Was that a pregnancy weird food combo crave thing? 
What, no provolone?
Portillo’s sells Italian beef in the collar counties, as do other places.
Oh, and I’ll throw in some affection for Due or Lou Malnati’s if you need the deep dish. The latter got me into eating giardiniera as a pizza topping.
The “dog”, as it’s the one thing I’ve never even had an approximation of. I’ve never had anything but store bought and concession stand hotdogs, and none of them have ever claimed to be “Chicago style.”
I also think it more likely that there would be either steak or pizza at one of the places where I didn’t choose to eat. Aren’t the hotdogs sold by street vendors or at least carryout-only restaurants? Or are there dine-in places that actually give true Chicago-style hot dogs?
Ya know, for Athena and BigT, believe it or not, Sonic Drive-ins do a really good and authentic Chicago dog, all the way down to the poppy seed roll, neon relish, sport peppers, and celery salt. The actual wiener is even pretty close. I’d give their Chicago dog a 9 out of 10.
No. We don’t really have street vendors here in Chicago. I mean, there are some here and there, but it’s difficult to do so legally in Chicago, so it’s not like New York where there’s someone selling food at every corner downtown. I can’t think of the last time I’ve seen a push-cart hot dog vendor. Maybe early-to-mid-90s.
Most hot dogs are sold at fast food joints that usually have seating of some sort. Sometimes, it just a bar around the perimeter with some stools, but usually there’s somewhere to sit. But there’s no table service at these places. Portillo’s, which has ample seating and tables, makes a very good to-Vienna-Beef-spec Chicago-style hot dog. They’re all around the city and they’re the best bet for a good hot dog if you don’t know of another hot dog stand where to go. I’ve pretty much given up on trying random hot dog stands in unfamiliar parts of the city, because 95% of the time I’m disappointed (the biggest sin being overcooked and/or skinless dogs). I just look for a Portillos. The meat itself is the joy of the Chicago hot dog, not the bun (which is unremarkable, in my opinion), not the pile of toppings (like I said, I’m used to mine more naked). It’s the all-beef natural casing hot dog (preferably from Vienna Beef or Chicago Red Hots) that makes me crave it from time to time.
This is your best choice. Al’s Beef is the best place to go. My favorite location is the one on Taylor St. but the ones downtown are fine as well. All other beef stands are pretenders. Just be sure to eat it standing at the counter while using the proper stance.
The Chicago hot dog would be my second choice and while Portillo’s does a fine job and is the most easily accessible my actual favorites are Murphy’s Red Hots, The Wieners Circle, and Huey’s Hot Dogs.
FYI: The Wieners Circle is definitely the most atmospheric of the three but I wouldn’t recommend it as being family friendly later in the evening.
The deep dish Chicago-style pizza thing is vastly overrated IMHO and Pizzeria Uno & Due serve the worst pizza I have had anywhere. If you have to do this I suggest Lou Malnati’s or Giordano’s instead.
You can find a top quality steak house in just about any major city. While there is plenty of top quality steak to be found around here I don’t think there are any that I would consider uniquely Chicago in any way so I would skip it in favor or either Italian beef or hot dogs.
Well, BigT, you can always go for a Red Hot run through the Garden at the Wiener’s Circle if you want the real “Chicago Experience”. Their fries look pretty good, if you don’t mind the abuse.
Italian Beef, dipped, with hot peppers. It can’t be missed.
If you do deep dish, stay away from sausage or pepperoni and go with the spinach. It’s a nice balance with the heaviness of the cheese. You’ll be glad you did.
Portillos does a fine hot dog but I’ll say that I’ve never been in love with their beef. It’s certainly not a bad beef sandwich, just not the delight I know it could be. I know plenty of people disagree though so more power to 'em and I’ll eat at my own favorite places.
The abuse is just a late-night, drunk crowd thing, so far as I can tell. I’ve actually never been there late night, just in for a late lunch, and the atmosphere is perfectly normal at those times. Wiener Circle is infamous for the late-night abuse, but its claim to fame obscures the fact that it has a really good dog. Char dogs there are especially good.
I third this, and up one: Make mine a COMBO, with charcoaled italian sausage, italian beef, hot giardinaria, dipped until WET.
And THEN a ChiTown hot dog on the side.
Cannoli, anyone? Or italian ice?
You folks have just about convinced me on the Italian beef. I’ve had the Chicago deep dish already, so it’d be nice to try something new and different (Bob Ducca, I did NOT regret the pepperoni and sausage, but I admit the spinach sounds awfully good). Sadly for the purists, I’d probably try the beef with cheese.
I saw something on Food Network a while back about Wiener’s Circle – I’d definitely try it, but I probably won’t have the time to seek it out on this trip because it’s too far from the hotel. Al’s Beef seems to have the rep and the proximity to work for me this time around. Giordano’s will be the backup for now.
That’s my game plan – you have approximately 15 hours to convince me otherwise if you feel strongly about it. But for those who may be disappointed, I’ll be back in Chicago in January for probably a week or two, so I’m hoping to have a chance to hit several of the suggestions here.
The nearest Sonic to me is 140 miles away, on the way to Chicago. I’ll just keep going and get one there.
(but thanks for the tip! Next time I head out of town, I’ll keep this in mind!)
Why not hit Al’s and stop at Portillo’s on the way back to the hotel for a Chicago dog and a beer?
My schedule has me landing at noon, which will likely be my only chance for a meal on my own. I’m in meetings from 2:30 until the evening, and then probably a group dinner that I’ll have no say in. Lunch the next day will also be a group thing, and then I have a 4pm flight out of town. So unless I’m unexpectedly freed up for dinner tomorrow night, I’ve only got the one shot.
I meant do them in one shot - a one/two punch!
To me, it’s not about purism. It’s just that cheese + a wet beef sandwich doesn’t make sense to me–it’s about as much sense as ordering a steak with cheese on it.
Hah! I like your style. If I didn’t have to try to remain conscious and attentive the rest of the afternoon, I’d actually consider it!
I probably shouldn’t tell you that I’ve had cheese on a steak…
Ok, then you probably will enjoy the beef with cheese. 