Local Cuisine

Pizza

We have three pizza styles in Chicago: Chicago style, also known as deep-dish, which is thick-crusted and often demands a knife and fork; stuffed, which is similar to a pie, with a crust on both top and bottom; and thin crust. Many pizzerias serve both thick and thin, and some make all three kinds.

Three of Chicago's best gourmet deep-dish restaurants are Pizzeria Uno, Pizzeria Due, and Gino's East. In River North, Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, 439 N. Wells St. (at Hubbard St.; tel. 312/828-9800), bakes both deep-dish and thin-crust pizza and even has a low-fat-cheese option. Edwardo's is a local pizza chain that serves all three varieties, but with a wheat crust and all-natural ingredients (spinach pizza is the specialty here); locations are in the Gold Coast at 1212 N. Dearborn St. (at Division St.; tel. 312/337-4490); in the South Loop at 521 S. Dearborn St. (btw. Congress Pkwy. and Harrison St.; tel. 312/939-3366); and in Lincoln Park at 2622 N. Halsted St. (at Wrightwood Ave.; tel. 773/871-3400). Another popular chain -- known for its stuffed pizza -- is Giordano's, with downtown locations off the Magnificent Mile at 730 N. Rush St. (at Superior St.; tel. 312/951-0747) and at the Prudential Plaza, 135 E. Lake St. (just east of Michigan Ave.; tel. 312/616-1200).

Not far from Lincoln Park Zoo is Ranalli and Ryan's, 1925 N. Lincoln Ave. (btw. Wisconsin St. and Armitage Ave.; tel. 312/642-4700), whose biggest selling point is a large open-air patio and extensive selection of beers. Nearby, you can try a unique take on the deep-dish phenomenon at Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder, 2121 N. Clark St., a few blocks from the zoo (btw. Webster and Dickens aves.; tel. 773/248-2570). Here, the "pizza potpie" is baked in a bowl and then turned over when served. This neighborhood spot stays popular year after year, so plan on showing up early for dinner to avoid a long wait.

Hot Dogs

The classic Chicago hot dog includes a frankfurter by Vienna Beef (a local food processor and hallowed institution), heaps of chopped onions and green relish, a slather of yellow mustard, pickle spears, fresh tomato wedges, a dash of celery salt, and, for good measure, two or three "sport" peppers, those thumb-shaped holy terrors that turn your mouth into its own bonfire.

Chicago is home to many standout hot-dog spots but one, Hot Doug's, 3324 N. California Ave. (at Roscoe St., tel. 773/279-9550), takes encased meats to a new level, featuring several gourmet sausages on a bun every day except Sunday (plan on standing in line no matter which day you show up -- and it's always worth it). Hot Doug's also serves a great classic Chicago dog just like many other stands in town, including Gold Coast Dogs, 159 N. Wabash Ave., at Randolph Street (tel. 312/917-1677), in the Loop just a block from Michigan Avenue. Portillo's, 100 W. Ontario St. (at Clark St.; tel. 312/587-8930), is another local chain that specializes in hot dogs but also serves tasty pastas and salads. Murphy's Red Hots, 1211 W. Belmont Ave. (at Racine Ave.; tel. 773/935-2882), is a neighborhood spot not too far from Wrigley Field, while The Wieners Circle, in Lincoln Park at 2622 N. Clark St. (btw. Wrightwood Ave. and Drummond Place; tel. 773/477-7444), is a late-night favorite where rude order-takers are part of the shtick.

If you've got a car, head up to Superdawg Drive-In, 6363 N. Milwaukee Ave. (at Devon Ave.; tel. 773/763-0660), on the northwest side of the city (look for the giant hot dogs dressed as Tarzan and Jane on the roof). This classic 1950s-style flashback has been run by the same family for three generations, and, yes, they still have carhops who bring out your order.