By Danielle M
Special to Road Trips for Foodies

Pizzeria Uno. Hot Doug’s. Chicago’s most famous restaurants are, well, famous, so even foodinistas just passing through town know not to miss the city’s original deep-dish pizza or hottest spot for hot dogs, and no local foodie worth their weight in Al’s Italian Beef have neglected to visit the most famous Chicago eateries.

Is it possible that Chicago’s famed dishes have overshadowed some of the city’s other great places to grab a bite?

Chicago’s food scene has so many perfect qualities, you’ll want to marry it long before you get to Chicago’s hidden gems, but why not ensure a long-term union by really digging into Chicago’s food scene with something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue?

Something Old: Colonial Café & Ice Cream

The original dairy that launched the Colonial franchise in 1901 may be gone, but the tradition continues around Chicago. Voted “best kid-friendly restaurant” and “best breakfast,” Colonial Café still owes most of its lauds to the Kitchen Sink, a monster of a sundae with two bananas, six scoops of ice cream, three toppings, almonds, whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Make the trip westward to the Saint Charles location at 1625 East Main Street for the best history-topped sundae. This location was the first of the Colonial Cafés, opened in 1959.

Something New: Old 5th

Brand new on the Chicago scene, Old Fifth looks to meld the worlds of pizza and whiskey, creating a distinctive combination for the foodie palette. Thin-crust pizza, sandwiches, cheese plates and entrees get served up alongside 120 whiskeys, including those of the Scotch, Irish and Canadian varieties, iPads adorn the tables, and outdoor tables make it an indoor-outdoor summertime venue.

Something Borrowed: En Hakkore

With the authentic Mexican on the city’s Lower West Side and Devon Avenue’s high-quality Indian restaurants, Chicago foodies are used to first-rate ethnic food. Put those food traditions together, along with several additional international influences, and you get En Hakkore, Chicago’s eatery with tons of personality.

Considered Asian-fusion, the sushi chef owner of En Hakkore fuses just about anything he can, serving up sushi rolls with barbecued beef and tacos crafted from Indian paratha and Korean pork.

En Hakkore is located at 1840 North Damen Avenue.

Something Blue: Blue Sky Bakery

For the true foodie, all the good eats in the world are insufficient without knowing where to find a decadent dessert. When in Chicago, you can find that dessert at Blue Sky Bakery & Café, a Chicago eatery and non-profit with heart. Baking at Blue Sky is done by at-risk youth, who receive on-the-job-training that allows them to learn the skills they need to find work beyond the program.

Go for your conscience, but stay for the treats. The baked goods whipped up by the Blue Sky team get top marks for taste and for their reasonable prices.

As a local, you know what’s good in your city, but if you’ve missed these overshadowed Chicago staples, it’s time to make your rounds back through the Chicago restaurant scene. Be a tourist in your own city, check out some of the famous Chicago attractions you walk by and ignore every day, and then stop by these fine Chicago food spots that you may have missed the first time around.

(Photo courtesy of Blue Sky Bakery & Café)

About the author: Danielle M. studies marketing and supply chain management at The Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis. In her spare time, she blogs about local music and frequently travels north for a variety of Chicago attractions, including foodie events and summer music festivals.