The Top Five Stops For Foodies in Chicago
Chicago is a food lovers paradise. Known for their deep-dish pizzas, Chicago-style hot dogs, polish foods and steaks, the restaurants in this city are all striving to be the best. On top of the heavy competition for title of “best deep-dish pizza in Chicago” though, many restaurants have popped up and become destinations of their own, despite their change of menu from the traditional go-to Chicago dishes.
While every Chicago traveler definitely needs to treat themselves to a deep-dish pizza and hot dog at least once, there are tons of other foodie stops in town that they will likely enjoy even more than the restaurants that are so popular now that they’re tourist traps.
Cheese, Swine and Wine
The Purple Pig has become more and more well known over the years, so it’s no longer one of Chicago’s hidden gems, but clearly it deserves all the recognition it’s received. They’re open until 2am some nights, and they keep guests coming from the time the doors open past the times they shut. They have won “best restaurants in America” titles from tons of world-renowned food critics and magazines, but they’re one of the restaurants that doesn’t let all that praise get to their heads. The cheese, swine and wine is still the focus, and it’s the perfect destination for pork, bone marrow and getting to know every detail of your friends lives as you wait 2 hours for a table. The best time to come for a minimal wait is lunch time.
From The Farm to Your Table
Publican Quality Meats is also another top choice for a quality lunch. Make your way over to the West Loop, because there’s one dish that you absolutely need to try at this deli/butcher shop. The PB&L (pork belly and lamb) sandwich is served on a “franks ‘n dawgs lobster roll” and is almost irresistible. While this is a well known and highly respected restaurant in Chicago, the wait never seems to be as long, and the food comes out even better than some of the other hot spots nearby. They’ve got that farm-to-table freshness you don’t find many places these days.
Breathtaking Culinary Masterpieces
Head to Alinea in Lincoln Park for fine dining and more of the freshest food. Every course at Alinea is a revelation, with an impeccable presentation that brings together flavors that you hardly ever expected to work. While this is an upscale restaurant that requires something dressier than shorts and a t-shirt to get a table, the friendly staff still works to make sure that every diner gets the absolute perfect wine with their meal and that all of their culinary expectations are exceeded. They even usually offer something extra for the birthday and anniversary celebrations that choose Alinea for their special occasion. Great food and an inviting atmosphere are hard to come by in many fine dining restaurants, but not here.
To check out one of the big names you see on TV all the time, Chicago is also home to Graham Elliot’s restaurant.
An International Delight
Avec is a French restaurant and wine bar that’s perfect for a date night or special occasion. Many frequent Chicago travelers can’t leave without a meal at this gem on Randolph Street. The communal seating makes things feel very relaxed, so it’s an especially fun atmosphere for vacationers. They’ve got a variety of menu options and different sized dishes that includes everything from gourmet chorizo-stuffed dates with bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce to a 55-day dry aged ribeye. The one thing to keep in mind is that they don’t take reservations, so if you decide to make this your one priority on a Saturday night, you might want to come early, grab a number and check out some nearby things in the neighborhood like a stroll through the Chicago French Market, just a few blocks over.
How to Get It All a Little Easier
Most travelers have a pretty long checklist for their trip to the Windy City when it comes to restaurants to visit. Chicago food tours are a great way to get a lot of variety and fit a bunch of different places and foods in one meal. On top of all the food you’ll get to experience in one afternoon on a tour, you travel from place to place with your professional guide, sightseeing as you walk around the Chicago Loop. On any tour you’re likely to walk right by top Chicago attractions like several museums, The Chicago Theatre, Willis Tower, Daley Plaza and the famous Bean to name a few, so bring your camera! Several different tour companies offer food tours, but Tastebuds Food Tours and Chicago Food Planet Tours are both highly recommended and offer a variety of options for the menu you’re seeking. Food tours don’t offer the intimate dining experience many foodies seek out on their trip, but they do provide tourists with a way to visit some of Chicago’s famous restaurants and try the foods the city is known for without having to wait in line for a table at every single restaurant.
This article was written by Lizz Riggs, editor of ChicagoTraveler.com.
