It is said that people from all over the world go to Chicago to try one of their signature dishes. The cuisine there is different from anything else you’ve tried and it can satisfy even the biggest foodies. No matter if you are a professional chef or just a world traveler, there are some foods that you have to try when you take a trip to the United States.
Here we are going to talk about the most famous signature dishes and why you need to try them in 2023. Choose your favorite toppings, just remember, this food is so good that you will have to come back to taste it at least one more time.
1. Deep-Dish Pizza
We know that Chicago is probably one of the best places in the United States to have pizza. It is said that some of their pizza is maybe even better than the original recipes. There are a lot of places where you can try the best deep-dish one, and users say that Lou Malnati’s offers probably the best one.
In almost every place you will be able to taste the specially prepared crust (usually with butter), a lot of cheese and other toppings you can choose. Some places offer you their versions of the mean, but others will let you choose your favorite things to add.
If you want to skip all those waiting lines, then you should try and visit the pizzerias late at night or an hour or two before lunch. If you decide to go for lunch or dinner, be prepared to wait for at least an hour. Or you can just make reservations a few days before and save yourself a lot of trouble.
2. Beef Sandwich
If you are not in the mood for a cheesy pizza, then you might be interested in an Italian Beef Sandwich. Every person who lives in Chicago will tell you that these sandwiches are something you have to try at least once in your life. There are a lot of different toppings you can choose from besides the famous beef, but the sauce is the one that makes the whole dish complete.
No matter where you decide to go, you will be presented with three options – to have the sandwich with a little bit of sauce or gravy, to add a lot of it, or to have it dripping wet in the sauce. You will need a lot of napkins, but it will totally be worth it.
3. Crepes
It is said that once you try the Chicago crepes, you will never go back to the original pancakes. Coolthingschicago.com suggests that Creperia Nuevo Leon is the place to visit if you want to try a combination of Latin cuisine with some French influences.
When it comes to toppings, you can add anything you want, starting from sweets up to goat cheese or bacon. The best thing about crepes is that you can have a sweet or a salty option, so you can have them as the main course or as the dessert. The dough is made in a special way that is different from anything else in the world. They are soft with a smooth finish, and when you combine that with some mozzarella or any type of jam, you will be the happiest person in the world.
4. Chicago Doughnuts
People who have a sweet tooth have been known to travel for miles just to try these famous doughnuts. They are prepared with special buttermilk and you can find them in many different sizes. The original size is the most famous one, but if you are interested in some mini doughnuts that you can get with different topics and colors, then you will find that in Chicago.
Choose a bacon one, or go with the white-glazed doughnut with a lot of sprinkles, and don’t forget to dip it in your coffee to taste perfection. There are vegan and vegetarian options as well, so you are free to choose what your preferences are. Don’t forget to buy a few extra ones so you have the best snack in the late-night hours.
5. Hot Dogs
We are not talking about the regular hot dogs that you can find anywhere in the world. These ones are with a twist and they taste like perfection. One fun fact is that Chicago hot dogs have become the trend in this city. There are a lot of places where you can buy T-shirts and souvenirs with this famous dish.
You are free to choose the type of bun you want and get any types of topics you want to try, but there is one thing you should always remember! You should put only mustard to the hot dogs, and never ketchup. It is said that the sweetness of the ketchup will mess up all the other flavors and you are not going to be too happy with your choice.
Some of the other dishes you have to try when you visit this city include the famous empanadas, butter toffee or the lemon Italian ice. You can choose between some amazing fast food, or you can try some homemade dishes that have an Italian flavor with influences from all over the world.
Have you ever tries any of these original dishes? Which one is your favorite? If you are not sure where you should go, you can find a list of the best restaurants in town and follow it depending on your preferences.
However, if you want to taste the original flavor, then you should talk to a person who lives in this city and get their recommendations. And even if you don’t know anyone there, you can talk to your Uber driver or just find a person on the street who will tell you where to find the best doughnuts, pizza, or hot dogs. Enjoy and savor every bite. Once you try this food, you will always remember it and you will come back to try it again.
