Home › Food tours › Chicago
Food tours in Chicago: what to eat and which tour to book
Chicago's signature food is working-class and handheld: the Italian beef sandwich dipped in its own juice, the all-beef hot dog 'dragged through the garden' with no ketchup, the Maxwell Street Polish with grilled onions, and pizza in two local styles, the tall deep dish and the thin, square-cut tavern pie. Beyond those, the city eats by neighbourhood: Mexican in Pilsen and Little Village, Vietnamese on Argyle Street, South Asian on Devon Avenue, Chinese in Chinatown on the South Side and Puerto Rican jibaritos in Humboldt Park.
Use this page to decide what to order and where. The dishes and areas below say what each part of the city does well. The tours are real listings on GetYourGuide and Viator with approximate prices; most prices were not visible to us on the listings themselves, so treat them as rough and confirm on the booking page before you pay.
What to eat in Chicago
| Dish | What it is | Where to eat it | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italian beef Italian beef (ask for it 'dipped' or 'wet', 'hot' or 'sweet') | Thinly sliced seasoned roast beef simmered in its juice and piled on an Italian roll, topped with hot giardiniera or sweet peppers; 'dipped' means the whole sandwich goes back into the juice. | Beef stands across the city and suburbs; the Taylor Street (Little Italy) area and River North have long-running ones. | roughly $10–15 (€9–14) for a sandwich |
| Chicago-style hot dog Chicago dog | All-beef frank on a poppy-seed bun with yellow mustard, chopped onion, bright green relish, tomato, a pickle spear, sport peppers and celery salt. Locals do not add ketchup. | Neighbourhood hot dog stands everywhere; also at Wrigley Field and Guaranteed Rate Field. | roughly $4–8 (€4–7) for a dog, more at ballparks |
| Deep-dish pizza deep dish | Pan pizza with a tall crust, cheese at the bottom and chunky tomato sauce on top; sausage is the classic topping. It takes 30–45 minutes to bake, so order on arrival. | Sit-down pizzerias in the Loop, River North and the neighbourhoods; several chains started here. | roughly $25–40 (€23–36) for a medium pie that feeds two or three |
| Tavern-style pizza tavern-style / thin crust, 'party cut' | Cracker-thin crust cut into squares rather than wedges; many Chicagoans eat this more often than deep dish. | Neighbourhood pizzerias and bars, especially on the South and Northwest Sides. | roughly $18–30 (€16–27) for a large |
| Maxwell Street Polish | Grilled Polish sausage on a bun with grilled onions, yellow mustard and sport peppers, named after the old Maxwell Street market. | 24-hour-style stands near the University of Illinois Chicago campus and around the city. | roughly $6–10 (€5–9) |
| Jibarito | A Puerto Rican sandwich created in Chicago: steak (or other meat), cheese, lettuce, tomato and garlic mayo between two flattened fried green plantains instead of bread. Naturally wheat-free. | Puerto Rican restaurants in Humboldt Park and along Division Street ('Paseo Boricua'). | roughly $10–15 (€9–14) |
| Chicago mix popcorn Chicago mix | Cheddar cheese popcorn and caramel corn mixed in one bag, sold by popcorn shops downtown; an easy edible souvenir. | Popcorn shops on and around the Magnificent Mile and in the Loop. | roughly $6–12 (€5–11) for a small bag |
| Tacos and carnitas tacos / carnitas | Chicago has one of the largest Mexican communities in the US; carnitas sold by the pound on weekends and tacos al pastor are local staples. | 26th Street in Little Village and 18th Street in Pilsen. | roughly $3–5 (€3–5) per taco |
Where to eat: markets and neighbourhoods
Chinatown (Wentworth Avenue and Chinatown Square)
South Side Chinatown with dim sum halls, Sichuan and Xi'an-style noodle shops and Cantonese bakeries; reachable on the Red Line (Cermak-Chinatown).
Pilsen and Little Village
Mexican neighbourhoods along 18th Street (Pilsen) and 26th Street (Little Village) with taquerías, panaderías and carnicerías selling carnitas by weight.
Argyle Street and Andersonville
Argyle (Uptown) is the city's Vietnamese strip for pho and banh mi; neighbouring Andersonville has Swedish-heritage bakeries and Middle Eastern groceries.
Devon Avenue
West Ridge's long strip of Indian and Pakistani restaurants, sweet shops and grocers; many places serve halal meat.
West Loop / Randolph Street and Fulton Market
Former meatpacking district now packed with sit-down restaurants and food halls; the city's main area for reservations-only dining.
Maxwell Street Market
Sunday open-air flea market descended from the historic Maxwell Street market, known for Mexican street food stalls (tacos, elotes, churros).
Food tours in Chicago compared
Every tour below is a real listing on GetYourGuide or Viator, checked on 2 Oct 2026. Prices move with season and group size, so treat them as a guide and confirm on the booking page.
| Tour | Length | Price* | Group | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago: Loop Food Tour of 6 Tastings with Deep Dish Pizza | 3–3.5 hours (per operator site) | from €81 per person | max 12 (per operator site) | First-timers staying downtown who want the classic Chicago foods in one walk. | Check dates |
| Chicago: Classic Food & Walking Tour with Free Bike or Kayak | 3 hours | from €76 per person | — | Active visitors who want sightseeing plus the classic foods, and a rental for later in the day. | Check dates |
| Chicago: Gangsters and Food Tasting Walking Tour | 2 hours | from €67 per person | private (your group only) | History fans and groups who want stories as much as food. | Check dates |
| Chicago: Chinatown Small-Group Food and Culture Walking Tour | roughly 2.5–3 hours | roughly $80–90 (€72–81) per adult | small group (exact cap not confirmed) | Visitors who already know deep dish and want a different side of the city; reachable on the Red Line. | Check dates |
| Offbeat Chicago Food Tour: Go Deeper Than Deep Dish | — | price not seen; check listing | — | Repeat visitors and adventurous eaters; good for those staying on the North Side. | Check dates |
| Chicago in a Day: Food, History & Architecture Walking Tour | 4.5 hours | from €88 per person | private | Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them. | Check dates |
Chicago: Loop Food Tour of 6 Tastings with Deep Dish Pizza
On GetYourGuide · run by Secret Food Tours (per listing URL)
- Length
- 3–3.5 hours (per operator site)
- Price
- from €81 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 92 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 12 (per operator site)
- Included
- 6 tastings including deep dish pizza, Italian beef and gourmet popcorn, with stories of the Loop's architecture and immigrant history.
- Suits
- First-timers staying downtown who want the classic Chicago foods in one walk.
- Starts
- The Loop
Chicago: Classic Food & Walking Tour with Free Bike or Kayak
On GetYourGuide · run by Bobby's Bike, Hike & Food Tours - Chicago
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €76 per person
- Rating
- 4.8 ★ from 172 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Deep dish pizza, hot dog, Italian beef and desserts while walking past city highlights; listing includes a free bike or kayak rental.
- Suits
- Active visitors who want sightseeing plus the classic foods, and a rental for later in the day.
- Starts
- Downtown (check listing)
Chicago: Gangsters and Food Tasting Walking Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Empire Tours & Productions (Chicago Gangsters and Ghosts Tours)
- Length
- 2 hours
- Price
- from €67 per person
- Rating
- 4.6 ★ from 288 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- private (your group only)
- Included
- Classic Chicago food tastings combined with Prohibition-era and gangster stories, including former gangster haunts.
- Suits
- History fans and groups who want stories as much as food.
- Starts
- 71 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Chicago: Chinatown Small-Group Food and Culture Walking Tour
On Viator
- Length
- roughly 2.5–3 hours
- Price
- roughly $80–90 (€72–81) per adultapprox.
- Group size
- small group (exact cap not confirmed)
- Included
- Several restaurant and bakery stops in Chinatown, typically dumplings, noodles, regional Chinese dishes and bakery sweets, plus Chinatown Square and the Pui Tak Center.
- Suits
- Visitors who already know deep dish and want a different side of the city; reachable on the Red Line.
- Starts
- Chinatown (Cermak-Chinatown area)
Offbeat Chicago Food Tour: Go Deeper Than Deep Dish
On Viator
- Price
- price not seen; check listingapprox.
- Included
- Seven different types of food in Argyle and Andersonville on the North Side, with local history and landmarks.
- Suits
- Repeat visitors and adventurous eaters; good for those staying on the North Side.
- Starts
- Argyle / Andersonville
Chicago in a Day: Food, History & Architecture Walking Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Intrepid Urban Adventures
- Length
- 4.5 hours
- Price
- from €88 per person
- Rating
- 4.8 ★ from 159 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- private
- Included
- Guided walking tour through downtown Chicago Tastings of deep-dish pizza, hot dog, and Italian beef Chicago-style popcorn sample Entry to the Chicago Pedway Visit to Millennium Park and The Bean Stops at architectural…
- Suits
- Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them.
- Starts
- Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Street food, sit-down or a cooking class?
Street food
Chicago's 'street food' is mostly counter food rather than carts: hot dog and beef stands, taquerías and popcorn shops where you order at a window and eat standing or at a ledge. Food trucks exist but are tightly regulated, so stands and neighbourhood joints are the reliable cheap option. Summer adds outdoor festivals and the Sunday Maxwell Street Market.
Sit-down meals
Deep dish is a sit-down meal: expect a 30–45 minute bake and plan one pie per two or three people. The West Loop and River North are the main areas for reservation dining; neighbourhood restaurants in Pilsen, Chinatown and on Devon are cheaper and more casual. Tipping 18–22% at table service is standard.
Cooking classes
We did not find a cooking class listing we could verify on GetYourGuide or Viator for this page. Food tours here are the more common format; if you want a hands-on experience, search the platforms for pizza-making classes and check the menu and location before booking.
How much to budget for food
| Style | Per person, per day* |
|---|---|
| Budget (street food, markets) | $40–60 (€36–54) — stand breakfast, a beef sandwich or tacos for lunch, cheap ethnic dinner |
| Mid-range (one sit-down meal a day) | $90–130 (€81–117) — two sit-down meals with a drink, including tax and tip |
| Splurge (tasting menus, wine) | $250+ (€225+) — a West Loop tasting menu with drinks |
Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free
Vegetarian & vegan: Fairly easy in restaurants, harder at classic stands: Italian beef and hot dogs are meat by definition, though cheese deep dish and vegetable pizzas are everywhere and some stands sell veggie dogs. Devon Avenue's South Asian restaurants and Argyle's Vietnamese spots have plenty of meat-free dishes; ask about fish sauce on Argyle.
Halal: Devon Avenue in West Ridge is the main area for halal restaurants and butchers (Pakistani, Indian and Middle Eastern). Elsewhere, most beef stands and hot dog places are not halal-certified; ask, and do not assume beef-only products are halal.
Gluten-free: Many deep-dish pizzerias offer a gluten-free crust, but shared ovens mean cross-contamination; ask if you are coeliac. The jibarito (plantain instead of bread) and tacos on corn tortillas are naturally wheat-free, though fryers may be shared.
Food scams and tourist traps to avoid
- Ordering deep dish late and hungry at a touristy downtown branch, then waiting 45 minutes and paying $40+ for a pie that is too big. Order the pizza when you sit down (some places let you pre-order by phone), size it at one medium for two or three people, and consider trying tavern-style thin crust in a neighbourhood pizzeria.
- Automatic service charges or 'kitchen appreciation' fees added to the bill, on top of which diners leave a full tip again. Read the menu footer and the bill; if a service charge or gratuity is already included, you do not need to tip 20% on top.
- Pricey souvenir food at the Navy Pier and Magnificent Mile chains marketed as the 'original' Chicago version. Eat the same foods at neighbourhood stands for less, and walk a few blocks off the main tourist strips.
Top tours & activities in Chicago
Rent a car in Chicago
Compare rental cars from local and international companies, with free cancellation on most bookings.
Compare car rentals in ChicagoPlan the rest of your Chicago trip
Staying near the markets saves time and taxi money — most food tours start in the old centre.
Common questions
How much should I tip in Chicago?
Tip 18–22% of the pre-tax bill at table-service restaurants, about $1–2 per drink at bars and a dollar or two in counter tip jars if you like. Check the bill first, because some restaurants add a service charge automatically. On food tours, $10–15 per person for the guide is a common amount and some operators mention it in the listing.
Which food tour should I take on a first visit?
For one tour, a Loop or River North walk is the easiest way to try deep dish, Italian beef and a Chicago dog in a single afternoon near most hotels. If you have already done the classics, a Chinatown tour (Red Line to Cermak-Chinatown) or the Argyle and Andersonville tour shows the immigrant neighbourhoods that drive how Chicago really eats.
How much should I budget for food per day?
About $40–60 per person covers a cheap breakfast, a beef sandwich or tacos at lunch and an inexpensive dinner in Chinatown, Pilsen or on Devon. A mid-range day with two sit-down meals and a drink is roughly $90–130 once Chicago's restaurant tax (above 10% downtown) and tip are added. Tasting menus in the West Loop start around $150–250 before drinks.
Is deep dish what locals eat?
Locals do eat deep dish, but usually for occasions or when visitors are in town. Thin, crispy tavern-style pizza cut into squares is the everyday Chicago pizza at neighbourhood places and bars. If you can, try both: deep dish at a sit-down pizzeria and tavern-style at a local spot.
When should I book a Chicago food tour?
In summer (June to August) and on weekends, popular small-group tours can fill several days in advance, so book about a week ahead. Winter tours run but involve walking in serious cold and wind; dress for it. Most GetYourGuide and Viator listings allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before, which makes booking early low-risk.
What does 'dipped' or 'hot' mean when ordering an Italian beef?
'Dry' means the meat is lifted out of the juice, 'wet' or 'juicy' adds extra juice, and 'dipped' means the whole sandwich is dunked. 'Hot' is spicy giardiniera (pickled vegetables in oil), 'sweet' is roasted sweet peppers, and 'cheesy' adds melted provolone or mozzarella. Dipped sandwiches are messy, so many people eat them standing with elbows out.
* Prices are approximate, gathered on 2 Oct 2026 from menus, markets and the booking pages linked above. They change with season and exchange rates.