About Chicago Il Restaurants
The restaurant scene is hot and getting hotter. Chicago may be known for deep-dish pizza, but its hardly the star. Residents hail from all over the world, inspiring ethnic alcoves and an enormous variety in cuisine. Those in fear of living without hometown specialties are pleasantly surprised. Sample the ceviche bar at Nacional 27 before dancing the salsa. Nearly 100 years later we can thank France for colonizing Vietnam, turning out Le Colonials amazing fusion cuisine. Sorry Epcot, but you cant compete with this worldly influence. Good luck finding another city with so many BYOB joints. We love them. Restaurants mix five-star cuisine with five-star views, whether its 80 floors high or smack-dab on the river. Chicagos list of new restaurants is constantly changing. From one enterprising chef to another, weve got all the angles covered. Theyve picked up the vegan craze, with some added flavor. Thanks Mana, for acclimating our taste buds to the healthiest trend.
Things To Eat In Chicago
If youre wondering where to eat in Chicago, dont worry weve got you covered. Just make your way through this roundup of famous local dishes, only-in-Chicago specialties, and original dishes that got their start here. From upscale to casual, this list has something for every taste and budget. Heres a taste of Chicagos iconic eats and mouthwatering must-haves.
Jibarito At Jibaritos Y Ms
Logan Square, Lincoln ParkA Puerto Rican original born on the mean streets of Chicago, this Logan Square cult favorites flagship sandwich is a work of culinary genius. Replacing boring old bread with crunchy, juicy slabs of fried smashed plantains? Check. Cramming the whole thing full of richly seasoned roast pork, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, garlic, and a slather of tangy mayo? Double check. See you in line.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order take-out and delivery via GrubHub, Postmates, and Uber Eats.
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Popcorn Peanuts & Chocolate At Rpm Steak
Owned by Giuliana Rancic and her husband Bill, RPM brings the L.A. steakhouse vibe to Chicago. Their steaks are delicious, as expected from a place of this caliber. However, the show-stealer is their popcorn, peanuts, and chocolate dessert which consists of peanut butter ice cream in a chocolate bowl topped with hot fudge and popcorn. Definitely save room for dessert when dining here.
#SpoonTip: They may or may not also serve a bowl of giant cotton candy.
Best Hot Dogs In Chicago Portillos
Just say yes to sport peppers and celery salt and hard pass on the ketchup, which is a cardinal sin around these parts. Chicago dogs arent hard to come by in Denver, but that trifecta of beefy goodness, cheese fries, and gluttonous chocolate cake is and my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Someone please open a franchise out West help a girl out.
Also Try: Superdawg Drive-inn, Wolfys, Devil Dawgs
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Jibarito At Papas Cache Sabroso
The jibarito is yet another original Chicago sandwich, created by our vibrant Puerto Rican community. Though it may look like a regular sandwich, there is one element that sets it apart:
Theres no bread!
Instead, crispy plantains hold together layers of meat, cheese, lettuce and tomato. The condiment of choice is garlic-flavored mayonnaise. Steak tends to be the typical filling, but we stan the chicken jibarito at Papas Cache Sabroso in the citys quintessential Boricua neighborhood, Humboldt Park.
Edible Balloon Dessert At Alinea
Though Chicago is a city that prides itself on tradition, it is also a city that pushes the boundaries of whats possible. Enter Alinea, a Michelin-starred restaurant that has consistently been named one of the Top 50 restaurants in the world.
Since its opening, Alinea has redefined what fine-dining can be and nothing exemplifies that better than its edible balloon made from green apple taffy.
Get your phones ready:
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Not Every Great Restaurant In Chicago
Youre in Chicago for the first time ever. Youve got 72 hours and an appetite for everything. Where do you start?
Thats a question we get asked a lot, and its a hard one to answer. But were gonna try so that you dont return home having only sampled our finest mozzarella sticks from the food court at Navy Pier.
Theres no doubt youll spend time wandering up and down the Magnificent Mile and checking out the West Loop. And while theres great food there , dont confine yourself to eating all your meals in these areas youll miss some of the best restaurants in the city.
This isnt meant to be a definitive list of Chicagos best restaurants its just what wed do if we were in your shoes. Speaking of shoes hopefully you brought something comfortable. Youve got a lot of ground to cover.
Sorrylooks like you screwed up that email address
Polish Sausage: Kimski Dog
Chicago has a long history of 24-hour joints serving up grilled reddish kielbasa links overflowing with sunburst-yellow mustard and golden caramelized onion, aka the Maxwell Polish. Chicago is also a melting-pot town, and it was only a matter of time before the Polish influence was mixed with a little Korean spice to produce a hot dog that someday might rival the classic dragged-through-the-garden Chicago hot dog. Behold the Kimski dog, a thick hunk of Polish sausage topped with soju-liquor-spiked mustard and fermented kimchi sauerkraut stuffed into a pillowy split-top, lobster roll-style bun. The richness of the meat is foiled by the mustard and kimchi brightness, providing a hot dog that bursts like flavor fireworks.
Go to: Kimski
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The 25 Most Unique Restaurant Concepts In Chicago
The most unique restaurant concepts in Chicago can be difficult to pin down, given the city is home to more than 7,000 restaurants. So if youre looking for inspiration for your own restaurant concept, youll find no shortage of ideas within Windy City walls.
But no one wants to scour a list of 7,000. So weve narrowed down the list to the 25 most unique restaurant concepts in Chicago, so you can either refine your own restaurant startup idea or modify your current concept to remain on trend.
A Chefs’ Guide To Eating Out In Chicago
From architectural feats and notoriously loyal sports fans to public sculptures and hip-hop, Chicago is known for many things, and chief among them might be its iconic foods. Topping-heavy Chicago-style hot dogs, sky-high stuffed pizzas, piping-hot Italian-beef sandwiches, and a shot or three of Jeppsons Malört are certainly all worth enjoying when youre in town, but make sure you leave some room in your itinerary, and your belly, for exploring the lesser-known side of the citys food scene.
Chi-Town has its fair share of celebrity chefs, and a handful of restaurants youve definitely heard ofRick Baylesss empire of Mexican restaurants is still going strong, and the far-reaching influence of Grant Achatzs molecular-gastronomy powerhouses Alinea, Next, and The Aviary cant be denied. But Chicago also boasts a rich and culinarily diverse food scene that reflects the fabric of the city. If you know where to look, youll find unexpected fusion cuisines world-class cocktail spots with stellar bar bites late-night joints that hand out cookies at midnight and holes-in-the-wall where you can get hearty, stick-to-your-ribs soups and stews to power you through any Chicago winter.
Below, they point the way to some of their favorite places for late-night eats, drinks, breakfast and brunch, special-occasion meals, and, of course, iconic Chicago foods. Read on to find out where chefs eat in Chicago.
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Single Cheeseburger At Au Cheval
West LoopFad foods come and go, but this West Loop haunts multi-award-winning cheeseburgera scrumptiously sloppy pile of prime W.W. Johnson Farms beef griddled to greasy perfection, goopy American cheese, housemade pickles, a runny fried egg, thick-cut bacon, and a dollop of tangy Dijonnaise spread stuffed into a buttery double-toasted bunis undoubtedly forever. Pair it with a frosty $3 tallboy and a Dr. Devons Pickleback shot for the full experience. If youre joined by dining partners, be sure to split the restaurants signature fried bologna sandwich to serve as a gut-busting appetizer like no other. How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating, order take-out via Toast, or get delivery via Caviar and DoorDash.
Baby Back Ribs At Smoque Bbq
Nothing is more classic and representative of Chicago than a restaurant with a welcoming atmosphere and huge portions. Smoque is known for their family style tables and neighborhood kind of place atmosphere. The barbecue sauce is homemade so you cant go wrong with anything from their large variety of meat.
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Biancas Original From Biancas Burger
LoopBrother and sister Rafael and Elizabeth Royal launched this to-go only operation during the height of the pandemic but its already a surefire hit, landing a spot inside downtowns coveted Revival Food Hall within months of opening. Just take one bite of their classic smashed patty preparation and youll instantly understand why. An ideal textural balance is achieved between the chewy interior and the charred edges. Swaddled in melted American cheese and sandwiched between toasted brioche, it needs very little doctoring to shinea simple addition of pickles, onions, and tomato does the trick. Pair it with housemade onion rings for the ultimate one-two punch. How to book: Stop by for counter service or order take-out and delivery via Uber Eats, Tock, and GrubHub.
Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken
315 E 51st St, Chicago, IL 60615
This small chicken restaurant in Chicago doesnt even have a website, but they do have finger-licking good fried chicken!
2500 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Takeout only is available for their menu, which includes fried chicken, lamb ribs, and buttermilk biscuits.
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Pierogi From Kasias Deli
Ukrainian VillageConsistently awarded the best pierogi in Chicago by countless area publications, this bustling Ukrainian Village counterserve lives up to the hype with their rotating cast of masterfully doughy Eastern European dumplings. With each bite, the soft, toothsome exterior gives way to piping hot fillings like potato and bacon, cabbage and onion, beef goulash, sauerkraut and Polish sausage, mushroom with pesto and truffles as well as sweet options like fresh strawberries, plums, and wild blueberries.How to book: Stop by for counter service or order take-out and delivery via Uber Eats and GrubHub.
Best Italian Beef In Chicago Als Beef
Another Chicago staple that could probably be its own food group, Italian beef is a go-to lunch in the loop. Just know how to order so you dont hold up the line. Theyll ask if you want it dry, wet, or dipped which refers to how juicy itll be and whether you want it topped with hot or sweet peppers .
Also Try: Mr. Beef, Tonys Italian Beef
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Discover Chicago Downtown / Loop
Chicago’s downtown Loop district is a bustling center of commerce known for its historical scenery and unique urban culture. Located between Chicago Street and Harrison Street, the Loop is also home to numerous eateries that draw inspiration from across the world. Visitors to the Loop regularly enjoy Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and hot dogs. While these classic offerings have earned a reputation as Chicago’s most popular foods, foodies and culinary experts are impressed by the Loop’s hip restaurants that are revolutionizing the dining scene. Many small restaurants in the Loop offer upscale New American fare. New American dishes often consist of traditional American dishes that are fused with foreign flavors. People in search of romantic dining environments can enjoy upscale steakhouses. Small family-owned Southern and Eastern European restaurants are also popular in the Downtown/Loop area.
Chicago Sweatlodges Rehydrate Bar And Cafe
At the Rehydrate Water Bar and Cafe, diners can experience the Russian banya, a plunge pool, a Turkish massage, and Mexican cuisine.
The Russian banya is a traditional sweat lodge experience guests are thwacked with oak leaf brooms to stimulate blood flow and then sit in a sweltering sauna. Spa-goers then urn into diners, where guests can choose to indulge in everything from pierogies to chicken fajitas.
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Frequently Asked Questions And Answers
What are people saying about restaurants in Chicago, IL?
This is a review for restaurants in Chicago, IL:
“Food was excellent, but out server was possibly the worst I’ve ever had. He was actively hostile, impatient after 20 seconds of taking an order – bald white guy, actually awful. Also, the valet service was terrible. Guy changed seat and rearview mirror settings, didn’t drive car out, and didn’t know how much to charge us. Actually incompetent service – again, food is great though.”
Butter Toffee At The Fudge Pot
Make your Chicago visit a little sweeter by heading to The Fudge Pot, an Old Town mainstay for over 50 years. Chocoholics cant go wrong with any of their offerings, but were particularly fond of their Butter Toffee. One of their most sought-after products, the buttery sweet caramel is covered in either dark or milk rich chocolate and finished off with a generous sprinkle of crunchy nuts.
Thats not all:
The Fudge Pot has gift boxes that make the perfect Chicago present for your loved ones back home. Dont have room in your carry-on? No worries because it also ships nationwide.
Insider Tip: Looking for other Chicago souvenirs for your favorite gourmand? Chicago Food Planet offers gift certificates for that person in your life who is always hungry for exciting experiences.
If they want to try The Fudge Pot on their own, they can take our Second City Classic Food Tour where we visit these and other mom-and-pop shops.
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Places For The Best Tamales In Chicago
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Chicago winters call for piping hot comfort food to warm your hands, body, and soul. Weve covered where to get the best takeout without leaving your home and rounded up our fave spots for hot soup and tea. However, dont forget one of the most delicious ways to keep warm and make your tastebuds happy. Yes, were talking Tamales! Whether you like them filled with pollo, carne, frijoles, queso, or one of each, here are nine places to order the best tamales in Chicago.
Best Bagel In Chicago New York Bagel
This may sound random, but you have no idea how hard it is to find a good bagel in a predominantly Christian, red state. To give you an idea of how bad the demand is, the one non-Einsteins within Denver proper just opened to 45-minute waits . This Jew girl needs her schmear, and preferably with lox.
Also Try: Chicago Bagel Authority
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