I would also go with Uno’s and Malnati’s for a decent baseline Chicago deep dish. My favorite deep dishes, however, are Pequods and Burt’s. (Burt’s is located in Morton Grove, though, north of the city). If you do somehow end up at Burt’s, call ahead to place your order. (If any of you are readers of Saveur Magazine, Burt’s pizza was the cover of the Chicago issue they had last year).
There’s two different styles of deep dish here in the city: one is the stuffed pizza (Giordano’s and Edwardo’s are the two main practitioners of this style) and the other is the deep pan-style of pizza as exemplified by everyone in my previous paragraph. The difference is that in a stuffed pizza, there are two layers of dough, a base layer, and a thin top layer, with sauce poured over the top. The other style is more like a deeper version of a pan pizza, with cheese on the bottom and sauce on the top, but only one layer of dough. If you want to try a stuffed pizza, I’d suggest Edwardo’s over Giordano’s.
Luke’s is at 215 W. Jackson. It’s certainly the best beef in the Loop.
However, for a true Chicago summer experience, any visitor should come down for a beef at Al’s on Taylor Street, and an Italian lemonade from Mario’s Lemonade across the street. Personally, Al’s is not one of my top three beefs, and it is expensive compared with other places, but it is probably the quintessential Chicago beef, and combined with the lemonade across the street, it’s a true Chicago tradition.
Also, Polish sausage from either Maxwell Street Express or Jim’s Original on Union. Heck, have one of each, they’re practically next door to each other. I prefer MSE, but Jim’s is the original. You make the call.
And I vastly prefer Jim’s polish sausage - that’s why there are 31 flavors I guess! Al’s is a good choice, much better than anything in the Loop IMHO. My personal favorite beef is Johnnie’s but that’s all the way out past Harlem on North Ave so it’s hard to get to from downtown.
And if you are that far west, might want to keep going to hit Russell’s on River Rd. Then head up River Road to visit the Tiki Bar. DEFINITELY a classic!
My husband and I were married in the church across the street from Johnnie’s, and he didn’t see why we couldn’t have them cater the reception! His all-time favorite place.
And, if you’re going out that way, and you want Cuban food, try Cafe Cubano on North Avenue (also in Elmwood Park, right nearby Johnnie’s). It’s not fancy, but they make a mean Cuban sandwich. My father-in-law, born and raised in Cuba, thought they were great. He lived near there, and ate them all the time.
I recommend the Andersonville visit too. Walking along Clark was a favorite thing for my wife and me to do. Swedish Bakery is awesome.
Also, Lula Cafe in Logan Square is the best brunch place in the city (although a bit busy on Sunday mornings). But I HIGHLY recommend it, even if you go for dinner or lunch. Great turkey avacado sandwich. Very eclectic and healthy menu. It’s on Kedzie by Milwaukee. It’s also very close to the Logan Square Blue Line stop, so it wouldn’t be hard to get to from downtown.
As for the Polish, it really is worth trying both. Peoples opinions on this differ vastly. I’ve heard people refer to both Jim’s and Express as either the best or worst Polish they’ve ever tasted. I personally don’t think the difference is that vast that if you like one you hate the other, but passions on these matters run deep. Read here from some fun debating on the merits and otherwise of both.
One thing I think we can all agree on is the fries aren’t particularly good from either place. Oh, and if you like pork chop sandwiches, both places are known for that as well. Be forewarned, though, that the sandwiches are served bone-in, so don’t chip a tooth!
Ah, I knew there was friction with the Bobak’s on Archer and the other Bobak’s in the area, but I didn’t realize that the dispute seeped into the restaurant portion of the Archer Avenue location.
