Best Takeout Food Restaurants in Chicago

"No Chicago day tour is complete without indulging in a some deep dish pizza, so grab a slice at Lou Malnati’s on N Wells Street which many locals swear is the best joint in town (or Giordano’s, or Gino’s East, depending who you ask). From there it’s only a couple more blocks to the Flamingo Rum Club, which is known for its mural depicting a trio of larger-than-life, fluorescent pink flamingos…AKA Instagram heaven and one of the best photo spots in Chicago."

"Sit down for dinner at one of Chicago’s popular deep dish pizza restaurants (my favorite is Lou Malnati’s). The pizza takes at least 30 minutes to arrive at the table after ordering, so make sure to get a salad or appetizer if you’re hungry."

"Native Foods Café is a fast-casual vegan restaurant chain that operates around the country and serves a menu of hearty meat-free fare. Set in various locations around Chicago and open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Native Foods Café features a menu with a variety of options for every taste, from award-winning Ensalada Azteca and bold and tasty Buddha Bowls to Twister Wraps and Native Chicken Wings and Nachos. Sweet treats for dessert include Oatmeal Créme Pie, and Peanut Butter Parfait, along with freshly brewed Fair Trade coffee and a selection of organic beverages and other drinks."

"I can’t believe it’s seitan,” is what you might be saying after a bowl of chili, piled-high Reuben or taco salad that are all completely vegan. Cashew cheese, faux bacon and organic tempeh are used to make every item meat- and dairy-free."

"The recipes at Manny’s have been passed down from generation to generation, and for good reason — their award-winning meats are top notch. While they offer a full menu of deli classics, Manny’s is famous for their corned beef. Try it piled high between slices of rye bread, tucked into eggs benedict, or served as an entree with potato pancakes."

"Grab a tray, your silverware and do your best to make quick decisions as you make your way down the cafeteria line. If you’re heading there for breakfast, we suggest the eggs or French toast—mostly because either is served with Manny's famous corned beef, pastrami, salami or turkey. Oh, and ask for an extra latke."

"Manny's Cafeteria and Deli is the epitome of a Chicago classic, serving outstanding corned beef sandwiches, pastrami, hot entrees, breakfast, and other Jewish deli favorites to an eclectic crowd. It’s not unusual to find local politicians eating here. View this post on Instagram"

"Kitchen 17 is a casual, laid-back vegan café in Lakeview that focuses on house-made seitan-based vegetarian and vegan fare in a friendly, inviting setting. The cozy restaurant offers a menu of simple yet delicious food ranging from nachos, hummus and toasted pita bread, artichoke dips, and hearty burgers with a variety of toppings to gyros, barbecue sandwiches, Philly cheesesteaks (sans the steak), and refried black beans. A weekly selection of mouthwatering desserts includes cupcakes, freshly baked cakes and homemade fudge for a sweet ending to your meal."

"Kitchen 17, a completely vegan restaurant and bakery, is the type of place where time seems to escape you — before you know it, half of the day is gone because you’ve been having so much fun playing board games and hanging out with your friends and family. The food here is so good you might even surprise your meat-eating friends with vegan comfort food that they didn’t even know existed. Many of the dishes are created with house-made seitan, a product made out of wheat gluten."

"This completely vegan spot serves up some serious comfort food alternatives with their housemade spicy seitan. Check out their vegan pizza options with your choice of New York-style crust or Chicago-style deep dish to finally put the "best pizza" debate to rest."

"The first-floor market is a bustle of activity, with Italian groceries and housewares, coffee bars, gelato bars, and food counters, while the second floor hosts a number of Italian restaurants and counters for full meals and quick bites. The versatility of offerings to enjoy freshly made Italian cuisine is perfect for either short or long attention spans!"

"Well, Eataly’s takeout pies are purposefully under baked so that, once you throw one in the oven for a couple of minutes, it’ll taste just like you’re at the restaurant. You can order Eataly today off Caviar."

"Nowhere else can you find the most authentic Italian gelato outside of Italy. Skip the Nutella bar and head straight for Eataly’s gelato this summer."

"Celebrate a special occasion or simply relish a perfect dinner in the chic atmosphere at Chicago’s upscale steakhouse, The Capital Grille. This place is known for its dry-aged steaks, and you won’t be disappointed by its American cuisine. Tantalizing dishes like Gorgonzola and truffle-crusted, dry aged NY strip with cabernet reduction or the all-natural herb-roasted chicken will surely impress."

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. A post shared by The Capital Grille (@thecapitalgrille) on Aug 13, 2018 at 8:57am PDT. As one of Chicago’s best steakhouses, the Capital Grille is an impressive establishment."

"Arya Bhavan is an Indian buffet in Chicago that serves vegan, raw, gluten-free, and organic cuisine. Once you get a taste of their buffet, you’ll never want anything else. Indian food is often vegan by nature, but this Indian buffet in Chicago has made extra effort to ensure that all of their food is healthy and safe for the majority of Chicagoans everywhere."

"Arya Bhavan" translates to "Welcome to our home" from Hindi. The owners at this restaurant invite their guests to experience delectable vegan options from South Indian cuisine like chana masala and uttapam, and we never say no to an invitation this good."

"Restaurants Ice cream parlors Lower West Side. No summer bucket list is complete without a trip to Pilsen to visit La Michoacana Premium, Chicago's premiere paletería. Upon entering this cheerful shop, you'll be pulled to the display case, which is jam-packed with dozens of paletas in flavors like blackberry, kiwi-strawberry and creamy pistachio."

"There are a few La Michoacanas in Chicago, but the location we really like is in Pilsen. It has a drive-thru (much appreciated this year), the staff is friendly, and they have great paletas and regular ice cream. The treats here are very sweet, perfect for when you want a dessert that tastes like dessert because not everyone wants their treats to taste like goat cheese or earl grey tea."

"There is so much color, fun, and creativity in every dessert that you won’t be able to resist squeezing in a quick photoshoot before everything melts!. Looking for more fun things to do in Chicago?. Check out these posts to read more:"

"This is one of the most popular seafood restaurants in all of Chicago. Just to give you an idea about why you absolutely have to try this restaurant at least once, it has received rave reviews. Eater Chicago calls it one of the best “hidden sports to catch great seafood,” Forbes cites it as one of the best seafood restaurants in Chicago, and CBS has called it one of the “best places for fresh fish in Chicago,” and “one of the best places for late-night eats.” With all of these high-recommendations rolling in there must be something very special about Lawrence’s."

"About 30 years ago, there were shrimp and fish shacks dotting the industrial parts of the city offering blue and white collar workers a quick oil-stained brown bag of hot fried fish chips, shrimp, clam strips, perch and a plastic container of slaw and hot sauce. It was cheap, delicious and they're almost all gone. Bringing us to Lawrence's Fish and Shrimp established more than 60 years ago on Canal Street with a parking lot full of folks gobbling hot shrimp in their car."

"ChinatownWhat you’re getting: Shrimp po-boyFor a quick bite, this Chinatown seafood spot has garnered a loyal following with its Gulf-imported catches since the 1950s. The thicker-style breading on the addictive fried shrimp and fish offerings makes this a go-to restaurant for quality, fast seafood that's available 24/7."

"Bourgeois Pig Cafe may just be the coziest spot in Chicago—but online ordering is now available until coffee shops become our home-away-from-homes again. This coffee shop has a menu full of delicious coffee and food options."

"The Bourgeoise Pig cafe is Lincoln Park’s favorite hipster hangout. It’s a top spot for casual brunch, excellent coffee and cozy vibes. It’s one of those hidden gems that only locals know about."

"But not many are aware that it serves excellent caffeinated drinks as well. The menu has everything that a good coffee shop does. Its hot chocolate is a beverage to die for."

"If the birthday star wants to share the stage with an over-the-top cake, Urban Icing is the place to go. Whether you prefer some traditional sweet confections or a 3D-shaped cake, this spot has got you covered. In addition to being a boutique bakery, Urban Icing is an event space where you can let them take care of all the details of your child’s party."

"(Primary Neighborhoods: Various events and locations, city and suburbs). Pancakes may not be the first thing that flips in our minds when we think about food truck fare, but if cupcakes sell like hotcakes, why not sell some hot cakes too. That’s the thinking behind this gourmet pancake truck."

"If you don’t want to bake, or fry in this case too, then decorate with DIY cookie and doughnut kits ($14) starring colorful icing and sprinkles. You may find inspiration in the bakery’s smiley face cookies and Easter lamb cakes, wearing icing medical masks. Owner Can Lao, who revived the historic bakery in the Bridgeport neighborhood back in February, recently added Chinese egg tarts, plus a few staple items like paper towels, gloves, milk and Yakult, the yogurt-like drink."

"Restaurants Bakeries Bridgeport. This iconic Polish bakery closed in October 2019 after decades of serving pączki, doughnuts, cookies and other candy-colored sweets to its fans. Thankfully, new ownership swept in and restored the spot to its former glory."

"If you’re wondering what happened to Bridgeport Bakery 1.0, it closed. But thankfully version 2.0 has the same delicious treats as the original. And while they have a lot of baked goods besides donuts, we like coming here for their long johns and bismarks."