Here’s IL’s ‘most iconic’ dish, says Food Network. Where to get it in metro-east
Food Network recently named a popular Illinois dish the “most iconic” in the state, and while its origins are in Chicago, you can also find it in the metro-east.
Food Network’s May 13 report, “The Most-Iconic Food in All 50 States,” named deep-dish pizza the most iconic food in the Land of Lincoln.
“Because it’s a knife-and-fork affair that threatens your cardiac health, most Illinoisans eat deep-dish pizza only a few times a year,” Food Network’s analysis reads. “But when they do, the best places to get it are the restaurants run by the sons of deep-dish pizza co-inventor Rudy Malnati Sr.: Lou Malnati’s and Pizano’s (owned by Rudy Malnati Jr.).”
Although Chicago’s deep-dish pizza is the best-known, the metro-east is home to at least one pizza joint offering a deep-dish pie.
Joe’s Pizza & Pasta has 12 restaurants throughout southern and central Illinois, including locations in Fairview Heights, Mascoutah, Collinsville and Columbia. The local chain offers Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, along with thin crust, thick crust and stuffed crust pies.
Pasta options include spaghetti, alfredo, ravioli, lasagna, chicken parmesan and more, and the menu also features a selection of sandwiches and salads. Appetizer choices include breadsticks, garlic bread, wings and fried mozzarella. If you make it to dessert, you can try a cannoli, cheesecake or tiramisu.
The build-your-own Chicago-style pizza ranges from $21.50 for a small to $30 for an extra-large, according to the online ordering website, and you can add on extra cheese, meats or veggies to top it off.
What about Missouri’s most iconic dish?
Missouri’s most-iconic dish is the St. Louis favorite toasted ravioli, according to Food Network’s report. Orders of the fried pasta dish are also referred to as “t-ravs,” and Food Network lauded Salt + Smoke’s rendition, which features burnt ends and white barbecue sauce.
“Resistance is futile,” Food Network’s article reads.
In addition to its St. Louis restaurants, Salt + Smoke has a location on Edwardsville’s Main Street.
You can also find t-ravs at Papa Vito’s, Tavern on Main, Geo’s Wings & More and other metro-east establishments.
“Each state is packed with iconic regional eats that share its history and define its geography,” Food Network reported.
Other most-iconic Midwest dishes included the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich in Indiana, sweet corn in Iowa, barbecue ribs in Kansas, fried cheese curds in Wisconsin, Cincinnati chili in Ohio and pasty in Michigan, according to Food Network writers.
Do you have a question about restaurants in Illinois for the News-Democrat? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Metro-east Matters form below.
