Sitting in the heart of the Midwest, Chicago is a goldmine for some of the best food in the country. From flavorful fast food joints to fancy, fine dining, and gooey pizza, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy in the Windy City.
Here are some of our favorite restaurants to visit when we blow into Chicago. Did your favorites make the list? Did we get it right? Let us know!
1. Wake 'n Bacon
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A place where reality and fantasy seem to mesh together, Wake ‘n Bacon is every stoner and food lover’s dream.
An eclectic menu that merges Asian, Latin, and American flavors, Wake n’ Bacon is best known for its CBD-infused add-on option for its menu items. Aside from the food, the restaurant decor is to die for with outdoor swing chairs, a patron photo booth, and colorful flowers hanging from the ceiling.
Make sure you try their Bacon Flight, featuring all three of their in-house, smoked bacon, and the Turtle Waffle.
2. Ja'Grill Hyde Park
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Authentic island cuisine in the heart of Hyde Park, Ja’ Grill is an explosion of flavor like you’ve never experienced. The Ja’Rum Punch packs an incredible punch and their jerk lamb chops taste like heaven.
This popular restaurant fills up fast, so make sure you properly time out your visit to this Jamaican destination.
3. Portillos
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Everyone knows Portillos is good as hell. So it’s no surprise that the hot dog and burger joint made this list. If you’re visiting the city and don’t have time to go to a sit-down restaurant, slide through Portillos to get you a quick hunger fix.
Our favorite menu items include the Char-Grilled Maxwell Street Polish, the Beef-n-Cheddar Croissant, and the Chocolate Cake Shake.
4. Harold’s Chicken
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A Chicago stable serving customers for over 60 years, Harold’s Chicken is one place everyone must visit when spending time in the Chi.
Although the chain has franchised out to other cities, Chicago is its home and nothing tastes like the original Harold’s.
The restaurant has an abundance of delicious items, however you can’t go wrong with their wing dinner with extra mild sauce.
5. Giordanos
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You can never go wrong with pizza, and Giordanos is the perfect place to go to fulfill your Chicago, deep dish pizza dreams. Savory tomato sauce blended with oozing cheese and juicy toppings make for an excellent meal after a day spent exploring Chicago.
6. Chicago’s Home of Chicken and Waffle’s
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A delicious mix of soul food and brunch favorites, Chicago’s Home of Chicken and Waffle’s is a Black-owned establishment worth visiting on your next trip to the Midwest.
The Catfish ‘n Waffles is a southern flavor party in your mouth and the ambiance of the restaurant is a whole vibe with 90s R&B serenading you during your meal. Be sure to stop in and try out their diverse menu items.
They also offer catering services for your next event.
7. Avec
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The place where the Mediterranean meets the Midwest, Avec offers a colorful dinner, lunch, and brunch menu. A wine-focused restaurant that offers everything from Campanelle pasta with Morella sofrito to slow-roasted pork shoulder, Avec is the ideal food haven for those with adventurous taste buds.
8. Truluck's
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The epitome of fine dining, Truluck’s provides the finest in seafood and crab. Selected as one of the Top 100 Restaurants in America by OpenTable, Truluck’s has sensational seafood with everything from lobster bisque, Norwegian salmon, prime king crab, and Petrossian caviar.
If you’re looking for a luxury, sit-down restaurant to wine and dine in, Truluck’s is the place to go.
9. Chant Restaurant
An Asian infusion restaurant and Hyde Park favorite for food and cocktails, Chant offers menu items made with fresh ingredients and unique flair. They also offer catering services and patrons love their Jambalaya and fried wings.
10. Wishbone
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A family-owned location with two locations in the city, Wishbone incorporates southern favorites with a Midwest twang to make the perfect flavor moment.
It has everything from traditional breakfast delights to turkey chili and braised lamb shank.
