-to-meat-to-gravy ratio. https://www.johnnys-beef.com/
Mr. Beef on Orleans – This spot has been featured on The Bear and is a local favorite. https://mr-beef.res-menu.com/
💡 Pro Tip: Get it “dipped” for extra juiciness and add hot giardiniera for a spicy kick.
🍜 4. Something Different – International Eats & Local Favorites
If you want something beyond the Chicago classics, check out these options:
📌 Duck Fat Fries at Au Cheval – This burger spot is legendary, but their duck fat fries steal the show. https://www.auchevaldiner.com/chicago/menus
📌 Xoco (Rick Bayless) – Fantastic Mexican street food, including churros and tortas. https://xocochicago.com/
📌 Girl & The Goat – One of the most talked-about restaurants in Chicago, with a creative, upscale menu. https://www.girlandthegoat.com/chicago
🍩 5. Save Room for Dessert!
📌 Garrett Popcorn – Get the “Chicago Mix” (cheddar + caramel). It’s iconic. https://navypier.org/location/garrett-popcorn-shops/
📌 Do-Rite Donuts – Their cinnamon old-fashioned is a must. https://www.doritedonuts.com/
📌 Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits – Southern-style pies, but the key lime is my favorite. https://www.bangbangpie.com/
🛤️ Food for Thought
Chicago is one of the best food cities in the world. Whether you’re craving deep-dish, a perfectly messy Italian beef, or a Michelin-starred meal, you’ll find something to love here. Have you been to Chicago? What’s your must-try restaurant? Let me know in the comments!
