Best Fast Food Restaurants in Ravenswood

"It’s with good reason that Portillo’s has long been a cheap-eats staple in Chicago; the beloved Chicago-style hotdogs are no more than $4 and piled high with mustard, relish, celery salt, chopped onions, tomatoes, a kosher pickle and sport peppers. The rest of the fast-food-centric menu is just as wallet-friendly, peppered with the likes of a char-broiled chicken sandwich ($5.29), an Italian beef sandwich ($6.29), crinkle-cut fries ($2.69) and a chocolate cake shake ($4.29), which is actually blitzed with ice cream and a slice of chocolate cake."

"The Chicago born and based chain is a smart choice for a snappy Chicago style hot dog, a spiced-just-right Italian beef or combo, better than decent char burgers and really good shakes, malts and chocolate cake. Service is fast, staff gets your order right, prices are low and everything is authentically flavored. Even dieters can find a tasty option at Portillo's - char-broiled chicken or grilled tuna sandwiches and big salads."

"Just say yes to sport peppers and celery salt and hard pass on the ketchup, which is a cardinal sin around these parts. Chicago dogs aren’t hard to come by in Denver, but that trifecta of beefy goodness, cheese fries, and gluttonous chocolate cake is and my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Someone please open a franchise out West – help a girl out."

"In 1939, just after arriving in the U.S. from Yugoslavia, Jimmy Stefanovic took over his aunt’s hot dog stand when she fell ill. Shortly thereafter, in 1941, Jim bought the stand from his aunt and began making his signature Maxwell Street Polish Sausage Sandwiches. What began as a simple recipe turned into something of a legend."

"For Italian, check out Lou Malnati’s (including the oh-so-delicious deep-dish pizza that I am drooling just thinking about), or Jim’s Original for Polish sausage with peppers and onions."

"Kung Fu Tea is another New York classic that is spreading all across the US, and thankfully, to Chicago’s Chinatown. Kung Fu Tea has authentic Taiwanese bubble tea are dedicated to making their teas with the finest ingredients. They have a great selection of milk teas, fruit teas, and even Kung Fu Coffee."

"Image from: https://my-table.com/bring-boba-guide-asiatowns-bubble-tea-destinations/. The Spot: Just northwest of the Chinatown L stop, Kung Fu Tea is a spacious, second-floor shop that takes cash only. There are board games and large booths, making it a good place to go with a group."

"Kung Fu Tea has an impressive range of bubble tea flavors to choose from. Their tapioca pearls are cooked to perfection and give the bubble tea a perfect texture. The boba is soft, not too sweet and has a good consistency."

"The best example of Chicago’s iconic Italian beef sandwiches exists outside of the city at the two suburban locations of Johnnie’s Beef. The space is a throwback; the original fast-food spot opened in 1961 in Elmwood Park and a second has since opened in Arlington Heights. The menu is simple: beefs (the monosyllabic term locals call Italian beef sandwiches), charcoal-grilled Italian sausages, and hot dogs."

"A photo posted by Infatuation Chicago (@infatuation_chi) on Oct 9, 2016 at 6:19pm PDT. Chicagoans don't mess around when it comes to Italian beef, and Johnnie's serves up one of the best beef sandwiches around. At $4.50 a pop, they're also one of the best deals in town."

"At Johnnie’s Beef, people itching to try the Italian beef sandwich wait in lines out the door. Tender slices of beef are crowded into a soft roll, along with sweet or hot peppers, before it’s showered with its own juices. It’s hefty, meaty and juicy – all for $5."

"Restaurants Hot dogs Grand Boulevard. Founded by local musician Bobby Morelli and his daughter Brooklyn, the Hot Dog Box operates out of a shipping container in the Boxville Marketplace, located right off the Green Line in Bronzeville. Following in the footsteps of creative encased meats purveyors like Hot Doug's and Chicago's Dog House, the father-and-daughter duo is known for it's speciality sausages, such as a filet mignon steak dog covered in bourbon BBQ sauce and a pickle mignon steak paired with truffle peanut butter sauce."

"You’re probably ready for a hot dog, but are you also ready for an adorable story to go with it?. The Hot Dog Box was co-founded by Bobby Morelli and his nine-year-old daughter, Brooklyn. And just like this isn’t any old restaurateur team, this isn’t any old hot dog stand, either: You’re in for a gourmet sausage experience, such as the Bronzeville Bourbon Steak Dog, whose filet mignon frank is topped with veggies, bacon, bourbon barbeque sauce and sport peppers."

"The Hot Dog Box owes much to the gourmet slingers of Chicago’s past, including encased meat master Doug Sohn. At the same time, this tiny space in Bronzeville is blazing its own path with tubular creations such as a filet mignon sausage. Bobby Morelli and his 9-year-old daughter have teamed up to breathe some life into the city’s hot dog scene."

"The city’s finest shish kabobs are found on the Northwest Side at this mom-and-pop joint. Owners Mike and Ann Antonopoulos set up shop in Montclare back in the ‘60s and have gained a cult following over the decades for their sandwiches. The shish kabobs are marinated in a special sauce, charred on the grill, and served on a French roll with onions and tomatoes."

"Believe it or not, you can find a great Chicago-style hot dog in the Loop in 2018. Sure, most of the old-school hot dog joints have closed, and you're 20 times more likely to run into a Mediterranean concept serving falafel than a sausage served in a soft steamed bun, but all hope is not lost. Max's Take Out not only feels like stepping back in time to when a dill pickle counted as a serving of vegetables, but it also dishes out a flawless Chicago-style hot dog, complete with a snappy natural casing Vienna Beef hot dog."

"Modern Indian cafe Moti has unveiled a new option during the pandemic that’s proven to be popular. Indian pizzas: thin-crust pies with the restaurant’s “Moti sauce” and cilantro-lime drizzle. The crispy pies are studded with onions, green peppers, mozzarella, and a choice of protein (chicken or paneer)."

"Two chefs used their life savings to start this gourmet fast-food restaurant, with beer-battered burgers, fish tacos and combinations like foie gras with fries. Po' Boys include medium-rare ahi tuna, soft-shell crab and shrimp banh mi, but the fried pork belly with maple mayo is Guy's pick, described as "chicharrones meets pulled pork.". Watch the Video: Fish and Chips"

"BIG & little’s has been on the national radar since Food Network host Guy Fieri featured it on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Fans come for its fish tacos and soft-shell crab po’ boys. While some items on the menu are a little pricier, quite a bit of the diner’s choices are $5 or less. Pro tip: Try the truffle fries!"

"A photo posted by Eater Chicago (@eater_chicago) on Jul 27, 2016 at 9:50am PDT. BIG & little's is Guy Fieri-approved, so you know it's good. Definitely go for one of their po' boy sandwiches (the softshell crab is EPIC) or any of the tacos, most of which range between $3-$5."

"Located on North LaSalle Drive in downtown, The Comedy Bar is a popular Chicago comedy club that brings the laughs to you on a nightly basis. Featuring an upper-level stage and a main-level stage, this popular Chicago attraction overlooks Gino’s Brewing company and each stage seats more than 100 people. Enjoy a cocktail, a few laughs and a casual night out in downtown with a trip to this venue, known as one of the best comedy clubs in Chicago."

"This club has a lot going for it: no drink minimum; no age requirements; pizzas, snacks, and drinks for purchase; and tons of stand-up comedians. Open-mic nights are free, but with relatively inexpensive tickets available for other shows, you might want to consider going to a headlining act — either on the main or B stage. The shows run every night of the week, attracting some of the funniest talent in the city."

"A post shared by Chris and Kerry Walker (@thewalkertwiins) on Oct 3, 2018 at 8:25am PDT. Guests can enjoy good food and drinks while they watch the acts on stage. Besides comedy shows, burlesque shows are also held here, so check the schedule and plan accordingly if you wish to watch a specific performance."

"The Laugh Factory is a small yet cozy establishment that has an intimate ambiance. The biggest highlight of this comedy bar would probably be its occasional open mic nights, which give guests the opportunity to realize their dream of being stand-up comics, even for just one night. Be aware that there’s a two drinks minimum policy here, but even non-drinkers can go around this, as non-alcoholic beverages are sold here as well."

"Exit Millennium Park via the BP Bridge, a 925-foot-long winding bridge that provides incomparable views of the Chicago skyline, Grant Park and Lake Michigan. On the other side of the bridge sits Maggie Daley Park, a spectacular green space with massive rock climbing walls, mini golf, picnic groves, and an amazing play garden for children."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user One Homo Sapiens used under CC BY 3.0. Heading to the Southwest Side of Chicago?. Ford City Mall has stood there since 1945."