Long lines in Chicago

The viral places people queue for, what to get when you reach the front, how long the wait usually is, and how to beat it. Waits are typical, not live.

11 places in Chicago · by Chef Amazing · updated October 23, 2026
Photo: kasamachicago.com

1. 1

   Kasama

   Filipino · Ukrainian Village

   Get: Morning pastries: the truffle croissant, a breakfast sandwich and an ube latte

   A Michelin-starred Filipino spot whose morning bakery line is famous in its own right. Expect: around 2 hours on weekends. Beat it: pre-order online, or go on a weekday at opening.

   Critics: Read Michelin Guide 2025, Time Out Chicago 2025, The Infatuation 2024.

   The crowd: 4.3 of 5 on Tripadvisor (31 ratings).

   In the press: the viral breakfast sandwich, tiktok.com, Oct 2026.

   1001 North Winchester Avenue, 60622 Chicago · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   Au Cheval

   Diner · West Loop

   Get: The cheeseburger with an egg and bacon

   The burger that showed up on every best-in-America list. Expect: hour-plus waits for a table at peak times. Beat it: put your name in and wait at a bar nearby; weekday afternoons are easiest.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   Mr. Beef

   Italian beef · River North

   Get: An Italian beef, dipped, with hot giardiniera

   The real-life inspiration for the restaurant in The Bear. Expect: lines at lunch since The Bear made it famous. Beat it: go after 2pm.

   Also on the list: Chicago: what to eat and where.

   666 N Orleans St, Chicago · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   Pequod's Pizza

   Deep dish pizza · Lincoln Park

   Get: Pan pizza with the caramelized cheese crust

   That burnt-cheese edge is all over social. Expect: 45 min to over an hour for a table at weekend dinner. Beat it: go at lunch, or order ahead for pickup.

   Also on these lists: Chicago: what to eat and where, Where locals eat in Chicago.

   2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   Bad Butter

   Bucktown

   Get: Laminated pastries and the chocolate sourdough banana bread

   A bakery whose Saturday line became a Chicago story. Expect: around 90 min on Saturday mornings. Beat it: go on a weekday, or pre-order once it opens.

   1655 W Cortland St, Chicago, IL · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   Guillotine

   West Town

   Get: The pain suisse

   French pastry so in demand it caps how many you can buy. Expect: queues at opening; pastries limited per person. Beat it: be there before opening.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
7. 7

   Annette's Italian Ice

   Lincoln Park

   Get: Italian ice, or a sundae in summer

   A neighborhood summer ritual with a line around the corner. Expect: long lines on summer nights. Beat it: go in the afternoon.

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
8. 8

   Johnnie's Beef

   Italian beef · Elmwood Park

   Get: An Italian beef, hot, dipped, and a lemon ice

   The suburban beef stand the city drives out for. Expect: 20 to 40 min in summer. Beat it: go off-peak on a weekday. Cash only.

   Also on these lists: The best Italian beef in Chicago, Where locals eat in Chicago.

   7500 W North Ave, Elmwood Park · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
9. 9

   Small Cheval

   Wicker Park

   Get: A single cheeseburger, fries and a shake

   Au Cheval's burger in a faster, simpler room. Expect: 20 to 45 min on weekend nights. Beat it: go at lunch on a weekday.

   1732 N Milwaukee Ave · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
10. 10

    Lou Mitchell's

    Diner · West Loop

    Get: The double-yolk omelet, they hand out Milk Duds and donut holes while you wait

    A diner on old Route 66 serving breakfast since 1923. Expect: 20 to 40 min on weekend mornings. Beat it: go on a weekday before 9am.

    Also on the list: Breakfast and sandwiches in Chicago.

    565 W Jackson Blvd · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
11. 11

    Smoque BBQ

    Barbecue · Irving Park

    Get: Brisket, sliced, with the mac and cheese

    Texas-style brisket that made Chicago take barbecue seriously. Expect: 30 to 45 min at peak. Beat it: go at 11am or order ahead for pickup.

    Also on the list: Where locals eat in Chicago.

    3800 N Pulaski Rd · Map · Add to Chef Amazing