One of my friends, Lisette, is a Chicago food blogger (she used to travel to NY quite frequently) and she is in the know for everything yummy and tasty in this town. Every time I struggle for new Chicago restaurants to try, I turn to her for where to go! With everything on lockdown, I asked her to put together her top ten favorite Chicago restaurants to order in from and I know I’ll need to try every single place. I had Lisette share her favorites (#1 is the best) and link her Instagram photos to show us what we are missing.
Side note: Lisette (@topchicagoeats) sells charcuterie boards and delivers them in Chicago! So good I’ve ordered two myself and she is very affordable. See her board below.
TOP 10 CHICAGO RESTAURANTS TO ORDER IN/GET DELIVERED:
One of the best things to come out of quarantine, is the unique and creative food businesses people have created. Sushiholic is one such business selling take & bake sushi casseroles. Sushi rice is layered with crab mix and nori seasoning on top. It includes seaweed sheets which you use to scoop the sushi casserole into. You can place your order by sending a DM to @sushiholicchicago on Instagram.
The last time I had ramen prior to ordering from Strings was in March 2020, so I was long overdue for tasty ramen. I was skeptical about ordering ramen for takeout/delivery, but was pleasantly surprised when I ordered from Strings! Their noodles are made fresh daily and they are separated from the broth so you don’t have to worry about the noodles getting soggy before you’re ready to eat.
Takeaway Bagel is another takeout/delivery-only concept that emerged during Covid. They have a walk-up window out of the restaurant Superkhana in Avondale. Their naturally leavened bagels are perfection and are available Thursdays-Sundays from 8am – 2pm. Be sure to try their Bagel Sandwich du Jour which changes each week!
7) Alinea
This past year has definitely brought a lot of changes to the restaurant industry, causing them to pivot their concepts. Alinea did just that with the launch of Alinea To Go. You can now enjoy food from a Michelin star restaurant at home! It does require a bit of reheating and plating at home, but definitely worth it for a special occasion or when you just want to treat yourself!
Five Squared Pizza is run by a husband/wife team and operates out of The Hatchery, a cloud kitchen concept. Their Detroit-style pizza with a caramelized crust comes in inventive flavors that rotate weekly. You can DM @fivesquaredfoodtruck on Instagram to place your order with pick up and delivery available on Fridays.
5) Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder
I’ve only been to Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder once before as they are so popular and typically have a long wait. Now you can skip the line and enjoy their indulgent and cheesy pizza pot pie at home! They are still cash only, but you can order online and call when you arrive and they will bring your order out. Be sure to also order their amazing Mediterranean Bread, you won’t regret it!
Just because indoor dining is closed doesn’t mean you can’t have an amazing brunch with cocktails at home! You can now order brunch from Azul Mariscos for delivery. Their extensive menu focuses on seafood but they also have creative brunch dishes like Churro French Toast, yum! Complete your at-home brunch with their Azul Margarita Kit. Their kit is a great value as it includes a bottle of tequila, house-made margarita mix, limes, and salt. Azul Mariscos has you covered with a boozy brunch in the comfort of your home!
Steak is never something I would think to order for takeout or delivery but The Stay-In Steakhouse made it one of the best meals I’ve had delivered! Everything arrived in insulated bags and was piping hot. It is the newest concept from the team behind Kitchfix and they use 100% grass-fed beef and wild-caught fish. You’ll also definitely want to order their sauce kit with your choice of three sauces to compliment your meal. The Stay-In Steakhouse makes for the perfect date night at home!
2) Lucy’s
I first got hooked on Lucy’s with their fried chicken sandwich but now I’m obsessed with their perfectly fried chicken pieces. If you’re a fan of spicy food, their fried chicken is definitely for you. The creamy mac & cheese is also a must! And don’t forget to order an extra side of honey butter!
1) Kai Zan
Kai Zan has been one of my favorite spots for sushi in the city for years now. They briefly closed with the shutdown of indoor dining in the Spring, but have since offered takeout. You can order a la carte on their website or order one of their party platters on Tock. I highly recommend one of their sushi platters which includes chef’s choice nigiri, edamame, and miso soup. Perfect for a girl’s night in!
How many of these Chicago restaurants have you tried? Thank you Lisette for doing this feature and boy am I hungry now. Make sure to follow Lisette @topchicagoeats .
Don’t miss this post below!
