Italian Beef, Chicago-Style Hot Dog, Tavern-style Pizza

I’d been out of town for more than a week and really really missed Chicago food.

I don’t even like sandwiches, but I really really wanted an Italian beef, so of course my first meal back in Chicago was a dipped with hot AND sweet peppers from Al’s.

My next meal back home was a Double Dog, Chicago-style, from Dog House Grill.

In case you don’t know, a Chicago-style hot dog is an all-beef frankfurter on a poppy seed bun, topped with yellow mustard, bright green relish, fresh chopped onions, two tomato wedges, a kosher-style pickle spear, sport peppers and a dash of celery salt.

I had to get my fill of real Chicago food after my trip. I did Italian Beef and Chicago-style hotdog already, so the next one was pizza. 

I don’t eat pizza that much, but when I do, it’s thin crust, tavern-style. That’s what locals eat. We don’t do deep dish or stuffed; those are for tourists. I generally don’t like meat on my pizza, so this one from Pat’s Pizzeria has artichoke, mushrooms, tomatoes, and spinach.

So, reader, I am asking for your food stories. What foods do you miss when you’re not home?.

As always, please keep it civil and relevant. I promise I will refrain from commenting on your experience, but I might be curious enough to ask questions to better understand your story.