Best of Chicago
Where locals eat in Chicago
Start with Mi Tocaya Antojería for antojitos, Vito & Nick's in Ashburn for sausage pizza and Phil's Pizza in Bridgeport for square-cut pie. Here are all 12, with what to get at each.
- Pequod's PizzaLincoln Park · Deep-dish pizza
Get: Pan pizza with caramelized cheese edge
Cheese is cooked against the cast-iron pan to a dark crust.
- Johnnie's BeefElmwood Park · Italian beef
Get: An Italian beef, hot, dipped, and a lemon ice
The suburban beef stand the city drives out for. Classic Chicago counter stand for Italian beef sandwiches dripping with jus, grab napkins and eat standing up.
- Smoque BBQIrving Park
Get: Brisket, sliced, with the mac and cheese
Texas-style brisket that made Chicago take barbecue seriously.
- AvecWest Loop · Mediterranean small plates
Get: the chorizo-stuffed dates and the focaccia. Walk-in only, so go early
Lively West Loop wine bar with communal tables and an open kitchen; known for wood fired flatbreads and Mediterranean small plates.
- GiantLogan Square · New American
Get: the king crab salad and the tagliatelle. A small Logan Square room with a changing menu
Logan Square neighborhood restaurant with a playful, ingredient-driven menu and a cozy, lively dining room.
- HopleafAndersonville · Beer bar, Belgian
Get: the ale-steamed mussels with frites and the CB&J. Belgian beers at the front bar
Beloved Andersonville beer bar with an enormous craft selection, famous for its Belgian-style mussels and fries.
- Sun Wah BBQUptown · Cantonese barbecue
Get: the Peking duck dinner for the table. Roast ducks hang in the window
Uptown Cantonese institution known for glossy roast duck and barbecue meats carved right at the counter.
- SuperdawgNorwood Park · hot dogs
Get: the Superdawg with fries, brought to your car by a carhop. Running since 1948
Iconic drive in with giant hot dog mascots on the roof, known for classic Chicago style hot dogs.
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What are the local restaurants in Chicago?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Mi Tocaya Antojería, Vito & Nick's (Ashburn) and Phil's Pizza (Bridgeport). All 12 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Mi Tocaya Antojería, get antojitos. At Vito & Nick's, get sausage pizza. At Phil's Pizza, get square-cut pie. At Pequod's Pizza, get pan pizza with caramelized cheese edge.
Which neighborhood is best for local restaurants in Chicago?
Most of these are in Logan Square. The map on this page shows every one, numbered like the list.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Chicago: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in Chicago
Local restaurants in other cities
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.