cover image The Slow Food Guide to Chicago: Restaurants, Markets, Bars

The Slow Food Guide to Chicago: Restaurants, Markets, Bars

Kelly Gibson, Portia Belloc Lowndes. Chelsea Green Publishing Company, $20 (359pp) ISBN 978-1-931498-61-6

Think ""Chicago food"" and the first things that come to mind might be fattening, greasy dishes: deep-dish pizza, hot dogs and sausages. But, according to slow foodies Gibson and Lowndes, Chicago is also home to a lush ""food landscape"" that's keen on sustainable agriculture and local food traditions, a place with culinary artisans ""who practice their craft in much the same way their parents and grandparents did."" To that end, they give the nitty-gritty of the city's best eateries, specialty shops and drinking establishments. There are reviews of the best barbecue joints (places that smoke pork spareribs slowly over fragrant wood), Polish places (go to Halina's Polish Delights for borscht and blintzes that ""sing with flavor"") and hot dog venues (such as Little Louie's in Northbrook, where, if you ask for ketchup on your dog, you ""just might get kicked out""). In addition to traditional Chicago food, the authors also discuss Mexican taquerias and haute cuisine meccas, notable dairy and cheese shops, and classic meat markets. Comprehensive, engaging and friendly, this is an indispensable book for visitors and locals.