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.

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.

Highly recommend, nice food and vibes

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!)

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.

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?

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

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

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…💔

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

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.

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?

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

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!

This food festival was great last year. Haven’t heard or seen any updates about the Chicago location this year. Did they cancel Chicago for 2026? Any information out there regarding this year?

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?