Exploring the Authentic Chicago That Inspired The Bear
Ash Hiden delves into why Chicago, America’s Second City, should top your list for a U.S. city break, thanks to the success of the culinary drama The Bear.
The Bear is an engrossing series, as compelling as Jeremy Allen White’s Calvin Klein ads, celebrating Chicago’s vibrant but often overlooked food scene. With the third season of this Emmy and Golden Globe-winning show airing, I decided to explore the city known for its Bears, Bulls, and especially its Italian beef sandwiches.
The Iconic Italian Beef Sandwich
In The Bear, Jeremy Allen White’s character, Carmy, leaves behind a career in fine dining to manage a modest sandwich shop inherited from his late brother. The Italian beef sandwich is a Chicago staple, even more cherished by locals than deep-dish pizza. “I’ll only take out-of-town guests for deep dish pizza,” a local told me.
Soon after arriving, I visited Portillo’s, a celebrated establishment with a 50-year legacy. With locations across Chicago, the Midwest, and beyond, Portillo’s serves slow-roasted beef in a fresh baguette, best enjoyed “hot and wet” with spicy peppers and gravy.
Chicago’s Diverse Culinary Scene
In The Bear, Carmy transforms his sandwich shop into a fine dining venue, reflecting the real-life culinary scene of Chicago. The city’s affordable rents compared to NYC encourage culinary experimentation. At Proxi on W Randolph Street, Chef Andrew Zimmerman serves inventive small plates inspired by his travels. Highlights include foie gras bao buns with Szechuan cucumber and apple hoisin, as well as scallops in a creamy laksa broth and tempura elotes.
Chicago’s strong Mexican influence is evident in the Pilsen neighborhood, where I joined the Tacos & Tequila walking tour. I made tamales at Fiesta Tamaleria El Barrio and enjoyed ground beef tacos with homemade salsa at Taqueria Los Comales. The vibrant, casual atmosphere of these local favorites made for a delightful experience.
Relaxing and Exploring Chicago
After some city exploration, I retreated to The Peninsula on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. The hotel’s rooftop lounge offers views of the John Hancock Center, once the second tallest building in the world. Nearby, the Chicago Architecture Foundation Centre River Cruise showcases unique structures like the St. Regis Chicago, designed by Jeanne Gang, the tallest skyscraper in the world created by a woman.
The “The People in Your Neighborhood” installation by local artist Dont Fret lines the riverwalk, celebrating notable Chicagoans. Meeting Fret at Richard’s Bar, a historic venue with a classic American bar feel, he shared his pride in the project and his view of Chicago as a city of resilient, imperfect beauty.
Summary
Chicago is a city of towering buildings and rich culinary experiences, perfect for fans of The Bear. From messy but delicious beef sandwiches to vibrant street murals and historic bars, the city embodies a spirit that is both grand and grounded.
Rooms at The Peninsula start at £351. For more information on exploring Chicago, visit Choose Chicago.
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To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Exploring the Authentic Chicago That Inspired The Bear
Ash Hiden delves into why Chicago, America’s Second City, should top your list for a U.S. city break, thanks to the success of the culinary drama The Bear.
The Bear is an engrossing series, as compelling as Jeremy Allen White’s Calvin Klein ads, celebrating Chicago’s vibrant but often overlooked food scene. With the third season of this Emmy and Golden Globe-winning show airing, I decided to explore the city known for its Bears, Bulls, and especially its Italian beef sandwiches.
The Iconic Italian Beef Sandwich
In The Bear, Jeremy Allen White’s character, Carmy, leaves behind a career in fine dining to manage a modest sandwich shop inherited from his late brother. The Italian beef sandwich is a Chicago staple, even more cherished by locals than deep-dish pizza. “I’ll only take out-of-town guests for deep dish pizza,” a local told me.
Soon after arriving, I visited Portillo’s, a celebrated establishment with a 50-year legacy. With locations across Chicago, the Midwest, and beyond, Portillo’s serves slow-roasted beef in a fresh baguette, best enjoyed “hot and wet” with spicy peppers and gravy.
Chicago’s Diverse Culinary Scene
In The Bear, Carmy transforms his sandwich shop into a fine dining venue, reflecting the real-life culinary scene of Chicago. The city’s affordable rents compared to NYC encourage culinary experimentation. At Proxi on W Randolph Street, Chef Andrew Zimmerman serves inventive small plates inspired by his travels. Highlights include foie gras bao buns with Szechuan cucumber and apple hoisin, as well as scallops in a creamy laksa broth and tempura elotes.
Chicago’s strong Mexican influence is evident in the Pilsen neighborhood, where I joined the Tacos & Tequila walking tour. I made tamales at Fiesta Tamaleria El Barrio and enjoyed ground beef tacos with homemade salsa at Taqueria Los Comales. The vibrant, casual atmosphere of these local favorites made for a delightful experience.
Relaxing and Exploring Chicago
After some city exploration, I retreated to The Peninsula on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. The hotel’s rooftop lounge offers views of the John Hancock Center, once the second tallest building in the world. Nearby, the Chicago Architecture Foundation Centre River Cruise showcases unique structures like the St. Regis Chicago, designed by Jeanne Gang, the tallest skyscraper in the world created by a woman.
The “The People in Your Neighborhood” installation by local artist Dont Fret lines the riverwalk, celebrating notable Chicagoans. Meeting Fret at Richard’s Bar, a historic venue with a classic American bar feel, he shared his pride in the project and his view of Chicago as a city of resilient, imperfect beauty.
Summary
Chicago is a city of towering buildings and rich culinary experiences, perfect for fans of The Bear. From messy but delicious beef sandwiches to vibrant street murals and historic bars, the city embodies a spirit that is both grand and grounded.
Rooms at The Peninsula start at £351. For more information on exploring Chicago, visit Choose Chicago.
