Chicago Food Off the Grid

Are you thinking about coming to Chicago? Good for you! I highly recommend the city (and I'm not just saying that because I live here). For me, Chicago is not much different than L.A. or NYC. The major difference to me is that we don't have as many people, but enough to be a major city. We're not known for media, but we are known for our variety. The food here is ridiculous! We have our own styles for hot dogs, pizza, and a host of other delicacies. But enough about the obvious; this article is about the unobvious. The things and places that make Chicago great that you WON'T see on a postcard or travel guide or anything like that. Why am I telling you this? Because I live here. I know where the good spots are away from the hotels and such. Do you want in? I'm about to let you in.

If you want to eat good in Chicago, I highly recommend you get something from...

1. Pizzeria Uno. Most people when they come to Chicago go to Giordano's frankly, in my opinion, out of ignorance. It's a great touristy spot to get stuffed pizza. They're good pizza, don't get me wrong, but if you want AUTHENTIC deep dish pizza - go to Pizzeria Uno. It's located at 29 E. Ohio Street, at the intersection of Ohio St and Wabash St. in downtown Chicago. Be ready to shell out about $25 for a good pizza, then be sure to get the buffalo wings. So actually, be ready to shell out about $30-40 if you're with another person. It's worth it, trust me. It's not your ordinary corner pizzeria.

2. Old Fashioned Donuts. It is located at 11248 S. Michigan Avenue deep in the south side of Chicago in the Roseland community. Best apple fritters I've ever had! The greasiest too, but man they're good! They have a variety of other donuts and the like, but this is an old-school joint. You won't find a computer screen or flat-screen TV in this place. They also have basic fare - hot dogs, pizza puffs, fries and the like - for reasonable prices. More than likely though, you're not coming for that... you're coming for the sweet stuff. Have milk ready to consume upon your exit.

3. Harold's Chicken. If you love fried chicken, then definitely frequent this establishment. There are a number of them on the south and west sides of the city. You can get away with spending about $6-7 for a good meal. Chicken is cooked fresh and seasoned well. Fries are soft (just how I like them) and you have the option of mild, BBQ or hot sauce to smother your food with. This is not fine dining by any means but it is good food by all means. Average bill here is between $4-6.

4. Leon's BBQ - any of the locations. There are four that I'm aware of. All of them located on the south side of Chicago. I just recommend that you don't go right before closing, other than that you should be in for some good BBQ. What time is closing? Sometime late late at night. So if you go anytime before midnight, you should be okay. My preferred location is the one at 79th Street & Cornell Ave, which is located east towards the lakefront. Average bill here is about $5-7.

5. Pockets. I love Pockets. I feel like I'm eating healthy whenever I come here. The concept, in short, is that you're eating a salad and sandwich together. You choose your ingredients, they create it for you and you're out the door in about five to ten minutes. They also have calzones that can be customized as well. Average bill to eat here is between $7-10.

6. ...any authentic Chicago hot dog stand. YOU MUST EAT A HOT DOG BEFORE LEAVING CHICAGO! The only exception is that you are a vegetarian or vegan... otherwise, you must eat one. And it must have about six or seven condiments on it at the same time! That's Chicago-style. I recommend mustard, onions, hot peppers, tomatoes, celery salt, sauerkraut. That's my favorite. Some places sell hot dogs with waffle fries, some with regular fries.

7. Noodles, Etc. Nestled within the University of Chicago campus is a place called Noodles, Etc. is located at 57th Street and Kimbark Avenue in the Hyde Park community. I recommend this place for you thai food lovers. It doesn't have a lot of seating, but you can usually get a seat for you and your guests.

8. Lawrence Fisheries. This seafood establishment has been around for over 50 years and is actually open 24 hours a day, everyday. It's located at 21st Street and Canal Street not too far from our Chinatown area. I recommend this overall for seafood.

9. Goose Island Shrimp House. I have two words for you - JUMBO SHRIMP! This is the only reason I go here. I've never gotten shrimp as big as the ones I get from here. They were about $10/pound last I remember, but it's so worth it. You'll get full from three or four of them, I promise. It's located at 1013 West Division Street and has late hours for your eating pleasure.

10. Buffalo Joe's. Again, I have two words for you - BUFFALO WINGS! My God! If you like your wings hot, get the suicide flavoring which is basically buffalo sauce blanketed with jalapeno peppers! Get some extra ranch dressing for those wings, you'll need them! One is located at the very northern edge of the city on Howard Street about three blocks west of the Red Line station. There is another near Northwestern's campus in Evanston on Davis Street. Trust me, it is worth the trip from your downtown hotel.

11. Cedar's Mediterranean Kitchen. This place is located at 1206 East 53rd Street in the Hyde Park community. My wife and I loved this place from the décor to the appetizers to the entrees. We were able to get a gift certificate here and we almost went nuts. This one was a gamble for us that actually paid off, so we highly recommend it to others if you like Mediterranean fare.

12. Crust Organic Eatery. I started this article with pizza and I'm going to end it with pizza because Chicago is a pizza town! I tried Crust some months ago and loved it. It's actually an organic eating establishment and the prices were not bad at all! Average bill for two people is about $40-50, assuming you order a pizza and appetizers and perhaps beverages. It's located at 2056 W. Division Street in our Bucktown area.

If you don't get to all of these the first time you come to Chicago, that's okay. You'll be back for more!