Classic Food Spots in Chicago

When visitors come to Chicago, they make a beeline for the Bean, the Sears Tower and Wrigley Field. Along the way, they invariably ask where to pick up the best hotdog and deep dish pizza, wholly ignoring the fact that the city is also a haven for gastronauts.

The iconic deep dish and hot dog make our list of must-eats, did you even consider swinging by cult classics like Kuma’s Corner and Hot Doug’s? Of course, there’s the bevy of celebrity chefs who call Chicago home. With temples to fine fare so lauded, they are reason enough alone to visit. Here’s your essential guide to classic Chicago grub.

Pizza

It’s probable that more food fights have been started over Chicago-style deep dish than any other foodstuff. Is it pizza, is it casserole, how can you eat so much cheese? Quit your belly-aching, put on a bib and grab a knife and fork: It’s feeding time.

Chicago pizza—regardless of what you may call it—is a tried-and-true classic in the city. Spots like Lou Malnatis, Gino's and Uno get the big, marquee treatment because of their proximity to tourist hotspots, but the best, most subtle version of the dish can be found at Pequod’s in a western corner of Lincoln Park. Caramelized crust in the 2-inch deep pan keep the contents together, while the cheese is more nuanced, gooey mass than Attack of the Killer Blob. For sheer balance of ingredients alone, Pequod’s ‘za knocks the others out of the park.

Celeb Chefs

When it comes to mega-watt talent, the Second City is second to none. Deep in the mad scientist kitchen of Alinea, Grant Achatz holds court, slowly expanding his culinary empire with ticketed dinner lab Next and West Loop watering hole The Aviary. Master of Mexican cuisine Rick Bayless slings more than just tacos at any one of his incredible restaurants. His Frontera Grill—the jewel in the crown—is a vibrant ode to Mexico’s myriad flavors, while sister restaurant Topolobampo is a sleeker, classier affair. Former host of PBS’s popular restaurant show Check Please!, Master Sommelier Alpana Singh’s Boarding House is a must-visit for oenophiles seeking out interesting food pairings. Former Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard’s Girl and the Goat is a local favorite, a delicious foodie magnet in the bustling West Loop.

Hot dog

Let’s give you a quick breakdown of a true Chicago hot dog. It begins with the dog itself. The frank has got to have a characteristic “snap!” when you first bite in. A meal unto itself, this beaut starts with resting the red hot on a poppy seed bun, which is summarily topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, pickled sport peppers and a dash of celery salt. Some people will threaten bodily harm if you add ketchup, but don’t mind them; Chicago is a live and let live town. The best dogs come from Portillo’s, a Chicagoland chain, Chubby Wieners in Lincoln Square, and Hot Doug's, the ultimate purveyor of franks.

Cult favorites

Speaking of which, Hot Doug’s knows how to fashion more than a Chicago hot dog. Owner Doug Sohn’s cash-only “sausage superstore and encased meat emporium” slings house-made sausages, which are deceptively simple in their genius. Check the joint’s menu for availability, but be warned: a line wraps around the block long before it opens.

Another cult favorite in Chicago is Kuma’s Corner, now with two rockin’ locations. What started out as a humble metal-rock-themed bar serving the best local and homegrown burgers east of the Mississippi is now a head-banging institution of the first order – and that’s just on first bite. Put down the menu and don’t get it twisted: you’re here for Kuma’s burgers. Expect nothing less than gooey, messy burgers (and pretzel buns!) topped with appropriately rock-and-roll ingredients, like the Black Sabbath (housemade chili, blackening spice, pepperjack and red onion) or the Goat Snake (herbed goat cheese, poblano-corn relish, Cholula lemon vinaigrette and buttermilk-frizzled red onion). Don’t cry, vegetarians. Kuma’s can make a veggie-friendly heavy metal burger for you, too.

What’s your favorite Chicago food staple?

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