The Chicago Traveler

There was a bit of dispute over my last Best Pizzas list, as I expected there would be. It is a Chicagoan debate that has gone on for generations and will continue probably forever. So, just to add more fuel to the fire, here is another list of Chicago’s ten best ‘pies’ (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp).
Honorable Mention: Gino’s East. If you enjoy reading, the walls here provide plenty of material.

10. Pizzeria Uno. The one, the only, the original. Loosen your belts now.
9. Piece. These very non-Chicago-style slices are simply delicious.
8. Home Run Inn. This old neighborhood tavern offers the …read more

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Can you name the seven key ingredients for a Chicago-style hot dog? Here are ten great places to conduct your research (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp).

10. The Wiener’s Circle. Love it or hate it, this greasy spoon has got a “charm” all its own.
9. Gold Coast Dogs. All ten locations follow the Chicago-style recipe to the ‘T’.
8. Superdawg Drive-In. The winking hot dogs on the roof will be a sight you won’t soon forget.
7. Huey’s Hot Dogs. While serving up great dogs and burgers, this eatery is also well-known for its vegetarian-friendly dishes.

6. Portillo’s Hot Dogs. Both the nostalgia and …read more

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The Italian Beef is a simple sandwich that is unique to Chicago, and there are several places in the city to find this great dish. Of course, just as is the case with pizza and hot dogs, Chicagoans can debate for hours on who has the best. I’ve tried to be as fair as possible with this ranking order, but I’m sure there will still be contention. Be sure to leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail, and let me know what you think!

8. Roma’s Italian Beef & Sausage. For decades, generations of loyal customers have been enjoying this …read more

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Ah, family. There is a saying that goes… “Families are like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts.” We here at the Travel & Culture Channel are celebrating our nutty families this month. And while my own family may seem especially eccentric at times, I still love them nonetheless.
For several years, my paternal family would gather for breakfast every Sunday at Orbit Restaurant and Lounge (2954 N Milwaukee Ave). I think my grandparents liked it mostly because it served a primarily Polish cuisine… and because they had “clean bathrooms.” I remember this is where my affinity for eating lemons …read more

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Normally, seeing palm trees and animal prints in any establishment will make me want turn right around and run away. However, despite its questionable décor, Café Laguardia boasts a menu that couldn’t be more authentic, even if it came straight from Cuba.
Actually, the menu is Cuba-born. More than 50 years ago, the founder opened his own restaurant in Bainoa, Cuba. When he decided to move to Chicago, he brought all his recipes with him and opened a casual, family-operated eatery in what is now the Bucktown neighborhood. The atmosphere is very relaxed while the live music is always energizing. Take …read more

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La Peña is a family-owned restaurant that is bright and colorful, in more ways than one. From the rich tablecloths to the lively atmosphere to the vivid live music, this place is a South American celebration.
Many Latin restaurants start you off with a free basket of tortilla chips and salsa. However, La Peña offers something delectably different: thinly-sliced plantain chips. I guarantee you: those won’t last long, so you should probably grab something from the appetizer menu. The empanadas are absolutely delicious, as are the humitas and the tortillas de papa (potato pancakes stuffed with cheese and topped with …read more

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Back to our International Tour, it’s time for Asia. While many may be familiar with Chicago’s Chinatown down on the South Side, there is also a New Chinatown developing and growing near the intersection of Argyle St and Broadway Ave. It’s a mix of Chinese, Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian, and Thai shops and restaurants. Because Asia is the largest continent, there are plenty of cuisines to choose from. Sushi places and Chinese food are so common though, so let’s focus on some of the lesser-known tastes of Asia.
Zen Noodles in Wicker Park (around the corner from People Lounge) does offer sushi, …read more

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Our International Tour takes us to Africa. A large African population can be found in the northern parts of the city, including Uptown, Edgewater, and Rogers Park. There is no one type of African food. From Nigerian to Ghanaian, from Ethiopian to Moroccan, this huge continent has something for everyone.
Our first stop is on Clark St in Wicker Park for some Algerian food. The Crepe & Coffee Palace, down the block from Pocket Puppies, specializes in North African and Mediterranean cuisine, made with fresh organic ingredients. If you sense a Parisian vibe from the place, that’s because several African nations …read more

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So you want to go out and experience Chicago. You don’t want to just eat Chicago food… you want to feel Chicago. It doesn’t get much more authentic than Portillo’s Hot Dogs. There are several locations all throughout the suburbs, but the one in downtown Chicago (near Fogo De Chao and the Original Gino’s East) is an experience to be had.
Nostalgia fills the cavernous two-level space, gathered in an eclectic collection of ‘30s and ‘40s memorabilia. Period lamp posts light the room, complete with an old Coca-Cola ad, the 1938 Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup banner, and a 1928 Thompson submachine gun. …read more

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If you like meat and a lot of it, Fogo de Chão is the place for you. This all-you-can-eat spot will certainly get you in touch with your carnivorous side.
As soon as you walk in the door, you can smell all the delicious meat in the room; however, you’ll probably also notice the immense salad bar with a wide selection of greens and sides, enough to satisfy even your vegetarian friends. The white tablecloths and exposed wood beams tie everything together in a sophisticated atmosphere.
The fixed price menu is worth every penny of its $50. You’ll start off with the …read more

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