Illinois is known for its deep-dish pizza, but the state has a lot more to offer when it comes to food. From the horseshoe sandwich to the Cozy Dog, there are many local favorites that started as practical meals or grew from neighborhood kitchens.
One of these favorites is the horseshoe sandwich, which dates back to 1928 in Springfield. The original presentation was an open-faced dish with ham cut into a horseshoe shape, potatoes representing the nails, and a hot platter standing in for an anvil.
The basic structure of the horseshoe sandwich has survived over the years, with thick toast sitting underneath meat, a pile of fries, and a generous coating of cheese sauce. Modern menus may offer different variations, such as hamburger, ham, chicken, or breakfast options.
For a smaller portion, you can try a pony-shoe, which follows the same idea but with less toast, meat, potato, and cheese. Charlie Parker’s Diner in Springfield serves both the classic horseshoe and a breakfast-minded spin on the format.
The diner is located at 700 North St, Springfield, IL 62704, and is a great place to experience the city’s food history.
Route 66 has plenty of roadside food stories, but one notable one is the Cozy Dog, which debuted on June 16, 1946, at the Lake Springfield Beach House. The Cozy Dog is a hot dog coated in batter and deep-fried, and it remains a popular snack in Springfield.
The current drive-in, Cozy Dog Drive In, still uses the original batter recipe developed in 1946 and is located at 2935 S 6th St, Springfield, IL 62703. You can pair a stop at the Cozy Dog with Springfield’s other roadside history for a compact Route 66 detour.
The Cozy Dog is a simple but delicious food that has become an integral part of Illinois’ food scene, with its origins tied to the state’s roadside food culture.
Chicago’s Italian beef sandwich is another local favorite that has gained recognition. The sandwich typically consists of thin beef, sturdy bread, savory jus, and peppers. The exact inventor of the Italian beef is still debated, but it is believed to have originated in the city’s Italian community in the early 20th century.
One of the most iconic places to try an Italian beef sandwich is Al’s #1 Italian Beef, which has been operating on Taylor Street in Little Italy since the late 1930s. You can order the sandwich dry, wet, or dipped, and choose between sweet or hot peppers.
The original Al’s #1 Italian Beef location is at 1079 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607, and is a must-visit for anyone looking to try an authentic Italian beef sandwich, much like visiting a famous antique store to experience the past.
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Chicago’s Italian beef has become a staple of the city’s cuisine, and its popularity endures to this day, with many restaurants serving their own version of the dish.
The Maxwell Street Polish is another iconic sandwich that originated in Chicago. The sandwich typically consists of a prepared Polish sausage in a bun with grilled onions and mustard. Jim’s Original, which has been operating since 1939, is one of the most famous places to try a Maxwell Street Polish.
The original stand had to move as the University of Illinois Chicago expanded, but the food stayed close to its old neighborhood. Jim’s current location is at 1250 S Union Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, and is a great place to try an authentic Maxwell Street Polish, experiencing the city’s food culture firsthand.
The Maxwell Street Polish is a delicious and satisfying sandwich that has become a staple of Chicago’s cuisine, with its rich history and cultural significance.
The jibarito sandwich is a unique and flavorful food that originated in Chicago’s Puerto Rican community. The sandwich typically consists of flattened green plantains used as the top and bottom, with steak, mayonnaise, cheese, garlic oil, lettuce, and tomato in the middle.
Jibaritos y Mas on Fullerton Avenue serves numerous versions of the sandwich, making it a great place to try different fillings. The plantain is not merely a substitute for bread, but rather a key component that changes the texture of the entire meal, offering a distinct culinary experience.
A Pizza Puff is a crispy, fried pocket filled with pizza-style sauce, cheese, and seasoned meat. The commercial story of the Pizza Puff runs through Iltaco Foods, a Chicago company that began in 1927 as the Illinois Tamale Company.
In 1976, Iltaco introduced the Original Pizza Puff to Chicago, adding a new handheld item to a business that had already spent decades supplying tamales to local vendors. Fabulous Freddie’s Italian Eatery in Bridgeport currently keeps a Pizza Puff on its menu, with fried preparation available, showcasing the city’s diverse food options.
The Mother-In-Law sandwich is a unique and flavorful food that consists of a cornmeal tamale in a hot dog bun, covered with chili and various condiments. The exact beginning of the Mother-In-Law is difficult to pin to one cook or one counter, but it has been a part of South Side food culture for decades.
Fat Johnnie’s Famous Red Hots has served the Mother-In-Law since the early years of the stand, and it remains a popular food in Chicago, with its unusual combination of flavors and textures making it a standout dish.