13 Illinois Foods Outsiders Always Order Wrong (But Locals Never Do)
Walking into a Chicago food spot with confidence is one thing, but knowing the secret handshake of how to actually order?
That’s where outsiders fumble every single time.
Illinois has a food culture so specific, so layered, that even a single wrong word can out you as a tourist faster than a fanny pack and a Navy Pier map.
From the wetness level of your beef to the unspoken rules about ketchup, locals have mastered an ordering language that keeps the line moving and the food perfect—while visitors stumble through menus like they’re reading ancient hieroglyphics.
Here are thirteen Illinois foods that separate the insiders from the out-of-towners, one glorious mistake at a time.
1. Italian Beef: Ordering It Plain
Tourists stroll up to the counter and confidently say, “Italian beef, no notes,” like they just ordered a turkey sandwich at Subway.
What arrives is a sad, dry situation that makes locals shake their heads in collective disappointment.
Real Chicagoans know the Italian beef is a choose-your-own-adventure of moisture and heat, and skipping that step is culinary self-sabotage.
You’ve got to declare your wetness level—dry, juicy, or dipped (which means the whole sandwich takes a bath in the beef juice).
Then comes the pepper decision: sweet peppers for a milder, tangy kick, or hot giardiniera for those who like their lunch with a little danger.
Ordering plain means you’re getting none of the magic, just meat on bread, which is basically a crime in Cook County.
Johnnie’s Beef in Elmwood Park has perfected this dance for decades, and their counter staff can spot a newbie from a mile away.
Go here: Johnnie’s Beef, 7500 W North Ave, Elmwood Park, IL 60707
2. Italian Beef: Skipping the Combo
Out-of-towners see “Italian beef” and “Italian sausage” as two separate menu items, so they pick one and move on with their lives.
Meanwhile, every local within earshot is internally screaming, “Get the combo, you absolute rookie!”
The combo is the holy grail of Chicago sandwiches—a glorious marriage of Italian sausage and beef, piled together in perfect harmony.
Once you’ve committed to the combo, you still have to navigate the wetness spectrum (dry, juicy, or dipped) and the pepper situation (hot giardiniera, sweet peppers, or both).
It’s not just about ordering more food; it’s about unlocking a flavor profile that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
Skipping the combo is like going to a concert and leaving before the encore—you technically experienced it, but you missed the best part.
Johnnie’s Beef serves up combos that have converted countless skeptics into true believers, one messy, magnificent bite at a time.
Go here: Johnnie’s Beef, 7500 W North Ave, Elmwood Park, IL 60707
3. Chicago-Style Hot Dog: Asking for Ketchup
Nothing—and I mean nothing—will brand you as an outsider faster than asking for ketchup on a Chicago-style hot dog.
It’s the culinary equivalent of showing up to a black-tie event in cargo shorts.
Locals know that a proper Chicago dog comes “dragged through the garden,” loaded with yellow mustard, chopped onions, bright green relish, tomato wedges, a pickle spear, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt on a poppy seed bun.
Ketchup is considered a sugary abomination that masks the carefully balanced flavors of this iconic street food.
While Gene & Jude’s is famous for its stripped-down, mustard-only Depression-style hot dogs, their no-ketchup rule is absolute and non-negotiable.
Ask for ketchup there, and you’ll get a lecture, a laugh, or both—but definitely not ketchup.
The Chicago dog is a tradition, a masterpiece, and a test of respect all rolled into one perfectly dressed frankfurter.
Go here: Gene & Jude’s, 2720 River Rd, River Grove, IL 60171
4. Maxwell Street Polish: Ordering It Like a Regular Hot Dog
Visitors see “Polish” on the menu and treat it like an oversized hot dog, expecting the same garden-variety toppings they’d find anywhere else.
That’s where they go tragically wrong.
A Maxwell Street Polish is a grilled Polish sausage topped with grilled onions and yellow mustard—that’s it, and that’s perfection.
No relish, no tomatoes, no pickle spear—just the smoky char of the sausage, the sweet caramelized onions, and the sharp bite of mustard.
It’s a street food classic born from the old Maxwell Street Market, where vendors served up this simple, soul-satisfying combo to hungry crowds.
Jim’s Original on Union Avenue is known for its long late-night hours and classic Maxwell Street Polish, keeping the tradition alive with every sizzle and snap.
Ordering it “like a hot dog” means you’re missing the point entirely—and probably annoying the person behind the counter who’s heard it a thousand times.
Go here: Jim’s Original, 1250 S Union Ave, Chicago, IL 60607
5. Deep Dish: Expecting a Quick Slice or Fast Order
Out-of-towners walk into a deep dish spot expecting New York speed, where you grab a slice and bolt out the door in three minutes flat.
Then they sit down, order, and realize—45 minutes later—that deep dish is not fast food.
It’s a commitment, a casserole of cheese and sauce baked in a towering pan that requires actual oven time, not a quick reheat under a heat lamp.
Locals plan their deep dish orders accordingly, knowing that the wait is part of the experience and that rushing it would be a crime against pizza.
Different spots have their own styles too—some go for a buttery, caramelized crust, while others pile on the toppings like they’re building a lasagna.
Pequod’s in Chicago is famous for its caramelized crust that forms a crispy, cheesy crown around the edge, and trust me, it’s worth every minute of anticipation.
Show up hungry, show up patient, and whatever you do, don’t ask if it’s ready yet after ten minutes.
Go here: Pequod’s Pizza, 2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
6. Chicago Pizza: Ordering Only Deep Dish and Missing Tavern-Style
Everyone visiting Chicago thinks pizza equals deep dish, so they order it once, take a photo for Instagram, and call it a day.
What they don’t realize is that most locals actually prefer tavern-style thin crust—crispy, square-cut, and absolutely addictive.
Tavern-style pizza is the real weeknight hero, the kind you order for a party, a game, or just because it’s Tuesday.
It’s thin, it’s crunchy, and it’s cut into squares (also called “party cut”) so everyone can grab a piece without needing a forklift.
The cheese goes to the edge, the toppings are evenly distributed, and the whole thing disappears faster than you can say “another round.”
Vito & Nick’s on the South Side has been serving up tavern-style perfection since 1946, with a cracker-thin crust that shatters in all the right ways.
If you only eat deep dish in Chicago, you’re missing half the story—and the half that locals actually eat on the regular.
Go here: Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria, 8433 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60652
7. Breaded Steak Sandwich: Ordering It Like a Normal Steak Sandwich
Tourists see “steak sandwich” and picture a tender piece of grilled meat on a bun, maybe with some onions and peppers if they’re feeling fancy.
Then they bite into a Chicago breaded steak sandwich and realize they’ve been living a lie their entire lives.
This isn’t your country club steak sandwich—it’s a thin piece of beef, breaded and fried until golden, then smothered in red gravy and often topped with mozzarella and hot giardiniera.
It’s messy, it’s indulgent, and it’s absolutely not something you eat with a knife and fork unless you’re trying to impress nobody.
The breading soaks up the gravy, the cheese melts into every crevice, and the giardiniera adds a spicy, vinegary punch that cuts through the richness.
Ricobene’s on the South Side is the undisputed king of this sandwich, serving up breaded steak masterpieces that have earned cult status among locals.
Order it like a “normal” steak sandwich, and you’ll get exactly what you deserve: confusion and regret.
Go here: Ricobene’s, 252 W 26th St, Chicago, IL 60616
8. Pizza Puff: Not Ordering the Chicago Gas-Station Counter Classic
Walk into a Chicago carryout or corner spot, and you’ll see a menu item that confuses every out-of-towner: the pizza puff.
Most visitors ignore it completely, assuming it’s some kind of deep-fried gimmick not worth their time or stomach space.
Locals, however, know the pizza puff is a rite of passage—a golden, crispy pocket stuffed with cheese, sauce, and sometimes sausage, fried until it’s dangerously hot and absolutely irresistible.
It’s like a Hot Pocket’s tougher, cooler Chicago cousin, the one who rides a motorcycle and doesn’t text back.
You order it at the counter, wait a few minutes for it to come out of the fryer, and then you do the “pizza puff dance”—that little hop and mouth-blow because you bit into it too soon and burned your tongue.
Nicky’s of Beverly has long been a neighborhood favorite for pizza puffs, delivering the classic crisp exterior and molten interior locals expect.
Skip it, and you’re missing one of Chicago’s most beloved guilty pleasures.
Go here: Nicky’s of Beverly, 10335 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643
9. Jibarito: Ordering It Like a Regular Sandwich
Visitors scan the menu, see “jibarito,” and assume it’s just another sandwich with a fancy name—maybe some special seasoning or a unique sauce.
Then it arrives, and they stare in confusion at what looks like a sandwich that forgot its bread.
That’s because a jibarito doesn’t use bread at all—it uses flattened, fried plantains as the “bun,” creating a crispy, slightly sweet base for steak, lettuce, tomato, and garlic mayo.
The sandwich is widely credited to Chicago’s Puerto Rican community in the 1990s, with its popularity spreading quickly beyond Humboldt Park.
The plantains add a texture and flavor you can’t get from regular bread, and the whole thing is pressed together so it holds like a sandwich but tastes like a revelation.
Jibaritos y Más specializes in this glorious invention, serving up jibaritos that are perfectly pressed, generously filled, and utterly unforgettable.
Order it expecting bread, and you’ll be disappointed; order it expecting something completely different, and you’ll be converted.
Go here: Jibaritos y Más, 3400 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
10. Horseshoe: Ordering It Like a Burger or Plate and Missing the Point
Head down to Springfield, and you’ll see “horseshoe” on every menu, which sounds vaguely Western and possibly involves actual horse-related products if you’re really confused.
Outsiders either skip it entirely or order it thinking it’s just a fancy open-faced sandwich, not realizing it’s a full-on food experience.
The horseshoe is an open-faced sandwich (usually with a burger patty or other protein) piled high with fries and then absolutely drowned in a rich, creamy cheese sauce.
It’s not a side of fries with cheese—it’s the whole point, a glorious mess that requires a fork, a knife, and possibly a nap afterward.
Locals in Springfield treat the horseshoe like a religion, debating which spot has the best cheese sauce with the same passion Chicagoans debate pizza.
D’Arcy’s Pint is a Springfield institution, serving up horseshoes that are legendary for their perfectly balanced, velvety cheese sauce that coats every fry and every bite.
Order it like a burger, and you’ll miss the entire magic of this central Illinois treasure.
Go here: D’Arcy’s Pint, 661 W Stanford Ave, Springfield, IL 62704
11. Cozy Dog: Calling It Just a Corn Dog
Drive through Springfield on Route 66, and you’ll see the Cozy Dog Drive In, which tourists assume is just another roadside corn dog stand.
Locals and Route 66 enthusiasts know better—calling it “just a corn dog” is like calling the Grand Canyon “just a hole.”
The Cozy Dog helped popularize the corn dog in Illinois after World War II and has been serving them at this iconic Springfield location since 1949.
It’s a hot dog on a stick, hand-dipped in batter and fried to golden perfection, but it’s also nostalgia, tradition, and a connection to the golden age of American highways.
The batter is light and crispy, the dog is perfectly cooked, and the whole experience is served with a side of vintage Americana that you can’t get anywhere else.
Cozy Dog Drive In is still family-owned and operated, serving up the same recipe that’s been making people smile for over 70 years.
Call it “just a corn dog,” and you’re missing the story, the legacy, and the whole point of stopping here in the first place.
Go here: Cozy Dog Drive In, 2935 S 6th St, Springfield, IL 62703
12. Garrett Popcorn: Ordering Flavors Separately Instead of the Mix
Tourists walk into Garrett Popcorn, see the menu, and confidently order either caramel or cheddar, thinking they’re making a smart, decisive choice.
Meanwhile, every local in line is mentally face-palming because they know the real secret: the Garrett Mix.
The Garrett Mix combines caramel corn and cheddar cheese popcorn in the same bag, creating a sweet-and-savory flavor explosion that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
It sounds weird, it looks weird, and the first time you try it, you’ll wonder why you ever ordered them separately.
The caramel is buttery and rich, the cheddar is sharp and salty, and together they create a flavor profile that’s dangerously addictive.
Garrett Popcorn Shops all over Chicago serve up this iconic mix, and it’s become a must-have gift for anyone visiting the city.
Order them separately, and you’re technically getting Garrett popcorn—but you’re missing the whole point, and locals will know you didn’t do your homework.
Go here: Garrett Popcorn Shops, multiple locations in Chicago (check garrettpopcorn.com for nearest shop)
13. Rainbow Cone: Asking to Pick One Flavor
Walk into The Original Rainbow Cone, and tourists immediately start debating which single flavor to order, treating it like any other ice cream shop.
Locals, however, know there’s no debate—you order the Rainbow Cone, period.
The Rainbow Cone is a legendary five-flavor combination served as a “slice,” stacked in a specific order: chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with cherries and walnuts), pistachio, and orange sherbet.
It’s been served this exact way since 1926, and messing with the formula is basically sacrilege in the Beverly neighborhood.
Each flavor complements the next, creating a nostalgic, perfectly balanced experience that tastes like a Chicago summer.
The Original Rainbow Cone in Beverly has been serving this iconic treat for nearly a century, and it’s a rite of passage for South Siders and a must-visit for anyone who loves ice cream history.
Ask to “pick one flavor,” and you’ll get a polite explanation—or a knowing smile—that you’re about to miss the whole point of being there.
Go here: The Original Rainbow Cone, 9233 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643