9 Illinois Food Sayings That Outsiders Never Quite Figure Out
Illinois has a language all its own, especially when it comes to food.
From ordering a hot dog the right way to knowing what to call your carbonated beverage, locals have phrases that make perfect sense to them but leave visitors scratching their heads.
I remember the first time someone asked if I wanted my beef dipped—I had no clue what they meant until that glorious, juice-soaked sandwich arrived.
These sayings aren’t just words, they’re a badge of honor that separates true Illinoisans from everyone else.
1. You Got A Beef?
When someone in Illinois asks if you’ve got a beef, they might not be asking about your problems. Sure, it could mean you’re looking for a fight or have a complaint, but more often than not, it’s a playful nod to the state’s legendary Italian beef sandwiches. This juicy, messy masterpiece is a Chicago staple that locals worship like a religion.
I once saw two friends argue over which beef joint was better, and let me tell you, it got heated. The double meaning makes this phrase extra fun because you never quite know if someone’s ready to argue or just hungry. Either way, beef is serious business in Illinois, whether it’s on your plate or in your conversation.
2. Pop
Call it soda in Illinois and you’ll immediately out yourself as an outsider. Here, carbonated beverages go by one name only: pop. It doesn’t matter if it’s Coke, Sprite, or some fancy craft root drink—it’s all pop, and that’s non-negotiable.
The first time I traveled out of state and asked for a pop, the waiter looked at me like I’d spoken a foreign language. Back home, though, everyone knows exactly what you mean. This simple word is a linguistic badge of honor that connects Illinoisans across the state, from Chicago to Cairo. Whether you’re grabbing a pop at a gas station or ordering one with your tavern-style pizza, using the right term matters more than you’d think.
3. Da Beef, Da Bears, Da Pizza
Only in Chicago can you sum up an entire culture in six words. This phrase rolls off the tongue with that classic Chicago accent, celebrating the holy trinity of local obsessions: Italian beef sandwiches, the Bears football team, and deep-dish pizza. It’s shorthand for everything that makes Chicagoans proud.
During football season, you’ll hear this chanted at tailgates and sports bars across the city. I’ve seen grown adults get misty-eyed talking about all three in the same breath. The beauty of this saying is how it connects food and sports into one inseparable package. You can’t truly understand Chicago until you’ve experienced all three, preferably on the same Sunday afternoon.
4. Drag It Through The Garden
Want a Chicago-style hot dog with all the fixings? Just tell them to drag it through the garden. This colorful phrase means you want every topping imaginable: mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, pickles, sport peppers, and celery salt. It’s a vegetable explosion on a bun, minus one forbidden condiment.
The first time I heard this at a hot dog stand, I thought the guy was joking. But sure enough, my dog came back looking like a salad bar had exploded on it. Outsiders find the phrase confusing because it sounds messy and chaotic—which, honestly, it is. But that glorious mess is what makes a Chicago dog legendary and unforgettable.
5. You Want That Dipped?
At an Italian beef joint, this question separates the rookies from the regulars. Getting your sandwich dipped means they’ll submerge the entire thing in savory au jus, creating a gloriously messy experience that requires multiple napkins and zero shame. It’s not for the faint of heart or anyone wearing white.
My first dipped beef was a revelation—soggy bread, intensely flavored meat, and juice running down my arms. Some people think it’s gross, but Illinoisans know it’s the only way to truly experience Italian beef. The phrase itself is so casual, like they’re asking if you want extra pickles, not whether you want your lunch completely soaked in meat juice.
6. No Ketchup, Ever
This isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a commandment carved in stone. Putting ketchup on a hot dog in Illinois, especially in Chicago, is culinary blasphemy. Locals take this rule as seriously as they take the Cubs versus Sox rivalry, which is saying something.
I once watched a vendor actually refuse to put ketchup on a customer’s hot dog, directing them to the condiment station with a disapproving shake of his head. The reasoning? A proper Chicago dog already has perfectly balanced flavors that ketchup would overpower and ruin. Kids get a pass until they’re old enough to know better, but adults should absolutely know the rule. Breaking it marks you as an outsider faster than anything else you could possibly do.
7. Get Me A Tavern-Style
Forget triangular slices—in Illinois, tavern-style pizza means thin crust cut into small squares, perfect for sharing at your local bar. This style originated in neighborhood taverns where people wanted finger food they could eat while drinking and socializing. The square cut makes it easy to grab a piece without committing to a huge slice.
When I order pizza with out-of-state friends, they’re always confused by the squares. But locals understand that tavern-style is the true Illinois way, even if deep-dish gets all the attention. The crispy crust and edge pieces with extra crunch make it addictive. Ordering this way instantly signals you know your Illinois pizza history and respect the traditions that matter.
8. Make It A Combo
At an Italian beef spot, ordering a combo means adding a grilled Italian sausage to your already hefty beef sandwich. It’s meat on meat on bread, and it’s absolutely glorious. This phrase is shorthand for going all-in, choosing maximum flavor over any pretense of moderation or healthy eating.
The combo represents Illinois food culture perfectly—why choose between two amazing things when you can have both? I remember my dad always ordering combos and finishing every bite despite claiming he was trying to eat lighter. The beauty is in the simplicity of the phrase. You don’t need to explain yourself or justify the choice. Just say “make it a combo,” and everyone understands you’re serious about your lunch.
9. Sweet Or Hot?
This question comes at you fast when ordering Italian beef, and you’d better have an answer ready. Sweet means mild bell peppers, while hot refers to spicy giardiniera—a pickled vegetable mix that brings serious heat. Your choice says a lot about your personality and pain tolerance.
I always go hot because I like living dangerously, though I’ve regretted it mid-sandwich more than once. The phrase is efficient and direct, very much in line with Chicago’s no-nonsense attitude toward food ordering. Outsiders sometimes freeze when asked, unsure what the question even means. But regulars fire back their answer without hesitation, often with strong opinions about which is superior and why anyone would choose differently.