Classic Chicago Restaurants
Updated: March 12, 2009
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:Hot Dogs, Deep-Dish Pizza, Steak, Italian Beef, Sweets, Hamburgers.
Hot Dogs
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Superdawg Drive-In
Read Reviews6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646 (map)
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Wiener Circle
Read Reviews2622 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)
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Gene & Jude Red Hot Stand
Read Reviews2720 River Rd, River Grove, IL 60171 (map)
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Poochie's Hot Dogs
Read Reviews3832 Dempster St, Skokie, IL 60076 (map)
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Gold Coast Dogs
Read Reviews159 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 (map)
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Byron's Hot Dog Haus
Read Reviews1017 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613 (map)
Deep-Dish Pizza
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Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
Read Reviews439 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
Hands down the best 'za in Chicago, deep-dish or thin-crust.
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Pizzira Uno
Read Reviews29 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
So what if it's a chain? It all started here, baby.
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Giordano's
Read Reviews730 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
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Home Run Inn
Read Reviews4254 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60623 (map)
Some of the best pizza in town is served up at this low-key South Side hangout.
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Gino's East
Read Reviews633 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
Steak
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Gibson's Steakhouse & Bar
Read Reviews1028 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
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Morton's The Steakhouse
Read Reviews1050 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
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Gene & Georgetti's Restaurant
Read Reviews500 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
This classic steakhouse hasn't changed much since the 1940s.
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Harry Caray's Restaurant
Read Reviews33 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
Nothing says Chicago like Budweiser, dearly departed Cub announcer Harry Caray, and a choice cut of meat.
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Chicago Chop House Inc
Read Reviews60 West Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
Nothing says "Chicago" like a slab of meat at this nostalgic, clubby local favorite.
Italian Beef
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Portillo's Hot Dogs
Read Reviews100 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
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Carms Beef & Snack Shop
Read Reviews1057 W Polk St, Chicago, IL 60607 (map)
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Al's #1 Italian Beef
Read Reviews169 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
For a stellar Italian beef sandwich, it's hard to beat this corner shack.
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Luke's Italian Beef
Read Reviews215 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60606 (map)
Lunchtime Loop favorite serves up a delicious rendition of one of Chicago's most famous eats.
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Mr. Beef
Read Reviews666 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
A celebrity favorite, the Italian beef sandwich at this no-nonsense joint is out of this world.
Sweets
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Eli's Cheesecake Co
Read Reviews6701 W Forest Preserve Ave, Chicago, IL 60634 (map)
Forget that New York stuff--this is where it's at.
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Macy's
Read Reviews111 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.
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Margie's Candies
Read Reviews1960 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (map)
This authentic ice cream parlor and candy shop's biggest draw is its old-fashioned novelty.
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Original Rainbow Cone Inc
Read Reviews9233 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60620 (map)
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Garrett Popcorn Shop
Read Reviews670 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.
Hamburgers
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Billy Goat Tavern
Read Reviews430 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
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R J Grunts
Read Reviews2056 N Lincoln Park W, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)
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Moodys Pub
Read Reviews5910 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60660 (map)
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Boston Blackies
Read Reviews164 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
Burger joint with handsome steakhouse ambience that caters to business folks on the go.
