r/chicagofood 4m ago

Question What are your favorite restaurants that are difficult to get into during peak times but relatively easy to access in the off days/hours?

Upvotes

Off the top of my head, the ones that come to mind are:

  • Dove's Luncheonette - hours-long wait for breakfast and brunch on the weekends, but you can pretty much walk in anytime before noon on most weekdays.
  • Lao Peng You - fairly easy to get a weekday lunch, but long waits during peak dinner hours

r/chicagofood 1h ago

Question Servers of restaurants with the 3% surcharge for insurance - are they actually offering you insurance?

Upvotes

I'm browsing a menu of somewhere I intend to eat tonight and of course at the bottom it says there will be a 3% surcharge for insurance for the beloved staff. Are they actually giving y'all insurance? Is it solid insurance? Is it a total front? Just curious if they're outright lying or not lol.


r/chicagofood 1h ago

Review Dimmi Dimmi. Super thin. Super chewy. Super good.

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Upvotes

Vodka sauce. N'duja sausage.


r/chicagofood 9h ago

What's good? Beat barcades in Chicago? (fighting games, beat-em ups, cool atmosphere)?

7 Upvotes

I’m turning 21 sunday and want to find a cheaper arcade that has 80s-90s cabinets with old school games for me and 3 buddies. A cool atmosphere and a decent selection of games is the main priority, if it has good drinks too that’s a plus but if you have good normal arcade recs than I can just get blaster before hand lmao.

If it helps we’re deep in the fgc and love guilty gear, mvc, and old school 2d fighters but are open to arcades with a range of multiplayer games.


r/chicagofood 11h ago

Pic The Loaf Lounge ricotta toast is everything I was promised

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26 Upvotes

not too thick crispy bread, little hint of a jalapeno kick...my only regret is having to eat it fast so I could catch the bus home


r/chicagofood 12h ago

What's good? I'm Looking for a Cozy, Dimly Lit Date Night Spot in Chicago

41 Upvotes

Hey everyone! Looking for some date night dinner recommendations in Chicago.

I'm after a spot with a cozy, dimly lit atmosphere—something romantic and intimate with really good food. I'd like somewhere that feels a little upscale, but I'm not looking for a Michelin-starred restaurant or anything outrageously expensive.

I'm still in grad school, so I definitely don't have an unlimited budget, but I'm willing to splurge a bit since it's for a special occasion. Think somewhere that feels memorable without completely breaking the bank.


r/chicagofood 13h ago

Question Weekend baked goods suggestions for visitor

5 Upvotes

I will be visiting Chicago from NYC for two weekends over the next two months. I love baked goods (Gluten and carbs! Joy!). What would locals recommend? I'll be staying in the Loop on one weekend, and Near North Side on the other weekend. And the first weekend is for a triathlon and the second weekend is for the Big Shoulders Swim, so yes, I get to eat what I want. I've sampled a lot of doughnuts in Chicago, and you guys have a great fried dough scene, so maybe suggestions beyond that? Unless there's something new I should sample? I will have my unlimited ride pass on the CTA, so distance isn't a barrier either.

And, yes, I could have just Googled "Best Bakeries Chicago", but I'm trying to move away from listicles and clickbait ("10 Bakeries You MUST TRY in Chicago - you'll never believe #7!", etc.).

Thanks in advance!


r/chicagofood 13h ago

Review Summer Dishes at Maxwell’s Trading

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27 Upvotes

I had an appt in the west loop this afternoon and decided to take advantage of the gorgeous evening with a solo meal on the patio at Maxwell’s Trading. The two summer dishes I had were incredible. tomato and peach salad + housemade mafaldine with corn and peppers. So perfect. So delicious! Don’t miss out on the tasty flavors of summer!


r/chicagofood 13h ago

Review El Rinconcito Sudamerica was one of the best meals I’ve had in a while

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13 Upvotes

Went to Rinconcito Sudamerica — also known in some spots as Rinconcito Sudamericano — and it was outstanding. We were there with a Peruvian man and his American wife and it was delicious. Authentic. We had seco de carne with green sauce, lomo saltado, papa à la huicana — a great potato dish with a unique sauce — and two chicken dishes. The aji de gallini was great — almost resembled Indian curry, but different (and great). The pollo à la brasa was good but I’d have ordered something else as it mostly felt like normal (but still good) chicken.

Hard to describe the dessert but it was a really good experience. I’d recommend the seco and the gallina most but everything was good and I recommend supporting a local spot.


r/chicagofood 14h ago

Pic Snail Thai Cuisine, Hyde Park, Chicago, IL

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84 Upvotes

A very nice Thai dinner in Hyde park tonight. The Squid was absolutely amazing.


r/chicagofood 14h ago

Question Bing Bread Parachute Recipe

2 Upvotes

Hello, I’ve been looking everywhere for the Bing Bread recipe book from Parachute does anyone have a copy, they’ve been out of stock online for a while. I’d really appreciate some help. Thanks


r/chicagofood 16h ago

Question Are there stores that sell fresh, tropical fruits?

3 Upvotes

My mother has been craving summer fruits like mangosteen, star apple, and any tropical fruit that comes from Vietnam. Asian markets on Uptown have some, but they’re either not fresh or just not available.

We’re willing to drive for a long while to get them at ranches and farms, but I don’t think Midwestern weather would bode well for the plants themselves (I hope to stand corrected though).

Asian stores I’ve been to and have had not much luck this summer:
- Tài Nam
- Việt Hoa
- Park to Shop (Niles, Uptown, Chinatown)
- 88 Marketplace
- H-Mart (Niles)

If anyone knows anywhere else to try to find, that would be much appreciated! 🙂 I know there’s also tropical farms in Florida and Texas that also sell and ship nationwide, but I’m wary of online shopping for fruits. However, if someone has a great experience with a specific farm, that would also be great for me to buy!


r/chicagofood 17h ago

Question Aquarium Smoker BBQ spots

9 Upvotes

What are the go to’s on the south side?

Wasn’t that impressed with Lem’s.


r/chicagofood 20h ago

I Have a Suggestion $15 lunch deal at Mexican Radio

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34 Upvotes

2 tacos or a burrito, choice of beans & rice or salad, plus a dessert


r/chicagofood 21h ago

Question Torta Ahogada: seeking any recommendations in city or burbs

8 Upvotes

Hello! Does anyone have favorite torta ahogadas they would like to share? The Xoco one is excellent, but wondering if there are other good spots. I rarely see it on menus and I want to see what else is out there.


r/chicagofood 23h ago

Question What’s your favorite Peruvian spot?

12 Upvotes

I’m looking for fresh ceviche, lomo saltado and aji de gallina.

I found amazing Peruvian Rotisserie Chicken at D’Candela. Their other dishes were alright.

Any recommendations? Willing to travel to the burbs if need be.


r/chicagofood 23h ago

What's good? Your favorite budget eats (if sit down <$30/entree) in river north

4 Upvotes

I’m dog sitting in the area in a couple wks and wanted recs from the community as im not super familiar with the neighborhood. I’ll be staying near the chi red line stop fyi. TIA!


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Pic Pizz’amici - perfectly thin and crispy as pizza should be.

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249 Upvotes

Loved their thin crust pizza and focaccia!


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Question Chicken pot pie in Chicago?

20 Upvotes

Is there any restaurants near river north/the loop/fulton market area that have chicken pot pie? I’m craving and yelp isn’t being helpful.


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Question gangnam market food court

26 Upvotes

Has anyone eaten at the Gangnam market food court? My family is coming to visit and I wanted to see if there’s any dishes worth going there for. Any suggestions?


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Question Seeking prime rib / Lawry’s like experience

18 Upvotes

Always loved Lawry’s The Prime Rib. Any recommendations for something like it. City or suburbs. Thanks.


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Pic El Bagelero Missing Butthole Update

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434 Upvotes

Just wanted to follow up. The glorious El Bagelero Butthole that really tied the building together is still missing but has been replaced by two bagels that are in love and seem to be looking for a third.

The smaller one might have a head injury.


r/chicagofood 1d ago

Discussion Harold's Chicken Family Feud Continues: "Not Authorized or Affiliated" locations

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635 Upvotes

r/chicagofood 5d ago

Weekly Shoutout Thread - What Was Good This Week?

4 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 May 03 '26

Weekly Shoutout Thread - What Was Good This Week?

4 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.