Chicago’s both the Windy City and the City of Big Shoulders. It’s only fitting, then, that the city’s most iconic foods are the hearty type that power you through a cold day and a tough workweek. From burgers to hot dogs, we’ve rounded them all up here.
13 Iconic Foods That Every Chicagoan Must Eat (at Least Once)
•
Published Feb 22, 2017
Lou Malnati’s/Facebook
Deep Dish From Lou Malnati’s
New York pies be damned—this is the best pizza there is.
Multiple locations; loumalnatis.com
Superdawg
Hot Dog From Superdawg
Three rules: Absolutely no ketchup; it must be Vienna Beef; and it better come smushed in a box with fries (and pickled tomato).
6363 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-763-0660 or superdawg.com
Original Rainbow Cone/facebook
Ice Cream From Original Rainbow Cone
For the original Original Rainbow Cone, head south to Beverly. If you’re in a hurry, you can also get your fix at the Navy Pier outpost.
9233 S. Western Ave.; 773-238-7075 or rainbowcone.com
Al’s #1 Italian Beef/facebook
Italian Beef From Al’s #1 Italian Beef
Starting with a Little Italy storefront in 1938, this now nearly ubiquitous chain claims to have invented the beloved sandwich.
Multiple locations; alsbeef.com
Calumet Fisheries/facebook
Smoked Salmon From Calumet Fisheries
This legendary smokehouse has been churning out some of the city’s best seafood since 1948.
3259 E. 95th St.; 773-933-9855 or calumetfisheries.com
Cheesecake From Eli’s
The name now known for cheesecake originally belonged to a Streeterville steakhouse. Eli’s The Place for Steak no longer exists, but the dessert lives on.
6701 Forest Dr.; 773-308-7015 or elicheesecake.com
Billy Goat Tavern/facebook
Cheeseburger From Billy Goat Tavern
The burger that launched John Belushi’s career.
430 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-222-1525 or billygoattavern.com
J.P. Graziano/facebook
Hot Giardiniera From J.p. Graziano’s
No Italian sub is complete without the spicy, crunchy mix.
901 W. Randolph St.; 312-666-4587 or jpgraziano.com
@izebeibie/instagram
Frango Mints From Macy's
RIP, Mr. Fields.
Multiple locations; macys.com
Crisp/facebook
Fried Chicken From Crisp
The perfectly caramelized Korean fried chicken has a serious cult following.
2940 N. Broadway St.; 773-697-7610 or crisponline.com
Steak Jibarito From El Nuevo Borinquen
This beloved Puerto Rican sandwich gets layered between fried plantains instead of bread—genius.
1720 N. California Ave.; 773-799-8390
@freyjashi/instagram
Chicago Mix From Garrett Popcorn
Lines have been known to wrap around the corner, and then the next corner, for the crunchy nutty goodness.
Multiple locations; garrettpopcorn.com
Jim’s Original /facebook
Maxwell Street Polish From Jim’s Original
If you think this is just another hot dog, you must be new to the city.
1250 S. Union Ave.; 312-733-7820 or jimsoriginal.com
