Any Chicago style food in the area? (Madison: appointed, moving to)

[boilrmkr]

I haven't had a good pizza in over 2 years. We moved to Savannah from the Chicago area 2 years ago and now that we are living in Madison I am hoping to find one. I don't even mean Chicago style. I have seen the thread for pizza in the area and will refer to that but I am also looking for a good Chicago italian beef and Chicago style hot dogs.

For those of you from the Chicago area I know I won't find a Portillo's around here but I'm looking for something close.

[HsvMike]

I am from the Chicago area, moved down here 3 years ago. I miss a good Italian beef something terrible. There is supposed to be a place on Old Madison Pike I think that does a good Chicago style hot dog but I have not tried it yet. I forget the name of it as well, I am sure someone on here knows it though.

I have been so desperate for a good pizza I actually ordered a couple pizza's from Gino's East and had them shipped down here. Not the same though.

[cobolt]

Oh guys, don't get me started on this. I really have not found decent Chicago food outside of the City. Portillos does have two shops in CA and two in NW IN, but outside of that....argghhhh! And people who've never lived there don't "get it." Most places that toot "Chicago style" or whatever they perceive that to be, fall so far from the mark. I remember visiting my grandma in Chicago and pigging out on pizza, Vienna hotdogs on Maryann Buns, Green River Pop, Canfields Chocolate Fudge soda, and I was very insistant that we get some Italian Beefs. I was filling up my car trunk, I kid you not. She couldn't believe that you can't get Italian beefs outside of Chicago. I've had one at some place in Phoenix, but it was horrible! STop torturing me already!

[Sarges Dad]

Hey use guys. A little southern humor from one who left Harvey/So.Holland area in 1980. Closest thing to Chicago style pizza is to call and order a Terry's pizza from Star market on 72. Do not get a pre-made stick in your oven version. As far a roast beef. Sorry...not to be found. We had a Jerry's Bama Beef that had the real thing, but they closed.

Check out this thread we have had running a while on pizza's.

Pizza in Huntsville-Madison?

[Steve-o]

You arent gonna find squat outside of Chicagoland, trust me. Ive tried a million "Chicago style" joints in several states, all of them laughable/pitiful. I moved to TN and missed the food so much we moved back (amongst other reasons, too). lol

Hmmm, Im hungry. Where should I eat tonight? Ginos? Lou Malnatis? Connies? Augustinos? Aurelios? Portillos? Gene n' Judes? Oh, the agony of having to choose.

[AaronK]

This thread caught my eye. It's funny because living in Chicago, I constantly look for good southern joints. No place up here serves good brisket, okra, or any of the good stuffs. But Chicago has its own thing, I can understand why natives would miss the food when moving to other states.

[boilrmkr]

Last year for Father's Day I ordered pizza from Lou Malnati's for my husband and we were in HEAVEN! There is no better pizza than Lou's! It is so expensive to have that stuff shipped. I ordered the sausage-patty covering the whole pizza-you know what I'm talking about but was a little disappointed as it was a little soggy. The cheese was perfect. We tried a couple of Chicago type of restaurants in Savannah but they just weren't up to our high Chicago standards.

[cobolt]

Yeah.....it never tastes the same when it's shipped. That's why you have to take trips back to Chicagoland and pack on those good old Midwestern pounds!

[HsvMike]

Yep, my father in law usually comes down 2 or 3 times a year and always bring a cooler full of stuff for us. Nothing like food from Chicago.

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by HsvMike

Yep, my father in law usually comes down 2 or 3 times a year and always bring a cooler full of stuff for us. Nothing like food from Chicago.

Amen to that!!! Sorry, I just stumbled on this thread. I'm hungry too! I'm going to my beloved city up north in October and I'm gonna eat like a pig.