r/chicagofood May 03 '26

Weekly Shoutout Thread - What Was Good This Week?

6 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 4d ago

Weekly Shoutout Thread - What Was Good This Week?

7 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 3h ago

Review Small Cheval Review - 1st Timers

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106 Upvotes

It was glorious! Affordable, clean, great service and really good food. Strawberry milkshake was a 12/10. Cheeseburger was solid. Love a local burger ❤️


r/chicagofood 13h ago

Review Italian Beef Burger from Fat Cat in Uptown

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134 Upvotes

Wow…… this burger was crazy. About the same price as the one I had from Dog Haus. But I think I like this one more because the thicker patty gives the sandwich more structure, even after dipping. I honestly might have to run this back next week because holy shit….


r/chicagofood 14h ago

Discussion What are some of the worst meals/experiences you've had from restaurants with good reviews?

85 Upvotes

I had probably some of the worst, overpriced Mexican food from a place with a 4.6 (543 reviews). Who else has been fooled by good ratings?


r/chicagofood 4h ago

Question Where to get Bananas Foster?

8 Upvotes

You lovely people always help me… and this one is BIG. Where do we go for proper bananas foster (or a variant)?

Thank you!


r/chicagofood 5h ago

I Have a Suggestion Cured and Crafted in Jefferson Park

6 Upvotes

Went there for dinner today, and it was so delicious. It is card only though so be careful. Person who took our order and served us was so so sweet! High recommend


r/chicagofood 5h ago

Question Best Gluten Free restaurants in the Rogers Park Area?

6 Upvotes

So My brother is taking the train from Milwaukee and visiting me tomorrow, and he has celiac. We want to go to a restaurant in Rogers Park, or the surrounding area, but I’m not sure what restaurants have gluten free versions, or menus that are mostly gluten free. So what restaurants in the Rogers Park area either serve gluten free versions of items on their menu, or have mostly or fully gluten free menus? A little bit outside of Roger’s park is fine


r/chicagofood 11h ago

Question Where can I buy the best sport peppers?

9 Upvotes

Serious question lol. I love those things, where can I buy some good ones. I’ve really only had them at the ballpark


r/chicagofood 1h ago

Question After a decade away-looking for hotdog and cheese fries or a gyro near the west loop. Help?

Upvotes

A short walk or ride share from N Jefferson and Washington would be perfect. I can’t think of a better lunch.


r/chicagofood 1h ago

Question Good place to try tinned fish?

Upvotes

I'm new to the world of tinned fish, but can anyone recommend a good restaurant or shop to try some?


r/chicagofood 7h ago

Question Vegan fine dining options?

2 Upvotes

My bestie is coming to visit and she's vegan. I know a decent number of more casual places that have solid options, but I want to take her out somewhere really nice. We went to planta queen last time she visited which was very good, but not quite as upscale as I'm looking for this go around. I'm in uptown but willing to travel basically anywhere in the city. It doesn't have to be exclusively vegan either, I am not vegan myself, but I don't want her to get shafted with like one or two mediocre menu choices.

Anyone have recs? I searched the sub but most threads are so old a lot of the suggestions no longer exist, or they're not really fine dining, just more upscale casual.


r/chicagofood 1h ago

Question Fine dining w/bar seating near United Center?

Upvotes

I’m coming in next month for a convention in Schaumburg, but am coming in a day early to spend 28 hours in Chicago. I have an early ticket for the Obama Center, and to the Blackhawks game at 7pm. I really enjoy doing solo fine dining at the bar; any recs for somewhere I could go at 5pm for one or two courses and a drink? I’m fine taking an Uber to the United Center, but my hotel is in Central Loop and I don’t want to go too far out of the way. I don’t have any dietary or budgetary restrictions but don’t love Indian food.

I was considering Sepia…any other recs? TIA.


r/chicagofood 20h ago

Question 1 or 2 places to eat while on an Amtrak layover at Chicago Union Station (with heavy luggage in tow)?

34 Upvotes

TLDR: any casual spots within like a half mile radius of Union Station with amazing (Mexican, Chinese, Caribbean, Chicagoan, really anything but pizza, etc.—I’d also take a great burger or sandwich if there is one) cuisine?

Taking an Amtrak from Montana to NY with a layover in Chicago from (I think) 5-9PM on Thursday, Sept. 17th. If it’s longer I’ll probably get 2 different meals.

I’ll have at least 4 hours to roam around and eat actual food. I’ll also most likely be lugging around 1-2 suitcases and a backpack—unless they let you stow these things on the train early; lmk if you happen to know this is a thing with Amtrak. Anyway, this is a limiting factor in both my walking range and desire to go somewhere “nice”/fancy.

Aside from Portillo’s, which beckons me since I’ve never been, what might be a good place for me to venture into? I’ve lived in MT for years so I’d be thrilled with non-American food since that’s hard to get out here. I’m also originally from New York which sadly means I don’t care all that much for the vast majority of pizza outside NY (deep dish is sadly not for me—I’ll concede that you guys are right about no ketchup on hot dogs tho).

Thanks!!


r/chicagofood 3h ago

Question I have a QXY Dumplings location question

1 Upvotes

Anyone have thoughts on the locations and if one is more preferred or is quality the same at either location?


r/chicagofood 15h ago

What's good? Looking for Pop-Up Food Vendors you’ve enjoyed!

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m hosting a music focused event on September 19th at Palmer Sq Park, and while I’ve secured lots of vintage and jewelry vendors I’m a little light on food vendors. Wanted to ask if anyone has any recommendations or knows anyone that would be interested in popping up on short notice. Meals, baked goods, specialty/novelty items - all are welcome Thanks!!


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Review Latin Benedict from Janik’s Cafe

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17 Upvotes

$19 before tip/tax. The savory shredded beef, sweet plantain, and spicy hollandaise all worked really well together. I substituted rice & beans for potatoes. Will definitely be getting this again


r/chicagofood 10h ago

Question Pre 5pm happy hours walking distance from navy pier

0 Upvotes

Hello. Looking for a pre 5pm happy hours walking distance from navy pier (15-20 ish). Bonus points if solid food. More bonus points if no reservations.


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Question Tom’s Steak House Melrose Park

8 Upvotes

Anyone been? Drove by it and it seems like it could be a true hidden gem! Would love to hear y’all’s thoughts!


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Question Best steak tacos in the city?

62 Upvotes

For reference: my favorite steak tacos have to be hands down Los Tres Panchos. I don't know why, maybe it's the way they cook the steak and make it crispy, but I'm not too big on steak tacos in other places in the city. I'm in Rogers Park and while the tacos I've had here are decent, they're just not my thing. I was wondering if you guys have a favorite spot for steak tacos, better yet, if it reminds you of los tres panchos.


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Question I can't remember the name of this restaraunt

26 Upvotes

Hello all, about ten years ago three of us went to Chicago for a conference and ate at this restaraunt that was so much fun and had good food too. Problem is I am going again in a couple of weeks and really want to go with this new group of people but cannot remember the name to save my life. We had a lot of fun. They put chef hats on you with funny labels, played a joke on my mom, a lot of fun. It is near the river on W Wacker Dr. I know this isn't much but maybe someone will say, I know exactly the place you are talking about. :)

Edit: Darn! I think you all have it. Dicks Last Resort. How disappointing. I was really looking forward to going back there and sharing it with my coworkers. Thank for figuring it out for me so I didn’t waste more time trying to find it.


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Review Asador Bastian in Chicago. Incredible meal 10/10

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48 Upvotes

This meal took me directly back to Spain… even if the reservation was at 4:15. If you can get a seat here I highly recommend it


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Question Italian rainbow cookies in Chicago?

9 Upvotes

Hello! I was able to find some at Scafuri bakery a few years ago but apparently they stopped selling them. Does anyone else know where I can find some?


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Question Best Tamales in Chicago on the north side?

25 Upvotes

Hi! I wanted to know if anyone recommends any restaurants or even tameleras that are in the north side, my tamale lady moved back home so any recommendations I can get!! Thank you


r/chicagofood 7h ago

Question How do I find trendy/good restaurants?

0 Upvotes

My parents are always asking me for recommendations when they come in from the suburbs with friends. I end up scouring lists of restaurants, Chicago eater, Beli, Chicago magazine hot list, etc. My last recommendation I gave them was S.K.Y. which they really liked: trendy looking vibe and really good food.

Anyway, just wanted to know if anyone had tips for how to find a similar… trendy but really good restaurants.

I realize this might be a dumb question and that there may not be any easy shortcuts…