Classic Chicago Restaurants

by Citysearch_editors - 0 Reviews - 1,721 Lists

Updated: November 08, 2002

Want to get a real taste of the Windy City? Check out these quintessential Chicago restaurants for everything from hot dogs and steak to Italian beef and cheesecake.

On this page:Deep-Dish Pizza, Hot Dogs, Italian Beef, Steak, Sweets, Hamburgers.

Deep-Dish Pizza

  1. 1 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Home Run Inn
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    4254 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60623 (map)

    Some of the best pizza in town is served up at this low-key South Side hangout.

  2. 2 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Giordano's
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    730 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)

  3. 3 4 Star Rating: Recommended Pizzeria Uno
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    29 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)

    So what if it's a chain? It all started here, baby.

  4. 4 4 Star Rating: Recommended Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
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    439 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

    Hands down the best 'za in Chicago, deep-dish or thin-crust.

  5. 5 4 Star Rating: Recommended Gino's East
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    633 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

Hot Dogs

  1. 6 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Superdawg Drive-In
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    6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646 (map)

  2. 7 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Gene & Jude Red Hot Stand
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    2720 River Rd, River Grove, IL 60171 (map)

  3. 8 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Byron's Hot Dog Haus
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    1017 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613 (map)

  4. 9 3.5 Star Rating: Average Gold Coast Dogs
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    159 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 (map)

  5. 10 4 Star Rating: Recommended Wiener Circle
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    2622 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)

  6. 11 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Poochie's Hot Dogs
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    3832 Dempster St, Skokie, IL 60076 (map)

Italian Beef

  1. 12 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Al's #1 Italian Beef
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    169 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

    For a stellar Italian beef sandwich, it's hard to beat this corner shack.

  2. 13 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Portillo's Hot Dogs
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    100 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

  3. 14 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Mr. Beef
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    666 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

    A celebrity favorite, the Italian beef sandwich at this no-nonsense joint is out of this world.

  4. 15 3 Star Rating: Average Carms Beef & Snack Shop
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    1057 W Polk St, Chicago, IL 60607 (map)

  5. 16 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Luke's Italian Beef
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    215 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60606 (map)

    Lunchtime Loop favorite serves up a delicious rendition of one of Chicago's most famous eats.

Steak

  1. 17 4 Star Rating: Recommended Morton's The Steakhouse - Chicago - The Original
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    1050 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

  2. 18 4 Star Rating: Recommended Gibsons Steakhouse & Bar
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    1028 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)

  3. 19 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Harry Caray's Restaurant
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    33 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

    Nothing says Chicago like Budweiser, dearly departed Cub announcer Harry Caray, and a choice cut of meat.

  4. 20 3 Star Rating: Average Gene & Georgetti's Restaurant
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    500 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

    This classic steakhouse hasn't changed much since the 1940s.

  5. 21 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Chicago Chop House Inc
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    60 West Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

    Nothing says "Chicago" like a slab of meat at this nostalgic, clubby local favorite.

Sweets

  1. 22 3.5 Star Rating: Average Garrett Popcorn Shop
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    670 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)

    Popcorn so good, hungry customers wait in line up to an hour in the cold to get it.

  2. 23 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Eli's Cheesecake Co
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    6701 W Forest Preserve Ave, Chicago, IL 60634 (map)

    Forget that New York stuff--this is where it's at.

  3. 24 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Margie's Candies
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    1960 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (map)

    This authentic ice cream parlor and candy shop's biggest draw is its old-fashioned novelty.

  4. 25 3.5 Star Rating: Average Macy's
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    111 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602 (map)

    They're no longer made in Chicago, but sinful Frango Mints are still many a refined lady's pig-out food--and they're still available at Field's.

  5. 26 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Original Rainbow Cone Inc
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    9233 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60620 (map)

Hamburgers

  1. 27 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Moodys Pub
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    5910 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60660 (map)

  2. 28 4 Star Rating: Recommended Boston Blackies
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    164 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)

    Burger joint with handsome steakhouse ambience that caters to business folks on the go.

  3. 29 3.5 Star Rating: Average Billy Goat Tavern
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    430 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)

  4. 30 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended R.J. Grunt's
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    2056 N Lincoln Park W, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)