Since 2022, I’ve traveled to Chicago every summer to attend the James Beard Awards. It’s a short trip that perhaps not surprisingly is packed with food events. Yet, I still find a little time to try some Chicago’s most iconic foods. Many of them are cheap eats too.
The eats I’m sharing on this Chicago Food Tour are those tried and true iconic Chicago food icons. Foods that scream Chi-Town. And I usually kick things off with an Italian Beef.
The Vitals:
the spot: Johnnie’s Beef 7500 W. North Ave Chicago Il 60707
the eats: Italian Beef sandwich ordered “wet and hot”
the bucks: $
the full nelson: a local’s favorite for Chicago’s most revered sandwich
My pal and fellow Food Network host, Jeff Mauro has sung the praises of Johnnie’s Italian beef for years. Since he is a born and raised Chicagoan, I had to try it out. Heads up: they are in the suburbs. Which explains why I have only gone once, back in 2019.
If you don’t know, an Italian beef sandwich is like a French Dip but the au ju is spiked with Italian flavorings of oregano and garlic and the giardiniera, a piquant relish, is a signature.
Judging from my son’s pic, with fries stuffed in his mouth he was maybe 8 years old. Where does the time go? Anyways all these years later, I still think Johnnie’s is as good Italian Beefs get in Chicago.
The Vitals:
the spot: Xoco 67 West Illinois Street Chicago, IL 60654
the eats: torta ahogada
the bucks: $-$$
the full nelson: a convenient celeb chef Mexican sandwich shop
Chicago has one of the largest Mexican American communities in the country and the Mexican food scene runs deep. Rick Bayless, an Anglo American chef, has made Mexican food his focus and Chicago is his base.
My family stopped off at one of his restaurants, Xoco, back in 2017. I feasted on a Torta Ahogada: a Mexican sandwich that comes dipped in a chile broth. It’s regional specialty from the city of Guadalajara and I don’t see it as often as I like. So I jumped at the chance to order one and you should too.
The Vitals:
the spot: Au Cheval 800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
the eats: Single Cheeseburger with bacon and a fried egg
the bucks: $16.99 + $2.99 for the egg and $6.99 for the bacon
the full nelson: an over the top bacon cheeseburger done with class but comes at a price
I first experienced the well hyped Au Cheval burger back in 2024 with a James Beard nominated chef who also happens to make the best burger in the state of Texas. Then, as is now, the question remains “is Au Cheval more outstanding or overhyped?”
The Au Cheval burger is big, decadent, leans into becoming over the top and is pretty pricey. I had zero regrets trying it the first time and I absolutely want to go back order the burger without the bacon and egg, to see how good the base elements are.
I suspect it will be pretty damn satisfying and for 1/3 less the cost. Au Cheval may be overhyped and maybe a touch overpriced, but it’s really really good too.
The Vitals:
the spot: Greek Islands 200 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60661
the eats: Gyro
the bucks: $$
the full nelson: if you don’t go to Greektown in Chicago, you did it wrong
Chicago has a strong Greek community and arguably the best Greek food scene in the US. It’s distinctively Greek American so get your fill on the comfort classics like a Gyro. Greek Island’s is in Greektown and while they offer a lot more than Gyros(great seafood) their gyro does not miss.
You can find gyros all over Chicago, and even the late night joints pop just a little more than most gyros outside of Chicagoland. But the housemade gyro from a place like Greek Island’s really elevates the vertical rotisserie meat to new heights.
The Vitals:
the spot: Portillo’s 20 locations in Chicago and more nationwide
the eats: Chicago Hot Dog, Italian Beef
the bucks: $
the full nelson: An excellent late night option for Chicago Hot Dogs, Italian Beefs, Burgers, Shakes
Portillo’s might be a chain but it’s reliable and convenient, especially in the wee hours. I’ve landed in Chicago late and scored a solid meal there with the fam.
After the James Beard Awards, one fellow judge was craving a Chicago Hot Dog and so we went at around midnight still decked out in our Tuxedos. And it was nothing short of a glorious time.
We double downed on Chicago Hot Dogs and Italian Beef’s but the looks we got from the staff made the whole experience an epic Chicago food tour highlight.
Portillo‘s is more so a Chicago eatery of convenience however, if you are only craving a Chicago hotdog, it makes all the sense in the world to just get your fix at a Portillo‘s. For what it’s worth it is a national chain, but I can certainly vouch for the ones in Chicagoland as being pretty damn solid eateries.
This Chicago Food tour round up frankly barely scratches the surface. If I’m being honest, a lot of these places are more great lunch spots with time and budget as a consideration.
Consider the fine dining scene, the Indian food, Eastern European, Chinese . . . the list goes on and on. If you’re craving it, chances are Chicago has got it.
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