What to Eat in Chicago: A Food Guide

What to eat in Chicago

• Deep-dish pizza at Lou Malnati's / Pequod's / Giordano's

  Order first, drink second — 45–60 min bake time. US$25 large.

• Italian beef at Al's #1 / Portillo's

  Chicago-only sandwich; ask 'dipped' + 'hot peppers'. US$10.

• Chicago dog at Superdawg / Portillo's

  Poppy-seed bun, yellow mustard, neon relish — NEVER ketchup. US$5.

• Steak at Bavette's / Gene & Georgetti / Alinea (tasting menu)

  Chicago-cut steakhouse is a religion; Alinea is 3-Michelin US$400.

What to drink

Tap water excellent (Lake Michigan). Malört (Jeppson's) is the local liqueur every visitor tries once. Craft beer strong (Half Acre, Revolution, Goose Island). Old-fashioned + Manhattan at The Green Mill (Al Capone haunt).

Dining etiquette and practicalities

• Tipping 18–22% at restaurants; auto-gratuity 20% common for parties of 6+.

• 10.25% Chicago sales tax added at register (not in menu prices).

• Cubs (North) vs White Sox (South) baseball loyalty is serious — don't mix them.

Where to eat in Chicago

• The Loop

  Business core, Art Institute, Millennium Park, Theatre District — Palmer House, Hyatt Regency, W City Center.

• Magnificent Mile

  Michigan Ave shopping strip, Water Tower — Peninsula, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Waldorf Astoria.

• River North

  Gallery district, dining, steakhouses — Langham, Thompson Chicago, Godfrey Hotel.

• West Loop

  Restaurant Row (Girl & the Goat, Duck Duck Goat, Alinea in adjacent Lincoln Park) — Nobu Hotel, Ace Chicago.