5 Things to Eat in Chicago

Chi-Town, the Windy City, the Second City…whatever you happen to call it, chances are that Chicago is not the first city to pop into your head as a primo travel destination.

It’s okay! A couple years ago, I was right there, too. My first visit to Chicago was a quick research trip for Green Light and, excited as I was to add another major city to my repertoire, I wasn’t expecting much. Oh, how I was wrong. The city has since become one of my favorite places to lead a tour, and I always look forward to seeing my groups pleasantly surprised by its offerings.

One of those offerings is good eats. For most, food is a huge part of travel – if it’s not, you’re doing it wrong! Luckily, Chicago has tons of signature dishes to nosh on.

1. Deep Dish Pizza

We’ll start off with the most famous item on the list: a pizza so messy, you need cutlery to handle it. Anyone who’s ever eaten a true deep dish pizza knows that it’s not really pizza at all – no, that’s not a New Yorker insult! – it’s more like a molten cheese casserole with the toppings stuck in. Right up there with the most delicious choking hazards!

2. Italian Beef Sandwich

This sandwich is Chicago’s beautiful answer to Philly’s ever-popular cheesesteaks. Slices of slightly spicy, marinated beef are piled onto a roll, the whole thing dripping with sautéed veggies and meat juice. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love meat juice?

3. Red Hot

Lots of cities have hot dog vendors on the side of the street, but Chicago likes to give its dogs a special treatment. Said to have originated during the Great Depression as a cheap way to get your daily veggies, “dragged through the garden,” aka Chicago-style to the rest of the world, means piling on a slew of produce. Most commonly, that’s onion, pickle spears, tomato, and hot peppers, with a dash of celery salt and mustard. If it’s truly authentic, it will be served on a poppy seed bun. And for your safety, do NOT ask for ketchup – it doesn’t jive well with the locals.

4. Garrett Popcorn

If you’re thinking that popcorn doesn’t belong on this list, I don’t blame you; it is meatless, after all. But this WWII-era business is a Chicago institution, and, if you keep walking around the city long enough, you’ll get wafts of caramel goodness coming from one of its many outposts. Nothing beats a fresh batch of the Chicago Mix: hot, melty CaramelCrisp tossed with tangy CheeseCorn. Best sweet and salty snack ever.

5. Eastern European Fare

Amidst all the Italian heritage, Chicago’s most unique foodie stronghold can easily be overlooked. The city is home to the largest Polish population outside of Poland, making it the best city in the US (and one of the only cities) to find Eastern European food. Gorge yourself on everything from Polish pierogi and Ukrainian borscht to Hungarian gulyás!

Are you hungry yet? Let’s book your trip!