Foodies who love nothing more than to sample good food from their place of origin will be delighted with what Chicago has to offer. The Windy City boasts an array of delicious, signature dishes that have gained national and even international recognition. Here are a few iconic foods that you must try during your next trip to Chicago.
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Deep-Dish Pizza
Deep-dish pizza is the ultimate signature dish when it comes to iconic foods that have come out of Chicago. The history of the deep-dish pizza is slightly murky, but it is generally accepted that the recipe was popularized in the 1940s. Chicago’s deep-dish pizza features a buttery, thick crust, a thick gooey layer of cheese, sumptuous toppings, and a thick layer of tomato sauce. This pizza pie requires a knife and fork to enjoy.
Italian Beef Sandwich
There are plenty of things to do in Chicago, and trying an Italian beef sandwich is one of them. With a large Italian-American population, it isn’t hard to see how this delicious dish was created. This large sandwich comprises thinly sliced seasoned roast beef, a sweet green pepper mix called giardiniera, and a long French roll. Diners are given the option of having the sandwich dipped or double-dipped in the meat juices before digging in.
Chocolate Brownies
Most people are aware of this chocolatey, decadent treat, but not many people know that chocolate brownies were originally created in Chicago. Created by the Palmer House Hotel in 1893, this beloved sweet confection was originally rich and fudgy, topped with chopped walnuts, and featured an apricot glaze. The Palmer House still creates brownies for sale using the same recipe, so pop down to this Hilton hotel to get a taste of history.
Chicago-Style Hot Dog
This classic treat, also known as the Depression Dog due to the Great Depression-era links, features a steamed Vienna beef frank on a steamed poppy seed bun and is topped with relish, peppers, pickles, tomatoes, onions, mustard, and celery salt. It can be enjoyed all over Chicago, and it even has its own annual Hot Dog Fest that commemorates this iconic dish.
Barbecue Rib Tips
You can find barbecue all over the states, but no one does rib tips quite like the people of Chicago. Rib tips are the parts of a rib that are often discarded in most restaurants. Rib tips are cartilage-heavy and difficult to eat, yet when done right, they are absolutely delicious. The Windy City takes pride in its pork rib tips, which are smothered in sauce, and are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Rainbow Cone
The rainbow cone is a delight to look at and to devour too. Hailing from Chicago in 1926, the rainbow cone features five flavors; chocolate, strawberry, orange sherbet, pistachio, and Palmer House (vanilla with walnuts and cherries. This dessert may have been created over 90 years ago, but you can still sample it at one of the Original Rainbow Cone ice cream parlors or trucks in Chicago.
