Top 20 Iconic Dishes in Chicago, IL

Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza

A thick, savory pie with a buttery crust, loaded with cheese, toppings, and a rich tomato sauce, baked in a deep pan.

#2

Chicago-Style Hot Dog

An all-beef frankfurter in a poppy seed bun, topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, bright green sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, pickled sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt.

#3

Italian Beef Sandwich

Thinly sliced, seasoned roast beef, dripping with savory meat juices, served on a long Italian roll, often dipped in au jus (wet) or served with giardiniera (hot).

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#4

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Garrett Popcorn Chicago Mix

A popular blend of Garrett's signature CaramelCrisp and CheeseCrisp popcorn, offering a unique sweet and salty combination.

#5

Jibarito

A unique sandwich where flattened, fried plantains replace traditional bread, typically filled with steak, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and garlic mayonnaise.

#6

Maxwell Street Polish

A grilled or char-broiled Polish sausage, topped with grilled onions and yellow mustard, often served on a plain hot dog bun.

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#7

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Eli's Original Plain Cheesecake

A rich, creamy, and dense cheesecake with a signature buttery shortbread cookie crust, a Chicago classic.

#8

Lou Malnati's Buttercrust Deep Dish

Known for its flaky, buttery crust and signature sweet tomato sauce, a quintessential Chicago deep dish experience.

#9

Giordano's Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza

A truly unique deep dish with two layers of crust filled with cheese and toppings, then topped with tomato sauce, creating a savory pie.

#10

Portillo's Italian Beef

A beloved local chain famous for its consistently delicious Italian beef sandwiches, often enjoyed 'dipped' with hot giardiniera.

#11

Superdawg Chicago Hot Dog

A unique, oversized hot dog served with pickled green tomatoes, Spanish onions, and a secret relish, at a classic drive-in.

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#12

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Flaming Saganaki

Pan-fried kefalotyri or graviera cheese, flambéed tableside with a shout of 'OPA!', then doused with lemon juice.

#13

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The Original Rainbow Cone

A towering ice cream cone featuring five distinct flavors: chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House, pistachio, and orange sherbet.

#14

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Harold's Chicken Shack Fried Chicken

Crispy, juicy fried chicken, known for its distinctive mild sauce and served in no-frills establishments across the city.

#15

Pizza Puff

A deep-fried, turnover-style snack filled with cheese, sausage, and tomato sauce, often found at hot dog stands.

#16