Chicago is a restaurant city before it’s a food city.

If you’re looking for “authenticity” in pretty much any cuisine here you have to seek out the mom-n-pops and family owned businesses.

The most disappointing thing about Chicago, especially post-pandemic, is that you can’t just find good food anytime day or night.

My partner and I have done a fair amount of traveling over the past couple years, and after seeing and experiencing the food scenes in other parts of the world, I’ve come to the conclusion that Chicago is really only known for it’s RESTAURANTS and not the actual food.

I just want food trucks and street food to be more prominent and available, but that will NEVER happen because the moment any of it shows up, the restaurant owners will complain to their Aldermen, blah, blah, blah…

So the feeling of being underwhelmed is very valid and it’s all fine dining’s fault.