Where to Eat Deep Dish Pizza and Other Chicago Classics

Where to Eat Deep Dish Pizza and Other Chicago Classics

If there’s one thing that can spark an impassioned debate among Chicagoans (other than baseball and politics, that is), it’s food. The home of all-American classics like deep-dish pizza, doughnuts and hotdogs, the Windy City is hardly short on delicious local delicacies. Here’s where to sample Chicago’s foodie traditions.

What: Deep Dish Pizza

Where: Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder

So, deep-dish pizza, what’s the big deal? For the initiated, its characteristically high edge means that it can accommodate tons more chunky tomato and melted cheese, that’s what. For a real-deal, calorific bang for your buck, go deep at the permanently packed Lincoln Park Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder, specializing in these fabulously gooey pizza pot pies, as well as its signature Oven Grinder sarnie.

What: Doughnuts

Where: Doughnut Vault

If you’re hankering for a cheeky little ‘O’ at any time of the day other than early morning, then you can forget a trip to Doughnut Vault. This cute hole in the wall has amassed a cult following that means its handmade doughnuts sell out within hours of being fried, iced, piped and plated. And you can see why with drool-worthy toppings like chocolate-coconut crunch, lemon poppy seed, and buttermilk, plus weekly-changing specials. Go early, bring cash and prepare to join the queue!

What: Hotdogs

Where: Portillo's

Like it hot and like it fast? Then iconic Illinois-wide Portillo's is the quick-fix joint for you. Famed for its Chicago-style hotdogs and beef sarnies, this 1963-founded vintage-style diner also does a mean beef burger, and chocolate cake. Opt for the classic ‘Maxwell Street Polish’, a grilled Polish banger slathered in grilled onions, yellow mustard, green sport peppers and pickles, served in a bouncy bun.

What: Chicago-Style Barbecue

Where: Smoke Daddy

Barbecue without the blues is like Barack without Michelle. These two deeply entrenched, beloved Chicagoan traditions can be found under the same roof at the legendary Smoke Daddy, a Wicker Park rib-and-blues emporium, serving an impressive array of barbecued meats and a rotating selection of American craft beers to a nightly musical accompaniment that often includes session musicians for the likes of Eric Clapton and Muddy Waters.

What: Molecular Cuisine

Where: Alinea

Few chefs outside New York City can boast the mantle of three Michelin stars in the US, but Chicago’s treasured Grant Achatz is one of them, and has been for nigh on a decade. Molecular marvel Alinea is his playground, and you’re in for a world-renowned progressive 18- to 22-course degustation treat. Make it a meal to remember with the generous wine pairing.

Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder / 2121 N Clark St / Lincoln Park / +1 773 248 2570 / 4pm-10pm Mon-Thurs, 4pm-11pm Fri, 11am-11pm Sat, 11am-10pm Sun / chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com

Doughnut Vault / 401 N Franklin St / River North / +1 312 285 2830 / 7:30am-1pm daily / follow @DoughnutVault on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates / + branch / doughnutvault.com

Portillo’s / 100 W Ontario St / River North / +1 312 587 8910 / 10am-1am daily / + branches / portillos.com

Smoke Daddy / 1804 W Division St / Wicker Park / +1 773 772 6656 / 11am–9pm Mon–Thurs, 11am–10pm Fri, 10am–10pm Sat, 10am–9pm Sun / + branch / thesmokedaddy.com

Alinea / 1723 N Halsted St / Lincoln Park / +1 312 867 0110 / 5pm-10pm daily / alinearestaurant.com