Talking and Tasting Chi Foods That Aren’t Hot Dogs or Pizza
We all know pizza and hot dogs are iconic Chicago foods. But the city’s culinary contributions don’t stop there. Some foods everyone knows have origin stories here, like the legendary Palmer House brownie. And there are some foods that just scream Chicago, like a well constructed pizza puff. And then there are some Chicago foods you may not even recognize depending on which side of the city you live on. We taste some of these lesser-known Chicago foods and talk about their origins with Chicago Tribune food critic Louisa Chu.
Guest: Louisa Chu — Food Critic, Chicago Tribune
Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago
Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm
Some of the restaurants mentioned:
Column: Dave’s Red Hots, Chicago’s oldest hot dog stand, is even older than we thought
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
A Rare, All Good News Episode
What sets Chicago brick apart? Why are bald eagles returning to Chicago? What would you wait in line for? City Cast Chicago contributors...

Why Is Mayor Johnson In Springfield? Plus, Chicago's First Baby Eagles in a Century
Why did Mayor Brandon Johnson go to Springfield? Will state police actually investigate the killing of Silverio Villegas González by ICE...

What Chicago Kids Want Us to Know
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Earlier this year, we visited the Carole Robertson Center for Learning at their Albany Park site to talk...

Will Chicago Hospitals Resume Trans Youth Healthcare? Plus, What is the RIFL Act?
In April, a federal judge ruled the Trump administration could not cut Medicare and Medicaid funding to hospitals providing gender-affirm...

Immigrant Families Facing Evictions. Plus, CPS Manages May Day
A new report shines light on how immigrant families in Chicago continue to suffer months after the height of Operation Midway Blitz. Many...

Your Guide to May 2026 in Chicago
May flowers are blooming all around us as summertime Chicago is on the horizon. We’ve got your guide to what’s happening in Chicago this...

Why Are Thousands of Property Tax Bills Late ... Again? Are Illinois Farmers Having Buyer’s Remorse?
Property tax bills remain a headache for thousands of Chicagoans, as tech issues continue to delay bill arrivals. We ask the Tribune’s A....

Warlord Restaurant Plummeting, the DMV's AI Battle, and Dream Chicago Biopics
Earlier this year, the co-owner of the restaurant Warlord, Trevor Fleming, was arrested and charged with sharing explicit images of a wom...

Peacebook Executive Order, New Lesbian-Owned Bar, and Does Chicago Need Film Critics?
After years of advocacy, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed the Peacebook Executive Order. Developed by the youth-led organization, Good Kids M...

Are Chicago’s Bridges OK? Plus, Red Line Extension, and Long Lines for… Bagels?
Chicago is officially in spring bridge-lifting season, when 27 bridges along the Main and South Branches of the Chicago River will lift t...


