12 Illinois Foods Only Locals Know How To Say Correctly
Illinois has a food language all its own, and if you want to eat like a local, you need to speak it fluently.
From the streets of Chicago to neighborhood joints across the state, certain dishes come with their own pronunciation rules and ordering etiquette that can make or break your credibility.
Mispronounce a Polish pastry or forget the sacred hot dog rule, and you might as well be wearing a tourist badge.
Whether you are a newcomer or just brushing up on your Illinois food vocabulary, this guide will help you sound like you have been here your whole life.
1. Chicago-Style Hot Dog
Ordering this iconic snack is an art form that separates the locals from the tourists in about three seconds flat.
Walk into any self-respecting hot dog stand and ask for a “Chicago dog,” and you will immediately earn nods of approval from everyone within earshot.
This masterpiece comes loaded with yellow mustard, chopped onions, bright green relish, tomato slices, pickles, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt on a poppy seed bun.
But here is the golden rule that every Illinois native knows by heart: never, ever ask for ketchup.
While many stands will technically give it to you if asked, locals strongly frown upon putting ketchup on a Chicago dog.
The combination of fresh toppings creates a flavor explosion that ketchup would only ruin, according to local wisdom passed down through generations.
Head to Portillo’s at 100 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654 to experience this legendary creation done right.
Once you master the lingo and respect the no-ketchup law, you will be ordering like a born-and-raised Chicagoan in no time.
2. Italian Beef
Few sandwiches command as much respect and devotion in Illinois as the legendary Italian beef, a messy masterpiece that requires insider knowledge to order properly.
When you step up to the counter, simply say “beef wet” or “dipped” to let them know you want your sandwich dunked in the flavorful jus that makes every bite gloriously soaked.
Then comes the crucial follow-up question: sweet or hot?
This refers to your choice of giardiniera, the pickled vegetable condiment that adds either mild sweetness or fiery kick to your sandwich.
Locals know that getting the order right means understanding this simple two-step process without hesitation or confusion.
The thinly sliced, slow-roasted beef is piled high on Italian bread and becomes a handheld celebration of flavor and texture.
Visit Al’s Beef at 1079 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607 to taste the gold standard that has been perfecting this craft since 1938.
Master this ordering language, and you will fit right in with the lunchtime crowd of construction workers, office professionals, and lifelong Chicagoans who would not dream of eating it any other way.
3. Beef-and-Sausage Combo
Why choose between two incredible meats when you can have both in one glorious sandwich?
That is the logic behind the beef-and-sausage combo, a Chicago specialty that doubles down on flavor and never apologizes for its indulgence.
Locals have simplified the ordering process to just one word: “combo.”
Say it with confidence at the counter, and the staff will know exactly what you mean—Italian beef plus a grilled Italian sausage link, both crammed into the same bread.
No lengthy explanations needed, no awkward descriptions required.
This is the kind of shorthand that only develops in a city where these sandwiches are eaten as often as some people drink coffee.
The combination creates a texture and taste experience that is greater than the sum of its parts, with the juicy sausage complementing the tender, seasoned beef.
Stop by Buona Beef at one of its many Chicago-area locations to see how this legendary pairing is done right by people who have been perfecting it for decades.
Once you order your first combo like a local, you will never go back to choosing just one meat again.
4. Maxwell Street Polish
Born on the bustling sidewalks of Chicago’s historic Maxwell Street Market, this sandwich has become a beloved staple that carries the spirit of old-school street food.
When ordering, locals keep it simple and direct: “Maxwell Street Polish” or even shorter, “a Polish.”
Either way, everyone knows you are talking about a grilled Polish sausage served on a bun with mustard, grilled onions, and sport peppers.
The smoky char from the grill and the sweetness of the caramelized onions create a flavor combination that has kept people coming back for generations.
This is not some fancy gourmet creation—it is honest, working-class food that tastes like history and tradition in every bite.
Jim’s Original at 1250 S Union Ave, Chicago, IL 60607 has been serving this iconic sandwich since the Maxwell Street days, keeping the legacy alive with the same recipes and techniques.
Ordering it correctly shows you understand and appreciate the cultural significance behind this simple but powerful sandwich.
Next time you are craving something authentic and delicious, ask for a Polish and watch how quickly it appears, cooked to perfection and ready to devour.
5. Tavern-Style Thin Crust Pizza
Forget everything you think you know about pizza slices, because Chicago has its own rules when it comes to the thin crust variety.
Locals call it “tavern cut,” and when you order it, you better be ready for squares, not triangles.
This style of pizza features a cracker-thin, crispy crust that is sliced into small, shareable squares perfect for parties, family gatherings, or just munching while watching the game.
The square cut allows for edge pieces with extra crunch and center pieces loaded with toppings, giving everyone their preferred pizza experience.
This is the pizza style that most Chicagoans actually grew up eating at home, despite what the tourists think.
It is casual, unpretentious, and designed for sharing with friends over conversation and laughter.
Try it at Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria, 8433 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60652, where they have been cutting it tavern style since 1946.
Once you understand the tavern cut culture, you will realize why locals get a little defensive when people assume deep dish is the only Chicago pizza worth talking about.
Order it right, and you will be welcomed into the real pizza tradition of the city.
6. Deep-Dish Pizza
This towering, cheese-filled masterpiece is what most outsiders picture when they think of Chicago pizza, and ordering it requires patience as much as appetite.
Simply ask for “deep dish,” and then prepare yourself for a wait, because this is not fast food by any stretch of the imagination.
The thick, buttery crust is pressed into a high-sided pan, then layered with cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce before being baked to golden perfection.
Locals know that a proper deep dish takes at least 30 to 45 minutes to bake, so they order ahead or settle in for a relaxed meal with friends.
Complaining about the wait is the fastest way to out yourself as someone who does not understand what goes into creating this iconic dish.
The result is worth every minute: a rich, hearty pizza that eats more like a casserole and requires a fork and knife to tackle properly.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria serves one of the most famous versions at its many Chicago locations, with a butter crust that has earned cult-like devotion.
Order it like a local, accept the bake time with grace, and enjoy every glorious, cheesy bite.
7. Original Rainbow Cone
Summer in Chicago means long days, warm nights, and the unmistakable sight of locals licking their way through a towering cone of colorful ice cream.
But this is not just any ice cream—it is “an Original Rainbow Cone,” and saying it that way shows you know exactly what you are talking about.
This legendary treat features five specific flavors stacked in a particular order: chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with cherries and walnuts), pistachio, and orange sherbet.
The combination sounds wild, but it works in a way that has kept people coming back since 1926.
Locals do not mess with the formula or ask for substitutions—they order it exactly as it has always been served.
Each lick reveals a new flavor combination as the layers melt together, creating a nostalgic taste of Chicago summers past and present.
Head to the Original Rainbow Cone at 9233 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643 to experience this iconic dessert in its birthplace, where the tradition continues strong.
Order it by name with confidence, and you will be joining generations of Chicagoans who consider this a rite of summer.
No explanation needed, no customization required—just pure, colorful deliciousness.
8. Pączki
Every year around Fat Tuesday, bakeries across Illinois are flooded with people craving these pillowy, fruit-filled Polish pastries that are so much more than just donuts.
But if you want to order them without immediately revealing yourself as an outsider, you need to nail the pronunciation: “POANCH-kee.”
This is a commonly taught Chicago-style approximation rather than a linguistically exact pronunciation, but locals will immediately recognize what you mean.
These round, fried pastries are traditionally filled with fruit preserves or custard and dusted with powdered sugar, creating a treat that is richer and denser than a typical donut.
Locals take pączki day seriously, lining up early at their favorite bakeries to snag boxes before they sell out.
It is a tradition rooted in Polish heritage that has become a beloved part of Illinois food culture, especially in neighborhoods with strong Polish communities.
Visit Delightful Pastries at 5927 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60630 to taste some of the best pączki in the city, made fresh with traditional recipes.
Say it right, and you will earn smiles and respect from the bakers and customers alike.
Mispronounce it, and everyone will know you are new around here.
9. Giardiniera
This spicy, pickled vegetable condiment is the secret weapon that transforms ordinary sandwiches into extraordinary flavor bombs, and saying it correctly is a badge of honor.
Locals pronounce it “jar-din-AIR-uh,” with that distinctive “air” sound in the middle that sets apart those who know from those who are just guessing.
Made from a mix of peppers, cauliflower, carrots, celery, and spices marinated in oil, giardiniera adds a tangy, spicy kick to Italian beef, hot dogs, and sandwiches across the state.
Chicago-style giardiniera tends to be oil-based and spicier than versions found elsewhere, giving it a unique character that locals fiercely defend.
You can find it in mild (sweet) or hot varieties, and choosing between them is a personal preference that sparks endless debates among sandwich enthusiasts.
Many Illinois families even make their own batches at home, passing down recipes through generations like precious heirlooms.
You can find Fontanini-made giardiniera at many Chicago delis and grocery stores, as Fontanini Italian Meats and Sausages is a long-standing local producer known for this staple.
Get the pronunciation right, and you will sound like someone who has been enjoying this condiment your whole life.
10. Mild Sauce (Chicago-Style)
Walk into a chicken shack on the South Side and ask for mild sauce, and you will receive a sweet, tangy, orange-red condiment that is absolutely nothing like what the rest of the country calls mild sauce.
Locals know to order it by saying “extra mild sauce” if they really want their chicken, fries, or gyros properly drenched in this beloved Chicago creation.
This sauce is a unique blend of ketchup, barbecue sauce, and spices that creates a flavor profile unlike anything else—sweet, tangy, and just a little bit spicy.
It is the go-to condiment for fried chicken, gyros, and even fries across Chicago’s South and West Sides, where it has been a staple for decades.
The exact recipe varies from restaurant to restaurant, with each spot claiming their version is the best and most authentic.
Outsiders often have no idea what mild sauce even is, but locals would not dream of eating certain foods without it.
Try it at a Harold’s Chicken Shack location anywhere in Chicago, where mild sauce is a defining part of the experience and the fried chicken is legendary.
Order it confidently, and you will be eating like a true South Sider in no time.
One taste and you will understand why this sauce inspires such fierce loyalty.
11. Rib Tips and Links
Barbecue in Chicago has its own vocabulary, and nowhere is that more obvious than when ordering this classic combination that locals refer to simply as “tips and links.”
Say it as one phrase, and the pitmaster will know you want rib tips (the meaty ends trimmed from spare ribs) along with hot links (spicy smoked sausages) served together as a single order.
This is soul food at its finest, with smoky, charred meat that falls apart at the touch of a fork and sausages that snap with every bite.
The rib tips are often underestimated by people unfamiliar with them, but locals know they are packed with flavor and offer more meat than you might expect from the odd-shaped pieces.
Paired with hot links, a few slices of white bread, and a generous helping of mild sauce, this meal is a South Side tradition that has fed generations.
It is casual, unpretentious, and absolutely delicious in a way that fancy barbecue joints can never quite replicate.
Visit Lem’s Bar-B-Q at 311 E 75th St, Chicago, IL 60619 to taste why this combination has earned legendary status among barbecue lovers.
Order it like a local, and you will be welcomed into a community that takes its smoked meats very seriously.
12. Mother-in-Law (The Sandwich)
No, we are not talking about your spouse’s mom—this is a sandwich with a name that raises eyebrows and a taste that keeps people coming back for more.
Order it by simply saying “a mother-in-law,” and resist the urge to explain or ask questions, because locals already know exactly what you mean.
This South Side specialty consists of a tamale nestled inside a hot dog bun, topped with chili and other condiments, creating a mashup that sounds strange but tastes absolutely fantastic.
The combination of the soft, corn-based tamale with the savory chili creates a texture and flavor experience that is greater than you would expect from such simple ingredients.
Some places add cheese, onions, or sport peppers to customize the experience, but the core concept remains the same.
The origin of the name is debated, but the most popular theory is that it is as hot and spicy as a stereotypical mother-in-law.
Try one at Fat Johnnie’s, 7242 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60636, a legendary spot that has been serving this quirky sandwich for decades.
Order it with confidence, and you will join the ranks of locals who appreciate this delicious oddity.
One bite and you will understand why this sandwich has earned its place in Chicago food history.