Here's The Best Food & Drink In Illinois For 2019

ILLINOIS — As 2018 comes to a close, it's a good time to think back on the highlights. Especially when those highlights involve food. The good folks at The Daily Meal website, who analyze all things related to eating and drinking, have been using their taste buds all year to determine the best places to get everything from pizza and Chinese food to burritos, brunch and beer.

They've compiled their wisdom into the annual guide to the best food and drink across the country.

Many of these spots that offer up the tastiest eats across the United States are right here in Illinois. The website's list of the must-visit establishments in Illinois features those that are among the nation's very best. You can use it as your 2019 culinary bucket list.

"Whether you’re looking for waving expanses of corn, suburban grottos, or a bustling city, Illinois has it all," The Daily Meal writes. "While restaurant powerhouse Chicago is home to such crown jewels as Grant Achatz’s Alinea, Brendan Sodikoff’s Au Cheval, and Maurie Berman’s legendary Superdawg, southern and central Illinois are home to some of the country’s best chili, ribs, and even spaghetti and meatballs."

Whether it's fine dining or street food you crave, here are some highlights of the best food and drink in the state:

• Best burger: Au Cheval, Chicago
• Best chili: The Chili Parlor, Springfield
• Best hot dog: Superdawg, Chicago
• Best Italian restaurant: Spiaggia, Chicago
• Best ribs: 17th Street BBQ, Marion
• Best taco: Birrieria Zaragoza, Chicago
• Best airport restaurant: Berghoff Café, O'Hare
• Best all-you-can eat deal: Red Apple buffet, Chicago
• Best apple pie: Hoosier Mama Pie Company, Chicago
• Best bar: The Aviary, Chicago
• Best beer: Bourbon County Brand Stout, Goose Island, Chicago
• Best craft brewery: Goose Island, Chicago
• Best brunch: M. Henry, Chicago
• Best burrito: Maize Mexican Grill, Champaign
• Best chicken and waffles: Longman & Eagle, Chicago
• Best Chinese food: Katy's Dumpling House, Chicago
• Best chocolate shop: Vosges Haut-Chocolat , Chicago
• Best coffee shop: Intelligentsia Coffee, Chicago
• Best cupcakes: Molly's Cupcakes, Chicago
• Best doughnuts: Dat Donut, Chicago
• Best farmers market: Green City Market, Chicago
• Best food truck: The Fat Shallot, Chicago,
• Best French fries: Kuma's Corner, Chicago
• Best fish and chips: BIG & little's, Chicago
• Best fudge shop: Ryba's Fudge Shop, Chicago
• Best fried chicken: Harold's Chicken, Chicago
• Best grocery store: Nature's Best Market, Westmont
• Best hotel restaurant: Somerset, Chicago
• Best ice cream stand: Margie's Candies, Chicago
• Best Indian restaurant: Cumin, Chicago
• Best Irish pub: The Grafton, Chicago
• Best Jewish deli: Manny's, Chicago
• Best lasagna: Sapori Trattoria, Chicago
• Best lobster rolls: Acadia, Chicago
• Best Mexican restaurant: Topolobampo, Chicago

Find the full list of Illinois' best eats (plus most expensive, most romantic and more) here. You can see the full guide to the best food and drink in every state by clicking here.

More Illinois food news:

• Illinois Chain Tops TripAdvisor's List Of Best Fast Casual Eateries
• Here's The Best Food and Drink In Illinois For 2018
• Best Pizza In The US: Which Chicago Pizzerias Made The Cut?
• 9 Of America's Best Restaurants Are In Illinois
• Best Restaurants For Wine 2018: Illinois Has 93 Award Winners
• 3 Illinois Restaurants Make Best Casual Dining In US List
• 8 Chicago Restaurants Make Opentable's List Of 100 Best
• Chicago Restaurant Named Best In The World
• 3 Illinois Joints Among Best BBQ Restaurants In U.S.

Kara Seymour, Patch National Staff, contributed to this article

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