9 Must-Try Takeout Meals In Illinois
When hunger strikes in the Prairie State, residents reach for their phones to order local favorites. However, Illinois’ takeout culture varies wildly from Chicago’s bustling urban scene to the quiet towns downstate.
Whether you’re craving deep dish pizza or horseshoes, these regional specialties showcase the diverse flavors that keep Illinoisans coming back for more.
1. Chicago’s Deep Dish Pizza Reigns Supreme
Chicagoans can’t get enough of their iconic deep dish pizza, with Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s battling for delivery dominance. The thick, buttery crust filled with chunky tomato sauce and mountains of cheese has locals ordering in record numbers.
My neighbor once ordered three pies for what turned out to be just himself and his cat. “The leftovers last all week,” he explained, cheese still clinging to his beard. Downtown residents order 40% more deep dish than thin crust!
2. Springfield’s Legendary Horseshoe Sandwich
Springfield locals regularly demolish the open-faced horseshoe sandwich—Texas toast topped with meat, French fries, and smothered in cheese sauce. D’Arcy’s Pint leads delivery charts with their horseshoe variants.
Delivery drivers report peak orders during legislative sessions when politicians and staffers fuel late-night debates with this caloric powerhouse.
The sandwich’s popularity spikes 65% during state government workdays, proving politics runs on cheese sauce and fries in the state capital.
3. Champaign-Urbana’s Late-Night Papa Del’s
University of Illinois students keep Papa Del’s phone lines buzzing until 3 AM. Their deep pan pizza, thicker than Chicago style but with a distinctive cornmeal crust, fuels cramming sessions and post-bar munchies.
During my sophomore year finals week, our dorm floor ordered 22 pizzas in one night! The delivery guy knew us by name by Wednesday.
Campus data shows pizza deliveries increase 230% during finals, with cheese bread orders doubling when temperatures drop below freezing.
4. Rockford’s Family-Style Italian Beef
Rockford residents show fierce loyalty to Beef-A-Roo’s Italian beef sandwiches. These juicy, thinly-sliced beef treasures tucked into soft rolls come swimming in flavorful au jus with optional giardiniera.
Factory workers often place massive group orders during shift changes, with some locations reporting 300+ sandwiches during lunch rushes. The sandwich’s portable nature makes it perfect for industrial workers grabbing quick bites between shifts.
Most locals order them “wet”—practically soaked in savory beef broth.
5. Peoria’s Unique Avanti’s Gondola
Peorians can’t resist Avanti’s famous Gondola sandwich—a simple yet addictive combination of ham, salami, American cheese, and lettuce on fresh-baked bread. Bradley University alumni have been known to drive hours just to satisfy their Gondola cravings.
I once witnessed a woman order 20 for her son’s college dorm when visiting from Chicago. “These freeze beautifully,” she insisted while the cashier’s eyes widened.
Local delivery stats show Gondolas outsell all other menu items 3-to-1!
6. Naperville’s Artisanal Ramen Boom
Suburban Naperville has embraced ramen fever, with Ramen House Shinchan’s delivery orders skyrocketing 300% since 2019. Tech professionals and commuters crave these steaming bowls of authentic Japanese comfort after long workdays.
Special packaging keeps noodles separate from broth until serving time, preserving that perfect texture. Tonkotsu remains the top seller, though spicy miso gains ground during winter months.
Weekend orders spike after 10 PM, suggesting Naperville’s nightlife crowd has found their perfect post-party meal.
7. Bloomington-Normal’s Cult-Favorite Portillo’s
Bloomington-Normal residents keep Portillo’s delivery drivers hustling with orders for Italian beef, hot dogs, and chocolate cake shakes. State Farm employees reportedly spend more on Portillo’s delivery than on any other restaurant in the Twin Cities.
Delivery data reveals that chocolate cake shake orders increase 65% on Fridays, suggesting end-of-week celebrations often involve this decadent treat.
The restaurant’s app shows chicken sandwich orders have surged 120% since 2021, challenging the beef’s longtime dominance.
8. Evanston’s Healthy Bowl Revolution
Northwestern students and health-conscious Evanstonians have made Pono Ono’s poke bowls and Core & Rind’s grain bowls delivery sensations. These nutrient-packed containers filled with fresh fish, vegetables, and whole grains dominate lunchtime orders.
I started ordering these weekly after a particularly shameful deep-dish binge left me napping for an entire Saturday. Now I’m hooked!
Delivery metrics show bowl orders peak on Mondays and Tuesdays, suggesting weekend indulgence followed by healthier weekday choices.
9. Quincy’s Riverside Catfish Connection
Perched along the Mississippi, Quincy residents regularly order The Pier’s famous fried catfish baskets. These golden-brown fillets come with hushpuppies, coleslaw, and fries—delivered in specialized containers that keep everything crispy.
Delivery orders spike dramatically during the Friday Lent season, with some households placing weekly standing orders. The restaurant recently added family-size options after noticing multiple orders going to single addresses.
Local fishermen swear nothing beats these perfectly seasoned Mississippi River treasures.