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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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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I’ve sat and thought… and contemplated… and brainstormed… and I’m still having difficulty figuring out just what to say about Pete’s Pizza.
You see, just up the street from Crabbby Kim’s, Pete’s serves up some of the best thin-crust pizza in the city. The crust is firm and crisp… and very, very dry, which you’ll either love or hate. My family and I have held more than one graduation celebration in their spacious (recently remodeled) dining room, ordering several pizzas that were easily devoured. The tomato sauce is applied lightly, allowing ingredients like ricotta cheese, hot giardiniera, roast beef, or …read more

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Chicago-style pizza isn’t just one kind of pizza. From deep-dish to stuffed to pan to even thin crust, Chicago has its own way of creating this delicious “pie.” But when most people think of Chicago pizza, they probably think of deep-dish, featuring a buttery crust and chunky tomato sauce.
The Chicago-style deep-dish pizza was invented by chef Rudy Malnati at Pizzeria Uno in 1943. It begins with a thin layer of dough which is laid in a deep round pan and pulled up the sides. The dough is then partially baked and then lined with cheese, vegetables, and meats. Crushed tomatoes …read more

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