Best Fast Food Restaurants in The Wire

"Could I really make a Chicago's best list without including Portillo's?. Even if it's a bit "too suburban," it's still a Chicago classic with some pretty dank food. The extra soft poppy seed bun on the Chicago dog, crinkle-cut cheese fries, chopped salad, croissant sandwiches, the famous chocolate cake shake and other must-orders really have no competition."

"Known for its Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, Portillo’s has been a staple of Chicago since 1963. Most of the hot dogs, sandwiches, burgers and sides on the menu cost $5 or less. Besides Chicagoland, Portillo’s also has locations in Arizona, California and Indiana."

"It’s been admired by the likes of Chefs Grant Achatz, Rick Bayless and the late, great Anthony Bourdain. Now is your chance to try the Chicago-style hot dog, the dish that truly captures the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Don’t sleep on this dog:"

"Much of Chicago’s street food history is offered at Jim's Original, the 24-hour self-proclaimed home of the city's "original" Polish sausage (1941). Because it moved in 1994 after the relocation of the outdoor street market, Jim's Original touts itself as the longest continuously-operating hot dog stand to have once done business on Maxwell Street. The Polish and hot dogs are can't-miss, but the pork chop sandwich is also a Chicago essential."

"In 1939, just after arriving in the U.S. from Yugoslavia, Jimmy Stefanovic took over his aunt’s hot dog stand when she fell ill. Shortly thereafter, in 1941, Jim bought the stand from his aunt and began making his signature Maxwell Street Polish Sausage Sandwiches. What began as a simple recipe turned into something of a legend."

"Kung Fu Tea is another New York classic that is spreading all across the US, and thankfully, to Chicago’s Chinatown. Kung Fu Tea has authentic Taiwanese bubble tea are dedicated to making their teas with the finest ingredients. They have a great selection of milk teas, fruit teas, and even Kung Fu Coffee."

"Image from: https://my-table.com/bring-boba-guide-asiatowns-bubble-tea-destinations/. The Spot: Just northwest of the Chinatown L stop, Kung Fu Tea is a spacious, second-floor shop that takes cash only. There are board games and large booths, making it a good place to go with a group."

"Located in the Chinatown district of Chicago, you’ll find a few boba or bubble tea places. One of them being Kung Fu Tea. We’re sure you’re familiar with this spot already though."

"The best example of Chicago’s iconic Italian beef sandwiches exists outside of the city at the two suburban locations of Johnnie’s Beef. The space is a throwback; the original fast-food spot opened in 1961 in Elmwood Park and a second has since opened in Arlington Heights. The menu is simple: beefs (the monosyllabic term locals call Italian beef sandwiches), charcoal-grilled Italian sausages, and hot dogs."

"At Johnnie’s Beef, people itching to try the Italian beef sandwich wait in lines out the door. Tender slices of beef are crowded into a soft roll, along with sweet or hot peppers, before it’s showered with its own juices. It’s hefty, meaty and juicy – all for $5."

"Restaurants Hot dogs Grand Boulevard. Founded by local musician Bobby Morelli and his daughter Brooklyn, the Hot Dog Box operates out of a shipping container in the Boxville Marketplace, located right off the Green Line in Bronzeville. Following in the footsteps of creative encased meats purveyors like Hot Doug's and Chicago's Dog House, the father-and-daughter duo is known for it's speciality sausages, such as a filet mignon steak dog covered in bourbon BBQ sauce and a pickle mignon steak paired with truffle peanut butter sauce."

"You’re probably ready for a hot dog, but are you also ready for an adorable story to go with it?. The Hot Dog Box was co-founded by Bobby Morelli and his nine-year-old daughter, Brooklyn. And just like this isn’t any old restaurateur team, this isn’t any old hot dog stand, either: You’re in for a gourmet sausage experience, such as the Bronzeville Bourbon Steak Dog, whose filet mignon frank is topped with veggies, bacon, bourbon barbeque sauce and sport peppers."

"The Hot Dog Box owes much to the gourmet slingers of Chicago’s past, including encased meat master Doug Sohn. At the same time, this tiny space in Bronzeville is blazing its own path with tubular creations such as a filet mignon sausage. Bobby Morelli and his 9-year-old daughter have teamed up to breathe some life into the city’s hot dog scene."

"A warm and comforting bowl of pho can make for the perfect lunch. At restaurant-shop hybrid Phodega, owners Nathan Hoops and Anthony Ngo simmer up two exceptional versions — a beefy pho bo teeming with brisket, meatballs, and rib eye, and a lighter pho ga consisting of chicken broth and poached chicken thighs. They’re joined by other remarkable bites like Hainanese chicken rice, fried chicken skins, fiery crab rangoons, and a Viet dip sandwich."

"The Loop is stuffed to the breaking point with quick-service Mediterranean joints, the kind where you can get falafel or shawarma served with just enough vegetables to make you feel semi-good about lunch. Most are perfectly passable, if not altogether exciting. Naf Naf is the exception."

"Choose a pita or bowl; add meats, salads, and garnishes; and finish it off with sauces. What separates it from the competition is the quality — the fluffy bread is baked on site, juicy chicken shawarma comes straight off the spit, and the falafel bear a perfectly crisp exterior."

"Just as we are committed to serving the best quality food every single day, we are committed to serving you during this time. Whether it’s via dine-in, the drive-thru or delivery where available, we remain focused on having your back."

"Although it’s the oldest traditional bathhouse in the city (and one of the oldest in the country), Red Square is certainly not behind the times when it comes to top-notch spa services and amenities. Red Square is known for its traditional Turkish saunas that are heated up to 200 degrees – perfect for thawing your bones on the coldest of days. When the heat gets too much, you can fill a bucket with ice-cold water for a sobering blast that increases your circulation and opens your pores."

"This cafeteria-style restaurant has a well-deserved reputation for putting out some of the area's best pizzas, breads and desserts. The menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, pizzas, sandwiches, pastas and desserts. Start with a Marie's Special salad which includes chunky hearts of romaine, red onions, fried prosciutto and blue cheese with their signature thick homemade vinaigrette."

"As the name suggests, the roof at The Garage Bar does whip up sandwiches: some teeming with crispy shrimp, others humble burgers elevated with a fried egg and bacon. Upstairs, the roof is decked out with comfy couches and green umbrellas, plus a changing list of 130 different beers, so even regulars can try something new. Plus, guests can play a handful of games like shuffleboard and darts."

"Michigan Ave. also referred to as the “Magnificent Mile” is the major shopping district of downtown Chicago. It has all sorts of stores such as UGG, Forever 21, Nike, H&M, Addidas, Marshalls, Zara, and more. The area surrounding the magnificent mile is filled with every restaurant under the sun, Italian restaurants, pizza shops, steakhouses, and any other type of restaurant you can think of."

"The Magnificent Mile is Chicago’s answer to 5th Avenue in New York. It’s a high-end shopping street surrounded by skyscrapers that leads straight into the heart of the business district. Start at the north end and head toward Millennium Park."

"Exit Millennium Park via the BP Bridge, a 925-foot-long winding bridge that provides incomparable views of the Chicago skyline, Grant Park and Lake Michigan. On the other side of the bridge sits Maggie Daley Park, a spectacular green space with massive rock climbing walls, mini golf, picnic groves, and an amazing play garden for children."