Chicago | Beyond Deep-Dish: Some Seriously Good Eats in Chicago 🍕
Visiting Chicago in May, the early summer air is no longer chilly, and the flowers are in full bloom. Walking around, you often come across fields of tulips, blooming with wild abandon. 🌸 Rose Mary My first taste of Croatian cuisine, in the trendy and chic West Loop. The crowd here is well-dressed, and it feels like a popular spot for foodies. I tried the snap pea & radish dish, and it was incredibly impressive! The smoky, charred yogurt sauce is so flavorful—it makes you want to sit quietly and savor every bite. The ribs were not greasy, with well-seasoned meat clinging to the bones. For pasta, I chose mafaldine, a type of wide noodle with little wavy edges that holds the sauce perfectly. It was delicious! 🥢 Pequod’s Pizza A local Chicago favorite, my foodie friend says it’s even better than Giordano’s. I haven’t tried Giordano’s, so I can’t say for sure, but Pequod’s deep-dish pizza is definitely unique. The crust is beautifully charred, and the cheese on the edges is to die for. The filling is solid, not too greasy, making it perfect for those who don’t like their pizza too soggy. 🍕 Staropolska Restaurant The portions at this Polish restaurant are incredibly generous. The stuffed cabbage rolls and beef stew with potato dumplings are hearty and satisfying—perfect for a post-meal workout. The flavors are rich and comforting. 🥧 Yasemi A Mediterranean restaurant my friend took me to. Every single dish was a hit! The beef carpaccio was beautifully seasoned, the grilled fish was tender and flavorful without any fishiness, and the lamb shank was incredibly tender. The rice pudding was a refreshing twist on the traditional Turkish dessert, more modern and delightful. 🍖 Jeni’s After indulging in Salt & Straw in the Bay Area, I had to try Chicago’s own Jeni’s. The ice cream is incredibly creamy. I highly recommend the Gooey Butter Cake and Brambleberry flavors—they’re amazing! 🍦 #ChicagoFood #Chicago #PolishCuisine #CroatianCuisine #FoodDiary
