Discover the Must-Try Restaurants and Delights in Chicago
Chicago, the Windy City, is not just known for its stunning architecture, vibrant nightlife, and rich history, but also for its diverse culinary scene. From deep-dish pizza to Chicago-style hot dogs, the city offers a plethora of mouth-watering delights that are sure to satisfy your taste buds. Whether you’re a foodie looking for the next best eatery or a tourist wanting to try local cuisine, here are some must-try restaurants and delights in Chicago.
Alinea
Ranked as one of the best restaurants in the world, Alinea is a must-visit for any food enthusiast. This three-Michelin-star restaurant is known for its innovative and artistic presentation of dishes. The menu changes seasonally, but you can expect a gastronomic adventure with every visit.
Giordano’s
No visit to Chicago would be complete without trying the city’s famous deep-dish pizza, and Giordano’s is one of the best places to have it. Their pizza is characterized by its buttery, flaky crust, filled with layers of cheese and topped with a chunky tomato sauce.
Portillo’s
For a taste of the iconic Chicago-style hot dog, head to Portillo’s. Their hot dogs are served on a poppy seed bun, topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, bright green sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, pickled sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt.
The Purple Pig
If you’re a fan of Mediterranean food, The Purple Pig is a must-try. This restaurant offers a variety of dishes made with cheese, swine, and wine. Their menu includes a variety of tapas-style dishes, perfect for sharing.
Girl & The Goat
Opened by Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard, Girl & The Goat is a popular restaurant that serves innovative dishes. The menu is divided into three sections: vegetable, fish, and meat, offering something for everyone.
Must-Try Delights
Beyond these restaurants, there are several dishes that you must try while in Chicago. These include:
- Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza: This pizza is known for its unique, deep crust that is layered with cheese and fillings, topped with a chunky tomato sauce.
- Chicago-Style Hot Dog: This hot dog is a feast of flavors and textures, with a variety of toppings including mustard, relish, onions, tomato slices, pickled sport peppers, a dill pickle spear, and celery salt.
- Italian Beef: This sandwich is made with thin slices of seasoned roast beef, simmered and served on a long Italian-style roll. The sandwich can be ordered “wet” (dipped in the cooking juices) or “dry”.
- Jibarito: This sandwich uses fried green plantains instead of bread, and is typically filled with steak, cheese, lettuce, and tomato.
Chicago’s culinary scene is as diverse and vibrant as the city itself. Whether you’re a foodie or just a tourist looking to try local cuisine, these restaurants and dishes are sure to leave you wanting more.
