Chicago Best Food City: Munchies People's Choice Awards Says Windy City Is Tops For Tasty Eats

Chicago Named Nation's Top Food City In New Poll

According to the latest Munchies Awards announced on Wednesday, Chicago is a food city that's second to none.

Foodie website The Braiser dubbed the prizes the "backyard version of the James Beard Awards," and noted the Munchies: The People’s Choice Awards skewed heavily toward the Midwest when it came to winners of the nation's best chef, food magazine, website and cuisine-specific eats.

The somewhat new Bar Toma won the hearts (or tastebuds) of Muchies voters for best pizza, while Lincoln Park's The Butcher and the Burger came out on top for its patty perfection.

(Read chefs' thoughts on the city's culinary scene and their favorite Chicago food spots below.)

Not only did Chicago beat out New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Portland for the distinction of America's "Best Food City," the Hog Butcher of the World made a strong showing across several cuisine-specific areas, too.

Chicago chef Paul Kahan (who recently notched a major James Beard nod) ranked among the finalists for Best Chef, while Big Star, Black Dog Gelato and Intelligentsia were in the running for best tacos, ice cream and coffee, respectively.

Nominees were chosen by panelists (which included highly opinionated Chicago food powerhouse Graham Elliot) and set to a public vote.

Recently, the city's iconic Super Dawg received the honor of America's Most Life-Changing Hot Dog, (pictured above) and Chicago nabbed another nod from Esquire for our indisputably awesome pizza.

Though the local food scene has had no shortage of accolades from industry kingmakers like the James Beard Foundation and the Michelin Guides, the Munchies show it's always nice to get love from the voting (and eating) public.

Before You Go

Anne Burrell

Celebrity Chefs On Chicago's Culinary Scene

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