Best Italian Beef

Justin Fortuna opened the first Jay’s Beef in Schiller Park back in 1976. That spot has since closed, but the family’s other northwest suburban location is still kicking. Their prep is a two-day process that involves roasting the meat in a mix of seasonings, then cutting it razor thin. They dunk slices in potent gravy before tucking them into rolls from nearby Liborio Bakery. I like it “hot,” with the unique house blend of giardiniera. 4418 N. Narragansett Ave., Harwood Heights. facebook.com

Best Deep-Dish Pizza

Jerry Czerwinski has taken deep dish to new heights at Uncle Jerry’s Pizza Company, which he opened in 2021. It has a light crust that gets extra crispy around the edges, and he dresses it with a beautifully bright red sauce, rich and tangy cheese, and chunks of housemade Italian sausage with a heavy garlic accent. It all adds up to a worthwhile trip to the northwest suburbs. 133 W. Main St., Cary. unclejerryspizzacompany.com

Best Chicago-Style Hot Dog

An inductee into the Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame — yes, that is a real thing — Jeff’s Red Hots serves a textbook-perfect example of the genre. It’s hard to go wrong with a natural-casing wiener steamed plump and juicy, but this Portage Park stand adds one thing others don’t. When you place your order, you’ll be asked, “With or without?” — as in, sauerkraut. Sacrilege? Maybe, but there’s no denying the cabbage condiment works in harmony with the classic Chicago-style toppings. 3901 N. Cicero Ave. jeffsredhots.com