Insider's Guide to Chicago Restaurants: Where to Find Great Food in the Windy City

Chicago is a great town for food. Oh sure, you are likely to point out the fact that I am a resident of this fair city and, as such, might be a little biased. However, I have traveled to a few places throughout my life. More importantly, my family has traveled a lot more than me. My brother and sister-in-law lived in New York for a long time. New York! That's supposed to be a Mecca of great food. You know what my family found? Yeah, that food in the Big Apple sucks about as much as a giant apple that's been sitting on an island in the ocean for centuries.

There may be better restaurants in a place like Paris and I am willing to concede that. When I think of the places my family has visited and which of those places had restaurants we all raved about I am able to come up with one place: New Orleans. Since New Orleans has a bit of a French influence I am betting Paris does all right for itself.

So, it's time for another list. I recently got to play tour guide and got to see Chicago from a visitor's perspective and it reminded me about how great this city is when it comes to food. My friends agreed. So, here is a list for any of you that may decide you want to visit the Windy City. Many of these are downtown, but they are presented here as they come to my brain and not in any particular order of greatness.

1. Superdawg - this is one of the last real drive-in restaurants you are likely to find. While, technically speaking, this is not a true Chicago-style hot dog this is one of the tastiest dogs you are likely to find. You can also walk up to a window and order and you can order burgers and other things besides hot dogs. This is located on the northwest side of the city, out near O'Hare Airport. It is worth the trip. The malts and shakes are small but delicious.

2. Lou Malnatti's Pizza - There are pizza places all over the city. You can find a good pie on nearly any corner (by the way the word "pizza" means pie so saying pizza pie is saying pie pie). There are Malnati restaurants all over the city as well. It's great. Here's a secret, though. Chicago-style pizza is thick crust pizza in a deep dish. However, most Chicagoans I know actually at thin-crust. Still, find a Lou's and enjoy.