eat like Bourdain
🇺🇸 Where Bourdain Ate in Chicago
15 places across Parts Unknown & No Reservations
“Chicago is a great food city. It doesn't apologize. It doesn't need to.”
Bourdain had a genuine affection for Chicago's unfussy, deeply satisfying food culture. He loved the city's no-nonsense attitude — great food without the coastal pretension. From deep-dish debates to the hot dog wars, he engaged with Chicago on its own terms.
What Bourdain Loved About Chicago
The neighborhood joints — real food in real neighborhoods, not just downtown
The Polish and Eastern European food traditions that shaped the city
Steakhouses — Chicago does steak with Midwestern confidence
The hot dog culture — a city that has strong opinions about sausage
Working-class food done right — Italian beef, Polish sausages, tavern pizza
Episodes Featuring Chicago
Parts Unknown — S7 E5: Chicago
Goes deep into Chicago's neighborhoods and food traditions
No Reservations — S4 E11: Chicago
Explores the city's proud, unpretentious food culture
Travel Tips for Eating in Chicago
Tony's Advice
Get an Italian beef, dipped. Then argue about whether it's better than a hot dog. This is the Chicago way.
What to Skip
- ✕Chain deep-dish places in the Loop
- ✕Tourist-trap steakhouses with celebrity names
- ✕Anywhere that puts ketchup on a hot dog (and they'll tell you)
Every Place Bourdain Visited in Chicago
15 placesOld Town Ale House
West North Avenue
Tony had a beer here with the owner of the bar. The owner also creates X-rated drawings of famous people and hangs them on the wall, including political figures, athletes, actors
Valois Restaurant
East 53rd Street
Cafeteria style restaurant where Tony ordered meatloaf and macaroni & cheese. He ate there with Bruce Cameron Elliott, who owns the Old Town Ale House. Bruce told Tony that he often saw Barack Obama having breakfast at this restaurant
The Second City
N Wells St
Legendary improv comedy theater where John Belushi, Gilda Radner, and others got their start.
Longman & Eagle
North Kedzie Avenue
Tony ate here with comedian Paul Jurewicz. They had beef tartare, roasted bone marrow, tete de cochon with blue cheese and celery relish, confit of beef tripe, slow roasted cauliflower with caramelized onions and lentils.
Sze Chuan Cuisine
South Wentworth Avenue
Tony ate here with Chef Stephanie Izard and Chef Peter Wong. They had pork dumplings in chili oil, mapo doufu, and fish hotpot.
Lunch at Lupe Fiasco's home
W Wilson Ave
Tony had a meal at Chicago-based rapper Lupe Fiasco's house with his extended family. His mother made macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and other soul food.
Ricobene's
West 26th Street
Tony met with musician, producer, and sound engineer Steve Albini. They had the famous breaded steak sandwich, which Tony said was "at least 4 pounds" and required lots of napkins.
Topo Gigio Ristorante
North Wells Street
Tony had veal saltimbocca with Bruce Cameron Elliott and a pal from the Old Town Ale House whose nickname is Buzzkill. They discussed the Cubs and White Sox rivalry. His dining companions had scallops in pesto cream sauce and squid ink pasta with shrimp.
Fat Johnnie's Famous Red Hots
South Western Avenue
Tamale dogs with various spicy toppings. Also a drink called The Suicide.
Moto Restaurant
W Fulton Market
Avant garde restaurant. Part chef, part mad scientist.
Silver Palm (Closed)
North Milwaukee Avenue
Closed now. This was a restaurant in a rail car that Tony had a humongous sandwich from.
L20 (Closed)
North Lincoln Park West
Former location of L20, Laurent Gras' seafood restaurant. Closed now
Hot Doug's
North California Avenue
The mecca for lovers of meat in tube form. Home of the famous Chicago red hot. Also fries cooked in duck fat. Locals love this place and it has won a lot of awards
Calumet Fisheries
E 95th St
Smoked fish, shrimp, fried smelt
Tom Tom Tamale
South Washtenaw Avenue
Tamale on a hot dog covered in chili
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