Lifestyle

The 15 Foods Chicago Natives Miss Most When They’re Out of State

By Elizabeth Manheimer at Villanova University

There are plenty of things to miss about Chicago: the lake, Blackhawks/Cubs/Bears games, and the weather (okay, maybe not the weather.) For most Chicagoans, the food is what we yearn for most, no matter our current location. Where else can you get pizza crust stuffed with cheese or a hot dog adorned with pickles and green relish? Nowhere, but I’m sure you already knew that.

1. Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Pizza 

Happy #NationalCheesePizzaDay! ?? We're celebrating with a cheese pizza that would make Kevin McCallister proud, what about you? Thank you to everyone who entered the National Cheese Pizza Day #Giveaway! Congratulations to our winners: Kenneth M., Eileen C., and Karen A.! You've won a copy of of the book "Passion for Pizza: A Journey Through Thick and Thin to Find the Pizza Elite" from @AgatePublishing​, and a $60 Lou Malnati's gift card! ______________________________________ #cheesepizza #bestdayever #cheesy #loumalnatis #deepdish #EEEEEATS #chicagosdeepdish #pizza #? #nofilter #chicagopizza #pizzaislife

A photo posted by Lou Malnati's Pizzeria (@loumalnatis) on

There is nothing more beautiful than the cheesy deliciousness that comes with cutting into a Lou’s pizza and snagging the first slice.

2. Garret’s Popcorn

Thanks for sharing your #HandcraftedHappiness photo with us @foodnommin! "First time having Garrett Popcorn… So good!!! #foodnommin"

A photo posted by Garrett Popcorn (@garrettpopcorn) on

I recommend Chicago style, duh. If you like caramel, we gotchu. If you like cheese, we gotchu too. If you like them mixed together to create a sweet and salty madness, we definitely gotchu.

3. Portillo’s Hot Dogs

Not just a feast for the eyes: A hot dog and cheese fries. #Regram from #Portillos fan @amyninlawong. #foodpoetry #getinmybelly

A photo posted by Portillo's Hot Dogs (@portilloshotdogs) on

Some may think its crazy to try a hot dog without ketchup but, I promise, once you go sans ketchup, you won’t be able to go back.

4. Portillo’s Cake Shake

October is #cakeforacause month at Portillo's restaurants in IL and IN. In celebration of our new restaurant opening in Gurnee next month, this month we are donating all cake sale proceeds to two great northern IL charities: the Northern Illinois Food Bank and the American Red Cross of Chicago and Northern Illinois, up to $25,000 total. So grab a slice or a whole cake and support two great causes! #Portillos

A photo posted by Portillo's Hot Dogs (@portilloshotdogs) on

If you couldn’t tell, Chicagoans love Portillos. Imagine this chocolate cake in milkshake form. Yup, it really exists.

5. Doughnut Vault Doughnuts

Thanks @everythingerica and @chicagofoodauthority for sharing this great shot! #doughnutlove

A photo posted by Doughnut Vault (@doughnutvault) on

This hole-in-the-wall doughnut shop has the coolest vibe, along with the most delicious doughnuts.

6. Stan’s Donuts

What do you mean it's #nationaldonutday? We just thought it was Friday. ?#donutsforeverforeverdonuts @stansdonutschicago @popularpays #popularpays

A photo posted by FOXTAIL + MOSS (@foxtailandmoss) on

Us Chicagoans love all donut shops, so we miss ’em all. Especially Stan’s, with its eclectic array of gourmet donuts, ranging from the Captain Crunch Bismark to the Maple Caramel Bacon Pecan Bar. Try saying that five times fast.

7. Sprinkles Cupcakes

Our multidimensional #Smore is back and brings with it layers of crispy graham cracker, moist chocolate cake, rich ganache and toasted marshmallow cream! Enjoy a #BOGO today when you whisper “ooey gooey!” #seriously #sogood

A photo posted by Sprinkles (@sprinklescupcakes) on

With different flavors every day, there is no way that you could ever get sick of trying the different cupcake varieties. Some Sprinkle’s fan faves are Red Velvet, Triple Cinnamon, and Chocolate Marshmallow.

8. Walker Brother’s 49er Flapjacks

butter with a side of pancakes and bacon please. ?☺️? #spoonsummer #idspoonthat #eeeeeats #spoonfeed

A photo posted by Villanova Spoon (@spoon_villanova) on

These thin, gooey, buttery pancakes are enough to make me hop on a flight back home to Chicago ASAP.

9. Potbelly Sandwiches

@_carrie_louise_ is our #InstaFoodie of the day! #NomNom #PotbellyPals

A photo posted by Potbelly Sandwich Shop (@potbellysandwichshop) on

The sandwiches are to die for, but add a Dream Bar (a mix of chocolate chips, caramel, and brown sugar), to your order and you are good to go.

10. Anything from the Taste of Chicago

Summer in the city means…funnel cakes! And all other things fried and delicious and drizzled with #chocolate. #tasteofchicago was a few weekends back and this picture is the perfect representation of the food festival if you've never been! #churrofactory #oldclassic #frieddough #Chicago #summernights #forkthisamerica ? credit: @jordanepari

A photo posted by Steph, Carly & Ella (@forkthisamerica) on

Greasy? Check. Sweet? Check. Drenched in chocolate and powdered sugar? Double check. Take us back to the first week in July at Grant Park, please.

11. Wrigley Field hot dogs

hot diggity dog the Cubs are on fire! #IdSpoonThat

A photo posted by I'd Spoon That! (@idspoonthat) on

Although I already mentioned hot dogs, there’s something that makes devouring a Chicago-style hot dog even better when you’re eating it under the lights on a summer night at Wrigley.

12. Al’s Italian Beef

No other way to start out a visit to Chicago #chicagoforone #Repost @jetsetnom ・・・ Al's Italian Beef! First meal in Chicago! #alsbeef #italianbeef #lunch #chicagofoodie #chicago

A photo posted by Al's Italian Beef (@alsbeef) on

As the first seller of Italian beef sandwiches, you know you can never go wrong with Al’s.

13. Giordano’s Stuffed Pizza

The cure for any gloomy day. #cheesepull #giordanos

A photo posted by Giordano's Pizza (@giordanospizza) on

Another pizza favorite, but this one’s crust is stuffed with cheese. Let me repeat that, stuffed with cheese.

14. Sweet Mandy B’s

A double decker confetti cookie sweetie pie! Now available to order!? photo: @sherriesavorsthecity

A photo posted by SweetMandyBs (@sweetmandybs) on

A cookie and frosting pie the size of my hand? Mhm, sounds good to me.

15. Cheesie’s Pub and Grub

It had been too long, Mac. #cheesies #macncheese #grilledcheese #cheese #myfab5 #invntmeats #invntMMM #inventumeats

A photo posted by Alex Jewell (@alexjewellalex) on

Finishing this list off with the greatest grilled cheese combos known to man kind. Cheesie’s is known for everything from mac-and-cheese stuffed grilled cheese on Texas Toast to “the Classic,” which has cheddar and American cheese, tomatoes, ham, bacon, and comes with a tomato soup dipping sauce.

The Windy City will always be home, and these foods make it even harder to be away from it. Chicago, when we get back, a slice of Lou’s is on you, okay?

Still missing Chicago? Us too. Satisfy your craving here: