The Windy City is well known for its towering architecture, flowing rivers, museums, shopping, sports teams, and – most importantly – its food! Chicago’s iconic cuisine includes delicious twists on American staples like deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, and beyond. Ryan Bluestone explores the signature dishes that now define Chicago’s culinary identity, along with where to find the best of the best.

Deep-Dish Pizza at Lou Malnati’s

We’ll start with the most famous of the Chicago eats – deep-dish pizza! New York City may corner the market on thin, greasy slices, but pizza fans flock to Chicago in order to enjoy the thick stuff, served in deep pans with a delicious chunky crust.

Lou Malnati’s is synonymous with the Chicago deep-dish. These tasty, personalized pizzas are served piping hot straight out of the aluminum pan, covered in zesty toppings and mounds of cheese. The long waits at Lou’s can get intense though, so try heading there at off-hours or join the Iconic Foods of Chicago Tour to enjoy Lou’s pizza while skipping the line! Want to take the pizza home? They also ship nationwide.

Hot Dogs at Portillo’s

Like deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs are thicker and juicier than their cousins in other cities. Enjoy a classic all-beef hot dog in a steamed poppy seed bun covered with all the essentials (relish, chopped onions, sliced tomatoes, celery salt, sport peppers, and a pickle spear) at one of Portillo’s several locations across the city. And be sure not to make the rookie mistake – these hot dogs are best with mustard only, never ketchup. Portillo’s also has burgers, milkshakes, sandwiches, fries, and salads to die for, so your family can grab all their quick-eat essentials in one delicious stop.

Beef Sandwiches at Johnnie’s Beef

Italian beef sandwiches – roast beef piled high on a long roll served with peppers and sometimes even a sausage– are also a Windy City mainstay. Ryan Bluestone loves his Italian beef with melty mozzarella cheese on it. Get your fix at Johnnie’s Beef in Elmwood Park and Arlington Heights, two no-frills cash-only old school hot dog stands that also serve fries, shakes, and Italian ices.

Doughnuts at Do-Rite Donut

The doughnut craze swept the nation a few years back – and the culinary mecca of Chicago was sure not to be left behind! Do-Rite Donuts and Chicken stepped right up to the plate, and their Buttermilk Old-Fashioned Doughnut has become a new modern Chicago classic. Sweet tooths will rejoice when they taste this treat coated in a vanilla bean glaze with a crunchy outside and fluffy inside. Make it absolutely perfect by dunking it in a mug of steaming hot coffee, which you can of course pick up right at Do-Rite! These Instagrammable treats are available at multiple locations throughout the city.

Final Thoughts

Foodies looking for an adventurous take on American staples need look no further than the Windy City to satisfy their cravings. Sample deep-dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s, grab hot dogs with all the fixings at Portillo’s, line up for beef and pepper sandwiches at one of Johnnie Beef’s stands, then finish up with buttermilk old-fashioned doughnuts (and a cup of coffee) at Do-Rite Donut for the ultimate Chicago culinary experience.