1. Portillo's
9.0
100 W Ontario St (at Clark St), Chicago, IL
Hot Dog Joint · River North · 667 tips and reviews
Tony Mueller: Italian Beef, Dipped with Sweet Peppers... best i've ever had. We need a Portillo's in St. Louis!
Rick Colburn: Get the Italian Beef, wet with hot and sweet peppers. OFF THE CHAINS!!!
What's Good Here: Portillo's Chicago Hot Dog (mustard, relish, onions, sliced tomatoes, kosher pickle and sport peppers hugged by a perfectly steamed poppy seed bun)
2. Al's #1 Italian Beef
8.4
169 W Ontario St (at Wells), Chicago, IL
Sandwich Spot · River North · 85 tips and reviews
Lina Gonzo: Get the Italian Beef with Peppers, fries, and a drink. Sounds simple? It is. The taste is incredible!
Tobias Reiper: The Italian Beef is the classic to have but make sure it is dipped because it's best wet and consider it with chilli peppers for a tasty extra kick!!!
Jim Anderson: Try the Dipped Italian Beef Sandwich - Wow! The dipped Italian beef & peppers @alsitalianbeef is awesome! AND they're playing A-ha's "take on Me!" (via @Foodspotting)
3. Sunda
8.8
110 W Illinois St (btwn N LaSalle Dr & N Clark St), Chicago, IL
Sushi Restaurant · River North · 288 tips and reviews
Marco Howell: Crispy cauliflower, shishito peppers, fried chicken, black cod, and garlic rice is the best. Be sure to order my fav Hitachino Japanese rice beer to compliment.
Dan K: The Grass Tiger is awesome. Jalapeño infused gin!
Chico Baldini: Try the Grass Tiger Cocktail - a house specialty with jalapeño infused gym
Erick Pessoa: Be aware, The hot wings are REALLY, REALLY hot. Go for it only if to enjoy the challenge. This comes from someone who eats jalapeños for breakfast. (not me!)
Carla Ham: Nachos: Cheddar cheese, green onions, sour cream, jalapenos, guacamole, salsa & chili (diningin.com)
ISC Chicago: WING COMBO: PONCHO’S (GRILLED, GARLIC & CAYENNE) and XXXX (HABANERO, GHOST PEPPER, SCORPION, REAPER)
6. Giordano's
8.6
730 N Rush St (at E Superior St), Chicago, IL
Pizzeria · Near North Side · 412 tips and reviews
christina leigh morgan: 45 minutes from order time to get your pizza, but you can order before you're seated so it doesn't seem that bad. Absolutely delicious deep dish--add peppers!
Anoop Ranganath: Giordano's is a chain, and I don't care. I dream of their stuffed pizza. Get the "Special". It's filled with sausage, mushrooms, green peppers, and onions. Anything more would be overkill.
Zahi Kanaan: Cheese deep dish is always great. Try out a deep dish with italian beef, green peppers, and onions. Get a side of Cesar salad just for the croutons. So tasty.
7. RPM Italian
8.9
52 W Illinois St (at N Dearborn St), Chicago, IL
Italian Restaurant · Near North Side · 238 tips and reviews
Sara: Must try spinach lobster ravioli & eggplant parmesan-Filling! Apps-garlic bread. Didnt care for provolone peppers or artichokes. Dessert-TARTUFO-Amazeballs! Big Ferrero rocher w choco icecream inside.
Kush Shah: Stuffed peppers and mushroom pizettas are a must
larok: Try the provolone stuffed peppers, fried olives, and truffled garlic bread.. Canolis are delicious and short rib pasta
8. Happy Camper
8.8
1209 N Wells St (Division), Chicago, IL
Pizzeria · Old Town · 36 tips and reviews
Eater: Many items are named after friends, saying spending time with your favorite pizza is as rewarding as spending time with a lovable pet. Like Josh: pulled pork, pineapples, jalapeños and barbecue sauce. Read more.
Staff Picks: Many pizzas are named after friends, so grab your friend Josh & share his namesake pizza: pulled pork, pineapples, jalapeños and barbecue sauce. You might start liking the pizza more than your friend. Read more.
Viktor Göhlin: Nice place with nice people. Awesome interior design. The pizzas are good. Appetizers are the right size and nicely served.
9. Beatrix
8.9
671 N Saint Clair St (Erie and N. St. Clair), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · Streeterville · 62 tips and reviews
Nisha Shah: The fries with red pepper lemon toppings yum!!
Martial Bénard: Crrrowded ! Great brunch : steak chimichurri and eggs, pepper and egg white sandwich, beautiful avocado toast, great juices.All fresh and healthy, quick service.
Daniela Garcia: Loved the quinoa cakes with poached eggs!!
10. Roka Akor
8.6
456 N Clark St (at W Illinois St), Chicago, IL
Japanese Restaurant · River North · 93 tips and reviews
Chicago magazine: Try: gilded wagyu tartare gunkan maki topped with caviar and wasabi and the lightly battered fried squid with jalapeño rings. Say no to the salt-grilled saba.
Chefs Feed: Edward Kim, chef of Ruxbin, eats here on his nights off. He loves the Robata grilled Japanese shishito peppers. Read more.
Ms Helene: Immaculate rolls with special details. Yellowtail with scallions and jalapeño stood out. Garlic shrimp and butterfish apps. Great service.
11. Frontera Grill
8.4
445 N Clark St (btwn Illinois St & Hubbard St), Chicago, IL
Mexican Restaurant · River North · 256 tips and reviews
Lance Orchid: Try the queso fundido classico and mexcal margarita; both are A+. The blue agave margarita A-. The mole poblano a solid B; not exceptional but good. Try Guelaguetza in LA for amazing mole.
Bill Q: Try the Queretaro-style green mole (sesame seeds, almonds, peanuts, poblano, plantain, sweet spices) that comes w/Pollo en Mole Verde Queretano. It's incredible!
Margaret Czeisler: Love the catfish tacos, yucatan ceviche & shishito peppers!
12. Pizano's Pizza & Pasta
8.3
864 N State St (btwn W Delaware Pl. & W Chestnut St.), Chicago, IL
Pizzeria · Near North Side · 78 tips and reviews
Andrew Davis: Grab a deep dish pizza with sausage and peppers! Nom nom!
The Daily Meal: Rudy's Special is a monstrous concoction, topped with cheese, sausage, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers, takes up to 30 minutes to cook all the way through. Request in advance! Read more.
Eater: Rudy’s Special deep dish comes loaded with sausage, mushroom, onion and green pepper while Chad’s Special thin crust includes chunks of chicken with housemade barbecue sauce. Read more.
13. Beatrix
9.0
519 N Clark St (at W Grand Ave), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · River North · 233 tips and reviews
Jordyn Nevers: The menu is a bit bizarre, but it's fun to try new things. If you see the stuffed peppers being offered they are a MUST! A bit spicey though. And make sure you don't get the pasta with the poached egg
Michael Sheehan: Pepper and egg white sandwich is fantastic and their coffee is really good. Such a great spot for a breakfast meeting.
Ray Williams: The avocado and jalapeño toast was amazing!
15. Mr. Beef
8.1
666 N Orleans St (at Huron St.), Chicago, IL
Italian Restaurant · River North · 46 tips and reviews
Epicurious: A restaurant that does one thing so well nothing else matters, Mr. Beef turns out a juicy Italian beef sandwich customized to order. Also great? The fries - and try a sub with red peppers for variety.
Chicago magazine: Chicago’s most hallowed Italian beef is at this River North shack, which boasts the same thin-sliced beef, hot or sweet peppers, and soggy French roll as always. Cash only. Read more.
Serious Eats: The Italian Beef showcases a beef that is juicy and extra beefy, with a distinctive black pepper kick.