Tastes of Chicago Review: Your Delicious Deep Dish Pizza Delivery Dreams Come True
Hey there, food lover! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the most crave-worthy, drool-inducing eats from all across the country. And when it comes to iconic American cuisine, it doesn‘t get much better than the bold flavors of Chicago. Deep dish pizza, loaded hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches – my mouth is watering just thinking about it!
But let‘s be real, we can‘t always hop on a plane to the Windy City when a craving strikes. That‘s where my all-time favorite food delivery service comes in: Tastes of Chicago. Trust me, this is not your average mail-order meal. Tastes of Chicago has been delivering the authentic flavors of Chicago‘s most famous eateries straight to doorsteps nationwide for over three decades – and they definitely know what they‘re doing.
As a die-hard fan girl of all things delicious, I‘ve tried pretty much every food delivery kit out there. And I can say with total confidence that Tastes of Chicago is the real deal. The quality is top-notch, the menu options are Chef‘s Kiss perfection, and the whole experience is just pure magic for your taste buds.
So, my hungry friends, join me on a mouthwatering journey into the wonderful world of Tastes of Chicago. I‘m spilling all the secrets about their best dishes, ordering process, and my honest take on whether it‘s really worth the hype (spoiler alert: it so is).
What is Tastes of Chicago?
Before we dive in, let‘s start with the basics. Tastes of Chicago is a restaurant and food delivery company that specializes in all the iconic dishes that Chicago is known for. We‘re talking deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati‘s, Vienna Beef hot dogs, Portillo‘s Italian Beef sandwiches, Eli‘s Cheesecake, and more. Basically, it‘s a greatest hits collection of Chicago cuisine, all available for delivery across the US.
The company was started way back in 1987 by Lou Malnati‘s pizzeria as a way to make their signature deep dish pies accessible to pizza lovers everywhere, even if they couldn‘t make it to the restaurant. They teamed up with other legendary Chicago food brands and the rest is history. Since then, Tastes of Chicago has shipped over 500,000 pizzas to hungry fans nationwide!
I first discovered Tastes of Chicago when I moved away from my beloved hometown and was seriously missing my favorite foods. I was skeptical that delivery pizza could ever live up to my high standards, but let me tell you, Tastes of Chicago blew me away. The pizza was just as delicious as I remembered from my favorite Chi-town spots, and the whole experience was so fun and special.
Why are people crazy for Chicago-style food?
So, what is it about Chicago cuisine that has people weak in the knees? First of all, the flavors are just bigger, bolder, and more crave-worthy than your average fare. Chicago-style dishes are often hearty, indulgent comfort foods that hit the spot like nothing else.
According to a survey by Grubhub, Chicago is the #2 city in the US for food delivery orders, and deep dish pizza is the #1 most popular dish. Uber Eats also reports that Chicago ranks high for orders of traditional American food, which includes hamburgers, sandwiches, and appetizers like fries, onion rings, etc. Clearly, the people want their taste of Chicago!
But beyond just the deliciousness factor, Chicago food also has a rich history and cultural significance. Many of the most famous dishes were created by immigrant communities and have been passed down through generations. For example, deep dish pizza is said to have originated in the 1940s by Italian-Americans in Chicago, while the classic Chicago-style hot dog was born out of the city‘s thriving street cart culture in the Great Depression.
For many people, eating Chicago foods is a way to connect with that history and experience a taste of the city‘s vibrant culture. And with Tastes of Chicago, you can get that experience anywhere in the country, which is pretty amazing.
What‘s on the Tastes of Chicago menu?
Now, let‘s get to the good stuff – the food! Tastes of Chicago has a seriously epic menu featuring all the greatest hits of Chicago cuisine. Here are some of the highlights:
Lou Malnati‘s Deep Dish Pizza
The crown jewel of the Tastes of Chicago menu is definitely the Lou Malnati‘s deep dish pizza. This is the real deal, made from the same famous recipe that put Lou Malnati‘s on the map back in the 1940s. The pizza is handmade in Chicago with the freshest ingredients, then frozen right after baking to lock in that just-out-of-the-oven taste.
We‘re talking a flaky, buttery crust that‘s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, loaded with gooey mozzarella cheese, chunky tomato sauce, and your choice of classic toppings like sausage, pepperoni, veggies, and more. The pizza is so thick and hearty, one slice feels like a meal in itself!
Tastes of Chicago offers the Lou Malnati pizzas in 9-inch sizes, with a 2-pizza package serving up to 4 people. You can choose from a variety of combos like all cheese, sausage, pepperoni, veggie, spinach, and even a gluten-free crust option. They even have heart-shaped versions for a fun Valentine‘s Day treat!
I‘ve tried a LOT of pizzas in my day, and I can honestly say Lou Malnati‘s is one of the best deep dishes I‘ve ever had, even compared to some of my favorite Chicago pizzerias. The crust is perfection, the toppings are always super fresh and flavorful, and the whole pizza just tastes homemade in the best way.
Vienna Beef Hot Dog Kit
Another must-try is the Vienna Beef Hot Dog Kit, which comes with everything you need to create an authentic Chicago dog experience at home. If you‘ve never had a real Chicago hot dog before, you‘re in for a treat! These babies are loaded with a very specific combination of toppings that might sound weird at first but trust me, it WORKS.
The kit comes with 10 Vienna Beef all-beef hot dogs, 10 poppy seed buns, mustard, relish, sport peppers, and celery salt. You‘ll add your own chopped onions and tomatoes plus a dill pickle spear to complete the masterpiece. The key is to never, ever put ketchup on a Chicago dog – that‘s a major faux pas!
What I love about this kit is how easy it is to put together a legit Chicago dog at home. The Vienna Beef hot dogs are seriously top tier, with a perfect smoky, beefy flavor and satisfying snap when you bite in. The poppy seed bun is fluffy but holds up to the mountain of toppings, and all the condiments are super high quality.
Plus, it‘s just a really fun group activity to set up a hot dog bar with all the toppings and let everyone customize their own creation. The kit serves up to 10 people, making it perfect for summer BBQs, watch parties, or family dinners.
Portillo‘s Italian Beef Kit
Okay, Italian Beef might not be as well known as deep dish or hot dogs outside of Chicago, but trust me, it is a revelation. If you‘re a fan of hearty, meaty sandwiches, you need Portillo‘s Italian Beef in your life ASAP. This sandwich is a Chicago icon, featuring thinly sliced roast beef that‘s been slow-cooked in a flavorful gravy until it‘s melt-in-your-mouth tender, then piled high on a soft French roll and topped with spicy giardiniera or sweet peppers (or both, if you‘re a wild child like me).
The Tastes of Chicago Portillo‘s Italian Beef Kit comes with a whopping 2 pounds of the famous roast beef, 2 quarts of gravy, 8 French bread rolls, and toppings of spicy giardiniera and sweet peppers. That‘s enough to make 8 massive, drool-worthy sandwiches that will transport you straight to the streets of Chicago.
What I appreciate about this kit is the attention to detail – Portillo‘s has been making Italian beef the same way since 1963, and you can really taste the tradition and craftsmanship in every juicy, savory bite. The beef is perfectly seasoned and sliced, and the gravy is rich and complex with just the right balance of spices.
I also love that you can customize your sandwich to your liking – dip the whole thing in extra gravy for a "wet" sandwich, or just let the juices soak in a little for a "dipped" version. Tastes of Chicago even suggests adding an extra stash of gravy on the side for dipping with each bite, which is a pro move.
How does ordering from Tastes of Chicago work?
Now that I‘ve thoroughly tempted you with all the deliciousness Tastes of Chicago has to offer, let‘s talk logistics. The ordering process is super simple and user-friendly, which is a big plus in my book.
First of all, Tastes of Chicago delivers almost everywhere in the US, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. That means you can get your Chicago food fix no matter how far you are from the Windy City!
The website is really easy to navigate, with all the package options and customizations clearly laid out. You can filter by dietary needs like vegetarian or gluten-free, or by specific dishes like pizza or sandwiches. There are also helpful descriptions and mouthwatering photos of each item, so you know exactly what you‘re getting.
Once you‘ve loaded up your cart with all your dream eats, you can select a delivery date at checkout. Tastes of Chicago delivers Tuesday through Saturday every week, and you can schedule your delivery up to 30 days in advance. That‘s great for planning ahead for special occasions or gifting to loved ones.
The best part? Shipping is free for orders over $100, and just a flat $15 fee for smaller orders. Delivery to Alaska and Hawaii is available for an extra $30. But honestly, the free shipping threshold is pretty easy to hit once you start browsing all the tasty options.
Your order will arrive packed in an insulated cooler with dry ice to keep everything fully frozen. The packages also come with super clear heating instructions for each dish, so you‘ll get that perfect hot-and-fresh taste every time. Tastes of Chicago promises your food will still be frozen solid when it gets to you, and in my experience, they always deliver on that promise.
Oh, and did I mention you don‘t even have to be home to receive your delivery? The insulated packaging is so effective, your goodies will stay cold until you can get them into the freezer. Tastes of Chicago also sends you a tracking number so you can keep tabs on your tasty trek every step of the way.
Is Tastes of Chicago worth it?
Okay, so we know Tastes of Chicago offers some seriously tempting treats with a convenient delivery service. But let‘s address the elephant in the room – the price. A lot of people might raise an eyebrow at spending $70+ on mail-order pizza or hot dogs, and I get it. It‘s definitely more of a splurge than your average takeout.
But in my honest opinion, the quality and experience you get from Tastes of Chicago is absolutely worth the cost. For one thing, the portion sizes are extremely generous – a 2-pizza bundle can easily feed a family of 4 with leftovers, and the other kits like the Italian beef or hot dogs are enough to feed a small gathering.
More importantly, though, the taste and authenticity are truly unmatched. I‘ve tried a lot of frozen and mail-order pizzas in my life, and nothing comes close to the Lou Malnati‘s deep dish from Tastes of Chicago. It‘s just as delicious (if not more so) than what I‘ve had at the actual restaurant in Chicago.
Same goes for the other signature dishes – the Portillo‘s Italian Beef tastes like it was made fresh in the shop, and the Vienna Beef hot dogs are the real deal. It‘s that attention to detail and commitment to using the same high-quality ingredients and methods as the restaurants that really sets Tastes of Chicago apart.
Plus, the experience of getting to enjoy these iconic Chicago flavors from anywhere in the country is just really special. If you‘re a Chicago transplant like me, it‘s an incredible way to get a taste of home and share your favorite foods with friends and family who‘ve never been. And if you‘re new to Chicago cuisine, it‘s a fun and accessible way to explore a delicious part of American food culture.
Of course, Tastes of Chicago might not be in everyone‘s budget for regular meals. But I absolutely think it‘s worth it for special occasions, gifts, or just a once-in-a-while treat to look forward to. And like I mentioned, Tastes of Chicago offers specials and discounts pretty regularly, so you can often snag a great deal on a big order.
For me personally, the joy and deliciousness I get from a Tastes of Chicago delivery is 100% worth the price tag. It‘s not just a meal, it‘s an experience – and one that never fails to make me smile (and drool a little).
Final thoughts from your resident foodie
Well folks, there you have it – the inside scoop on Tastes of Chicago from a superfan. To recap: unbelievable Chicago-style eats, shipped to your door, anywhere in the country. A huge menu of iconic dishes from the most legendary Chicago restaurants. Simple ordering, reliable delivery, and honestly life-changing deliciousness.
If you‘re a fellow food lover craving a culinary adventure, or just someone looking for a restaurant-quality meal at home, I can‘t recommend Tastes of Chicago enough. It‘s a special kind of magic to open up a box and find your favorite deep dish pizza or Italian beef waiting inside, ready to transport you to the streets of Chicago with every scrumptious bite.
So what are you waiting for, my hungry friend? Head to Tastes of Chicago and start building your dream feast. And hey, when that first glorious slice of Lou Malnati‘s hits your tongue, do me a favor – pause for a second to appreciate the beautiful, cheesy miracle that just landed in your life. Trust me, it‘s a moment you‘ll never forget.
Happy feasting!
