Chicago

If you think Chicago is all about deep-dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago-style hot dogs (hold the ketchup), you’re absolutely right. As chef Graham Elliot reports, “Nothing says Chicago like getting cursed out while waiting in line for hot dogs in a drunken stupor.” But Chicago is equally the city where internationally-celebrated chef Grant Achatz of Alinea takes mushroom soup to gastronomic heights (see Jean Joho’s pick), where the popular Urbanbelly serves up Phat Rice—a mix of short rib, kimchee and wrinkle beans—and where the Publican delivers what Girl & the Goat chef Stephanie Izard likens to “pork Cheez Doodles.” Have one of everything.

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Andrew Zimmerman
Andrew Zimmerman
Sepia 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Gang hung lay

@ Sticky Rice

"Made in the Northern Thai style (red curry without coconut milk), this addictive cold weather stew comes brimming with tender chunks of braised pork shoulder, julienned ginger, and a fistful of chopped cilantro. Perfect for dipping little balls of sticky rice."

  • Andrew Zimmerman

  • Sepia

Art Smith
Art Smith
Table Fifty-Two 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Vegetable hash

@ Ina’s

"Ina's is breakfast heaven, and Ina herself is the arch angel. Her veggie hash is both healthy and delicious—eggs for protein, yams for potassium, and Brussels sprouts for vitamin C. If you can resist the carrot cake on the way out, you have more control than I do."

  • Art Smith

  • Table Fifty-Two, Art and Soul

Bill Kim
Bill Kim
Belly Shack... 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Pasteles

@ La Bomba

"These pasteles (a.k.a. Puerto Rican tamales) are the closest I can get to my mother-in-law's version. They're delicious pockets of masa stuffed with seasoned meat. I also love their jibarito, a Chicago-born sandwich served between crispy plantains."

  • Bill Kim

  • Belly Shack, Urbanbelly

Carrie Nahabedian
Carrie Nahabedian
Naha 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Urbanbelly ramen

@ Urbanbelly

"Bill and Yvonne Kim's communal restaurant serves exceptional Korean-influenced food. The ramen is a must: rich pieces of pork belly bathed in shiitake and pho broth. It's inexpensive and BYOB—everyone in Chicago loves it."

  • Carrie Nahabedian

  • Naha

Chris Pandel
Chris Pandel
The Bristol 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Pierogi

@ Podhalanka

"I love the pierogi at Podhalanka in Wicker Park. The place looks and feels like a VFW hall and the service can be spotty, but the pierogi are the closest thing to my grandma's in the city. Served with butter, onions, and a huge mound of sour cream, you just can't go wrong."

  • Chris Pandel

  • The Bristol

Curtis Duffy
Curtis Duffy
Grace (2012)... 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Togarashi fries

@ Belly Shack

"These fries, served with curry mayo, are well balanced, fresh, and seasoned to perfection with the perfect amount of heat."

  • Curtis Duffy

  • Grace (coming Summer 2012)

Dirk Flanigan
Dirk Flanigan
The Gage, Henri 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Roast duck strips w/ noodles

@ Sun Wah BBQ

"It's been 15 years and it’s always the same: juicy duck with tender, wide, fresh noodles. Pair it with Chinese broccoli, oyster sauce, and barbeque pork, and you’ll eat like a king for $15."

  • Dirk Flanigan

  • The Gage, Henri

Gale Gand
Gale Gand
Tru 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

BLT

@ Ramova Grill

"A perfectly executed classic. Cool mayo starts to melt when slathered atop hot, white toast. Freshly griddled bacon warms the tomato slices, prepping them to release their juice. And crisp iceberg lettuce is the perfect foil. They taste great in-house, but are even better to-go. Something about wrapping them in white butcher paper makes magic."

  • Gale Gand

  • Tru

gilbertlanglois
Gilbert Langlois
Chalkboard 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Roasted chicken

@ Bistro Campagne

"The roasted chicken with wild mushroom ragout and onion frites at this bistro is the best I've had (other than my own). It's topped with onion frites that make the dish just brilliant."

  • Gilbert Langlois

  • Chalkboard

Giuseppe Tentori
Giuseppe Tentori
Boka, GT Fish & Oyster 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Focaccia with cheese and honeycomb

@ Davanti Enoteca

"This neighborhood restaurant in Little Italy churns out some of the city's finest focaccia. It's Ligurian-style, so the bread is thinner and extra crisp. The sweetness of the honey neatly balances the salty cheese. It's a perfect prelude to a delicious meal of housemade pastas and shareable bites."

  • Giuseppe Tentori

  • Boka, GT Fish & Oyster

Graham Elliot
Graham Elliot
Graham Elliot, Grahamwich 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Hot dogs

@ The Weiner’s Circle

"Nothing says Chicago like getting cursed out while waiting in line for hot dogs in a drunken stupor. The experience is rated-X, not just because the dogs are extremely tasty—if you catch my drift. Keep the kids at home past 9 p.m."

  • Graham Elliot

  • Graham Elliot, Grahamwich

Heather Terhune
Heather Terhune
Sable Kitchen & Bar 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Togarashi-seared tuna

@ Arami

"Chef B.K. Park's food is amazingly fresh. Served over a bed of seaweed kelp with just the right amount of Meyer lemon dressing, the tuna is a flavor monster. Now that the chef knows us, he cooks off-menu whenever we dine. It's a surprise every time."

  • Heather Terhune

  • Sable Kitchen & Bar

Homaro Cantu
Homaro Cantu
iNG, Moto 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Deep dish pizza

@ Burt’s Place

"This iconic Morton Grove restaurant is a staple in my family's diet. Burt Katz makes his deep-dish pizza dough daily and it shows. The entire crust caramelizes in the cooking process, and the tomato sauce and toppings have a freshness that even some of the best Italian restaurants can't match. This is my kids' version of heaven."

  • Homaro Cantu

  • iNG, Moto

Ina Pinkney
Ina Pinkney
Ina’s 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Fish tacos

@ GT Fish & Oyster

"Just when you thought you had tasted everything possible in a fish taco, Guiseppi Tentori puts chicharrón crumbs on top and takes you to a new place (where you happily follow)."

  • Ina Pinkney

  • Ina’s

Jean Joho
Jean Joho
Everest, Paris Club... 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Hot potato, cold potato, black truffle Parmesan

@ Alinea

"Chef Grant Achatz takes something that most everyone can relate to—in this case, mushroom soup—and serves it in the most surprising way. A paraffin wax bowl is filled with hot soup, then pierced through with a skewer containing a potato, truffle, butter, chive, and Parmesan cube. Pull the skewer out to release the ingredients into the soup and there you have it. Delicious and extremely thoughtful."

  • Jean Joho

  • Everest, Paris Club, Eiffel Tower Restaurant

Jill-Barron
Jill Barron
Mana Food Bar 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Cheese & charcuterie

@ Rootstock

"The nicest way to start a night out is with this tiny wine bar's selection of cheeses, charcuterie, and of course, wine. Make sure to try the pig's ear terrine, rabbit rillette, and tangy Sofia goat cheese."

  • Jill Barron

  • Mana Food Bar

Jimmy Bannos Sr.
Jimmy Bannos Sr.
The Purple Pig 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Roast chicken

@ Mia Francesca

"I'm not saying this just because Scott Harris is my business partner: This is the best roast chicken in the country. It’s tender, lemony, and comes with roasted potatoes alongside that rival the chicken in their greatness."

  • Jimmy Bannos Sr.

  • The Purple Pig, Heaven on Seven

John-Anderes
John Anderes
Telegraph Wine Bar 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Chicken in clay pot

@ Takashi

"Chef T. is the Obi Wan of Chicago. This main dish is a killer combo: Amish chicken, mushrooms, eggplant, haricots verts, and yuzu juice, served piping hot."

  • John Anderes

  • Telegraph Wine Bar

Justin-Large
Justin Large
Big Star 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Salad bar

@ Sultan’s Market

"When I don't feel like cooking, Sultan’s offers a cheap, delicious dinner alternative with lots of variety in both the protein and veggie categories. My wife loves the braised chicken thighs."

  • Justin Large

  • Big Star

Marianne Sundquist
Marianne Sundquist
Mess Hall & Co... 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Monterrey fries

@ Sweet Maple Cafe

"These are supposed to be a side, but I eat them for breakfast: perfectly crisped potatoes, bacon, cheddar, and lots of jalapeños. Simple and seriously satisfying after a long weekend."

  • Marianne Sundquist

  • Mess Hall & Co., formerly of Fine Spirits

Michael Kornick
Michael Kornick
MK, DMK Burger Bar... 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Congee

@ Phoenix Restaurant

"Made with 100-year-old egg and braised pork, this is an awesome example of a traditional Asian porridge, best enjoyed on a dreary Chicago day. The egg contributes creamy richness to the dense soup. Pork supplies fat and flavor."

  • Michael Kornick

  • MK, DMK Burger Bar, Fish Bar

Mindy Segal
Mindy Segal
Hot Chocolate  

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Farm chicken

@ The Publican

"This is a great plate to share. You get a whole chicken with wood-roasted flavor, cooked and seasoned just right. If you're going it alone, order half a chicken with summer sausage and frites."

  • Mindy Segal

  • Hot Chocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar

Paul Kahan
Paul Kahan
Avec, Big Star... 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Margherita pizza

@ Great Lake Pizza

"This tiny, talked-about spot is worth the wait. If you go at 4:30, you'll be rewarded with made-to-order pizza and local ingredients. Nick Lessins manages to create the most amazing pockets of air in the crust. He makes his own mozzarella, too."

  • Paul Kahan

  • Avec, Big Star, Blackbird, The Publican

Paul Virant
Paul Virant
Vie, Perennial Virant 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Charcuterie

@ Old Town Social

"For an excellent selection of housemade heritage meats, look no further than OTS: chorizo with paprika and smoked chili peppers, lardo with whipped Italian butter, slow-roasted beef and pork coppo salame. Served with grilled bread, mustard, and house relishes, it's a carnivore's dream."

  • Paul Virant

  • Vie, Perennial Virant

Phillip Foss
Phillip Foss
The Meatyballs Mobile 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Korean tacos

@ Del Seoul

"Committed to providing delicious elevated street cuisine, Del Seoul struck a chord with me before it even opened. The tacos are filled with juicy, well-seasoned meat and topped with a tangy house Asian slaw and sesame seeds for a smokiness that doesn't overpower."

  • Phillip Foss

  • The Meatyballs Mobile

Randy Zweiban
Randy Zweiban
Province 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Amsterdam-style mussels

@ Vincent

"Chef Joncarl Lachman cooks delicious, seasonal food inspired by his Dutch heritage. Of the five types of moules frites (mussels and fries) available, I always order the Amsterdam-style mussels. The buttery broth gets a kick from beer, roasted garlic, anise, and fennel. Save room for the fries. They're totally addictive."

  • Randy Zweiban

  • Province (Chicago), Province (Phoenix)

Rick Gresh
Rick Gresh
David Burke’s Primehouse 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Katsu don

@ Renga Tei

"I first started dining here over 15 years ago, and I haven’t found a better homestyle Japanese restaurant since. It's crispy pork with caramelized onions and dashi broth with eggs served over rice. I could eat here everyday; there are so many great menu items. Japanese food is more than just sushi!"

  • Rick Gresh

  • David Burke’s Primehouse

Rodney Staton
Rodney Staton
Bite Cafe 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Arami ramen

@ Arami

"This decadent dish is my new go-to. Pork belly, braised beef, house pickles, poached egg, and fish cake swim in a broth that gets its richness from pork bone. Everything at Arami tastes as delicious as it looks."

  • Rodney Staton

  • Bite Cafe

Ryan-Poli
Ryan Poli
Tavernita 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Phở

@ Tank Noodle

"Comforting on a cold winter day or a great way to kick a cold, Tank has phở down to a science."

  • Ryan Poli

  • Tavernita

Stephanie Izard
Stephanie Izard
Girl & the Goat 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Chop chae

@ San Soo Gab San

"My favorite noodle dish around: velvety, earthy noodles made from sweet potatoes, seasoned just right and peppered with little bits of beef."

  • Stephanie Izard

  • Girl & the Goat

Susan Goss
Susan Goss
West Town Tavern 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Crab with black bean sauce

@ Evergreen

"This Chinatown gem serves some of the best stir-fried Dungeness crab I've had in the city. The top shell is stuffed with crab fat (proving its freshness) and the black bean sauce is a salty, tangy accompaniment to the sweet, fatty meat. The BYOB policy and late hours don't hurt, either."

  • Susan Goss

  • West Town Tavern

Tony Mantuano
Tony Mantuano
Spiaggia, Cafe Spiaggia... 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Twice-cooked pork

@ Lao Sze Chuan

"Chef Tony Hu used to work in 5-star hotels in China, and it shows. His crispy pork belly with leeks and black beans has a generous Sichuan kick. Everything on the menu is spiced to perfection."

  • Tony Mantuano

  • Spiaggia, Cafe Spiaggia, Mangia Trattoria (located in WI), Terzo Piano

Tony Priolo
Tony Priolo
Piccolo Sogno 

One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes

Caramelized lobster

@ The Gage

"At this boisterous tavern, the flavor profile of the caramelized lobster—served over lemon quinoa with basil and chili—keeps you salvating more."

  • Tony Priolo

  • Piccolo Sogno