Classic Chicago Restaurants
By Citysearch Editors, Chicago
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.
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The Wiener's Circle
2622 N Clark St, Chicago, IL
Chaotic late-night favorite serves up one of the city's best hot dogs, along with a generous side of sass. -
Gene & Jude's Red Hot Stand
2720 River Rd, River Grove, IL
Hot-dog lovers drive from miles around for Chicago-style franks at this bare-bones stand near O'Hare. -
Superdawg Drive-In
6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL
For irresistible retro kitsch, there's no surpassing this far northwest side "dawg" house. -
Byron's Hot Dog Haus
1017 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL
Wrigleyville shack serves up Chicago-style hot dogs to kids of all ages. -
Gold Coast Dogs
159 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL
Chicago-style hot dogs rule at this fast-food stand. -
Poochie's
3832 Dempster St, Skokie, IL
Skokie hot dog stand is fit for the most fanatical of Chicago dog lovers.
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Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
439 N Wells St, Chicago, IL
Hands down the best 'za in Chicago, deep-dish or thin-crust. -
Giordano's
730 N Rush St, Chicago, IL
Local favorite serves up stuffed and thin-crust pizzas within a stone's throw of the Mag Mile. -
Gino's East
633 N Wells St, Chicago, IL
Graffiti-covered walls and to-die-for deep dish draw crowds of families and tourists to this classic pizzeria. -
Pizzeria Uno
29 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL
So what if it's a chain? It all started here, baby. -
Home Run Inn
4254 W 31st St, Chicago, IL
Some of the best pizza in town is served up at this low-key South Side hangout.
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Mr. Beef
666 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL
A celebrity favorite, the Italian beef sandwich at this no-nonsense joint is out of this world. -
Al's #1 Italian Beef
169 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL
For an Italian beef sandwich, it's hard to beat this no-frills corner shack. -
Portillo's Hot Dogs
100 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL
A comfortable, family-friendly setting with Chicago-style dogs and juicy Italian beef. -
Luke's Italian Beef
215 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL
Lunchtime Loop favorite serves up a delicious rendition of one of Chicago's most famous eats. -
Carm's Beef & Snack Shop
1057 W Polk St, Chicago, IL
This old-fashioned Little Italy sandwich shop could make an Italian beef addict out of anyone.
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Billy Goat Tavern
430 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
This bar/lunch counter was immortalized on "SNL" for its "cheezborger, cheezborger, cheezborger." -
Boston Blackies
164 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
Burger joint with handsome steakhouse ambience that caters to business folks on the go. -
Moody's Pub
5910 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL
Great burgers and a spacious patio draw a mixed Edgewater crowd to this dark old hangout. -
R.J. Grunts
2056 N Lincoln Park W, Chicago, IL
Great salads and burgers, friendly service and a prime view of Lincoln Park make this a local favorite for laid-back dining.
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Eli's Cheesecake World
6701 W Forest Preserve Ave, Chicago, IL
Forget that New York stuff--this is where it's at. -
Garrett Popcorn Shop
670 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Popcorn so good, hungry customers wait in line up to an hour in the cold to get it. -
Margie's Candies
1960 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL
This authentic ice cream parlor and candy shop's biggest draw is its old-fashioned novelty. -
Macy's (Formerly Marshall Field's)
111 N State St, Chicago, IL
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. -
Original Rainbow Cone
9233 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL
Ice cream lovers make pilgrimages from miles away for these five-flavored cones.
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Chicago Chop House
60 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL
Nothing says "Chicago" like a slab of meat at this nostalgic, clubby local favorite. -
Gene & Georgetti's Restaurant
500 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL
Old-school Chicago spot has been serving up inches-thick steaks and Italian classics to an old boys' club crowd since 1941. -
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
1028 N Rush St, Chicago, IL
Heavy hitters and swinging singles mix over martinis and red meat at this flashy carnivore's paradise. -
Harry Caray's Restaurant
33 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL
Nothing says Chicago like Budweiser, dearly departed Cub announcer Harry Caray, and a choice cut of meat. -
Morton's - The Steakhouse
1050 N. State St., Chicago, IL
USDA prime beef, elegant tableside service and mammoth martinis.
