GROUPON GUIDE TO NEW-ORLEANS

9 Great Spots for Chicago Comfort Food

BY: Shannon Grilli |Dec 29, 2017

Chicago's comfort food scene is well-documented—this is the land of the deep-dish pizza after all. But even if you take away iconic foods like the Chicago-style hot dog and that famous cheese-and-caramel mix popcorn, Chicago's comfort food game is strong. Like, really strong. To prove it, we gathered together 9 great spots serving hearty, comforting fare across the city. Word of advice: leave the skinny jeans at home.

Frances' Deli

2552 N Clark St. | Lincoln Park

This old-school deli has been dishing out stick-to-your-ribs grub since 1938, but don't mistake it for your typical greasy spoon—it's a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand winner. Drop in any time of day for breakfast favorites like bacon chocolate chip pancakes or a reuben omelet, or wait 'till lunch to wash down a hot pastrami sandwich with one of the diner's much-lauded Maker's Mark milkshakes.

Click here for a cash-back offer from Frances' Deli.

Chicago Diner

3411 N Halsted St. | Lakeview

Diner's like Frances' aren't exactly the easiest spots for vegans or vegetarians—or, at least, they weren't until Chicago Diner popped onto the scene in 1983. This spot's meat-free versions of comfort-food classics like poutine, gyros, and country-fried "steak" are so good, they've even won over the hearts and mouths of die-hard carnivores.

Son of a Butcher by Whisk

2934 W Diversey Ave. | Avondale

Classic comfort food dishes get a modern twist at this recently-revamped spot. Think: creamy mac-and-cheese enhanced with poblano peppers and brisket; burgers topped with scrambled eggs and served on slices of French toast; and loaded tater tots topped with bacon and chipotle mayo. Whatever you decide, be sure to save room for the Oreo cookie bread pudding.

Click here for a cash-back offer from Son of a Butcher by Whisk.

Slurping Turtle

116 w Hubbard | River North

Few dishes are as comforting as a steaming bowl of ramen, but don't confuse the ramen at Slurping Turtle with the packaged kind you devoured in college. Chef Takashi Yagihashi is known for his homemade noodles, paired with slurp-worthy ingredients like pork belly, pickled ginger, buttered corn, and garlic-shallot oil.

Click here for a cash-back offer from Slurping Turtle.

Honey Butter Fried Chicken

3361 N. Elston Ave. | Avondale

Honey Butter Fried Chicken's specialty is right there in its name: crispy, golden-brown fried chicken topped with sweet honey butter. As if that wasn't decadent enough, the restaurant also dishes out sides like pimento mac n' cheese and roasted garlic grits.

Al's Beef

3420 N. Clark St. | Lakeview

Chicago has invented its fair share of comfort foods—french fry-topped hot dogs, deep-dish pizza, etc. But it's most comforting concoction might just be the Italian beef sandwich. Topped with sweet or hot peppers and served dripping with savory aus jus, it's an absolute must for anyone visiting the city for the first (or second... or tenth) time.

Click here for a cash-back deal at Al's Beef.

La Bomba

3221 W Armitage Ave. | Logan Square

At La Bomba, you'll find another Chicago comfort food original: the jibarito. The hefty steak sandwich swaps sliced bread for fried, sliced plantains, with cheese and garlic mayo sandwiched in between. We love the Puerto Rican-inspired sandwich so much, we named it one of our essential sandwiches.

Click here for a cash-back deal at La Bomba.

Valois

1518 E 53rd St. | Hyde Park

When Former President Obama comes home to Chicago, there's only one spot he turns to for old-school comfort food: Valois, which has been dishing out hearty omelets and prime rib dinners since 1921. In true old-school Chicago fashion, the spot is cash only and serves its meals on cafeteria-style trays. If it's good enough for a commander-in-chief, who are we to complain?

Red Apple Buffet

3121 N Milwaukee Ave. | Avondale

A smorgasbord of Polish comfort foods awaits at this old-world spot, where the all-you-can eat selection includes pierogis, schnitzel, sauerkraut, and a rotating selection of daily specials. The early 70's-era decor only helps to make it feel like you're sitting down to a meal at your great Aunt's house—assuming your Aunt always had a selection of fresh kolaczki waiting for you when you arrived.

Click here for a cash-back deal at Red Apple Buffet.

BY:

Restaurant Deals

$20 or $40 Dining Deals for Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner at New Orleans Creole Cookery – Up to 48% Off
icon-trending icon
Trending
Lunch, Dinner & Brunch Deals at New Orleans Creole Cookery
508 Toulouse Street, New Orleans4.0 mi
4.4
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
7,899 ratings
$20 $11
45% discount_off
$8.25 with_code HOLIDAY
New Orleans Creole Cookery
Savor up to 20% off at Briquette with $30 for lunch or $60 dinner options in New Orleans' heart
icon-trending icon
Trending
Enjoy seafood with $30 for lunch or $60 for dinner
701 South Peters Street, New Orleans4.7 mi
4.6
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
2,697 ratings
$30 $17
43% discount_off
$12.75 with_code HOLIDAY
Briquette
Experience Cajun Mike's Pub N Grub: Pressed Cuban Sandwiches, Cajun Po' Boys, and More with Up to 40% Off
Enjoy Pressed Cuban Sandwiches and Cajun Po' Boys with Refreshing Beers
116 Baronne Street, New Orleans4.2 mi
4.4
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
1,830 ratings
$15 $10
33% discount_off
$7.50 with_code HOLIDAY
Cajun Mike's Pub and Grub
Date Night or Night Out dining packages for 2 or 4 individuals at House of Blues (Up to 42% Off)
icon-trending icon
Trending
Date Night or Night Out dining packages for 2 or 4 individuals at House of Blues (Up to 42% Off)
225 Decatur St., New Orleans4.2 mi
$96 $65
32% discount_off
370+ bought
House of Blues
Up to 33% Off on Cajun / Creole Cuisine at VooDoo Tavern and Po Boys
Up to 33% Off on Cajun / Creole Cuisine at VooDoo Tavern
1140 Decatur Street, New Orleans3.6 mi
4.6
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
82 ratings
$15 $10
33% discount_off
$7.50 with_code HOLIDAY
VooDoo Tavern and Po Boys
Taco/Burrito, Burger Combo, and Diner Classics from Free Fast Food (Up to 85% Off)
Taco/Burrito, Burger Combo, and Diner Classics from Free Fast
1.0
icon-full icon
icon-blank icon
icon-blank icon
icon-blank icon
icon-blank icon
1 ratings
$0.99
$0.74 with_code HOLIDAY
Free Fast Food
New Orleans Airboat Ride
New Orleans Airboat Ride
16.2 mi
4.7
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
4,846 ratings
$59
Airboat Adventures
Feast on Flavorful Savings: Grab the $5 for $25, $10 for $50, $20 for a $100 or $35 for $200 Restaurant.com eGift Cards
Savor Delicious Meals with eGift Card from Restaurant.com
3.1
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
icon-blank icon
503 ratings
$25 $5
80% discount_off
Restaurant.com
Get a code for Panera’s Unlimited Sip Club® + a Panera Bread® Gift Card
Get a code for Panera’s Unlimited Sip Club® + a Panera Bread® Gift Card
4.4
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
59 ratings
$39.98 $19
52% discount_off
Panera Bread
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery New Orleans
The Dinner Detective New Orleans – Up to 38% Off Show
2150 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Kenner11.0 mi
$200.78 $124.99
38% discount_off
1 bought
The Dinner Detective New Orleans LA Murder Mystery Dinner at DoubleTree 2025
Host a Memorable Celebration with Mini or Full Bloom Picnic or Bloom Bash at Bloom Theory (Up To 55% Off)
Host a Memorable Celebration: Mini or Full Bloom Picnic or Bloom Bash
500 Dunn Road, Montgomery
$200 $100
50% discount_off
$75 with_code HOLIDAY
3 bought
Bloom Theory
Dive into Let Us Cater For You's vibrant American casual menu with $30 or $60 options, saving up to 50%
Explore American Casual Dishes with $30 or $60 Options
5600 Westbank Expressway, Marrero8.7 mi
5.0
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
4 ratings
$30 $15
50% discount_off
$11.25 with_code HOLIDAY
Akasias Cafe The Home Of Let Us Cater For You
Save Up To 56% Today + 4 FREE Gifts With Today's Subscribe & Save Offer
Save Up To 56% Today + 4 FREE Gifts With Today's Subscribe & Save Offer
Javvy Coffee
Indulge at The Dough House  $25, $50, or $75 Vouchers Toward Delicious Food & Drinks (Up to 23% Off)
Enjoy $25, $50, or $75 Vouchers Toward Delicious Food & Drinks
15168 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge
5.0
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
6 ratings
$25 $20
20% discount_off
$15 with_code HOLIDAY
The Dough House (formerly Kolache Kitchen Airline)
Save Up To 56% Today + 4 FREE Gifts With Today's Subscribe & Save Offer
Save Up To 56% Today + 4 FREE Gifts With Today's Subscribe & Save Offer
Javvy Coffee
Save Up To 56% Today + 4 FREE Gifts With Today's Subscribe & Save Offer
Save Up To 56% Today + 4 FREE Gifts With Today's Subscribe & Save Offer
Javvy Coffee