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chi town

1. Franks 'N' Dawgs

1863 N Clybourn Ave (at W Wisconsin St), Chicago, IL
Hot Dog Joint · North Side · 67 tips and reviews

Travel ChannelTravel Channel: These guys make their own sausage fresh each day. They use fresh-baked buns and the menu includes items like duck confit hot dogs. -- Andrew Zimmern, Bizarre Foods Read more.

2. Xoco

8.8
449 N Clark St (at W Illinois St), Chicago, IL
Mexican Restaurant · Near North Side · 359 tips and reviews

Travel ChannelTravel Channel: Rick Bayless is a world-renowned authority on authentic Mexican cuisine. He's also a genius in the kitchen. XOCO is Rick's love letter to Mexican street food. -- Andrew Zimmern, Bizarre Foods Read more.

3. Alinea

9.1
1723 N Halsted St (btwn W North Ave & W Willow St), Chicago, IL
Molecular Gastronomy Restaurant · Lincoln Park · 143 tips and reviews

Travel ChannelTravel Channel: Sardine sandwiches floating on titanium antennae, solidified olive oil -- Alinea may well be, and I do not say this lightly, the most important restaurant in America. -- Andrew Zimmern, Bizarre Foods

Butcher & The Burger is one of chi town.

4. Butcher & The Burger

8.8
1021 W Armitage Ave (at Kenmore Ave.), Chicago, IL
Burger Joint · North Side · 108 tips and reviews

Travel ChannelTravel Channel: As seen on Travel Channel’s Food Paradise: Manliest Restaurants 2, order the House Prime Blend which is 100% USDA Prime beef. It's the signature and bestselling burger at Butcher & The Burger.

5. Fat Johnnies

7.8
7242 S Western Ave (btwn W 72nd & W 73rd), Chicago, IL
American Restaurant · Marquette Park · 19 tips and reviews

Travel ChannelTravel Channel: Only Chicago could convince me that the New York hot dog was not, in fact, anywhere near the apex of the hot dog arts. (The Chicago Red Hot deserves that honor). – Anthony Bourdain, No Reservations Read more.

6. Hot Doug's

3324 N California Ave (at Roscoe St), Chicago, IL
Hot Dog Joint · Northwest Side · 236 tips and reviews

Travel ChannelTravel Channel: The Happiest Words Ever Written: fries cooked in duck fat at Hot Doug's. – Anthony Bourdain, No Reservations Read more.

Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen is one of chi town.

7. Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen

9.2
1141 S Jefferson St (at Roosevelt Rd.), Chicago, IL
Sandwich Spot · South Loop · 117 tips and reviews

Travel ChannelTravel Channel: Marcus talked about the 1968 Democratic National Convention protests with retired officer Tom Fuller. Manny's is known for its killer pastrami and potato pancakes.

8. D'Arcy's Pint

8.5
661 W Stanford Ave (btwn 4th St & North St), Springfield, IL
Irish Pub · 90 tips and reviews

Travel ChannelTravel Channel: Adam tried a staple of Springfield, called the “horseshoe.” As seen on Travel Channel’s Man v. Food Nation.

9. Cozy Dog Drive In

8.2
2935 S 6th St (btwn Linton Ave & Apple Orchard Rd), Springfield, IL
Hot Dog Joint · 25 tips and reviews

Travel ChannelTravel Channel: Try the namesake offering; the cozy dog! As seen on Travel Channel’s Man v. Food Nation.