Illinois is known for its culinary delights. There are lots of iconic foods invented in Illinois, and that’s something for which we take a great deal of pride here in the Land of Lincoln! Whether you have lived here all your life, or you want to show a visitor how we do things here, these are the 10 iconic Illinois foods you just have to sample.

1. Chicago-style hot dog
arnold gatilao/Flickr
Do NOT put ketchup on this masterpiece.
2. Chicago-style pizza
michael saechang/Flickr
I can only tolerate eating this once a year because it's so rich, but this is the best cheat day food EVER.
3. Horseshoe
ryan harvey/Flickr
This is definitely a southern and central Illinois favorite. It's an open-faced sandwich with a hamburger patty, topped with fries and cheese sauce.
4. Italian beef sandwich
jeffreyw/Flickr
The wetter, the better. But is anyone else confused why this guy is eating his on a plate? It's like eating a Snickers with a fork and knife...
5. Popcorn
Wesley Fryer/Flickr
We all have our favorite popcorn maker, but we can agree that Chicago style is the best mix ever created.

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6. Cheesecake
TMAB2003/Flickr
We love cheese here almost as much as our neighbors to the north, and many providers make wonderful cheesecake creations.
7. Ann Sather Cinnamon Rolls
Andrew Currie/Flickr
Don't even mention Pillsbury in the same sentence with these. They are on another level.
8. Jibarito
rosidae/Flickr
This Puerto Rico delight is something you need to try if you are in Chicago. The bread is fried plantain and it has an awesome garlic-flavored mayonnaise.
9. Barbecue
17th Street Barbecue/Facebook
Some awesome joints in southern Illinois are quietly making Illinois a barbecue destination.
10. Donuts
nate burgos/Flickr
We have numerous donut shops here with people waiting in long lines out the door.

What do you consider an iconic Illinois food? Did you know about these foods invented in Illinois? Share your favorite Only in Illinois dishes with us in the comments below — we love hearing from our fellow foodies!

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Foods invented in Illinois

Sarah M. | September 28, 2022

What's the story behind the Illinois jibarito?

One of the most famous foods invented in Illinois, the jibarito is a true culinary delight! The delicious jibarito got its start at Borinquen Restaurant, a sister location to Borinquen Lounge. Restaurateur Juan "Peter" Figueroa started serving it in 1996. The jibarito has typical fillings that usually include meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and aioli. What makes it stand apart is that flattened green plantains stand in for bread on the outside of the sandwich. The jibarito is a delightful foodie fusion that's unlike anything you've ever had before and unlike anything you'd expect to find in Illinois!

Are there any food tours in Illinois?

Chicago is such an underrated player in terms of food towns; this Midwest treasure is often pitted against its coastal brethren, but really stands on its own in terms of cuisine. Some of the country's most celebrated culinary icons hail from the Windy City, in fact, from the eponymous Chicago-style pizza and hot dogs to Italian beef and Jibarito sandwiches. Chicago Food Tours aims to show tourists the best the city has to offer, through myriad accessible and exciting experiences. The Iconic Foods of Chicago Food Tour is a must for any Midwest foodies; on this 1.4-mile walking tour, you'll devour five of the iconic “Chicago-style” dishes from the eateries that perfected them. What could be better?

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