Chicago, Illinois Is Built On Deep Dish, Italian Beef, And Hot Dogs: Here’s Where To Eat Them All
Chicago’s food scene is legendary, and three dishes stand above the rest: deep dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, and Chicago-style hot dogs.
These iconic eats have shaped the city’s identity for generations, fueling everyone from construction workers to Cubs fans.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, tracking down the best versions of these classics is a delicious adventure you won’t want to miss.
1. Pequod’s Pizza
Pequod’s has earned cult status among deep dish devotees, and one bite explains why. The secret weapon here is the caramelized cheese crust that forms a crispy, golden ring around the edge of the pan. It’s like someone took the best part of pizza and made it even better.
The sauce is tangy and bright, cutting through the richness of the cheese and buttery crust. Toppings are piled high but never overwhelming. Pequod’s first opened in Morton Grove around 1970 and later brought its famous caramelized-edge pizza to its Chicago location, where the lines still prove they’re doing something right.
Don’t expect fancy decor or quick service, good things take time, especially when they’re baked in a cast-iron pan.
2. Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Lou Malnati’s is where tradition meets perfection, serving up butter-crust deep dish that melts in your mouth. The family recipe dates back to 1971, when Lou opened his first restaurant in Lincolnwood. Now, multiple locations across the city keep Chicagoans happy and well-fed.
Their signature move is the butter crust, which adds a richness that regular pizza dough just can’t match. The sausage is hand-made and spread edge-to-edge like a meaty blanket of joy. Cheese comes next, then chunky tomato sauce on top, that’s the Chicago way.
Many locals swear this is the best deep dish in the city, and they’re not afraid to fight about it.
3. Gino’s East
Walk into Gino’s East and you’ll immediately notice the graffiti-covered walls—customers have been leaving their mark here since 1966. But the real masterpiece is the pizza itself, with its distinctive cornmeal crust that’s both crunchy and tender. It’s a texture thing that sets Gino’s apart from the competition.
The sauce is chunky and robust, packed with tomato flavor that doesn’t hold back. Cheese stretches for days when you pull a slice, creating those Instagram-worthy cheese pulls everyone loves. The popular River North location continues to draw crowds, proving this old-school favorite still delivers the goods.
Pro tip: order ahead because these pies take about 45 minutes to bake to golden perfection.
4. Bartoli’s Pizzeria
Bartoli’s keeps it real in the neighborhoods, serving authentic deep dish without the downtown prices or tourist crowds. Family-owned and founded by a Chicago native, it brings neighborhood charm and solid value to every pie. The crust is sturdy enough to hold mountains of toppings but never feels heavy or doughy.
What makes Bartoli’s special is the homemade Italian sausage, seasoned with just the right blend of spices. The cheese-to-sauce ratio is spot-on, creating harmony in every bite. Their Roscoe Village and West Town locations keep fans covered, even if hours are more limited than downtown spots.
Locals love this place because it feels like eating at a friend’s house, if your friend made killer deep dish pizza.
5. Al’s Beef
Founded in 1938, Al’s Beef is often credited with popularizing the Italian beef sandwich rather than outright inventing it. The beef is sliced so thin it practically dissolves on your tongue, soaked in savory jus that drips down your arms. Don’t wear white, this is a messy business, and that’s part of the fun.
Order it “wet” for extra juice or “dipped” if you want the whole sandwich dunked in the gravy. Hot giardiniera adds a spicy kick that cuts through the richness. Sweet peppers offer a milder alternative for those who can’t handle the heat.
Multiple locations mean you can get your fix anywhere in the city.
6. Johnnie’s Beef
Johnnie’s Beef in Elmwood Park is worth the trip to the suburbs, serving what many consider the gold standard of Italian beef. The stand has been family-operated since 1961, and they haven’t changed a thing—why mess with perfection? The beef is tender, flavorful, and piled high on fresh Italian bread that somehow holds together despite the juice.
The atmosphere is pure Chicago: no-nonsense service, picnic tables, and lines that prove the food is worth waiting for. Their homemade giardiniera packs serious heat, so start with a small amount if you’re not sure. The combo sandwich adds Italian sausage, creating a meaty masterpiece.
Most locations now accept cards, but it’s still smart to bring cash just in case.
7. Buona Beef
Buona Beef brings Italian beef into the modern age without sacrificing tradition. Started in Berwyn in 1981, this family business has grown into a mini-empire with locations throughout Chicagoland. The beef is slow-roasted for hours, creating tender slices that soak up the seasoned gravy perfectly.
Their menu goes beyond just beef, offering Italian sausage, burgers, and even salads for those rare healthy moments. But let’s be honest, you’re here for the beef. The bread comes from local bakeries and arrives fresh daily, providing the perfect vessel for all that meaty goodness.
Add mozzarella cheese for a “cheesy beef” that takes indulgence to the next level.
8. The Original Mr. Beef (on Orleans)
Mr. Beef on Orleans became famous worldwide after appearing on “The Bear,” but locals have known about this gem since 1979. The no-frills counter serves up Italian beef that’s juicy, flavorful, and absolutely worth the hype. The beef is seasoned to perfection and sliced fresh throughout the day.
The staff keeps things moving quickly despite the crowds, barking orders and assembling sandwiches with practiced efficiency. This is old-school Chicago at its finest, no fancy seating, no Instagram-worthy decor, just damn good food. The giardiniera has the perfect balance of heat and crunch.
Order at the counter, grab your sandwich, and enjoy standing up like a true Chicagoan.
9. The Wieners Circle
The Wieners Circle is famous for two things: excellent hot dogs and staff who will roast you mercilessly. This Lincoln Park institution embraces the chaos, especially late at night when the verbal sparring reaches peak entertainment. But beyond the comedy show, the hot dogs are legitimately fantastic.
A proper Chicago dog comes with yellow mustard, neon green relish, chopped onions, tomato wedges, pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt on a poppy seed bun. Ketchup is forbidden, seriously, don’t even ask. The char dogs get grilled to perfection, adding a smoky flavor that elevates the whole experience.
Come for the food, stay for the entertainment, leave with a full belly and bruised ego.
10. Dave’s Red Hots
Dave’s Red Hots has been feeding hungry Chicagoans since 1938, making it one of the oldest hot dog stands still operating. Located in Lakeview, this tiny spot proves that good things come in small packages. The hot dogs are Vienna Beef all the way, snapped when you bite into them, that’s the sign of quality.
Everything is fresh, from the crisp vegetables to the soft poppy seed buns. The staff has been working here for decades, assembling dogs with lightning speed and precision. There’s limited seating, so most people eat standing at the counter or take their food to go.
It’s a neighborhood treasure that tourists haven’t discovered yet, let’s keep it that way.
11. Redhot Ranch / 35th Street Red Hots
Redhot Ranch on the South Side and its sister locations serve classic “Depression Dogs”, simple, fresh, and topped with mustard, onions, relish, and sport peppers, plus a pile of fries right on top. This neighborhood spot has been around for decades, feeding generations of families who know quality when they taste it.
Instead of loading on every topping, Redhot Ranch keeps it minimalist and authentic, staying true to the old-school Chicago style. The poppy seed buns are soft and sturdy, holding up to all those toppings without falling apart.
Prices remain reasonable, making this a go-to spot for anyone craving an authentic Chicago dog without breaking the bank.
12. Superdawg Drive-In
Superdawg is pure nostalgia, complete with giant hot dog mascots on the roof and carhop service that takes you back to the 1950s. Located in the Northwest Side since 1948, this drive-in is a Chicago landmark that’s still family-owned and operated. The “Superdawg” comes in a box decorated with Maurie and Flaurie, the mascot couple.
The hot dog itself is all-beef and snappy, topped with the usual suspects plus a unique pickle that sits on top like a crown. The fries are crinkle-cut perfection, crispy outside and fluffy inside. You can eat in your car or grab a spot on the patio.
It’s an experience as much as a meal, pure Chicago charm.
13. Gene & Jude’s
Gene & Jude’s does things differently, and that’s exactly why people love it. This River Grove institution has been doing its iconic fries-on-the-hot-dog combo since the mid-1940s, and they’re not changing now.
The hot dog comes with mustard, onions, relish, and sport peppers, no ketchup, no tomatoes, no pickle. Then they pile on fresh-cut fries that soak up all the juices and flavors. It’s messy, it’s unconventional, and it’s delicious.
There’s no indoor seating, just a walk-up window and outdoor picnic tables. Cash only, no exceptions, no apologies.