Midwesterners' summer cravings turn to simple all-American foods, from corn on the cob to pan-fried walleye to tart cherry pie. These are the go-to favorites of the season, the kind of food found at backyard barbecues and family gatherings at the lake cottage. We're taking you from a roadside farm stand to a Great Lakes fish fry with a Windy City stop for a ballpark classic. Better stash some extra napkins in the glove box.
Chicago-style hot dogs
Hot dogs are a classic summer food across the country, but the Windy City's iconic hot dog joints—and there are hundreds of them—are famous for their steamed all-beef dogs, fully loaded and served on poppy seed buns. Order a "classic" and your Chicago Dog will be piled high with chopped white onion, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, pickled sport peppers, a dash of celery salt, and mustard (never ketchup). Be prepared to wait for it. Standing in line at a walk-up window—whether at 10:30 a.m. or after the bars close—is part of the Chicago experience.....
10 Midwestern foods you must try
