12 Classic Illinois Dishes Everyone Who Grew Up There Loves

Growing up in Illinois has its benefits. Apart from the stunning nature, fun attractions, and great people, our food is simply out of this world. We have plenty of options you can find anywhere else in the country, but we put our own unique spin on them.

Between our Chicago-style deep dish pizza, hot dogs, and fried pork tenderloin sandwiches, here are 12 amazing meals you probably ate growing up here in Illinois. Plus, the iconic restaurants that serve up these great dishes. Count yourself lucky to be an Illinoisan and read on.

1. Fish Fry

What's better than a Friday night fish fry? Here in Illinois, you'll find that most restaurants, family gatherings, bars, and even church functions will have a night dedicated to flaky, delicious fish, French fries, and all the necessary toppings (tartar sauce, malt vinegar, you name it). We can't get enough of this classic English-inspired meal—find it at restaurants like Duke of Perth in Chicago and Four Coyne's Bar & Grill in Round Lake.

2. Maid-Rite Loose Meat Sandwiches

Loose meat sandwiches are a staple all across the state, but no one does them better than Maid-Rite Sandwich Shop (which has several locations in Illinois). These delicious sandwiches are similar to sloppy Joes but without the "slop." Between the fresh ground beef, blend of special seasonings, and soft buttery buns, your taste buds are sure to explode with deliciousness.

3. Horseshoe Sandwiches

Every true Illinoisan has tried this delicacy at least once. Horseshoe sandwiches are open-faced sandwiches with a burger patty, a slice of bread, and a layer of fries and cheese sauce on top. It looks like a mess but tastes like pure magic. Of course, you can't really eat it like a sandwich, but it's still a sandwich in our eyes. Homemade is best, but you can also get it at D'Arcy's Pint and Charlie Parker's Diner in Springfield.

4. Smoked Meats

From sausage to ribs to brisket and chicken, Illinois is home to a plethora of amazing BBQ. Turns out, the South isn't the only place that knows how to cook juicy, smoked meats. There's nothing better than breaking out the smoker for a backyard barbecue or hitting up local hole-in-the-wall joints for some of the most delicious, filling meals around. We love Li'l Porgy's Bar-B-Q in Champaign and Unwind Rewind in Sullivan.

5. Fried Chicken

You can get some pretty amazing fried chicken all over the U.S., but if you grew up in Illinois, you might be a little biased toward our recipe. Whether it's an Amish restaurant, a farm, or a lodge, there's bound to be some mind-blowing fried food on the menu. Stop by Fast Eddie's Fried Chicken in Alton or Evanston Chicken Shack in Evanston for some perfectly breaded and seasoned drumsticks.

6. Corn on the Cob

Whether you choose to grill or broil it, sweet corn is an Illinois delicacy. It's grown all over the state, with peak harvest around the end of summer into the fall. Most grocery stores, farm stands, and U-pick farms will be overflowing with cobs by then! Top with butter, salt, and pepper, and you've got the perfect summer produce on your table. Stop by Keller Farms (multiple locations) or Stade's Farm & Market in McHenry to pick your own.

7. Burgers

Almost every restaurant in Illinois will serve you a burger, with most taking it up a notch. Bacon burgers, burgers with fluffy pretzel buns, or juicy burgers topped with fried eggs are commonplace across the state and are super tasty. Some of the best burger restaurants in Illinois include DryHop Burgers in Chicago, Farren's Pub and Eatery in Champaign, and Durty Gurts Burger Joynt in Galena.

8. Hot Dogs

Most people are familiar with the Chicago-style hot dog because it's just so unique. It's become so popular, in fact, that restaurants all around Illinois now make and serve them. It started with boiled all-beef hot dogs, topped with mustard, tomato, onion, and Gherkin pickles in a poppy-seed bun. You can, of course, order ketchup on yours, but for Chicagoans, that's pure blasphemy.

9. Pierogi

Pierogi are a Polish dumpling made with dough and savory, potato-based filling. You can find them all over Illinois thanks to our Polish population and diverse cultural influence. While you can certainly make these at home, there's nothing better than picking up hot, fresh pierogi from places like Red Apple Buffet in Chicago and Tata's Pierogi in Elk Grove Village—especially on a cold winter day.

10. French Fried Onions

Of course, you can get French-fried crispy onions at most grocery stores (especially during Thanksgiving time when you use them on casseroles). But here in Illinois, we have a cross between onion rings and French-fried onions—a pile of fried, salty deliciousness served as an appetizer at several bars and restaurants. One of the best places to get it is Hackney's in Glenview, an iconic establishment, but real Illinoisans will know other spots, too.

11. Deep-Dish Pizza

Another food commonly associated with Chicago, deep-dish pizza, is found all over the state. Most pizzerias here will offer this larger-than-life, stuffed pie with thin crust and lots of cheese. Tourists and locals alike enjoy this style of pizza at several iconic eateries, including Papa Del's Pizza in Chicago and Lou Malnati's, with several locations around the state. You'll never be disappointed by this classic food.

12. Tenderloins

Not much beats a deep-fried tenderloin. These crispy yet tender patties of pork are often so large that they overtake the bun, and sometimes even the plate. It's a Midwest delicacy that Illinois is expert at making. We love it paired with some crispy tots, fried onions, or good old potato wedges. Find pork tenderloins at restaurants like Buford's Pub in Sadorus or the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield.

Which of these iconic Illinois foods are on your list of favorites? If you're still dreaming about the classic meals you used to eat growing up in the Prairie State, plan a homecoming trip using Only In Your State's itinerary planner. It'll help you find the most popular restaurants in the state.