Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Only in Chicago
PIZZA
We have three pizza styles in Chicago: Chicago style, also known as
deep-dish, which is thick-crusted and often demands a knife and fork;
stuffed, which is similar to a pie, with a crust on both top and bottom;
and thin crust. Many pizzerias serve both thick and thin, and some
make all three kinds.
Three of Chicago's best gourmet deep-dish restaurants are
Pizzeria
Uno
(p. 149),
Pizzeria Due
(p. 149), and
Gino's East
(p. 148). In River
North,
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria,
at 439 N. Wells St. (
&
312/828-9800
),
bakes both deep-dish and thin-crust pizza and even has a low-fat cheese
option.
Edwardo's
is a local pizza chain that serves all three varieties, but
with a wheat crust and all-natural ingredients (spinach pizza is the spe-
cialty here); locations are in the Gold Coast, at 1212 N. Dearborn St., at
Division Street (
&
312/337-4490
); in the South Loop, at 521 S. Dearborn
St. (
&
312/939-3366
); and in Lincoln Park, at 2662 N. Halsted St. (
&
773/
871-3400
). Not far from Lincoln Park Zoo is
Ranalli's Pizzeria, Libations &
Collectibles,
1925 N. Lincoln Ave. (
&
312/642-4700
), with its terrific
open-air patio and extensive selection of beers.
In Wrigleyville, just off Belmont Avenue, are
Leona's Pizzeria,
3215 N.
Sheffield Ave. (
&
773/327-8861
), and
Pat's Pizzeria,
3114 N. Sheffield
Ave. (
&
773/248-0168
), both of which serve all three kinds of pizza.
Leona's also has a location in Little Italy, at 1419 W. Taylor St. (
&
312/
850-2222
), and Pat's has one downtown in the Athletic Club Illinois Cen-
ter, at 211 N. Stetson Ave. (
&
312/946-0220
).
For a unique take on the deep-dish phenomenon, try the “pizza pot-
pie” at
Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder,
2121 N. Clark St., steps from Lin-
coln Park Zoo (
&
773/248-2570
); the pizzas are baked in a bowl and then
turned over when served, for a distinctive upside-down pizza experience.
HOT DOGS
The classic Chicago hot dog includes a frankfurter by Vienna Beef (a
local food processor and hallowed institution), heaps of chopped
onions and green relish, a slather of yellow mustard, pickle spears,
fresh tomato wedges, a dash of celery salt, and, for good measure, two
or three “sport” peppers, those thumb-shaped holy terrors that turn
your mouth into its own bonfire.
Chicago is home to many standout hot-dog spots such as
Gold Coast
Dogs,
418 N. State St., at Hubbard Street (
&
312/527-1222
), 2 blocks off
North Michigan Avenue.
Fluky's,
in The Shops at North Bridge mall at 520
N. Michigan Ave. (
&
312/245-0702
), is part of a local chain that has been
serving great hot dogs since the Depression (Dan Aykroyd and Jay Leno
are fans).
Portillo's,
at 100 W. Ontario St. (
&
312/587-8930
), is another
local chain that specializes in hot dogs but also serves excellent pastas
and salads.
Murphy's Red Hots,
1211 W. Belmont Ave. (
&
773/935-2882
),
is a neighborhoody spot not too far from Wrigley Field, while
The
Wieners Circle,
in Lincoln Park at 2622 N. Clark St. (
&
773/477-7444
), is a
late-night favorite where rude order-takers are part of the shtick.
