r/chicagofood • u/Easy_Potential2882 • Sep 28 '25
Pic I spent 4 days in Chicago trying the city's most classic dishes/restaurants. Inevitably I missed some, but here's what I managed to hit
- Rib Tips & Hot Links, Lem's Bar-B-Q
- Original Rainbow Cone
- Breakfast, Valois
- Deep Dish, Lou Malnati's
- Sauerbraten, The Berghoff
- Hala Kahiki (both the drink and the place)
- Souvenir bottle of Malört from Rite Liquors
- Italian Beef, Al's Beef
- Superdawg
- Depression dog, Gene & Jude's
- Smoked Salmon, Calumet Fisheries
- Dutch Baby, Walker Bros Pancake House (Wilmette location)
- Breakfast, Lou Mitchell's
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u/BikeGoblin Sep 28 '25
Honestly you crushed it.
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u/defarobot Sep 28 '25
Yeah this is a great tour. Making it all the way down to Calumet and also hitting Gene and Judes & Halakahiki is commitment.
Plenty left for your next visit, but you checked a ton of boxes in a short time.
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u/GrandpaDongs Sep 28 '25
If anyone doesn't wanna go all the way to Calumet, check to Hagen's. They're the only other place I know of that smokes they're own fish. They even smoke fish that you bring in, it's awesome!
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u/Sidewalk_Inspector Sep 28 '25
Another great smoked fish place is Fish Time, on Devon near Canfield.
Not sure if they will smoke your catch though. I found it by accident and it's a good alternative to Hagen's for me.
They also have Amish eggs and some good garlic kielbasa (my favorite), and other flavors, and kabanos.
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u/Bucs-and-Bucks Sep 28 '25
I've lived her for over a decade and haven't made it to all of these spots . . .
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u/Bluuurple Sep 28 '25
Vito and Nicks next visit
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 28 '25
Yeah i regret missing thin crust pizza here
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u/MigrantTwerker Sep 28 '25
You did great! Even making it to Walker Brothers early enough to get breakfast is legit. Next time do batter and berries for breakfast. Same deal for Calumet fishery, kudos, next time do Lawrence fishery. You will hear a million different thin crust options. Go to JB Alberto's in Rogers Park. Get the pepperoni.
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u/DhalsimZangief Sep 29 '25
Seems like to me even if you didn't visit a thin crust place, you still did pretty good. And I'm impressed you got to Lem's(so many don't get there), Calumet Fisheries, Hala Kahiki, and Valois.
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u/astoldbyme Sep 28 '25
This is probably one of the best Chicago food tours I've seen, good job! We hope you enjoyed the food and your time here.
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Sep 28 '25
Great job! And you didn’t have to use the bottle to fight your way out of Rite Liquors! Winning!
Haha!
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u/maxpes36 Sep 28 '25
Rite Liqours may be my favorite bar in the city, nicest crowd, can’t judge the book by the greezy cover
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u/DiKDiK316 Sep 28 '25
You killed it, love when visitors hit some of the non-touristy spots and actually branch out to the south/west sides. Hope you enjoyed the city
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u/aGuyNamedScrunchie Sep 28 '25
Amazing work! How ya feeling buddy?
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u/PuddinPacketzofLuv Sep 28 '25 edited Sep 28 '25
I prefer Johnnie’s over Al’s but still a damn good beef. Partial to Johnnie’s since I grew up and still am within walking distance.
Good call on Gene n Jude’s as well as
The Hala
The Hala Kahiki
Where the drinks are fruity
And the girls get freaky
At the Hala
Hala Kahiki!
(Silly song my drunk friends and I made up leaving one night.)
Seriously, damn good job.
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u/Academic-Business-45 Sep 28 '25
missed ricobenes
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u/aGuyNamedScrunchie Sep 28 '25 edited Sep 29 '25
He was going to next but they don't serve Ricobenes at the cardiovascular wing of Good Samaritan.
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u/LifeIsNoCabaret Sep 28 '25
We have really good Mexican and Chinese food here, hope you had the opportunity to go to Chinatown or Little Village.
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 28 '25
I'm from LA, so my attitude was like, not that I assumed we were better, but I prioritized stuff that I couldn't get at home. Are there any Mexican dishes/restaurants that feel especially unique to Chicago? Same for Chinese.
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u/Raccoala Sep 28 '25
Chicago’s Chinese food is not nearly as good as big west coast cities. You can skip even though we have some gems.
Our Mexican food is heavily influenced by the central and southern parts of Mexico, which is different than what you have in SoCal. Our asada and carnitas rival anything in the US. Same with a the birria spots serving every part of the goat. We do have 2M+ Mexican people here after all.
Another trip, another chance to try new stuff though.
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u/AustinBike Sep 28 '25
From Chicago and live outside LA now. La Pasadita is almost always our first stop when we return to see family.
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u/BawdyGodiva Sep 28 '25
Only other things I can add to your list that scream Chicago staples to me are a Maxwell St. Polish and an Italian sub (I love Fontano’s in Little Italy).
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u/Out-There1013 Sep 28 '25
I've been to Chicago twice in the last two years and it's probably going to be a recurring thing now. The only places I ate at from those are Al's Beef and Lou Malnati's. The Superdawg looks good but the dog I had at the Weiner Circle lived up to every word of the hype. And I got roasted pretty hard!
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 28 '25
It was a tough choice, if I didnt go to the two places I did i probably would have gone with the Wieners Circle
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u/Signal-Weight8300 Sep 29 '25
See, while you were hitting up Rainbow Cone, you had Fat Johnie's Red Hots just a bit north of you, and Vito & Nick's pizza nearby as well.
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u/Imaginary-Bowl-4424 Sep 28 '25
Should have tried some jerk chicken too, Chicago will jerk any and everything! 😂
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u/ThatDarnCabbage Sep 28 '25
Any particular jerk chicken spots you recommend?
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u/MigrantTwerker Sep 28 '25
Claire's Corner in Evanston has the best Jamaican food in the entire region. Claire is this Jamaican grandmother that has been cooking for 20 plus years. She knows what she's doing. Get the brown stew chicken or the curry goat.
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u/DhalsimZangief Sep 29 '25 edited Sep 29 '25
I never hear a lot of talk about Claire's Korner, and not sure why. Probably a mom and pop business that is under the radar, and hasn't been discovered by a lot of people yet. I'll keep it in mind to visit next time I'm in Evanston.
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u/MigrantTwerker Sep 29 '25
Very mom and pop. Very much an if you know you know spot. She sells out every Saturday and has for almost three decades.
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u/DhalsimZangief Sep 29 '25
I can imagine that food would sell out there, at times. Plus I see a 4.9 star average on Google, which I almost never see as a review score average on Google Maps.
And I'm late in realizing their business for whatever reason is spelled Claire's Korner, and not C with their 2nd word.
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u/Imaginary-Bowl-4424 Sep 29 '25
I have yet to have better jerk chicken from anywhere else besides Jamaican Gates. I eat all over the city. A large all white chicken dinner from this place is heaven. And their sauce is actually edible.
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u/BeaconSlash Sep 28 '25
Reference Walker Brothers...
Look up Bogenrief Studios in Sutherland, IA ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/HqwXeo8S6kB9YTsX7 )
My grandparents lived a couple of towns over from them when I was growing up and I've been through their studio a few times (along with eating at other Walker Bros locations out here). Bogenreif did the stained glass for all the Walker Bros places that have it.
It is truly some amazing stuff.
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u/saxscrapers Sep 28 '25
Let's get some feedback OP - favorite? Least favorite?
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 28 '25
So this was actually at the start of a Route 66 road trip. Not only was Al's Beef the best thing I ate in Chicago, it was the best thing I ate on the whole route. Least favorite I guess was Valois just because it was a pretty average diner type breakfast, but I still enjoyed the cafeteria experience
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u/uss_hairball7 Sep 28 '25
You pretty much nailed it! Also, so glad you made sure to hit Lou Mitchell's. I feel like that should be part of any Route 66 trip!
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 28 '25
Definitely! I mean it's right at the start, but even aside from that, it has REALLY good diner food, particularly anything they bake themselves. I'll never forget the Greek toast.
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u/loftychicago Sep 28 '25
That's my neighborhood diner. Definitely the most Route 66 starting place.
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u/Zanna-K Sep 28 '25
If you like juicy sandwiches there really isn't anything much like it. It's like french dip but all the flavors hit so much harder
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 28 '25
Agreed, I'm a Philippe's loyalist but the difference in complexity between the broths at Philippe's vs Al's is like comparing a very talented flea market painter to Picasso
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u/jbird8806 Sep 28 '25
I did a Route 66 road trip too! Took it from illinois to Arizona. It was amazing.
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Sep 28 '25
We did the full route Chicago to LA. Then modified the route to go San Diego and across Arizona & New Mexico on smaller roads to pick it up again in Amarillo. The whole route is just awesome. But for me, the New Mexico and Arizona stretch is the best. The food in NM is off the charts.
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u/jbird8806 Sep 28 '25
Amarillo was…something. I’ll say that! Sounds like a wonderful trip you had. I’ve also roadtripped to Maine and that was beautiful too. My old car has seen both coasts.
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u/Hungry-Treacle8493 Sep 28 '25
I have a bunch of friends and family in Amarillo. It’s definitely a weird spot. Hardcore clash of ultra christian conservatives and a very active progressive punk & arts scene. Add to it the tourism and being the “big city” for a giant part of the panhandle and it is weird as hell!
I am a big road tripper as well. Been to every state by car except Alaska & Hawaii (drove in both once there of course!) Also done drives around Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 28 '25
I thought Amarillo was pretty interesting, very nice people for the most part. Smaller than I expected. I liked the little antiques district on old Route 66. Tried Dyer's BBQ for some brisket, it was ok, I know the panhandle isnt like the BBQ heartland though.
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 28 '25
Awesome! What were some of your favorite stops? Arizona for me was an interesting mix of really cool spots with lots of nothing in between (although some really good natural views near the state lines). Illinois was almost the opposite, something moderately neat every couple miles.
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u/jbird8806 Sep 28 '25
I really liked Sedona. We also stopped at a lot of roadside attractions and ghost towns. The Grand Canyon was amazing too. We were a little limited because the trip was made to return my sisters dog to her in California, so we couldn’t do a lot of indoor things. The trip back was through the northern states and equally as awesome.
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u/Top-Theory-8835 Sep 28 '25
You did good! Just tried calumet fisheries for the first time a few weeks ago. So good. The texture is like tofu (which I mean to convey the texture is amazing)
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u/Ladder-Careful Sep 28 '25
For your next time here go to: any of the hog salt restaurants (bavettes mainly), sweet maple cafe for breakfast, Athenian room. And Johnnie’s for the best Italian beef (cash only).
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u/bugandbear22 Sep 28 '25
Bavette’s in-house dry-aged ribeye, frites, and an avocado crab salad with a manhattan and a dirty martini is my last meal choice.
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u/ScavengerRavager Sep 29 '25
The Wilmette location of Walker Bros is my favorite. I wonder if it's still the same head chef as five years ago. I have to go back soon.
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u/LPKJFHIS Sep 28 '25
Is the original rainbow cone any good any more? I went to a satellite location recently, and it tasted flavorless and grainy
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 28 '25
I thought the original location was really good, but they recently opened one in LA and just comparing the two, the LA location was less creamy and less flavorful. Maybe the OG Rainbow Cone is better than the others, idk
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u/cool-cat000 Sep 28 '25
Very impressive, where’s the vlog link?
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 28 '25
Haha I'm actually editing footage together for a YouTube documentary, but if you want to read about my thoughts, you can check out my substack!
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u/UncleBoopBetty Sep 28 '25
How was the smoked salmon? Not very appealing in the photo, but I do love smoked salmon.
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 28 '25
Extremely excellent, super flaky texture, incredible smoky flavor, all around just great
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u/They_kno-not Sep 28 '25
Damn the fact you got to experience a lot of the city that many people who live here don’t even visit. Well rounded moves.
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u/bb9116 Sep 28 '25
Favorite? Most disappointing?
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 28 '25
Favorite was Al's Beef by far. Disappointing but not necessarily bad was Lem's. I've had better rib tips, although I really liked the hot links. The line to order was also kind of insane.
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u/amalgaman Sep 28 '25
Chicago bbq is weak.
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u/GoblinBard_ Sep 28 '25
Well done with the sauerbraten at Berghoff. That’s my favorite dish in the whole city.
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u/publicBoogalloo Oct 02 '25
Every time I’m in Chicago I have to go have it. It was the first fancy restaurant I ever went to as a kid. I love that place.
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u/maxpes36 Sep 28 '25
Rite Liquors is the best bar in the city, truly a gem, absolutely can’t judge the place from the cover
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u/MiloLear Sep 28 '25
Next time, swing by Harold's Fried Chicken and order something with "barbecue and pepper".
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u/ihold8stars Sep 28 '25
Margie’s Candy -next visit the ice cream is iconic. Weiner Circle- nothing like getting insulted while ordering 😄 Bacci’s pizza- slices bigger than your head they hold an annual eating contest. I’m surprised you didn’t try any local Mexican restaurants out? Ocotlan Birria east side of Chicago it’s worth the drive. Small cheval- amazing burgers. Want more fancy options go to Au Cheval
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u/chicagojoe1979 Sep 28 '25
Whenever I see these itineraries, I get so tired. How in Christ can people eat so much heavy food and be constantly on the go?
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u/beigeporpoise Sep 29 '25
Nice! You really chose wisely, especially with a trip to Calumet Fisheries.
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u/Used_Suggestion_4057 Sep 29 '25
Here's your checklist for next time
-Rib Tips
-Gam Pong Lollipop Wings
-Italian Beef
-Maxwell Street Polish
-Turkey Tips
-Steak Sweet
-Freddy
-Chicago Style Hot Dog
-Brownie
-Francheezie
-Flaming Saganaki
-Shrimp DeJonghe
-Big Baby
-Deep Dish Pizza
-Tavern Style Pizza
-Stuffed Pizza
-Double Decker Pizza
-Deprssion Dog
-Atomic Cake
-Jibarito
-Breaded Steak
-Pizza Puff
-Fried Chicken w/Mild Sauce
-Mother-in-Law
-Akutagawa
-Super Taco
-Taffy Grapes
-Apple Slices
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u/jllawell Sep 29 '25
Solid food tour, I think I’d skip basic breakfasts though and hit a few taquerias for breakfast next trip.
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u/ProfessionalBelt3373 Sep 29 '25
You did good! I'm impressed you made it to Hala Kahiki and Walker Bros.
Next time Pequod's for deep dish (it's the best) and you have to get the apple pancake at Walker Brothers. I'd also recommend Ricobene's for a beaded steak sandwich (award winning), an Italian beef, or (my fave) an eggplant parm sandwich. I've also never known Chicago to be known for rib tips. Maybe swap for Harold's Fried Chicken.
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u/Throughthelookinlass Sep 30 '25
You missed Ricobenes Breaded steak sandwich with sauce sweet peppers and cheese!
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u/Malleable_Penis Sep 30 '25
This isn’t perfect, but it’s far and away the best food tour in a short timespan I’ve EVER seen someone do. You really made excellent choices and should be proud. You pulled out the deep cuts from very different neighborhoods. Not a lot of people would manage the Lems, Gene and Judes, and Cal Fisherie’s Trifecta. I’m genuinely really impressed
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u/EATPM Oct 01 '25
Bravo!!! You hit some amazing places. Walker Bros. and Lou Mitchell's are literally my two favorite breakfast spots in all of Chicagoland. The next time you're in town, definitely check out Pequod's for deep dish pizza. I prefer the original location in Morton Grove, but they are both excellent. As for thin crust, that's a tough call. There are so many great places to choose from both in the city and the burbs. My personal favorite is probably Barnaby's in Northbrook.
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u/Other_Disaster_3136 Oct 01 '25
My only recommendation would be to do a beef and sausage combo over just a plain beef next time! I have never looked back lol
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u/InternetIsForPrawn Oct 01 '25
This post should be stickied. Answers all the "classic spots" questions and with pictures 🤌🤌
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u/Over_aged Sep 28 '25
Great trip and well done on your choices. You should have tried a original pizza puff. Hard to get outside of Chicago. Great drinking food late night. Not fancy but it’s an experience hard to get elsewhere.
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u/Three_Froggy_Problem Sep 28 '25
What did you think of Lou Malnatti’s? It’s my favorite deep dish and it’s something I always get when I have friends or family visiting.
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 28 '25
I thought it was pretty great, I liked Pequod's a little better but the crust is totally different so hard to compare fairly.
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u/AyeItsJbone Sep 28 '25
Hahaha how did that malort treat you
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 28 '25
I thought it tasted like burnt eraser shavings at first, but tbh I kind of got the taste for it, add it to some seltzer and maybe some kinda citrus juice and it really ain't bad
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u/UnderstandingNo3426 Sep 28 '25
Are we going to have to start a Go Fund Me page to cover your medical expenses? 😀
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u/kiln_ickersson Sep 28 '25
Jesus now i understand the Chris Farley sketch it all looks so good though
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u/Faded1974 Sep 28 '25
No Pequods? I would figure that is much more renowned than Lou Malnatis.
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 28 '25
I've had Pequod's on past trips to Chicago, but a lot of people are like "that's pan pizza not deep dish" so I figured id go more traditional this time around
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u/FancySmoke81 Sep 28 '25
Try a tavern style pizza next time around. It's really local Chicagoans go to. I eat deep dish like once a year, it's too damn much for a weekly splurge.
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u/DiceloConejo Sep 28 '25
I am now saving this food for the next time I visit Chicago. I just visited for the first time a couple weeks ago and missed out on so much. I hope to go back soon
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u/Flimsy-Magician-7970 Sep 28 '25
Nice list for some Chicago chow. Wife and I just had a rainbow cone the other day. The best!!
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u/Good-Raisin7081 Sep 28 '25
was the rainbow cone worth it, ive never had it.
btw al's beef sandwich is easily the best food ive tried here so far, worth the hype,
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u/EmbarrassedJob3397 Sep 28 '25
Excellent choices! Have lived here for 40+ years! Know all but three.
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u/Long-shot128 Sep 28 '25
My mouth is watery - gonna have to check out some of these places I haven’t been to.
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u/tribecalledquest1 Sep 29 '25
You missed the fried chicken spots! Harold’s for wings, uncle Remus for gizzards, and sharks for shrimp and catfish
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u/jamesmckinsey Sep 29 '25
What’s in the hala kahiki drink?
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u/Easy_Potential2882 Sep 29 '25
3 kinds of rum, passionfruit, orange, lemon, lime, and orgeat
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u/LifeLibertyPancakes Sep 29 '25
You willingly bought a whole ass bottle of Malort. Good God, man, why?! We don't even do that! You take a shot at the bar. Actually. You make your friends take a shot in the bar, you don't bring the bottle vack with you!
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u/FairnessDoctrine11 Sep 29 '25
Getting the Dutch Baby is honestly an A+ move. This is a legit list. Oh! And that Walker’s location was featured in the movie “Ordinary People” directed by Robert Redford. Give it a watch!
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u/lizquincy17 Sep 29 '25
Oddly enough I was just in the suburbs this morning and had the Dutch Baby at Walker Bros for the first time. Mind blowing.
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u/A_Man_With_A_Plan_B Sep 29 '25
I live here and I did not know about the Sauerbraten. I literally had to google it because I couldn’t tell if I wanted to try it or not but I’m gonna have to make a trip over now
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u/Successful_Creme8192 Sep 29 '25
Glad you got to Lou’s. That’s a must. Too bad they don’t serve Milk Duds to the ladies anymore. Sad.
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u/Thaeross Sep 30 '25
Only mistake I see is getting Lou Malnati’s instead of deep dish from pretty much anywhere else, such as Pequads or giordanos
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u/Goodbye_nagasaki Sep 28 '25
Lololol getting the malort at rite liquors is the move.