Chicago was once known as one of the bacon capitals of the world. Back in the day, much of the pork in the U.S. of A. came from Chicago. Maybe that is one of the reasons that bacon bars exist in this land– a homage to the yesteryears. Or, maybe I need to stop being...
Forno Rosso owner, Nick Nitti spent a large part of his childhood in Italy where he fell in love with the simplistic pizza in Naples. That led him to attend culinary school in Italy, study Neapolitan pizza in Naples, and open Forno Rosso back near his home in...
Chicago vegetarian restaurants offer many forms of cuisine– from takes on meat dishes to full blown Mexican food and so much more in-between. Being a vegetarian doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor and only eating celery– which seems to be a common misconception. In fact,...
The battle between deep dish and NY style pizza will likely rage on till the end of time, but there’s one thing you’ve got to give to New York City: you can grab a quality slice pretty much anywhere. In Chicago, it takes a little more effort to get an easy pizza fix....
Chinese restaurants are gems hidden in plain view. Every once in awhile I get a craving so hard that I must go find some fluffy steamed rice, chicken, and soy sauce. When that utter desire hits you next, and only Chinese food can suppress the feeling, these ten...
With Chicago’s massive and ever-growing craft beer scene, it only makes sense to incorporate some of the brews into your meals. While it’s always preferred to have a beer with dinner, cooking with beer can elevate the meal so much as well. Chances are you already have...
It seems like, more often than not, when I go out for the night with a group, we end up starting dinner with a heaping plate of nachos. They really are the perfect way to feed a small army if you aren’t counting your calories. That is why we set out to find the best...
Chicago is a lot more than hot dogs and deep dish pizza, proof of which is the city’s growing love for Southern cooking and barbecue. Evidence of this is Carriage House, which serves modern low country Southern food to Wicker Park at 1700 W. Division Street. We...
*This list appears to be a constant work in progress, which is actually perfect! We have been contacted a couple times to have places added to this list. It is great to see that people are passionate about these types of restaurants and will take the time to make sure...
I most certainly would not consider myself to be a master when it comes to grilling– but I do know a thing or two about cooking in the kitchen. This easily translates to cooking on the grill. Essentially everything that you can fry or bake can also be grilled– even...
A few years ago, most Chicagoans probably thought of ramen as the cheap microwave noodles they ate in college, but now the city is obsessed with the Japanese noodle-soup dish. The latest contender for best ramen bowl in the city is Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya in...
Up a secretive set of stairs at Little Goat, the casual sibling restaurant of Girl & the Goat, lies a gorgeous private dining space featuring a sleek, modern kitchen, a homey and bright dining area, accompanied by a rooftop area with a gorgeous view of the...
Deli and sub sandwich fans are intensely passionate, even to the point where there are fierce rivalries around massive chains like Subway and Jimmy John’s. New York Delicatessen owner Isaac Work was once such a fan, driving regularly from Bridgeport to the...
Sitting down at a restaurant is not always the most convenient way to grab a bite to eat and fast food is not always appetizing. Chicago food trucks roam throughout the city to offer a welcome change to the normal food options. Beware, once you find a truck that you...
St.Patrick’s Day in Chicago is kind of a big deal. The city turns into one giant party and the river turns green. With a rich history of Ireland embedded into the city– everyone can feel a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. Even though the actual holiday isn’t until...
Division Street in Wicker Park is rich in bar food, but if you just want a quick bite on your way home from work your options are pretty limited and pretty greasy. Thankfully, there’s MAK: Modern Asian Kitchen. MAK is a fast casual, counter-service restaurant...
Does a Texas-based taco concept have anything to offer Chicago? While Chicago may already have an insane number of incredible taquerias, Velvet Taco in the Gold Coast manages to offer something different with tacos influenced by world cuisine. Whether you’re a fan of...
The search for the best chicken wing is a never ending journey for wing connoisseurs. Once you think, for that brief second, that you have found the best wings and your appetite is suddenly satisfied in each and every way you are wrong. With the sudden realization...
Chicago Mexican breakfast options are a welcome change to the traditional fifteen stack of pancakes and twelve-egg omelets that are large enough that you could wrap yourself in it. The primary reason to crave south of the border before noon is chilaquiles. ‘What are...
It’s clear with a name like “Coconutz” the owner’s of the Gold Coast’s newest bar don’t take themselves too seriously. Taking influences from traditional Tiki Bars, which has made a major comeback in recent years– and the Caribbean, Coconutz promises fun and the...
Father’s Day is the perfect reason to take your pops out to indulge in some food and drinks. Restaurants’all over Chicago are offering phenomenal specials. With such a wide variety of establishments, you should be able to lock down a restaurant that’s perfect...
Each year StarChefs, an online and paper magazine, visits four cities in the United States in order to recognize the hottest chefs and restaurateurs. Back for the first time since 2011, StarChefs held a Rising Stars awards ceremony and tasting on May 8, 2015 at the...
As with many things in Chicago– people have very strong opinions about their favorite teams, music and food. Italian beef has become a staple in Chicago. I still remember my first– it was homemade and completely soaked through the bun with all of the hot goodness...
Chicagoans love brunch so much that more and more restaurants decide to get into the brunch game. However, the results can often be kind of surreal when you wind up at the local dive that’s trying their hardest to deliver an extravagant Lobster Eggs Benedict in the...
Eating breakfast pizza in Chicago does not have to mean cold deep dish from the night before or even ordering a deep dish before noon. Eating pizza for breakfast means that you’ll be taking in a deliciousness of ingredients that are reminiscent of a hearty,...
I hate the feeling of being absolutely clueless when it comes to gift shopping for someone. Whether the person has everything, or nothing– finding gifts is not always an easy task. Judging from personal experience, receiving amazing food- especially sweets- or some...
Chicago’s Albany Park is one of the most diverse areas in the city, if not the entire country. About half of the population of the neighborhood is made up of foreign-born immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, Korean, Yugoslavia, Somalia, and many, many more...
I found myself wandering the streets of Chicago one evening. I was aimlessly walking around snapping photos when the slight growl of my stomach made me realize that I had yet to eat anything that day. I made a couple phone calls to get recommendations from friends,...
Memorial Day in Chicago is the perfect time to kick off summer. The weather is typically on the up and up, the beaches are open and the parks are freshly green. If you find yourself hungry, thirsty or in need of some entertainment this Memorial Day weekend, these...
Have you been to a wedding or catered event before where the food is bland, poorly seasoned, and actually put a damper on the festivities? Likely this has happened more than once. Fortunately, there are high-quality, gourmet catering companies in Chicago like Inspired...
Culinary arts schools are a great way to master the fine arts involved in preparing and cooking great dishes. Chicago has a wide variety of culinary arts schools that can help teach you about the different aspects of professional cooking. Not all of them focus on the...
It’s noon and time for lunch. You’ve really got a craving for Antique Taco, but there’s definitely not enough time to go to Wicker Park and back on your meager lunch break. I guess you’ll have to settle for Taco Bell again… If this is the sad existence you’ve led as a...
The last time I was at the Stretch, I was in pursuit of their award-winning Cortland Street Burger and walked away with a very happy stomach. I made a return trip to the Wrigleyville sports bar and grille to sample their new spring menu—launching March 12—created by...
Poutine Chicago options are beginning to expand, from the traditional ways that originated in Canada, to some of the most exquisite ways that you could ever imagine eating fries, cheese-curds, and gravy. When eggs, brisket, pulled pork, or even prime rib are added...
Known for some of the finest establishments when it comes to dining out, Chicago is one of the best restaurant cities in the world. Some may say Chicago’s claim to fame is the deep-dish pizza, but make no mistake, when it comes to steak, the Windy City knows how...
Wings are a sacred meal. They are messy, delicious, mainly eaten with friends and beer, and taste even better when sports are streaming across the screen. If you are going to support your favorite teams, then also support your tastebuds by letting them indulge in the...
Chicago is known for its famous pizza creations; because of this there are extensive amounts of options. There really is no time to give to eating bad pizza when there are some many taste bud exploding options out there! Follow this list and you will experience some...
Chicago is full of great spots to eat, and when we sat down to make this list, we knew it could draw some controversy. In fact it did among the staff here – but we powered through and came up with these as a consortium. This is a general list of a variety of types of...
Chicago is known for its incredible food, but that recognition doesn’t just come from the Windy City’s many fine dining establishments. In fact, some of Chicago’s most memorable food can be found at locally owned and operated hot dog stands. For the perfect lunch or...
Have you ever wanted to go out and watch the game without having to eat the same old sports bar food? Sports bars are a dime a dozen in Chicago, but the Commonwealth Tavern (2000 Roscoe Street in Roscoe Village) stands out from the pack by merging your favorite bar...
Italian food is easily the most popular style for Chicago restaurants. With so many different options, it can be hard to choose. You’ll find everything from restaurants with modern, cutting-edge d’cor to small, quiet discoveries that feel straight out of...
Some of Chicago’s best food can be found in ‘ma & pa’ restaurants and even on the sidewalk. To make your evening of dining out a true experience, a magnificent view of Chicago’s skyline is almost a must. These Chicago restaurants should be on everyone’s...
As I’m sitting here reminiscing about my last visit to L’Appetito, which a friend of mine highly recommended, I find myself mowing down a sandwich that I just just whipped together in my kitchen. I’ve always had a deep appreciation for a simple, yet satisfying...
Growing up– I participated in Lent as a religious experience. Unfortunately, as a kiddo, I wasn’t the biggest fan of fish and any sort of plant was still foreign matter to me. I settled with a lot of cereal and pb&j’s (somewhat similar to my current meal plan)....
When you think about Chicago food, it s typical for the mind to conjure images of deep-dish (and thin crust) pizzas, hotdogs, and all ranges of Italian fare probably not barbeque. But believe it or not Chicago is knee-deep in a full out Barbeque renaissance these...
Juicing is a great and easy way to obtain your daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Avoid the shops that load their drinks with sugar – the best juice bar Chicago offers can be found at any one of these locations. Juice Bar Chicago Guide: Vegetarian Express – $...
The red Weber Grill has been a staple of American backyards since the 1950s, but you may not be aware that the iconic kettle was born right here in Chicago. In 1952, George Stephen Sr. was a part-owner of the Weber Metal Works in Chicago crafting marine buoys....
The Roscoe Village Burger Fest is just one more reason to love summer in Chicago. Not only does it give you a reason to hangout in this eclectic neighborhood– but you are able to indulge in some of the best burgers in town prepared by some of the best restaurants in...
The idea of going to a Wrigleyville bar could either be the greatest or worst thing every depending on who you are. If that is your scene, there’s certainly no shortage of places to choose from to watch the game, grab some lunch, or have a boozy weekend. Located just...
Going out for a night on the town is what most people look forward to all week. The only thing better than that is a night out above the town! Chicago’s summer weather should be enjoyed to the fullest while it is around. Outdoor seating with a skyline view can really...
