Chicago is famous for its deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, and Italian beef sandwiches. The Windy City’s food fame doesn’t stop there – the city also introduced the world to unique treats like the Jibarito sandwich (made with fried plantains instead of bread). Whether you’re a curious foodie or a hungry traveler, tasting these classics is a must. As a proud Chicago company, Insure on the Spot believes in celebrating our city’s culture and community. Call Insure on the Spot in Chicago at 773-202-5060 for friendly local service and a quick quote on car insurance today.
1. Deep-Dish Pizza: Chicago’s Iconic Pie
Chicago’s most famous dish is undoubtedly deep-dish pizza. This pizza is baked in a tall pan, giving it a high buttery crust that holds in a sea of melted cheese and rich tomato sauce. The toppings are layered with cheese on the bottom and chunky tomato sauce on top – the reverse of a typical pizza. Invented in Chicago in 1943, deep-dish pizza has become a symbol of the city’s indulgent, comforting food scene.
A single slice of deep dish is thick and filling, often requiring a fork and knife to enjoy. Locals might not eat it every day, but it’s a must-try for any visitor who wants a true taste of Chicago. Many pizzerias have their twist on the recipe, and some have achieved legendary status. Here are a few famous spots to try an authentic Chicago deep dish:
- Lou Malnati’s – A local favorite known for its buttery, flaky crust and tangy tomato sauce.
- Giordano’s – Home of the ultra-cheesy stuffed deep dish that’s a hit with visitors and locals alike.
- Pequod’s Pizza – Renowned for its caramelized cheese crust that adds an extra crunch and flavor.
2. Chicago-Style Hot Dog: A Must-Have Street Food
The Chicago-style hot dog isn’t your average hot dog – it’s a fully loaded meal on a bun. It starts with an all-beef frankfurter tucked into a steamed poppy-seed bun. From there, it’s “dragged through the garden” with a colorful array of toppings piled high. One thing you won’t find on a true Chicago dog is ketchup – many locals playfully insist that putting ketchup on this classic is sacrilege!
Biting into a Chicago-style hot dog offers a satisfying crunch and burst of flavor from the mix of fresh and tangy toppings. This iconic street food has been a staple at ballparks, summer BBQs, and hot dog stands around the city for generations. It’s a quick, affordable taste of Chicago’s history that you can find at famous spots like Portillo’s or The Wieners Circle. A proper Chicago dog comes with the following traditional toppings:
- Yellow mustard
- Bright green sweet relish
- Chopped white onions
- Tomato wedges
- A dill pickle spear
- Spicy sport peppers
- A dash of celery salt
3. Italian Beef Sandwich: A Savory Chicago Classic
Another mouthwatering Chicago original is the Italian beef sandwich. This hearty sandwich is made of thinly sliced roast beef that’s been slow-cooked in a seasoned broth (au jus) until it’s tender and flavorful. The juicy beef is loaded into a sliced Italian roll, and traditionally it’s topped with sautéed green bell peppers or a spicy pickled vegetable relish called giardiniera. The Italian beef became popular in the 1930s, born from Italian-American weddings where slicing the beef thin helped feed a crowd on a budget.
Today, Italian beef is a beloved local comfort food and a must-try for meat lovers visiting Chicago. It’s typically served dripping with flavor – literally! Many fans order it “dipped” to have the entire sandwich briefly dunked in the savory beef juices. Every Chicagoan has their favorite spot for Italian beef, whether it’s a neighborhood stand or a famous joint like Al’s Beef or Portillo’s. When you order, you’ll often be asked how you want it prepared. Here are common ways to customize your Italian beef experience:
- Sweet or Hot: Do you want sweet sautéed peppers, or hot giardiniera (a mix of spicy pickled veggies) on top?
- Dry, Wet, or Dipped: “Dry” means a bit of juice is drained, “wet” adds extra spoonfuls of juice, and “dipped” means the whole sandwich is briefly dunked in the broth for maximum juiciness.
4. Jibarito: Chicago’s Puerto Rican-Inspired Sandwich
Chicago’s diverse culture has given rise to unique creations like the Jibarito. This one-of-a-kind sandwich uses fried green plantains in place of bread, a genius twist introduced by Chicago’s Puerto Rican community. The result is a deliciously crunchy, savory sandwich that can hold its own against any burger or sub. A classic jibarito is usually filled with grilled steak (or sometimes chicken or pork) along with traditional toppings. Here’s what you’ll find in a typical jibarito:
- Crispy fried plantain slices as the “bun”
- Thinly sliced, seasoned meat (often steak)
- Garlic-flavored mayonnaise or spread
- Lettuce and tomato slices
- Melted cheese
The Jibarito was reportedly invented in Chicago in the mid-1990s by a restaurant owner who wanted to bring a taste of Puerto Rico to the Windy City. It quickly became a hit and is now a Chicago staple, especially in neighborhoods like Humboldt Park. You can find authentic jibaritos at family-run spots around the city – for example, the sandwich first gained fame at the now-legendary Borinquen restaurant, and today places like Jibaritos y Más continue to serve up this Chicago-born delight.
5. Maxwell Street Polish: Chicago’s Original Street Sausage
The Maxwell Street Polish is a Polish sausage sandwich that’s been filling Chicagoans’ bellies for decades. It features a juicy grilled Polish kielbasa tucked in a bun, topped generously with a heap of grilled onions. A stripe of yellow mustard goes on top, and you can add a couple of spicy sport peppers for an extra kick. Simple and satisfying, this sandwich is a nod to the city’s Polish immigrant heritage and the bustling old Maxwell Street market where it was born.
Legend has it that the Maxwell Street Polish was created in the late 1930s by a street vendor who later founded the famous stand Jim’s Original. To this day, you can visit Jim’s Original near downtown and bite into a taste of history with their classic Polish sausage sandwich. It’s a beloved late-night snack and a piece of living Chicago history. A couple of long-running local stands still serve the authentic Maxwell Street Polish:
- Jim’s Original – Credited with inventing the Maxwell Street Polish in 1939, still grilling sausages with onions and mustard as they did back in the day.
- Express Grill – Another historic stand from the Maxwell Street era, known for serving up Polish sausages right alongside Jim’s for years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What food is Chicago most famous for?
A: Chicago is perhaps most famous for its deep-dish pizza – a one-of-a-kind, hearty pizza style. Many also immediately think of the Chicago-style hot dog loaded with unique toppings. These two dishes are often at the top of any must-try Chicago foods list.
Q: What dessert is Chicago known for?
A: Chicago has a few famous sweet treats. The city is the birthplace of the brownie, first baked at the Palmer House Hotel in 1893. Another iconic dessert is the Original Rainbow Cone, a five-flavor ice cream cone beloved by generations of Chicagoans.
Q: Where can I try Chicago’s famous foods?
A: You can sample Chicago’s famous foods at many local restaurants and stands. For example, deep-dish pizza can be found at popular pizzerias like Lou Malnati’s or Giordano’s. Iconic spots like Portillo’s (for hot dogs and Italian beef) or Jim’s Original (for a Polish sausage) are also great places to start.
Q: Did Chicago invent deep-dish pizza?
A: Yes – the deep-dish style of pizza was invented in Chicago. The first deep-dish pizza was served in 1943 at Pizzeria Uno in downtown Chicago. It remains one of the city’s most famous contributions to American cuisine.
Q: Why don’t Chicago hot dogs have ketchup?
A: It’s a long-standing Chicago tradition to skip the ketchup on hot dogs. Many locals believe ketchup’s sweetness would overpower the other toppings. Instead, a true Chicago dog sticks to mustard and other classic toppings to keep the flavor balance.
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