15 Must-Try Signature Dishes in Chicago in Next Visit

You can’t deny it!!!!

The main reason people visit Chicago is for the food. And you’re not alone in loving Chicago’s food. The city has always been famous for it, and popular magazines have praised its food scene.

With more than 8,000 restaurants, many food festivals, food trucks, and a famous tamale seller, it can be hard to pick where to eat next.

But don’t worry, the city is known for some must-try dishes that no visitor should miss.

This interesting blog will help you discover the best foods and show you where locals go to eat.

We’ll give you a list of over 20 signature dishes you need to try in Chicago.

Ready? Let’s explore!

Deep-Dish Pizza from Lou Malnati’s

Let’s start with the most famous dish in Chicago! This is why you’re here, to finally try a thick slice of pizza with melted cheese, your favorite toppings, and tasty tomato sauce.

Why is this pizza so special?

Many places say they have the best Chicago deep dish pizza, but Lou Malnati’s stands out. Its special butter crust makes it different, and every part of the pan is filled with delicious, high-quality ingredients.

Tip: Lou Malnati’s is very popular, so there’s often a long wait. To get your pizza faster, visit late at night or for an early lunch.

Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich at Al’s Italian Beef

There might be some disagreement about which place has the best Chicago deep dish pizza, but when it comes to Chicago Italian beef sandwiches, there’s no doubt—Al’s Italian Beef is the best.

This sandwich is the most “Chicago” of all and is packed with flavor. It’s made from slices of roasted sirloin, cooked in a flavorful broth, and served in a thick Italian roll that soaks up all the delicious juices from the meat.

What makes it even better?

A tip for food lovers: Al’s Italian beef sandwich is just one of many must-try foods you can enjoy on the Iconic Foods of Chicago Food Tour. With expert guides from Chicago Food & City Tours, you’ll get to taste other famous dishes like deep dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs, all while learning about the city’s food culture.

It’s a great way to check off some bucket-list foods while discovering more about Chicago!

Basic Fried Chicken Dinner at Harold’s Chicken Shack

Harold’s Chicken Shack is a well-known restaurant in Chicago, even mentioned in songs by famous rappers like Lupe Fiasco and Common.

You can try it yourself by visiting Harold’s for their fried chicken meal. It comes with freshly cooked chicken, fries, coleslaw, and two slices of white bread to soak up their tasty hot sauce.

Not all Harold’s locations are the same.

For the best experience, try Harold’s No. 88 for quality, Harold’s No. 55 for the classic vibe, Harold’s No. 36 for convenience, and Harold’s No. 47 if you’re a Blackhawks fan and feeling hungry.

Buttermilk Old-Fashioned Chicago Doughnut at Do-Rite Donut

When doughnuts became very popular in the city, one doughnut stood out from the rest: Do-Rite Donut’s Buttermilk Old Fashioned Donut.

This doughnut is the favorite part of our Buildings and Bites tour that everyone talks about afterward.

It has a crunchy outside, a soft inside, and is covered with a sweet vanilla glaze. It tastes perfect when dipped in coffee.

It’s a simple but delicious breakfast treat, although you can enjoy it at any time, whether for lunch, dinner, or even a late-night snack!

Chicago-style hot dogs at Portillo’s

You’ve seen it on stickers, posters, and t-shirts. Famous chefs like Grant Achatz, Rick Bayless, and Anthony Bourdain have loved it. Now, it’s your turn to try the Chicago-style hot dog, a favorite dish among both locals and visitors.

Don’t miss out on this hot dog:

At Portillo’s, you’ll get the perfect version of this famous Chicago dish: a beef hot dog in a soft poppy seed bun, topped with relish, celery salt, onions, tomatoes, sport peppers, and a pickle. It’s a star of our Iconic Foods of Chicago Food Tour.

Just add mustard, never ketchup and you’re all set!

It’s a simple yet classic meal that works just as well for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a late-night snack.

The Famous Kuma Burger at Kuma’s Corner

Kuma’s Corner is a restaurant in Chicago that’s known for its unique style. They play loud heavy metal music, don’t serve Budweiser beer, and have even had disagreements with the Catholic Church.

But people still love it, and it has become a favorite spot for food lovers.

Their burgers are very creative. For example, you might get one with bourbon-soaked pear, roasted peppers, or mashed avocado.

The most popular burger is “The Famous Kuma,” which has 10 ounces of beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a fried egg on top.

Even though Kuma’s has a tough image, they are kind-hearted. They offer vegetarian options, like the Impossible Burger.

Every month, they donate to a different charity and support local businesses and breweries, giving customers a true Chicago experience.

Jibarito at Papa’s Cache Sabroso

The jibarito is a special sandwich from Chicago made by the Puerto Rican community. It might look like a normal sandwich, but it has a unique twist: **it doesn’t use bread**!

Instead of bread, **crispy plantains** are used to hold together the meat, cheese, lettuce, and tomato. People usually add garlic-flavored mayonnaise to it.

While steak is a common filling, many people love the chicken jibarito, especially from a place called Papa’s Cache Sabroso in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, which is known for its Puerto Rican culture.

Butter Toffee at The Fudge Pot

Make your trip to Chicago a bit sweeter by visiting The Fudge Pot, a popular shop in Old Town for more than 50 years. If you love chocolate, you can’t go wrong with anything they sell, but their Butter Toffee is a favorite.

It’s a sweet caramel covered in either dark or milk chocolate and topped with crunchy nuts.

But there’s more:

The Fudge Pot also has gift boxes that are great for bringing a piece of Chicago to your friends and family. If you don’t have space in your luggage, don’t worry! They can ship anywhere in the country.

Tip: If you want more Chicago gifts for someone who loves food, check out Chicago Food & City Tours. They offer gift certificates for fun food experiences.

Malbec Beef Empanada at 5411 Empanadas

Chicago has a lot to offer, and it can be easy to skip a regular meal for street food. One great option is the empanadas from a top food truck called 5411 Empanadas.

These tasty pastries are baked until golden brown and come with a delicious green sauce called chimichurri. They’re easy to hold and eat while you’re on the go.

If you try them, we recommend the Malbec Beef empanada. It has shredded Angus beef that is cooked slowly in red wine, giving it a rich flavor.

Green Chicken Tamal at 5 Rabanitos

Chicago has a big Mexican community, and their food is an important part of the city’s food culture. If you want to find real, delicious Mexican food, Pilsen is the place to go.

One great spot is 5 Rabanitos, run by Chef Alfonso Sotelo and his team. They make everything taste amazing, from ceviche to tortas, tacos, and enchiladas.

You should try their green chicken tamal, it’s better than most other tamales.

Want to learn how to make your own tamal?

Taste Street Foods of Pilsen tour, where you can practice rolling your own tamal. Don’t worry; you won’t have to eat the one you make!

Lemon Italian Ice at Miko’s Italian Ice

In Chicago, summer feels special when you enjoy a cup of refreshing and colorful Italian ice from Miko’s.

This dessert is like sorbet and is made only from crushed, frozen fresh fruit, so it has no dairy.

Miko’s has unique flavors like cucumber and guava, but the classic lemon flavor is the best choice on a hot July night.

Tony’s Dry Chili Chicken at Lao Sze Chuan

Chicago’s Chinatown is like a lively mini-city filled with lots of places to eat, including food courts, restaurants, noodle shops, bakeries, and teashops.

One special restaurant there is Lao Sze Chuan, known for its delicious Szechuan dishes that change how people think about Chinese food.

One dish you have to try is Chef Tony Hu’s dry chili chicken. It’s perfect if you like your stir-fries spicy. The chicken is tender and cooked with ginger, garlic, green onion, Szechuan peppercorns, and lots of dried chilies, giving it a spicy flavor that’s really satisfying.

Tip: You’ll discover hidden gems in the neighborhood and taste various foods, including Hong Kong Dim Sum, sweet milk egg tarts, and yummy bubble tea.

Pulled Pork at the Smoke Daddy

Before you reach Wicker Park’s Smoke Daddy, you can smell the delicious scent of smoked meat in the air.

The barbecue style is called “Memphis-Texarkana,” which we might not fully understand, but it tastes amazing.

The slow-cooked pulled pork is simple but incredibly tasty.

Saganaki at Greek Islands

If you’ve ever enjoyed a plate of hot, melted cheese and shouted “Opa!” you can thank Chicago for that fun experience!

This dish is called saganaki, and it’s a common dish in Greek restaurants.

Surprisingly, saganaki was created right in Chicago!

One of the best places to try it is Greektown’s Greek Islands. They are known for using real flavors, fresh ingredients, and creating a lively atmosphere.

Their saganaki is cheesy, topped with lemon juice, and comes with hot pita bread, making it super delicious!

Edible Balloon Dessert at Alinea

Chicago is a city known for its traditions, but it also likes to try new things. One example is Alinea, a fancy restaurant that has won awards and is often listed among the best in the world.

Alinea has changed what fine dining means, especially with its unique dessert: an edible balloon made from green apple candy.

Make sure to take pictures:

This is a dessert you’ll want to show your friends to prove it’s real!