When you leave the city, there are some missed foods you have to have as soon as you get back. Even when you’re in a food paradise like New York or Rome, you just can’t stop thinking about the great eats in the Windy City.
From savory to sweet, these meals and treats are the foods we Chicagoans can’t live without. Keep scrolling for more food porn than you can handle.
- Deep dish pizza
Facebook/Gino’s East (500 N LaSalle St, Chicago) While Gino’s East certainly serves up an excellent slice, any number of Chicago pizzerias carry this type of pizza. Thick crust, chunky sauce, and so much cheese make these pies crave-worthy.
- Burgers
Facebook/M Burger Most people outside the city don’t know this, but Chicago is actually a huge burger hub. We have our own classics like Au Cheval, Kuma’s Corner, and M Burger, but we also get favorites like Shake Shack and Five Guys.
- Rainbow Cone
Facebook/Original Rainbow Cone You can get this treat at the Original Rainbow Cone or at many festivals that take place throughout the city in the summer. The unique, flavorful layers that make the rainbow are mind-blowing. You’ll never forget this treat.
- Bagels
Facebook/Brobagel Step aside, New York — there’s a new bagel capital in town, and it’s Chicago. Forget cream cheese when you can get a meaty, cheesy sandwich at shops like Brobagel.
- Garret popcorn
Facebook/Garrett Popcorn Shops Chicago popcorn is the perfect combination. One part Cheddar cheese popcorn to one part caramel corn is the perfect ratio for a sweet and salty treat you’ll never want to end. Make sure to take some of this with you if you leave the city.
- Grilled cheese
Facebook/Cheesie’s Pub & Grub Chicago is a great place to eat gourmet versions of children’s classics. Cheesie’s serves the best grilled cheeses in the city, and you can get them just about anyway you like. Meat and cheese? Just veggies? Many locals prefer The Mac (pictured).
- Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder
Facebook/Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co. For those who have had the pleasure of trying this wonderful creation, it is a must-eat at least once per year. A crust bowl is filled with sauce and freshly melted mozzarella that you eat kind of like soup. You’ll be hooked after one bite.
- Donuts
Facebook/Glazed and Infused Doughnuts While the donuts from Glazed and Infused are exceptional (especially the ones with sprinkles), there are many places throughout the city to get these gourmet treats. Seasonal flavors, fillings, and other embellishments abound. Stop by early before your favorites are gone.
- Pequod’s Pizza
Facebook/Pequod’s Chicago Pizza This is a specific kind of pie. This pan pizza is lined with a mozzarella cheese crust that is crispy and delicious. Light and fluffy dough combined with fresh ingredients make this the best in the city.
- Hot dogs
Facebook/Superdawg Many places around the city will sell you a hotdog, but none are as good as those at Superdawg. This iconic drive-in has lasted the times and remains a Chicago favorite that we can’t live without.
- Churros
Facebook/XOCO These sweet dough sticks are a Mexican favorite that has permeated Chicago’s food scene. Get them dipped, drizzled, and doused in an array of different toppings and other delights.
- Italian beef
Facebook/Portillo’s While Portillo’s is a wonderful place to get this dish, there are many restaurants around the city serving Italian Beef, and everyone has their favorites. These classic flavors have been a Chicago staple for more than six decades.
- Maple bacon donut
Facebook/Do-Rite Donuts & Coffee Nothing compares to sweet and salty flavors all at once, especially for breakfast. Many delectable donuts abound at Do-Rite Donuts, but the best is this unique delight you’ll want to eat every morning.
- Buffalo chicken tacos
Facebook/Velvet Taco Chicago Velvet Taco is Chicago’s top place for tacos and other Mexican fare. Just one bite of these fresh, fried chicken tacos will send your taste buds on a journey like never before.
- Jibaritos
Facebook/Jibarito’s y Más This Chicago invention is a sandwich made from fried plantains. If you haven’t tried this dish yet, you’re definitely missing out. Get it with various meats, veggies, and other ingredients.
Here’s a bonus for any cheese lovers out there. Don’t miss the best mozzarella sticks in Chicago.
Facebook/Gino’s East (500 N LaSalle St, Chicago)
While Gino’s East certainly serves up an excellent slice, any number of Chicago pizzerias carry this type of pizza. Thick crust, chunky sauce, and so much cheese make these pies crave-worthy.
Facebook/M Burger
Most people outside the city don’t know this, but Chicago is actually a huge burger hub. We have our own classics like Au Cheval, Kuma’s Corner, and M Burger, but we also get favorites like Shake Shack and Five Guys.
Facebook/Original Rainbow Cone
You can get this treat at the Original Rainbow Cone or at many festivals that take place throughout the city in the summer. The unique, flavorful layers that make the rainbow are mind-blowing. You’ll never forget this treat.
Facebook/Brobagel
Step aside, New York — there’s a new bagel capital in town, and it’s Chicago. Forget cream cheese when you can get a meaty, cheesy sandwich at shops like Brobagel.
Facebook/Garrett Popcorn Shops
Chicago popcorn is the perfect combination. One part Cheddar cheese popcorn to one part caramel corn is the perfect ratio for a sweet and salty treat you’ll never want to end. Make sure to take some of this with you if you leave the city.
Facebook/Cheesie’s Pub & Grub
Chicago is a great place to eat gourmet versions of children’s classics. Cheesie’s serves the best grilled cheeses in the city, and you can get them just about anyway you like. Meat and cheese? Just veggies? Many locals prefer The Mac (pictured).
Facebook/Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co.
For those who have had the pleasure of trying this wonderful creation, it is a must-eat at least once per year. A crust bowl is filled with sauce and freshly melted mozzarella that you eat kind of like soup. You’ll be hooked after one bite.
Facebook/Glazed and Infused Doughnuts
While the donuts from Glazed and Infused are exceptional (especially the ones with sprinkles), there are many places throughout the city to get these gourmet treats. Seasonal flavors, fillings, and other embellishments abound. Stop by early before your favorites are gone.
Facebook/Pequod’s Chicago Pizza
This is a specific kind of pie. This pan pizza is lined with a mozzarella cheese crust that is crispy and delicious. Light and fluffy dough combined with fresh ingredients make this the best in the city.
Facebook/Superdawg
Many places around the city will sell you a hotdog, but none are as good as those at Superdawg. This iconic drive-in has lasted the times and remains a Chicago favorite that we can’t live without.
Facebook/XOCO
These sweet dough sticks are a Mexican favorite that has permeated Chicago’s food scene. Get them dipped, drizzled, and doused in an array of different toppings and other delights.
Facebook/Portillo’s
While Portillo’s is a wonderful place to get this dish, there are many restaurants around the city serving Italian Beef, and everyone has their favorites. These classic flavors have been a Chicago staple for more than six decades.
Facebook/Do-Rite Donuts & Coffee
Nothing compares to sweet and salty flavors all at once, especially for breakfast. Many delectable donuts abound at Do-Rite Donuts, but the best is this unique delight you’ll want to eat every morning.
Facebook/Velvet Taco Chicago
Velvet Taco is Chicago’s top place for tacos and other Mexican fare. Just one bite of these fresh, fried chicken tacos will send your taste buds on a journey like never before.
Facebook/Jibarito’s y Más
This Chicago invention is a sandwich made from fried plantains. If you haven’t tried this dish yet, you’re definitely missing out. Get it with various meats, veggies, and other ingredients.
What other foods do you miss when you leave the city? Share your favorites with us!
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