We polled reviewers, contributors, and foodies around town for this list of favorite dishes in 40 city neighborhoods and suburbs. Launch the photo gallery by clicking on one of the thumbnails below.
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1 / 40
ALBANY PARK
ASIAN-STYLE CHICKEN WINGS at Great Sea Chinese Restaurant (3254 W. Lawrence Ave.; 773-478-9129)
A pile of plump, juicy, lollipop-shaped drumettes in a candylike coating. $12 -
2 / 40
ANDERSONVILLE
PIZZA at Great Lake (1477 W. Balmoral Ave.; 773-334-9270)
A crust like no other—blistered, impossibly airy—under cremini mushrooms and cheese. $22
Photograph: Nathan Kirkman -
3 / 40
ARCHER HEIGHTS
GOAT at Birrieria Zaragoza (4852 S. Pulaski Rd.; 773-523-3700)
Oven-roasted meat—still tender in a tomato consommé—in a handmade tortilla. $9 -
4 / 40
BRIDGEPORT
BRUNCH at Nana (3267 S. Halsted St.; 312-929-2486)
They call it Nanadict, but it’s Benedict, Bridgeport-style: poached eggs over corn pupusas, with poblano sauce. $12 -
5 / 40
BUCKTOWN
RIBS at Lillie’s Q (1856 W. North Ave.; 773-772-5500)
Lean and mean baby backs rubbed out in “Carolina dirt.” $8 -
6 / 40
CHINATOWN
SMOKED TEA DUCK at Spring World Restaurant (2109A S. China Pl.; 312-326-9966)
Pleasantly crispy skin and tender, rich meat—an ideal balance of sweet and smoldering flavors. $11.95 -
7 / 40
CRESTWOOD
DEEP-DISH PIZZA at Louisa’s (14025 S. Cicero Ave.; 708-371-0950)
It’s a miracle: a buttery deep-dish cheese pizza that also manages to be light. $18.55 (large) -
8 / 40
DEERFIELD
POTATOES AU GRATIN at Carson’s Ribs (200 N. Waukegan Rd.; 847-374-8500)
Au gratins so dense with brûléed Cheddar they should sport a ‘Danger’ sign. $2.95 -
9 / 40
DES PLAINES
FRENCH TOAST at Katie’s Kitchen (623 N. Wolf Rd.; 847-803-3544)
An embarrassment of riches: a jumbo cinnamon roll dipped in egg and milk, then seared. $7.29 -
10 / 40
EDGEWATER
FRIED-EGG SANDWICH at M. Henrietta (1133 W. Granville Ave.; 773-761-9700)
Thyme and Gorgonzola elevate this classic to favorite- sandwich status. $9.25 -
11 / 40
ELMWOOD PARK
ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICH at Johnnie’s Beef (7500 W. North Ave.; 708-452-6000)
Thin-sliced beef with a whisper of char and a lip-smacking savory jus. $3.60 -
12 / 40
GARFIELD RIDGE
KOLACKY at Weber’s Bakery (7055 W. Archer Ave.; 773-586-1234)
A jelly-filled jewel, tinged with sour cream. 60¢ -
13 / 40
GLENVIEW
ONION LOAF at Hackney’s on Harms (1241 Harms Rd.; 847-724-5577)
A generously battered, pull-apart cluster of fried onions with a sassy dipping sauce. $7.30 -
14 / 40
GREEKTOWN
OCTOPUS at Greek Islands (200 S. Halsted St.; 312-782-9855)
Tender grilled octopus bathed in lemon-and-olive-oil goodness. $13.95 -
15 / 40
HUMBOLDT PARK
HOT DOG at Jimmy’s Red Hots (4000 W. Grand Ave.; 773-384-9513)
The zesty Chicago dog is an enemy of ketchup. $2.50 -
16 / 40
HYDE PARK
KIBBEH at Cedars Mediterranean Kitchen (1206 E. 53rd St.; 773-324-6227)
Crunchy exterior; warm, spongy interior, bursting with lamb, onions, and pine nuts. $6 -
17 / 40
JEFFERSON PARK
POTATO PANCAKE at Smak-Tak (5961 N. Elston Ave.; 773-763-1123)
As good as your babcia makes—an epic, earthy potato pancake wrapped around savory goulash. $13 -
18 / 40
LAKE VIEW
CHICKEN SOUP at The Bagel (3107 N. Broadway; 773-477-0300)
Liquid gold soaked up by the biggest, fluffiest matzo ball on the planet. $4.25 -
19 / 40
LINCOLN PARK
SPAGHETTI ALLA NAPOLETANA at Via Carducci (1419 W. Fullerton Ave.; 773-665-1981)
Al dente noodles, lively cherry tomatoes, fresh basil—perfection. $12 -
20 / 40
LINCOLN SQUARE
STEAK FRITES at Bistro Campagne (4518 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-271-6100)
Sustainably raised New York strip with maître d’hôtel butter on a bed of thin-cut fries and bordelaise sauce. $32 -
21 / 40
LINCOLNWOOD
BAGELS at New York Bagel & Bialy (4714 W. Touhy Ave.; 847-677-9388)
Chicagoland’s foremost challenger to the East Coast bagel. 75¢ -
22 / 40
LOGAN SQUARE
BLAST SANDWICH at The Brown Sack (3581 W. Belden Ave.; 773-661-0675)
A blessed trinity: shrimp, thick-cut bacon, avocado. On warm marble rye. $8 -
23 / 40
LOOP
PIZZA at Pizano’s Pizza and Pasta (61 E. Madison St.; 312-236-1777)
A shockingly flaky crust—more like pie than pizza. $19.50 (large) -
24 / 40
NAPERVILLE
SHAWARMA at Naf Naf Grill (1739 Freedom Dr.; 630-904-7200)
Well-seasoned, moist chicken with fluffy rice and a bright Israeli salad. $12 -
25 / 40
NORTHBROOK
SIRLOIN BURGER at Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd.; 847-205-4433)
Lovely, mild Amish blue cheese melts right into the juiciest burger ever. $15
Photograph: Anna Knott -
26 / 40
NORTH CENTER
MUSSELS at Sticky Rice (4018 N. Western Ave.; 773-588-0120)
A delicate bird’s nest, with mussels and sprouts providing pops of flavor and texture. $6.50 -
27 / 40
OLD IRVING PARK
SMOKED BRISKET at Smoque (3800 N. Pulaski Rd.; 773-545-7427)
A platter of succulent beef, laced with almost-burned bits. Oh yeah. $8.45 -
28 / 40
PILSEN
TACOS at Nuevo Léon (1515 W. 18th St.; 312-421-1517)
The perfect balance of refried beans, tomatoes, pepper, cheese, and strips of grilled rib eye. $8 -
29 / 40
PORTAGE PARK
FRIED CHICKEN at The Portage (3938 N. Central Ave.; 773-853-0779)
Impossibly juicy, crisply breaded boneless breast and thigh meat over coconut rice. $14.95 -
30 / 40
RIVER NORTH
STEAK at Gene & Georgetti (500 N. Franklin St.; 312-527-3718)&
No salt, no pepper, no seasoning to interfere with the deep flavor of the best wet-aged T-bone in town. $44.75
Photograph: Anna Knott -
31 / 40
ROGERS PARK
CHICKEN BOTI at Khan’s BBQ Restaurant (2401 W. Devon Ave.; 773-338-2800)
Boneless grilled chicken gets its kick from an addictive sauce made with cilantro, chilies, and jalapeño. $10 -
32 / 40
ROSCOE VILLAGE
TURKISH PIDE at Turquoise Café (2147 W. Roscoe St.; 773-549-3523)
Just baked hunks of squishy, rippled bread dotted with sesame seeds. Free -
33 / 40
ROSELAND
APPLE FRITTER at Old Fashioned Doughnuts (11248 S. Michigan Ave.; 773-995-7420)
A hot glazed beast studded with pecans and real apple chunks. $2.75 -
34 / 40
UNIVERSITY PARK
CORNED BEEF SANDWICH at Manny’s Cafeteria and Delicatessen (1141 S. Jefferson St.; 312-939-2855)
In this city, CB on rye spells clout, and Manny’s packs enough briny beef to feed a ward. $10.95 -
35 / 40
UPTOWN
TOM KHO TAU at Pho Xe Tang/Tank Noodle (4953–55 N. Broadway; 773-878-2253)
Two gargantuan prawns sizzled to perfection in savory pork oil inside a clay pot. $14.95 -
36 / 40
WEST LOOP
SUSHI at Meiji Ishin (623 W. Randolph St.; 312-887-9999)
Get the Meiji gunkan: fiery blue-crab salad in a cooling tuna wrapper. $9 -
37 / 40
WEST TOWN
PIEROGI at Podhalanka (1549 W. Division St.; 773-486-6655)
Homey cheese-and-potato filling + a generous dollop of sour cream = yum. $7.50 -
38 / 40
WICKER PARK
MUSHROOM SLIDERS at Mana Food Bar (1742 W. Division St.; 773-342-1742)
Flavorful mushroom-and-brown-rice patties with peppery mayo nestled between two doughy buns. $3.50 each -
39 / 40
WILMETTE
CAPPUCCINO CHIP ICE CREAM at Homer’s Restaurant and Homemade Ice Cream (1237 Green Bay Rd.; 847-251-0477)
Deliciously creamy with a refreshing cappuccino buzz. $2.61 -
40 / 40
WRIGLEYVILLE
SPICY BASIL ROLLS at TAC Quick Thai Kitchen (3930 N. Sheridan Rd.; 773-327-5253)
Warning: You must love basil to properly enjoy these wholly original basil bombs. $5