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.

3. Portillo’s – this is where you can find a true Chicago-style hot dog. A true Chicago-style dog is on a steamed poppy-seed bun with an all-beef Vienna dog. The dog should have relish, tomatoes, mustard, celery salt and a sport pepper. I think there maybe onions too but I am not sure and I am too lazy to look it up. There should never be ketchup but I put it on there anyway. Portillo’s also has Italian Beef sandwiches which are also a Chicago original. If you want to try on you can’t got wrong with Portillo’s.

4. Carson’s Ribs – there are several of these as well. If you are downtown you might as well try the one down there. These are the best barbecued ribs, bar none, end of story, period. You can even buy their ribs online and have them shipped all around the world. They have other food there as well but the barbecue sauce is so fantastic. It is sweet, which I love, but these ribs are good enough you will write home about it.

5. Ditka’s – this is the restaurant started by Da Coach Mike Ditka. I have no idea how much he is really involved with the day-to-day operations of this establishment but the food is excellent. They are renowned for their pork chops. It is also a place where you can have a cigar and not have to worry.

6. Ben Pao’s – I just discovered this place with my friends. It is part of the Lettuce Entertain You group of restaurants. It is an Asian restaurant. It is fantastic. Their crab Rangoon looks like long sticks but tastes delicious. Their soy sauce has a fantastic sweet taste. I would gladly go back here just for the chicken fried rice. I want to take it home and roll around in it. OK, maybe not, but this is damn fine food and you should seek it out. It is downtown just blocks from the House of Blues

7. Jake Melnick’s – this is a bit of a bar and is a fine place to watch a football game. It is also a great place to get some food. They have a great selection of beer, as my friend Scott can attest. I had a salmon dish and it was fantastic. You don’t expect fine salmon from a bar with football on the televisions but this stuff was really good. I enjoyed the fries and the staff was fun too.

8. Ed De Bevic’s – this is right across from a Carson’s Ribs and there is one way out in the suburb of Deerfield. You can’t go wrong with the original. The waitstaff are being deliberately rude. It is part of the act. They dance on the tables. They sit down in the booth with you. They call you names. The food is great but the entire experience is what sells this. That and the music. The cheese fries are great.

9. Roma’s Italian Beef – this is down the street from Superdawg’s. This is the place to go for Italian Beef. It is worth the trip out toward O’Hare again. The cheese fries here may be the best I have ever eaten. It is a hole-in-the-wall place but my GOD this is the best beef sandwich you are likely to eat. Get it “juicy” and they will dip the bun in the beef juice but you will have to eat it with a knife and fork. Get sweet peppers on it for additional flavor. You can get hot peppers on this sandwich too if you want. This is a Chicago original and it is worth the trip.

10. The Signature Room – what could be better than eating in a fancy restaurant that happens to be near the top of one of the tallest buildings in the city. The food is expensive and I think you need to wear a tie if you are a guy but this is a great place to eat. The food is world-class and the views are fantastic. I love the John Hanncock building and this place is right on top of it. There is also a Signature Lounge just above the restaurant if you just want to have a drink.

In truth you can turn a corner anywhere around here and find a great restaurant. Part of the fun is exploring. I hope I have given you a good start.

Bryan W. Alaspa’s novel Dust is available in print and eBook format at www.bryanalaspa.com and www.amazon.com.