How to Be a Chicagoan

When people ask me where I am from I happily reply, “Chicago”. Being born and raised in Chicago I have grown an ample amount of pride for this city. Along with my love for the Windy City I have learned many life lessons. Some of which are how to navigate public transportation, how to cheer for the Cubs, and how to swim in a frigid body of water. All these little things I have experienced in Chicago have made it my first love. So, today I will share my “How-to-Guide” on being a Chicagoan. This guide will contain everything from where to get the best deep dish to how to properly get around the city. When you finish reading this not only will you fall in love with this city, but you will be a specialist in all things Chicago.

First stop, pizza.

Deep dish is synonymous with this city. The thick, flaky crust filled with decadent mozzarella and fresh tomatoes makes my mouth water. Non-locals may be under the impression that one type of deep dish is the same as the next. I am here to inform you that this is not the case. If you want to be a real Chicagoan, you must get Giordano’s. Giordano’s pizza is a local favorite. Now, when you go in to eat the pizza make sure your technique is right. Grab some utensils and cut it like a nice steak (deep dish deserves to be treated like royalty).

Second stop, hot dogs AND Italian beef.

If you are still hungry after the deep dish head over to Portillo’s. By the way, the guide to being a Chicagoan involves a large amount of caloric consumption. When you get to Portillo’s order a Chicago dog, a milkshake, and an Italian beef. These three items might as well be known as the triple threat. Not only do they threaten your digestive system, but they also will overwhelm your taste buds.

Photograph from @portilloshotdogs on Instagram

Stop three, grab a bike.

After you’ve consumed 50 pounds of food it is time to burn it off. If you want to be a Chicagoan, you got to eat large and work hard. By working hard, I mean biking. The Daley family had a dynasty of mayors that ran Chicago. Their main objective, while in office, was to make Chicago a bike friendly city. Within every mile you can find bike rental stands, called Divvy, that allow you to rent a bike for the day. To truly assimilate into local culture, grab a bike. Trust me the second you hop on a bike you go from tourist to Chicagoan. Once you are on a bike it is necessary to go on the 18-mile path that borders the lake. This ride will expose you to the most beautiful part of the city, Lake Michigan. If you start on the north most end and bike south, you will see dozens of neighborhoods. This is when being a Chicagoan and falling in love with the city becomes easy. While you are on the bike remember to relax. We often times don’t take in our surroundings and that is when we miss out on simple, magical moments. The dynamic that differentiates Chicago from most cities is the contrast of nature to urban jungle. The best way to recognize this contrast is being on a bike and seeing it for yourself.

Stop four, head towards the neighborhoods.

If you are following this guide and are still not enamored by this city, then I have one more thing for you. After you have mounted off your bike get in a cab. I know I said to be a true Chicagoan you must bike, but in this case it is much quicker to drive. Once you are in the cab you have two options. If you are more artistic it is best that you make your way to Wicker Park. If you are not into art but you love sports head over to Wrigleyville. Though Wicker Park and Wrigleyville are polar opposite they both accomplish one thing. They show you what a true, non-tourist version of Chicago is. They embody the essence of what Chicago is: real people, passion and community. In both of these towns you will always feel like you are part of something greater.

Final stop, the "L".

Now that you have learned “how to” be a Chicagoan it is time to go home. Hop on the “L” and make your way to your final destination. While you sit on the germy seats it is easy to ponder as your head looks out. Most of the time I think to myself, “Wow, I love being a Chicagoan”. I hope when you have completed this “how to” guide that you will think this too.