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Illinois Cooking Schools

Virtually every type of food is available in Illinois, but look for excellent international foods in the neighborhoods of Chicago, including Polish, Armenian, Italian, Swedish, Thai, Indian, Moroccan, Lebanese, African-American, French, German and Chinese. In Normal, IL, make a pilgrimage to the original Steak and Shake, a chain that has made no concessions to the passage of time since it opened in 1934. Springfield features "chilli" parlors (they're adamant about spelling it with two ls) and "horseshoe sandwiches" (sandwiches smothered in cheese sauce, with french fries spread over the top). In the countryside, sample homemade apple cider (in the fall) and enjoy corn on the cob at its freshest. If you're passing a town that's having a "burgoo," it's serving a giant pot of homemade soup to be shared by the community...and passing visitors.

Illinois is home to a fast-growing number of world-class wineries. Illinois wines have won international acclaim and many vineyards offer tours, tastings and festivals.

Chicago is a city for people who love good food. Beyond Chicago mainstays like a perfectly cooked steak, deep-dish pizza and hot dogs with all the fixings, the city's diverse restaurant scene offers many excellent choices. So enjoy the local flavors and make your Chicago getaway a memorable culinary experience!

Recent additions to the Chicago dining scene will take you around the world! For fine dining with an inventive twiston European classics, there's the newly opened Pluton, located in River North. Or try Pili.Pili, also in River North, where you can enjoy simple Mediterranean-influenced cuisine with the flavors of France and North Africa. Viand, new on the scene this year, is an upscale American Bistro. The new Park Grill is located in Chicago's Millennium Park, adjacent to the ice skating rink. If you're in the mood for German fare, head up to Lincoln Square (on Chicago's North Side, several miles from downtown) and try the Glunz Bavarian Haus, with lots of great beer and classic regional specialties.

Illinois Cooking Schools
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