Burger at Au Cheval – Photo by Sam Howzit (CC BY 2.0)
Most cities have a signature dish or certain dishes you just need to have while you’re in town. Kansas City has their barbecue, Philadelphia has their cheesesteak, and of course, Chicago has their deep dish pizza. While this is the most famous food in Chicago, it is far from the only option. Chicago is home to several amazing restaurants that can satisfy the taste buds of even the pickiest of eaters.
In fact, there are so many places you could eat in the city that it can almost become overwhelming. Where do you go and what do you eat? Well, in order to help you get your grub on in Chi-Town, here are five dishes that are consistently loved by locals and tourists alike.
1. Seoul Sassy Fried Chicken at Crisp
There are some amazing fried chicken joints throughout the country and Chicago is no exception. However, there is a place that is as unique as it is delicious. The restaurant is called Crisp and their piece de resistance is the Seoul Sassy Fried Chicken. These jumbo sized wings are soaked in a sweet and tangy Asian sauce and then fried. While you may not be sure how this Korean inspired fried chicken wings work, rest assured, they really do. While they are not traditional, they definitely are delicious and few places make chicken as tasty as they do at Crisp.
2. Italian Beef Sandwich at Al’s
The Italian beef sandwich is a staple in Chicago and around the country. No one does it better (or has been doing it for longer), than Al’s. In 1938, Al Ferrari developed the original idea and recipe for the Italian beef sandwich. It was actually formed out of necessity during the Great Depression. In order to make the most of what they had in terms of roast beef, they began to cut it paper thick and serve it on a thick Italian loaf with some peppers, and a legend was born. The still use the same classic recipe for their sandwiches and it is a major hit as well the signature dish at one of the most iconic food destinations in the city of Chicago.
3. Cheeseburger at Au Cheval
The cheeseburger is one of the quintessential foods in American culture. Almost every restaurant in every city has their own offering and while they are all fairly similar, there are subtle differences. However, of all of them, none can touch the cheeseburger at Au Cheval. If you want to visit the restaurant, make sure to leave earlier as there is almost always a line-up here to eat the delectable food they offer. The burgers themselves are thin patties cooked on a griddle with toppings added that range from pickles to foie gras. They are very simply made, but the execution is spot on.
4. Smoked Salmon at Calumet Fisheries
When you think about delicious seafood in the states, your mind likely goes to Seattle, New Orleans, or the Northeast of the country. However, there is actually an outstanding seafood shack right there in Chicago called Calumet Fisheries. This legendary smokehouse has been around since 1948 and its crown jewel is the smoked salmon. The fresh seafood is wood-smoked on site which gives it an outstanding flavor that is unmatched throughout the rest of the city. The smoked salmon is one of the biggest reasons why the restaurant was honored as an “America’s Classic” location by the James Beard Foundation in 2010.
5. Deep Dish Pizza at the Art of Pizza
This list would not be complete without paying homage to the deep dish pizza. On top of just being bigger and heavier than traditional pizzas, it is also made upside down with cheese and toppings on the bottom and sauce on top. In a city full of great places to eat deep dish, one stands above the rest. The deep dish pizza at the Art of Pizza is truly something special. They just do everything right. From their flaky crust to their amazingly tangy and spicy tomato sauce, the pizza is spectacular. Even without any meat added, their pies are big and tasty enough to satisfy even the hungriest of customers.
