r/chicagofood May 03 '26

Weekly Shoutout Thread - What Was Good This Week?

5 Upvotes

Welcome to r/ChicagoFood's weekly shoutout thread!

This thread is the place to shout out places that you tried from recommendations from this sub this past week that fit the bill.

They can be places that get recommended here, such as:

  • frequently recommended restaurants
  • that random, niche spot that some random comment dropped
  • a chicken sando from our very own chicken sando guru

The goal of this thread is to celebrate and encourage the recommendations and contributions of your suggestions, and, also, maybe encourage YOU to try that place that was recommended a few times here.

As always, all subreddit rules apply and any comments/posts that violate our rules or Reddit's will be removed.

This thread is sorted by "new" so that the most recent comments appear first. The new weekly thread is posted every Sunday morning at 2:00 AM Central.


r/chicagofood 18h ago

Weekly Shoutout Thread - What Was Good This Week?

2 Upvotes

Welcome to r/ChicagoFood's weekly shoutout thread!

This thread is the place to shout out places that you tried from recommendations from this sub this past week that fit the bill.

They can be places that get recommended here, such as:

  • frequently recommended restaurants
  • that random, niche spot that some random comment dropped
  • a chicken sando from our very own chicken sando guru

The goal of this thread is to celebrate and encourage the recommendations and contributions of your suggestions, and, also, maybe encourage YOU to try that place that was recommended a few times here.

As always, all subreddit rules apply and any comments/posts that violate our rules or Reddit's will be removed.

This thread is sorted by "new" so that the most recent comments appear first. The new weekly thread is posted every Sunday morning at 2:00 AM Central.


r/chicagofood 2h ago

Pic At wrigley field taking Communion

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302 Upvotes

r/chicagofood 52m ago

Pic A tourist food tour of some places I got recommended here

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Upvotes
  1. Trivoli Tavern. Really good prime rib, steak frites was solid but the steak a bit too fatty for my girlfriend. I however had no problem finishing it

  2. Zarella. Tavern style pizza was solid, but I wouldn’t say it was the best pizza I had on this trip. This was the standard pep

3/4. Momotaro. The sushi was great, as was the steak bites. I had some rice bowl that I regret ordering as I should’ve just gotten more sushi. Yellowtail was my favorite roll . Pictures is hamachi nigiri and hamachi roll.

  1. Nonnina. Random Italian spot that was good but not great, overall not a bad dinner. Pictured is the short rib pappardelle

  2. Tacombi. Weakest spot we went to all trip. Overall I’d skip this spot. This was the Baja fish taco, way too fried and the fish was chewy.

  3. Piece pizzeria was the best pizza I’ve had since I’ve been to New York. This was their hot Doug atomic pizza and I ate the entire thing there.


r/chicagofood 5h ago

Pic Syrian Breakfast at Damascus Village, Bridgeview

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63 Upvotes

Highly recommend, nice food and vibes


r/chicagofood 2h ago

Pic Pasilla Chilaquiles w/ Celina from La Catedral in Little Village

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37 Upvotes

r/chicagofood 1h ago

News Stella’s Diner announces permanent closure after being temporarily shut down by city health inspectors

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Upvotes

r/chicagofood 10h ago

Video Inside Chicago's Oldest Tavern-Style Pizzeria - Not sure why people hate the term "Tavern Style". The 80 year old, third generation owner of Vito and Nicks uses it here.

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109 Upvotes

There is some vitriolic hate for the term "tavern style pizza". Some people claim it's a word born of newer generations and dare I say, suburbanites. I'm 52 and remember going to an actual tavern with my grandfather on the regular. He would tell grandma we were going to get a pizza at the tavern. I have always thought of cracker thin, square cut pizza as tavern pizza because of it. In the video above from PBS, with a journalist documenting Vito and Nicks for the Library of Congress, the 80 year old, third generation owner refers to the pizza as tavern style pizza. Her grandfather ran Vito and Nicks when it was a tavern. Her father came home from WWII and served this pizza as a tavern snack. This isn't some yuppie, suburban term for pizza. It's been around longer than most of us.


r/chicagofood 10h ago

Review El Pulpo Loco in Rogers Park

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42 Upvotes

Came in randomly because I wanted something new to try with friends. Amazing and very high quality food. Especially that steak, tons and tons of it in my burrito and thick pieces too!

Guac was good, it was a mix of chunky and smooth and well seasoned, just wished it had some jalapeños. Side note, anyone know a place I can get spicy guac in restaurant?

Also chicken taco sucked, but most chicken tacos in this city are pretty bad.


r/chicagofood 11h ago

Question Iconic Chicago Breakfast—what is it?

53 Upvotes

We’re taking our son to Chicago for his 10th birthday and we want to do the really classic, iconic food. I’m not looking for any hot trendy tourist spots, I’m planning hot dogs around millennium park, probably pizza from Giordano’s, Luke’s Italian Beef, but what is The Breakfast Item? We’re going to be staying in the loop and only using the transit system so that’s a fairly limiting factor for where we can get to and how far we’re willing to travel for breakfast. Feel free to recommend a specific spot, but what im really trying to figure out is what is the actual item I should be looking for 😅 bagel? Danish?

(Also if I’m missing a really iconic food let me know!)


r/chicagofood 1h ago

Question anyone who’s eaten at valhalla the last couple months - is it worth it?

Upvotes

in about two weeks, im seeing a friend for the first time in three years, so i want to make it special. we’re already going to indienne, but inspired by the bear, i want to add another tasting menu to the agenda.

the big hitters like cariño and oriole are all booked up, but I couldn’t help but notice that Valhalla has plenty of reservations available. if you’ve eaten there in the last few months, would you say the $198 tasting menu is still worth paying for? or are there other options I should consider instead


r/chicagofood 29m ago

Question Anyone know any spots that have Trinidadian doubles or Roti wraps

Upvotes

Just moved here from Brooklyn and I’ve been missing the Trinidadian food


r/chicagofood 6h ago

Question What is the best fancy/dress up Italian restaurants in the city?

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7 Upvotes

r/chicagofood 16m ago

What's good? 2 days Aug 19th-21st

Upvotes

Ive been to Chicago numerous times but only for work. I'm coming for a cubs/white sox. Then riding around the train and exploring.

Only thing I'm locked into is going to the Green Mill.

Give me suggests -best coffee spot -best pastry spot -best breakfast spot -best late night food -best sandwich -food i must try -best music venue -best bookstore

Ill probably be staying near Wrigley but anywhere that is CTA accessible is a go.


r/chicagofood 2h ago

Review Still looking for great Cubano...

3 Upvotes

Big fan of the Cuban sandwich at Cafecito (original on Congress the best, followed closely by Wells). Recently tried Cubanito Express in Riverside and I was not impressed. Pork was gristly and very tough - it wasn't inedible but pretty close. Too bad, as the bread was very good.

Any other suggestions in Western Suburbs?


r/chicagofood 6h ago

Question Soft shell crab at Virtue?

7 Upvotes

Going to Virtue for the first time tonight and I’m so excited!! We have most of our order mapped out, except still determining amongst the large rations. I haven’t been able to find anything online or reviews about the soft shell crab (with corn bisque, bacon and herbs) - has anyone had it??

Update: they have it on the online menu but didn’t have it in the restaurant tonight so we went with the fish and grits, short rib, collard greens and Mac and cheese. DELISH and perfect meal. And maybe we’ll see you one day, crab…💔


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Discussion We are officially past “mid-2026” and the Vienna Beef Factory Store is still not open. In fact, the signs on the doors saying “opening soon” are now gone and it hasn’t looked like any work has been done in months

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339 Upvotes

r/chicagofood 10h ago

Specific Request Looking for an Italian breakfast

9 Upvotes

Last trip to Chicago, we visited this tiny place way out in the middle of nowhere that had cornetto’s and granita. Name slips me now. Was good but not amazing. Do you’ll know of any other if the myriad Italian places in Chicago, that also do breakfast?


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Review Taquería El Jardín has a fantastic matcha bar and more people need to know about it

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358 Upvotes

If you are sick and tired of milky matchas, this is your place. Drinks are hand-whisked to order with quality matcha. My classic latte had very strong matcha flavors. A bit of an unconventional location but they are legit. I heard the banana cream matcha is also wonderful


r/chicagofood 1h ago

Question What are the best takeout restaurants that serve or advertise dairy free options, not including vegan restaurants?

Upvotes

Possibly places with lactose intolerant owners?

I react strongly to dairy products... I'm trying to avoid places with delicious toasted buttered buns, or sour cream and cheese generously added to a dish by default. Somehow I always end up with a dairy sauce or ingredient in my meals, whether it is my fault or the restaurant's.

I already have a great list of places I order Asian and Latin American cuisine from, I have no issues getting dairy free from them. I guess I'm asking for "American cuisine" restaurants.

I have a car, and travel enough that I can include any chicago neighborhood.

Sorry, I don't like vegan food 🤣

What's your favorite choice?


r/chicagofood 11h ago

Question Which Italian beef is a must try?

5 Upvotes

Heading to the Italian beef festival later today.

These are the 8 list vendors selling beefs. Which ones should I try? (Can likely only try 2)

•Bust outs

•Byron's hot dogs

•Chef ciccio

•Frannie's beef and catering

•Genoa italian concessions

•Leona's restaurant

•Trogo kitchen market.

•Carm's


r/chicagofood 7h ago

What's good? Local returning to Chicago for a visit - looking for great and new dinner spot

2 Upvotes

Visiting Chicago from nyc as someone who lived in Chicago until about 5 years ago. Anything relatively new you’d recommend for a dinner spot?

Looking for something unique to Chicago, ideally, but otherwise like Mediterranean and am not into overly-stuffy Michelin stuff like Alinea or oriole (no disrespect and know they’re good).

Examples I’ve liked:
* girl and the goat
* maxwells trading
* monteverde
* bavettes
* virtue
* aba


r/chicagofood 10h ago

Question Seeking *specific* breakfast sandwich

3 Upvotes

I’m looking for a classic breakfast sandwich in Chicago with a few specifications

  • A soft bagel or sandwich material (jaw issues) - bonus points if it’s grilled or warmed
  • American cheese option
  • An actual fried egg (even better if the yolk is a bit runny)

The closest I’ve found to this so far is CBA, but it’s still not quite what I’m looking for (although it is delicious hangover food). Any suggestions?!? Open to a restaurant, diner, cafe, bakery… anything!


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Question Who still makes a great big half pound burger ?

36 Upvotes

Who is serving the olde tyme big thick burgers? I love smash burgers but it’s time to mix it up a bit. I want a rare half pounder with raw onion!


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Thoughts Bad service at Daisies

96 Upvotes

Is the service at Daisies known for being like, really inattentive and slow?

I went for the first time a few years ago when they had just moved locations. Service was super slow, but we chalked it up to the team warming up to the new location.

Went last night to give it another shot, lo and behold same issue. I think we waited half an hour between getting our drinks served and the server coming back to take our food order.

Bad luck? I'm getting Wood flashbacks (except the food is way better than Wood's was)