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American BBQEast Side
Calumet Fisheries in Chicago is the East Side smokehouse on the 95th Street bridge since 1948, with smoked chub, fried perch and shrimp wrapped in butcher.
OrderSmoked chub by the piece and a fried perch fillet plate.
TipCash only, no seating. Walk to the bridge and eat the chub on the railing watching the boats; that is the meal.
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GreekGreektown
Greek Islands in Chicago is the Greektown standard on South Halsted since 1971, with the flaming saganaki tableside-presentation that the neighbourhood made.
OrderSaganaki (Opa!), lamb on the spit, gyros plate to share.
TipSunday lunch with the family is the room's natural use. Book a long table and a bottle of Boutari.
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Chicago Deep-dish PizzaLincoln Park
Lou Malnati's in Chicago is the Lincoln Park branch of the deep-dish chain founded 1971 by Lou (Rudy Malnati Sr.'s son), butter-crust pies with The Lou.
OrderThe Lou with sausage, plus a small Malnati Salad first, with sweet vinaigrette.
TipOrder the pizza when you sit; baking takes 45 minutes. Otherwise you wait twice.
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PizzeriaLincoln Park
Pequod's Pizza in Chicago is the Lincoln Park pan-pizza institution on Clybourn since 1971, the caramelised cheese ring around the crust copied.
OrderMedium pan pizza, sausage and mushroom, with extra cheese around the rim.
TipWalk in at 16:30 to beat the queue; tables fill before the kitchen opens for dinner service.
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PizzeriaThe Loop
Pizano's Pizza & Pasta in Chicago is the family-owned Loop deep-dish room founded in 1991 by Rudy Malnati Jr., son of Pizzeria Uno's original cook Rudy.
OrderThe cheese deep-dish, no toppings, the way Rudy Sr. baked it at Uno.
TipThe Madison location is the original; State Street is the bigger pre-theatre spot.
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PizzeriaRiver North
Pizzeria Uno in Chicago is the original deep-dish pizza shop, opened by Ike Sewell on Ohio Street in 1943, where the city's pan-baked pizza was invented.
OrderThe Numero Uno, the canonical deep-dish from the original menu.
TipThe pies bake 45 minutes; order on arrival. The nearby Due (Pizzeria Due) is the same kitchen if Uno is full.