10 Best Places to Eat in Chicago: The City of Big Shoulders
If you can’t find something to eat in Chicago, you aren’t looking hard enough. From gourmet hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches to foie gras and deep-dish pizza, the city offers something for everyone. So whether you’re a locavore or an omnivore, rest assured that there’s no shortage of places to eat in Chicago. While that might seem like a good problem to have, it can be overwhelming when trying to choose the best sit-down restaurant, fast-casual chain or hole-in-the-wall deli. That is why we put together this list of the top 10 places to eat in Chicago.
Bon Appetit
Since you’re in the city of big appetites, you might as well start the list of places to eat in Chicago with the one dish that stands above them all: the classic Chicago-style hot dog. This legendary snack is as much a part of the city’s identity as Lake Michigan and the Sears Tower. In fact, the two are often mentioned in the same breath. People often forget that the Chicago-style hot dog has changed over time. The classic recipe is topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, neon green relish, dill pickle slices, a generous squirt of celery salt and a sprinkle of sweet green peppers. The ingredients are combined in such a way that each bite contains a little bit of everything – from bun to bun. There’s a reason that the Chicago-style hot dog is on our list of the top 10 places to eat in Chicago: It’s a taste that you can’t get anywhere else.
Chicago’s Best Pizza
Chicagoans might argue that their pizza is the best in the world, but we’re not here to judge. We are, however, here to inform you that pizza is definitely one of the best things to eat in Chicago. We don’t want to get into the big pizza debate, but if you want to try the best pizza in the city, you have to start with the classic. For Chicagoans, it all starts with the dough. The best pizza is made with a thick and chewy crust. And while many will argue that the true Chicago-style pizza is made with a deep-dish crust, we’re not sure that deep-dish pizza belongs on our list of the top 10 places to eat in Chicago. But what’s an Italian-style pizza without a little bit of Italian? While you can find great Italian-style pizza all across the city, you’ll have to head to one of these five places to find the best pizza in Chicago.
The Chicago Hamburger experience
The hamburger is the most iconic sandwich in the United States, and in Chicago, it is treated as a meal all its own. You can find high-end burgers at five-star restaurants, but you can also find them as drive-through take-out. And while you can find a great hamburger at any number of places to eat in Chicago, we’ve selected five that offer a classic Chicago-style burger. And while we can’t promise that a trip to Chicago will turn you into a true Chicagoan, we can assure you that these five places will turn you into a full-blown hamburger connoisseur. Here are five places to eat in Chicago for a true hamburger experience.
Deep Dish Pizza at Lou Malnati’s
When we think about Chicago-style pizza, we think about deep-dish pizza. Cheese, sauce, crust – everything is stacked on top of everything else. If you are in the mood for a thick slice of deep-dish pizza, look no further than Lou Malnati’s. With more than 40 years of experience and a recipe that’s been passed down from generation to generation, Lou Malnati’s is considered by many to be the best place to eat in Chicago for deep-dish pizza. So if you really want to try the best pizza in Chicago, check out Malnati’s. You can order a plain slice, but we recommend getting one with extra cheese because it’s bound to ooze out the sides.
The Falafel Bowl at Hummingbird
When it comes to hybrid foods, you might not expect to find a place to eat in Chicago that serves a falafel bowl. But on this list of the top 10 places to eat in Chicago, you’ll find the best falafel bowl that the city has to offer. The falafel bowl at Hummingbird is a deconstructed take on the classic pita sandwich. It starts with a crispy pita chip that’s been smeared with a creamy tahini sauce and topped with creamy hummus and fresh vegetables. The bowl is then topped with a mound of warm and fluffy Israeli-style falafel. If all of that isn’t enough for you, Hummingbird also offers a wide selection of pita sandwiches that change daily.
Baked Salmon with Spring Mix and Wasabi Dressing at Ryung’s
If you’re looking for a place that specializes in fusion cuisine, Ryung’s is the place to eat in Chicago. This modern Asian fusion restaurant is known for mixing and matching different culinary traditions to create unique bites. But if you’re not feeling adventurous and want to try something that is distinctly Asian, Ryung’s has a menu full of traditional dishes, including baked salmon with spring mix and wasabi dressing. This dish is a modern twist on a classic salmon and asparagus combination. This Asian fusion dish is topped with a sweet and spicy wasabi dressing and served over an Asian-inspired salad. If you’re not a salmon person, Ryung’s also offers a baked chicken with spring mix and wasabi dressing.
Beef Dishes at Giordano’s
When Giordano’s first opened its doors in 1974, it was a small Italian bakery that quickly grew into one of the best places to eat in Chicago. Now, Giordano’s is a Chicago staple that serves up Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, Italian sandwiches and a wide variety of Italian-inspired dishes. If you want to try a traditional Italian dish, Giordano’s offers some of the best pasta dishes in the city. But if you want to try something a little more American, Giordano’s has you covered there too. Giordano’s offers five different types of beef dishes, including steak, filet mignon and New York strip. The best way to experience Giordano’s is to order one of these beef dishes, a side of Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and wash it down with a glass of red wine.
Halibut and Scampi at Ocean Basket
If you’re looking for a place that has a little bit of everything on the menu, you can’t go wrong with Ocean Basket. This Chicago-based seafood chain offers an all-you-can-eat menu with an array of seafood dishes that change daily. You can order the halibut and scampi, a dish that features halibut in a creamy garlic sauce served over pasta. Or you can order the seafood platter, which comes with a little bit of everything. But if you want to try the best seafood in Chicago, you have to visit the place that put deep-dish pizza on the map. And while it might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of places to eat in Chicago, it’s definitely one of the best.
Chicago’s Best Hot Dogs: There is no Debate.
Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches and a whole host of other delicious foods. But it’s the hot dog that stands above them all. And while there are places that specialize in Chicago-style hot dogs, there is one place in particular that has been serving up the best hot dogs in Chicago