Famous Illinois Foods

These Famous Illinois Foods can be found all over the state. They include the Chicago hot dog, Italian beef sandwiches, apple fritters, and pizza pot pie. These popular recipes will remind you of the best part of being in Illinois.

Check out our 50 states unit study for some fun states info!

Don’t forget to check out this Illinois Unit Study as well to learn more about fun state facts and history.

Illinois is a state in the midwest in the Great Lakes region. One of its most notable, and biggest, cities is Chicago. Food is ever-evolving in this state and has a combination of old-style comfort food and new modern concepts.

These 10 food categories include three recipes each from notable professional chefs and home chefs with the recipe testing and dish development done for you. All you need to do is enjoy the wonderful combinations that make these dishes uniquely Illinois.

Table of Contents

Pierogi

Pierogi are dumplings filled with savory potatoes, steamed or boiled, and then served with drizzled melted butter. They can also be sweet! Filled with fruit compote.

Gyros

Gyro sandwiches are Greek and made with lamb or chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, drizzled with a yogurt dressing called tzatziki sauce, and served in a pita.

Chicago Dog

Illinois is famous for its Chicago hot dogs. They are served with fixing like banana peppers, onions, pickle relish, and mustard.

Chicago Pizza

Chicago-style pizza is made in a cast-iron skillet and has a crispy bottom, lots of chewy crust, marinara sauce, and toppings.

Italian Beef Sandwich

Italian beef sandwiches are made by slow-cooking a beef shoulder with pepperoncini’s. Then the meat is laid in a hoagie roll with provolone slices on top and broiled. Perfection!

Polish Sandwich (Zapiekanka)

These open-faced sandwiches are topped with raw or cooked vegetables, sliced ham, mushrooms, chopped onions, and garnished with ketchup.

Apple Fritter

These pastries are deep-fried with chunks of apples, cinnamon, and covered in icing. They are best served hot!

Pizza Pot Pie

Pizza pot pie is made by filling ramekins or a baking dish with a layer of mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, regular pizza toppings, then a layer of pizza dough over the top. When it’s baked, the top forms the crust, and the dish is flipped over to reveal the mozzarella on top and the crust on the bottom.

Horseshoe Sandwich

This open-faced sandwich starts with a toasted slice of thick bread, topped with sliced ham, crispy french fries, and drizzled with cheese sauce.

Chicken Boti Kabob

This skewered chicken is marinated in a blend of mayonnaise, garlic, ginger, garam masala, cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, coriander, and lemon juice. The chicken can then be grilled, baked, slow-cooked, or air-fried.