Category: Ryan Bluestone

Chicago too often plays second fiddle to its big-city cousins New York and Los Angeles — especially when it comes to its restaurants and eateries.

However, that has been changing as of late. In 2017, Bon Appétit magazine named Chicago the best restaurant city in America, and it’s not just for deep-dish pizza. In the five years since then, Chicago has remained an epicenter of culinary delights and diversity.

Whether it’s casual late-night eats — pizza, italian beef sandwiches, hot dogs dressed Chicago-style with tomatoes — or a showcase of the art of molecular gastronomy (aka expensive dishes that combine science and cooking), Ryan Bluestone notes that Chicago’s food scene offers a little bit of everything for everyone on its menu.

And yes, tomatoes are actually popular on Chicago hot dogs, but never ketchup.

Windy City’s Intriguing Eats

There’s a lot to see in Chicago — and a lot of food to experience along the way.

Through the city’s 77 neighborhoods, visitors and residents can sample authentic Mexican, Southern soul food, crispy samosas, and, yes, the legendary sausages and meats associated with the city’s extensive Eastern European influence.

There are as many low-key dining options as there are unique fine dining choices. Chicago is even home to Kasama, the only Filipino restaurant in the world that is Michelin-starred.

Where to start? How about a steakhouse, which has long been popular among both locals and tourists.

Chicago rivals New York for not just the amount of steakhouses, but their variety as well. In and around Chicago, one can find Artango Bar & Steakhouse, which offers traditional steaks with an Argentinian twist, or Maple and Ash, putting a twist on the old-school steakhouse feel of the Gold Coast. Bavette’s in River North is the steakhouse of choice for many Chicago first timers and Chicago natives alike, but is quite the difficult reservation to get!

A side note: The burgers in Chicago are mouth-wateringly top-notch. The burgers at Au Cheval and the Loyalist were each named the best burger in the entire U.S.

Ethnic Flair

Mexican food is experiencing a renaissance of sorts in Chicago. While chef Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill remains the best-known Mexican food purveyor in the city, other chefs are bringing their own distinctive flair to traditional Mexican flavors, such as chef Diana Dávila of Mi Tocaya Antojeria.

That’s just a sample of the variety of restaurants and types of food that make Chicago a culinary landmark. Genie Kwon and Tim Flores, the chefs and owners of the aforementioned Kasama, were jointly named Best Chef in 2021 by the James Beard Foundation.

Another incredible award, The Emerging Chef Honor, went to Damarr Brown of Virtue in Hyde Park, which focuses on Southern specialties.

Neighborhoods to Eat Through

Each neighborhood in Chicago sports massive culinary differences, each hosting their own incredible restaurant scene.

The West Loop is home to Au Cheval, Girl and the Goat, run by Top Chef champ Stephanie Izard, Japanese spot Momotaro, and avec, which specializes in Mediterranean shared plates.

Pilsen, with its large Latino community, is where to head for the best tacos, but this neighborhood is also home to HaiSous, a Vietnamese kitchen. Creole cuisine is easy to find in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood as well.

Upscale foodies may feel most at home in Lakeview and Lincoln Park, where rustic gastropubs like DryHop Brewers and tapas spots like Café Ba-ba-reeba! await them.

But where can one find the best deep-dish pizza in Chicago? The answer is simple: everywhere!

Heading to the Windy City this Summer? There’s always something happening in Chicago!

The largest city in Illinois, famed for its art, culture, sports teams, museums, architecture, and – perhaps most importantly – its deep-dish pizza, has an endless supply of hot happenings for residents and tourists of all ages. Ryan Bluestone takes a look at the latest special events this city has to offer.

Volleywood

Enjoy two full days of interactive experiences, food, and live music while dancing on the sand at Volleywood, Chicago Sport and Social Club’s annual beachfront festival. Runs July 15-16.

Little Red Riding Hood

Bring the little ones to see Little Red Riding Hood, presented by the Chicago Kids Company – Theater for Children (CKC), now through August 4. This hour-long musical adaptation encourages plenty of audience participation!

Lollapalooza

The renowned musical festival Lollapalooza comes to Chicago’s Grant Park on August 3 – August 6. Headliners include Carly Rae Jepsen, Diplo, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Maggie Rogers, Fred Again, and many more.

Destination/El Destino: a decade of GRAFT

Art lovers are getting the opportunity to experience “Destination/El Destino: a decade of GRAFT,” Edra Soto’s largest solo exhibition to date, for free at the Hyde Park Art Center through August 6. Soto is a Chicago-based Puerto Rican artist, educator, and community organizer.

Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross

Avengers assemble…at the Elmhurst Art Museum! The work of renowned comic book artist (and Chicagoan) Alex Ross is on exhibition in “Marvelocity” through August 20. Workshops and family-friendly activities will also be available.

Harry Potter™: Magic at Play

Through September 4, young muggles can play pretend at Harry Potter™: Magic at Play at Water Tower Place. This unique interactive experience allows fans of all ages to immerse themselves in scenes from the Wizarding World.

“Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop” | Works from the Bank of America Collection

Experience 94 works of pop art from master Andy Warhol at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art (CCMA) in the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) on exhibition through September 10.
Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at On the Rocks Edison Park
The title says it all – Chicago fandom nerds who want to meet friends, show off their knowledge, and enjoy a cocktail can head out on recurring Thursdays through September 28 to enjoy some classic pub trivia.

Chicago City Markets – through October 28

Shoppers can wander the stalls at Chicago City Markets through October 28 to sample locally made products, produce, food, flowers, and more. This farmers market has several locations in various neighborhoods throughout the city to choose from.

Rush Hour Concerts

Stop by Chicago’s St. James Cathedral on the way home from work on Tuesday evenings at 5:45 PM throughout the Summer to check out the Rush Hour Concerts presented by Classical Music Chicago. A series of classical chamber musicians will be putting on free 45-minute performances.

Enjoy All Chicago Offers

Whether it’s shopping at the farmers market or getting your groove on at Lollapalooza, the possibilities are endless this Summer 2023 in Chicago!

Looking to try Chicago’s famous Italian beef? Look no further! This post by foodie Ryan Bluestone provides a comprehensive guide to Chicago’s top Italian beef joints. Let’s dive in and explore the best Italian beef Chicago has to offer!

The 15 Best Italian Beefs in Chicago

Chicago is known for many things: great sports teams, iconic architecture, and of course, its amazing cuisine. One of the city’s greatest flavors comes from the Italian Beef Sandwich. Chicagoans have adored the Italian beef sandwich since the 1930s, when Al Ferreri first sold them in Little Italy. Today there are a plethora of choices for this sandwich, but how do you find the finest? Chicago boasts many excellent restaurants that offer delicious Italian beef. Whether you’re seeking a bare bones establishment or a more luxurious experience, we’ve got you covered. Ryan Hunter Bluestone did the work for you, and here’s the list of the 15+ Best Italian Beef Sandwiches in Chicago (in no particular order).

1. Johnnie’s Beef, one of Chicago’s oldest and most enduring eateries can be found in Elmwood Park. Since 1950, they have served lip-smacking Italian beef sandwiches with a recipe that includes a mysterious mixture of secret spices. They also offer a range of toppings, including giardiniera with a side of refreshing lemon ice and Gypsy Fries for a change of pace.
2. Up next is Al’s Italian Beef, offering delicious sandwiches since 1938. Al’s uses fresh-cut ribeye steak that has been roasted slowly until it falls apart. This melt in your mouth meat is served with a truly unique gravy that gives Al’s beef its signature, delectable flavor.
3. The Original Mr. Beef & Pizza on Harlem Ave is third on the list, where they make their homemade rolls every day and serve them with hand-dipped giardiniera peppers and crispy fries.
4. Mr. Beef in River North serves up hefty sandwiches dripping with flavorful jus and crunchy yet delicately flavored giardiniera that adds a pop of acidity to balance out all that meatiness. This neighborhood favorite has seen recent fame as Hulu’s, The Bear, filmed their first season at this location. Fans have been excited to catch the cast filming Season 2 at the restaurant!
5. Roma’s Italian Beef & Sausage located in Portage Park. This restaurant boasts succulent, subtly spiced beef that is elevated by the house giardiniera, and their hand-cut french fries are crisped to perfection and can be topped with cheese. Delicious!
6. The Patio on Taylor Street offers some of the best Italian beef in the city and a unique Atomic Combo sandwich that adds spicy sausage to the classic combo for an extra kick. This cash-only location is a classic, friendly neighborhood destination with a reliably excellent sandwich.
7. Pop’s Italian Beef & Sausage in Mt Greenwood is the most iconic of their more than a dozen Chicagoland locations. They offer finely shaved beef that savors garlic and partially dipped bread, providing textural contrast while liberally applied giardiniera enhances the flavor profile.
8. Bari Foods specializes in a super hot combination of habaneros and pungent capers as part of their standard giardiniera option, giving it a serious kick for those looking for a beef sandwich with even more spice than normal.
9. Luke’s Italian Beef in the Loop offers classic Chicago-style Italian beef sandwiches at an affordable price point that are delightfully salty and maintain structural integrity while soaking wet! Get there early because it gets busy quickly – it’s that good!
10. For 50 years, Bob-O’s Hot Dogs on W Irving Park has been a beloved classic among Chicagoans, renowned for its much-loved wet sandwiches. If you’re looking for an unforgettable dining experience in the Windy City, you won’t want to miss out on O’s! The signature Italian beef sandwich is a must-try, as it comes slathered in gravy and topped with sweet peppers and onions—it really can’t be beat! Make sure to order their signature crinkle-cut fries with your sandwich too; you won’t regret it!
11. Freddy’s Pizza, which offers one of the area’s best Italian beef sandwiches with tender, well-seasoned beef, fragrant herbs, and a mild yet flavorful giardiniera. It is enough to make even the pickiest of eaters drool!
12. A newer spot on our list is Chickie’s Beef in Hillside, where they have been dishing out delicious Italian beef sandwiches since 2012 featuring lean shreds of beef and their unique house giardiniera mix of celery and jalapeño slices. This sandwich will tantalize your taste buds with its savory flavors!
13. Buona is a family-run business with multiple Chicago locations. Buona is rooted in rich history with an unchanged recipe for 30 years that includes perfectly seasoned meat topped with char-kissed green peppers before being stuffed into a bun and dunked in jus. It’s definitely worth a stop at Buona if you’re looking for something hearty and tasty!
14. Ryan Bluestone’s personal favorite is Portillo’s. They serve up delicious Italian beef sandwiches that feature juicy bottom round roast simmered until it is so tender it can be easily shredded, then dressed up with their own unique blend of spices, pickled hot peppers, mozzarella cheese, and sweet peppers, served on freshly baked French bread dipped in gravy to your liking (Dry, Wet, or Dipped). No matter what your preference is when it comes to flavor profiles or textures – they have something perfect awaiting you at every Portillo’s location! Customers keep coming back for the beef, cheese fries, and their unique Chocolate Cake Shake, which blends an entire slice of their decadent chocolate cake into a milkshake.
15. Other notable mentions include Buona Beef; Tony’s Italian Deli; Gino’s East Pizzeria & Barbecue; Tony’s Subs; Ricobene’s Sandwich Shop; La Scarola Restaurant & Pizzeria; Salerno’s Pizza & Twin Anchors Restaurant And Tavern – all must tries!

So if you ever crave an authentic Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich, make sure to visit these 15 top spots – you won’t regret it. Which Chicago Italian beef joint is perfect for you? We hope this guide has helped narrow down your choice!

To Sum Things Up

Chicago is home to some of the country’s best Italian Beef. From Johnnie’s Beef to Al’s to Portillo’s, you won’t regret trying out any of these 15 restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a classic sandwich or something more unique, there is something perfect waiting for you in Chicago. Get out and try out one of these amazing spots today!

The mild San Francisco climate makes this city a natural destination for the year-round enjoyment of frosty culinary creations. Of course, Ghirardelli is likely to come to mind first, but it is the proverbial “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to options for delicious ice cream experiences.

The San Francisco Ice Cream Roundup

1. Salt & Straw’s name is a nod to the old-fashioned way ice cream used to be made with rock salt around the outside of the container to bring down the temperature, and straw for careful cold packing. Ryan Hunter Bluestone has visited both the Pacific Heights and Hayes Valley locations and whether you select a classic, limited edition, or dairy-free flavor you will find fresh ingredients spun into small delicious batches. Salt & Straw brings real creativity to their frozen concoctions so Ryan recommends trying a handful of their unique flavors before making your final choice. Favorites include Salted Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Pear & Blue Cheese, and Peanut Butter Brittle Caramel Fudge.

2. Uji Time has seven locations in SF, and the Japantown location is a favorite San Francisco stop for mochi. Uji is rather famous for their Taiyaka soft serve, but the Passion Fruit and Raspberry White Chocolate Chips Mochi are at the top of the list. If you happen to be in the habit of documenting your culinary exploits on IG, you’ll find that the vibrant Uji Time creations are as delicious for the eyes as they are for the taste buds!

3. A visit to the Humphry Slocombe’s scoop shop is a Saturday Farmer’s Market tradition for Ryan Bluestone. This brand is headquartered in San Francisco and their gourmet flavors feature locally sourced ingredients. Flavors may be a bit more limited than other spots, but they truly do have something for everyone. Want dairy free? Check! Want vegan? Check! Want savory? Check! Just want an ice cream flavor you’ve never tried before – Champagne & Strawberries. Check!

4. Matcha Café Maiko Japantown shop is another of the most frequented ice cream destinations. It isn’t incredibly difficult to find matcha flavored ice cream in SF, but Matcha Café Maiko’s version is truly something special. Try the matcha soft serve in a cup, in a boba sundae, or in a matcha float…in fact the matcha soft serve is outstanding just about any way you choose to indulge.

5. San Francisco boasts multiple Bi-Rite Creamery locations. Each is full of organic, sustainably-sourced frozen treats for every taste, and fans often make the trip specifically for their ice cream sandwiches. Honorable mention goes to the dark chocolate fudge and salted caramel sauces that are pretty much the perfect accompaniment to anything at Bi-Rite -including a plain spoon!

6. As previously mentioned, Ryan is an ice cream sandwich lover, and Over the Moon Cookie and Creamery offers the perfect menu for the adventurous foodie. Pick any one of a handful of fresh-baked, homemade cookie choices and pair it with your favorite Over the Moon ice cream flavor. If you just can’t decide, try another local favorite – two sea salt chocolate chip cookies on either side of a generous scoop of caramel cookie dough ice cream. Yum!

7. It is impossible to talk about the San Fran ice cream scene without mentioning Ghirardelli. The Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop in Ghirardelli Square is an experience for the nose as well as the taste buds and has been a fixture in San Francisco since 1849. Locals are fans of the San Francisco themed sundaes – from the Golden Gate to the Painted Ladies to the Muir Woods each one features incredible ingredients and a little San Francisco nostalgia. This suggestion may seem obvious, but your experience will be anything but ordinary.

Conclusion

San Francisco certainly has a reputation for diverse and delicious food, and the ice cream scene is no exception. Nearly every neighborhood has something memorable to offer – seek out refreshing frozen treats wherever you may be exploring.

Ryan Hunter Bluestone has taken to social media to see where he should venture next, and the results did not disappoint, Ryan Hunter Bluestone says Bottega Valencia (conveniently named after the street it’s on) located in the heart of The Mission, is worth the hype (and the wait). Ryan Hunter Bluestone shares he was excited to have traditional Italian meals and flavors, with a modern twist in ambiance, and a staff that feels like family. See the highlights below.

1. The Guest List: Bottega is a restaurant with a line out the door from the moment they open till the moment they close. Ryan Hunter Bluestone’s favorite way to tell if a restaurant is good is if they don’t take reservations. Ryan Hunter Bluestone shared “Bottega is so good they don’t need to take them.” They have indoor seating filled with mostly young adults, with room for cool and hip adults of all ages. There is additional seating upstairs, but these tables can often take more than an hour in wait time. The hostess recommended having a drink whilst waiting outside, as their bar seating is included in their waitlist. If you want a quicker wait time, Ryan Hunter Bluestone recommends bundling up and sitting in their outdoor seating. Ryan Hunter Bluestone says that though you might think you are missing out, sitting outside, the reality is you get all the fun of watching the people walk by, hearing the cool music, and the wait staff brings the good vibes out. Ryan Bluestone says he didn’t have to wait anytime for an outside table.

2. Ambiance: As touched on before, Ryan Hunter Bluestone recalls the ambiance to be a fun, hip, unique vibe. Rose gold chairs, wooden tables to bring in the warmth, bright accent colors (mostly pink so it is very Instagram friendly), flowers covering the whole wall, thinking lights, the LED light sign above the bar, and LED light stands for the outside tables. The lighting is just right for the insta worthy pic. One of Ryan Hunter Bluestone’s favorite parts was the music. Ryan Hunter Bluestone felt like he wanted to dance while he was eating as they played current popular house music. Ryan Hunter Bluestone’s other favorite part was the vibe that the staff brought. All the staff were cool and friendly, with big smiles on their faces, and wanted to help make the most of your meal. The servers were on point with recommendations and descriptions of the food (and knowledgeable about dietary restrictions)- they felt like a friendly guide on your dinner journey and Ryan Hunter Bluestone says they truly added to the experience. The helping staff was also on point with constantly filling water, cleaning tables, and bringing any additional items while barely having to ask them. They also all wear hoodies. For a nice restaurant, Ryan Hunter Bluestone said this made it seem so current and relaxed.

3. The Menu: Bottega is a traditional Italian restaurant. The first thing Ryan Hunter Bluestone said while looking at the menu was that it was “legit”. They have appetizers and a fried section, they have their own signature pasta dishes and a ‘build your own pasta’ (Ryan Hunter Bluestone notes that this is great if you are dairy-free or gluten-free), pizzas, and traditional entrees. They bring out fresh focaccia with thinly sliced garlic baked in to start. Ryan Hunter Bluestone said it was delectable plain, even without oil or butter. Additionally, they have a fun cocktail list and even better desserts.

4. Recommendations: Aside from what is mentioned above here is what Ryan Hunter Bluestone recommends: For drinks, Ryan Hunter Bluestone recommends the Gossip, a fun blue vodka cocktail garnished with a flower, or an espresso martini. For appetizers, Ryan Hunter Bluestone says you cannot go wrong with the Burrata Alla Caprese or the Fried Mozzarella (Mozzarella in Carrozza). For pasta, Ryan Hunter Bluestone has heard that the Gnocchi and Mezzemaniche Boscaiola are fantastic. Ryan Hunter Bluestone also says after trying the gluten-free pasta with pesto-you truly cannot go wrong. Ryan Bluestone also recommends the Chicken Parmigiana and reports that the Branzino is the best. Ryan Hunter Bluestone also notes all of the pizzas look incredible and you cannot go wrong choosing any of them.

This restaurant is seriously worth the hype and Ryan Hunter Bluestone highly recommends it.