Valeria Taylor’s Guide to Chicago

Valeria Taylor, as told to Angela Burke
·2 min read
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Yes, there is a hot dog rec on this Chicago guide from Valeria Taylor, the pastry chef and owner of Loba Pastry + Coffee. But there’s also the most charming coffee shop, a pop-up within a brewery that’s worth lingering in a little longer, and creative neighborhoods to wander and walk it all off. Looks like you’ll be heading to the Windy City very soon.

Check out more food-focused itineraries from our favorite food people here.

A pile of hot dogs and fries at Gene & Jude’s
A pile of hot dogs and fries at Gene & Jude’s
Photo by Nick Holmes, @nickdoesfood
Inside Four Letter Word
Inside Four Letter Word
Photo by Nathan Michael

Chicago

Chicago is known as the city of neighborhoods—let that be your guide when visiting, even if only for a day. Start in Logan Square at one of my favorite bakeries, Pan Artesanal. It’s a mix of old-school Mexican and new-school American pastries and full of creative flow. The menu is constantly changing and they sell out quickly, so get there early!

Then savor your morning cup at Four Letter Word, a beautifully designed but cozy café. I like to begin with an espresso, then take a drip coffee to-go.

For lunch, hop over to West Town’s All Together Now. I usually grab a sandwich or salad, but it’s also perfect for filling a basket with artisanal cheeses, snacks, and wine to enjoy at one of the city’s beautiful parks.

In McKinley Park, Marz Community Brewing Co. has more than 20 beers on tap and serves some of Chicago’s best beer, but stay for the food: Chefs Randi Howry and Kelly Ijichi run Mom’s, a Japanese-inspired concept. My favorite dishes are the doughnuts (Sundays only!), the katsu sando, and the fried Spam musubi—it’s all so good!

A few miles north in Pilsen, you’ll find the perfect mix of art, music, and food. Be sure to check out the murals on 16th and 18th Streets and Semillas Plant Studio for the cutest plants (my pandemic hobby!), pots, and other locally-made curiosities.

Just beyond city limits, in River Grove, sits the classic late-night hot dog stand, Gene & Jude’s. There you’ll find a snappy Vienna Beef hot dog, stacked with sport peppers, relish, onions, mustard, and tons of fresh-cut fries. Gene & Jude’s also offers another Chicago staple: tamales. Chicago-style “tamales” aren’t anything like the tamales that I grew up eating in Mexico. They’re similar to steamed polenta filled with what reminds me of an Indian curry. The first time that I had one I was in disbelief. But after living in Chicago for 10 years, I can accept that this dish is called tamale. It’s a thing of its own and it’s delicious.

WHERE TO STAY:

The Robey, in Wicker Park, for spectacular skyline views

WHAT TO BRING BACK:

A jar of giardiniera from West Town’s Bari Subs and Italian Foods

Originally Appeared on Bon Appétit