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@nascarcasm: What to eat when you’re in Chicago, or else

By @nascarcasm | Published: 4 Hours Ago
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As someone who grew up in the Chicagoland area (Editor’s note: He grew up in northwest Indiana, which is not even in the same state as Chicago, but he says “Chicagoland area” because it sounds cooler), I feel it is my duty to list off a few iconic culinary choices you must sample while you’re in Chicago for the NASCAR street race. Read on and eat up.

 

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Few sandwiches in your life will top the authentic, Chicago-style Italian Beef sandwich. Heaven on what should be an adequately soggy French roll. A few slices of seasoned beef, covered with peppers and vegetables and doused in the meat juice. And when I say that the roll must be soggy, I mean if Parker Kligerman were to put his hand on the roll, he would say “It’s raining.”

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But not just any cheeseburger. I’m talking one from the legendary Billy Goat Tavern, located under Michigan Avenue. You read that right – UNDER. This is a no-frills joint opened in 1934, popularized in the 1970s on “Saturday Night Live” (For those old enough, you’ll recall the skit John Belushi repeating “Cheeseburger Cheeseburger Cheeseburger” to an annoyed customer). There are other locations around the city, but I recommend the original. Did I mention it’s under Michigan Avenue? It’s a rare opportunity to say you ate one story below a race track. Don’t miss it.

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You’ve probably picked up on how “Chicago-style” means “covered in layers and layers of other things.” You’d be correct. To be honest, I thought we should have a “Chicago-style” race in which the track is covered in onions, ground beef, mustard, sour cream and au jus but got roundly rejected. Anyways, the Chicago Dog is a must-have. First off, gotta be an all-beef dog on a poppy-seed bun. Atop the dog must be tomatoes, peppers, mustard, chopped onions, relish and yes, an entire pickle spear. If you thought the Martinsville hot dog was a digestive endeavor, buddy your lower intestine has been playing single-A ball. Also, for some reason, never ever put ketchup on a hot dog in Chicago. Why? I don’t know. But if you do you might as well wear Denny Hamlin pajama pants into the Dawsonville Pool Room. You’ve been warned.
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For this, you’ll have to head up north to Wrigley Field, where conveniently enough, the Chicago Cubs will be hosting a special NASCAR night on Thursday, June 29. Look at this magnificent creation. Like, two pounds of nachos, coated in all the things that make nachos awesome – cheese, onions, sour cream, jalapeńos, and probably more – served in a souvenir Cubs batting helmet. As you lick the toppings from your fingers, you’ll begin wondering why race tracks don’t serve nachos in race helmets, much like I have every night before I fall asleep for decades.

 

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If you have nothing else on this list, have this – probably the Windy City’s most famous offering. Where you’d normally eat half of a regular pizza in one sitting, with Chicago-style, you’ll have one or two slices and feel like an over-inflated tire. See, in a Chicago-style pizza, the slices are layered. It’s how pizza is meant to be – a tiramisu of toppings, tomato sauce and cheese. Lasagna on crust. MEAT CAKE. Look to the nearest Lou Malnati’s for the finest. And do not try to pick up the slice and eat it. Knife and fork only.

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“Popcorn”? Yes, popcorn. Chicago-style popcorn has become a thing, and whoever made it a thing, a thousand blessings. It’s a delicious mix of cheese popcorn and caramel popcorn, mixed together. It’s the kind of snack where you think you’ll just have a few bites and next thing you know you’re hearing the sound of your hand touching the bottom of an empty tin. Garrett Popcorn Shops is the place to score it. It’s the perfect snack if there’s a post-race fight. They always say, “Get your popcorn ready!” before drama goes down. I promise watching drivers swing at each other will never be more delicious.




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New track success: Winners of recent inaugural races

By Terrin Waack | Published: 2 Days Ago
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images1 of 17

Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Sunday marks the debut of the NASCAR Cup Series on the 12-turn, 2.2-mile street course in downtown Chicago. See the full list of drivers who scored victories when the series visited a track for the first time in recent history.

 

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Chris Graythen | Getty Images

World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway

Joey Logano No. 22 Team Penske Ford June 5, 2022

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Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Joey Logano No. 22 Team Penske Ford Feb. 6, 2022 (Busch Light Clash exhibition)

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Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course

AJ Allmendinger No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet August 15, 2021

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Sarah Stier | Getty Images

Nashville Superspeedway

Kyle Larson No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet June 20, 2021

 

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Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Circuit of The Americas

Chase Elliott No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet May 23, 2021

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Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt Track

Joey Logano No. 22 Team Penske Ford March 29, 2021

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Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Daytona International Speedway Road Course

Chase Elliott No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Aug. 16, 2020

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Brian Lawdermilk| Getty Images

 

Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval

Ryan Blaney No. 12 Team Penske Ford Sept. 30, 2018

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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Kentucky Speedway

Kyle Busch No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota July 9, 2011

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Jonathan Ferrey | Allsport

Kansas Speedway

Jeff Gordon No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Sept. 30, 2001

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Jonathan Ferrey | Allsport

Chicagoland Speedway

Kevin Harvick No. 29 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet July 15, 2001

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David Taylor | Allsport

Homestead-Miami Speedway

Tony Stewart No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Pontiac Nov. 14, 1999

 

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ISC Images & Archives | Getty Images

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Mark Martin No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford March 1, 1998 You don't need crystal balls to know which chick is going home with me.

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ISC Images & Archives | Getty Images

Auto Club Speedway

Jeff Gordon No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet June 22, 1997 (Then known as California Speedway.)

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ISC Images & Archives | Getty Images

Texas Motor Speedway

Jeff Burton No. 99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford April 6, 1997 Get race results and more here.

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ISC Images & Archives | Getty Images

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Jeff Gordon No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Aug. 6, 1994