In Bizarre Foods Chicago, part of the Delicious Destinations series featuring Andrew Zimmern, the host and his crew visited numerous restaurants in the city, showcasing a variety of unique and delicious dishes. Here is a convenient list of all the addresses and dishes highlighted in this exciting exploration of Chicago’s food scene.
ANDREW ZIMMERN CHICAGO DISH – Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
WHAT IS IT?
Chicago-style deep dish pizza is a staple of the Windy City and a must-try for visitors. The pizza’s crumbly crust and cheese stuffed inside are beloved by locals. Italian immigrants brought their traditional Neapolitan pizza to the city, but the harsh winters required heartier ingredients and a new approach. To prevent the thin crusts from folding, the pizza was reinvented from the bottom up, with cast iron modified cake pans used as required equipment. Local chefs, such as those at Pequod’s Pizza, use creative techniques to separate their crusts from the competition, such as creating a caramelized crust. To achieve this crust, the chef mixes flour, salt, pepper, oil, and a liquid mixture of yeast and water. The dough rests for 20 minutes, is weighed into 28 ounce balls, and placed in a well-oiled deep dish pan, with emphasis on the sides to hold in the fillings. Cheese is placed on the bottom to prevent burning, followed by tomato sauce and Italian sausage. The pizza bakes for 20 minutes at 600 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in Pequod’s signature crust.
WHERE IS IT?
Pequod’s Pizza
2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
Chicago, United States
NOTES – DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS CHICAGO
This food is tasty and pie-like, but it is not considered pizza to those born outside Chicago. Chicago has a unique approach to making their own version of delicious foods.
DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS CHICAGO DISH – Chicago-Style Hot Dog
WHAT IS IT?
The Chicago-style hot dog is made with an all-beef dog in a poppy seed bun and topped with tomato, relish, onion, mustard, pickle, and celery salt. At Wolfy’s, the manager believes the only way to cook a Chicago-style dog is in a hot water bath just below the boiling point to prevent casings from splitting. Poppy seed buns are crucial, as their nutty flavor complements the meat’s spices. The dish is not complete without mustard, sweet relish, “neon green relish”, onions, tomatoes, dill pickle, peppers, and a sprinkle of celery salt.
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WHERE IS IT?
Wolfy’s
2734 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States
Chicago, United States
NOTES – DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS CHICAGO
The Chicago-style hot dog originated in the early 1930s during the Great Depression and was nicknamed “banquet on a bun” due to its affordability and satisfying nature.
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ANDREW ZIMMERN CHICAGO DISH – Italian Beef Sandwich
WHAT IS IT?
The Italian beef sandwich features thin slices of roasted beef on a roll, topped with spicy giardiniera and optional savory beef broth. The three-day process begins with braising the beef in a blend of garlic, secret spices, and water for 3.5 hours. Meanwhile, the spicy giardiniera is made by fermenting a secret blend of spices with hot peppers for added tang. After the beef is chilled for 24 hours, it is sliced and reheated with the broth before being served on a dense, crusty Italian roll that can withstand soaking. Sweet peppers and/or hot giardiniera are added before dipping. Al’s #1 Italian Beef is a restaurant famous for this sandwich.
WHERE IS IT?
Al’s #1 Italian Beef
548 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
Chicago, United States
NOTES – DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS CHICAGO
The origin of the Italian beef sandwich has several theories, including its name being derived from the Italian seasoning used as a rub, Chicago stockyard workers popularizing it with cheap beef cuts, and it being sliced thin at weddings to ensure there was enough for everyone.
BIZARRE FOODS ANDREW ZIMMERN CHICAGO DISH – Chicken Vesuvio
WHAT IS IT?
Chicken Vesuvio is a Chicago original dish that consists of crispy chicken, potato wedges, and peas in a garlic sauce. To make it, the chicken is fried skin-side down in a mixture of olive and vegetable oil, then seasoned with salt, pepper, and oregano. Precooked potato wedges are added, followed by handfuls of garlic. After 45 minutes, the browned chicken is seared in a hot pan and placed back on the stove, resulting in an eruption of steam and flame that inspired the dish’s name. Finally, fresh peas are added for a pop of color and sweetness.
WHERE IS IT?
La Scarola
721 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
Chicago, United States
NOTES – BIZARRE FOODS DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS CHICAGO
Chicken Vesuvio is an evolved Italian-American recipe that originated in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood. The recipe, which consists of crispy chicken, potato wedges, peas, and a garlic sauce, is cooked in a single pan with few ingredients. The key to a great Chicken Vesuvio is the technique and the quality of ingredients used.
BIZARRE FOODS DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS CHICAGO DISH – Brownies
WHAT IS IT?
Chicago is the birthplace of brownies. The bite-sized chocolate treats were originally served with walnuts and a light apricot glaze. To make the brownies, 70% cacao chocolate and 2 pounds of butter are melted together in a double boiler, then mixed with flour and a pound and a half of sugar. The chef adds six eggs, pours the batter into a baking pan, and tops it with walnuts. After 30 minutes of baking, a gold glossy apricot glaze is added as a signature Palmer House touch. The brownies are then cut into circles and artfully plated with raspberry sauce, chocolate sauce, and fresh seasonal ingredients. A scoop of chocolate ice cream completes the decadent dessert.
WHERE IS IT?
Palmer House a Hilton Hotel
17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
Chicago, United States
NOTES – BIZARRE FOODS DELICIOUS DESTINATIONS CHICAGO
Bertha Palmer, a prominent Chicago socialite and the wife of the hotel owner, requested a unique, affordable, and delicious dessert to be packed with lunch for their guests going to the World’s Fair. The hotel pastry chefs were tasked with creating this dessert.
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