About Eat Drink Chicago

Most food sites ask "what kind of restaurant do you want?" We think people in Chicago really ask a simpler question: "Where do I get a good one?" A good Italian beef. A real Chicago dog. A proper bagel. A hot fudge sundae like the ones they made in 1921.

So this directory is organized by the food itself. Pick what you're craving, and you get a short list of the places that do it best, plus what to order when you get there.

How we pick places

We don't take payment for listings, and nobody can buy a spot on a list.

Each place earns its spot by showing up across several independent sources:

• Critics and local press: The Infatuation, Time Out, Chicago Magazine, the Chicago Tribune, Block Club Chicago and others
• Awards: Michelin (including Bib Gourmand), James Beard, and North America's 50 Best Bars
• Locals: reader polls and the neighborhood favorites people actually argue about
• The crowd: places with lots of reviews and consistently strong ratings

The more of these agree on a place, the more likely it makes the list. We keep each list short on purpose. Five to ten great options beats forty "pretty goods."

Keeping it current

Restaurants change. We re-check every listing each quarter for closures and moves, and we add newcomers that have earned it. We deliberately leave out details that change often, like hours and menu prices. For those, check the restaurant's website or call before you go.

Spot something wrong, or think we missed a place? We'd like to hear about it.

Who's behind this

Eat Drink Chicago is made by the folks behind ChicagoApartmentBuildings.com, a guide to apartment buildings across Chicago's neighborhoods. We spend a lot of time helping people figure out where to live in this city, and the first thing everyone wants to know after "what's the rent?" is "where do I eat?" This is our answer.