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Food and Drink
"The food — the wide assortment that you can find." — Jordan S.
Finding food from anywhere in the world
“Pueblito Viejo on Lincoln! (Super OG Colombian spot)” — Giselle V.
“Sinhá restaurant at 2018 W Adams St!” — Kate S.
“The diversity and abundance of cuisines in Chicago. Recent social media trends show an overabundance of “best of” lists and rankings of different foods/restaurants. I believe that this is a big enough city with room for everyone; each restaurant/establishment has something to offer. Not everything has to be ‘the best.’ There is something for everyone all across the city.” — Julio L.
Nita’s Gumbo
Happy Lamb
“I love Bruna's in the Heart of Chicago off of Western. My family has been going for decades. The owner Luciano walks around to each table with a glass of wine in his hand.” — Lizzie
Mexican food
Peke’s Pozole
Gorditas la Tia
Carnitas Uruapan
Birrieria Zaragoza
"All the kinds of fusion restaurants we have." — Michelle N., City Cast Chicago producer
Asian Cuisine Express' Mmonday dollar tacos
Paco’s Tacos
Late-night Atotonilco tacos
Taqueria Los Comales
Velvet Taco
Taco trucks/carts
Elotero carts in the summer
Street corner tamale carts
Running into The Tamale Guy
Taipei Cafe
Miss Saigon
“Ramen-san's Express Lunch.”
The prices at Ghareeb Nawaz
Mr. D’s Shish-Kabobs
Oasis Cafe hidden in Jewelers Row
Hidden restaurants
“I love the hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and how it can be a coin toss between food poisoning and the best restaurant you’ve ever eaten at.” —Eric R.
"Ethnic grocery stores where you can find A N Y T H I N G." — Simone A.
Joong Boo Market
Gangnam Market
"Having amazing tacos at the back of a Mexican grocery store." —Michelle N.
“Tacos from the back of a grocery store.” — Lisa F.
Gene’s Sausage Shop and Deli
All of the amazing Caribbean food and Chicago’s love for Jerk food
La Sandwichera
Papa Cache’s steak jibarito
Mr. Beef's Italian beef sandwich
Giardiniera on everything
“That Chicagoland Subways always have giardiniera. In fact, just giardiniera. I LOVE it!” — Jason H.
“The Mr. G sub (with giardiniera) from JP Graziano's — and the man himself, Jimmy Graziano.” — Lawrence B.
“JP Graziano’s” — Kyle J.
“The Kali Mist sub from Cheba Hut in Lakeview!” — Carson M.
Portillo's chopped salad
Tavern-style pizza (“We just called it thin-crust in my day.” — Bob Z., City Cast Chicago senior account executive)
Vito & Nick’s
True tavern-style pizza at Vito & Nick’s
Middle Brow's Tavern-style Tuesdays
Phil’s pizza on 35th
"Learning that D'Agostinos has pizza that is half-off on Wednesdays 🤓" — Sidney M.
Fox’s Pub pizza
“JB Alberto's slinging slices (and whole pies) at Northside bars!” — Mara J.
"Waiting 2 hours for Pequod’s and only kind of regretting it." — Wil F.
Getting a Big Baby
The Billy Goat
Giant
Patty Please smash burger at Small Bar
“Leavitt Street Tavern burger being arguably the best in the city (Michelle would back me up on this one).” — Sidney M.
“The $20 burger, beer, and shot special at Leavitt Inn and Tavern.” — Michelle N.
The jukebox and paintings at Old Town Ale House
“The Whale in Logan Square.” — Maggie S.
“Sunday Roast at Hawksmoor!” — Tricia G.
"Old-school Chicago restaurants like Lou Mitchell's and Manny's Deli that have become institutions." — Sidney M.
Sweetsteaks
Hot dogs
Dan’s Hot Dogs
Wrigleyville Dog’s Chicago dog
Getting roasted at the Weiner's Circle
Home Depot Polish
Maxwell Street Polish
Late-night Maxwell’s trip
Red Hot Ranch Smashburger
Cheap, late-night hot dog or burger from Red Hot Ranch
"Chicago's commitment to combining foods and bevs in ways that don't make sense (e.g., Italian beef pizza, beer-flavored pizza, caramel popcorn beer, cbd giardiniera)." — Sidney M.
“So many options for great ribs and chicken.” — Katie W.
No Sauce Az Smokehouse
Jay’s Backyard BBQ
Twin Anchors
“The Sportsman Summer BBQ Series.” —Emily C.
Cane’s on Michigan Avenue
Chicken sandwich from Big Boss Fried Chicken
Lawrence’s Fish and Shrimp
Food Allegiances
Uncle Remus
Harold’s on 87th Street
Extra mild sauce
Best Intentions honey mustard
Totto’s Market
“Oakley Foods and all neighborhood corner stores who really know the community members.” — Jacoby C.
“Walking to your neighborhood corner store for munchies!” — Giselle V.
Pizza puffs
Garrett Popcorn, the Chicago mix
Cracker Jack
Flamin’ hots and cheese with meat and peppers
Richard’s Super Premium Ice Cream
“Italian ice, dare I say?” — Andi M.
First visit to Kilwins
Rainbow Cone
Margie’s root beer float
Old Fashioned Donuts
Paczki
“Defloured gluten-free bakery in Andersonville is my favorite place for gluten, dairy free, and/or vegan treats! They have so many creative options, and there's something new to try every time I go, and it's all excellent!” — Liza M.
Borinken Cakes
Caramel Peach Pie from Justice of the Pies
Cadinho Bakery and Cafe
Racine Bakery
La Central Bakery
"The incredible selection of gummies at O'Hare Airport (fave: peach penguins)" — Andi M., City Cast Chief Creative Officer
Fannie May Candy
Tootsie Roll
King Sweets
Peppermint pickles
“Chicago summers as a kid going to candy houses or neighborhood homes that were candy stores! Cheaper than the grocery stores and those who ran them felt like family." — Mariah M.
The dinner party scene
Brunch at m.henry
L&G
Batter & Berries
Cafe Moustache
Goddess & the Baker
“Fresh Mozz sandwich from Medici on 57th.” — Kate S.
Kusanya Cafe
Sip & Savor
7323 Chicago Cafe
Robust Coffee Lounge’s breakfast sammie
Neighborhood bars
Big Chicks/Tweet
“Turner Haus Brewery” —Talibah F.
The Globe Pub
Osito’s Tap
Palomas at Osito’s Tap
Maria’s Packaged Goods and Community Bar
Punch House
Free shot at midnight at Punch House
West Loop bar crawl
Cara Cara Club
Grabbing a drink at the Zachary
The Green Mill
"Sitting in Al Capone's booth at the Green Mill ... Sitting anywhere at the Green Mill" — Wil F.
Real speakeasies
Bartenders who make you off-menu drinks
“Drinking glogg at Simon's Tavern.” — Jan V.
“The dive bars!” — Tricia G.
Cheap drinks
Uptown Lounge
“A good Avondale happy hour.” — Kate R.
All the breweries
Open Outcry Brewing
Monochrome Brewing
Green Line by Goose Island
“Open bars at weddings. Cheers!” — Bob Z.
Restaurant Week
New restaurants opening all the time
“Your local restaurants knowing you and your order.” — Michelle N.
"The TikTok guy eating his way through every country in the world at Chicagoland restaurants." — Sidney M.
“Dennis Lee's substacks (The Party Cut, Food Is Stupid): One is a thoughtful, down-to-earth celebration of Chicago's small but mighty restaurants, and the other is ... a truly creative endeavor.” — Nathalie R.