As a girl who grew up in Chicago my whole life I have eaten at some of the best and worst restaurants in the city. However, today I would like to show you some of the best restaurants not many non-Chicagoans know about.

1. West Town Bakery & Diner

Looking for a bakery with some of the best cake balls around? Visit West Town- they offer a wide variety of flavors from your classic Triple Chocolate to French Toast, Blueberry Almond, Mexican Spice, and Mint Chip. *I recommend the Red Velvet or the Mint Chip.

2. Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea

If you are looking for an amazing cup of coffee stop by Intelligentsia. They offer some of the freshest brewed coffee in all of Chicago being imported from Peru, Rwanda, and Guatemala. *I recommend all types of coffee available here.

3. Paciugo

On a hot summer day in Chicago and you need something to cool you down? Head on over to Paciugo where you can get gelato and sorbetti the traditional Italian way with the freshest fruits and all natural ingredients. *I would recommend trying the wedding cake, it wont disappoint.

4. Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine

This is for all you cheese lovers out there. They offer an array of cheeses from goat cheese, to salty Manchego cheese, or crumbly Cabot cheese. From rustic to traditional, from Italian to French, there is always a cheese to please no matter the person. *I recommend the blue cheese or the sharp cheddar.

5. Molly’s Cupcakes

You're never to young be a kid. Stop into Molly’s cupcakes and choose from one of her many decadent cupcakes from the classic Vanilla to Cookies and Cream, Salted Caramel Butterscotch, Key Lime Pie, Peach Cobbler and Tiramisu. Enjoy these cupcakes while sitting on a swing built into their restaurant. *I recommend the Cookies and Cream.

6. Lou Malnati’s

A trademark of Chicago is our deep dish pizza and Lou Malnati’s lives up to the Chicago standards. Lou Malnati’s makes all of their pizzas from scratch starting with hand selected vine ripened tomatoes, an exclusive sausage blend, fresh mozzarella cheese, and flaky buttery crust. *I recommend the traditional Lou Malnati’s Pizza with a side of the Lou Malnati’s salad.

7. Nuevo Leon

Nuevo Leon, a small restaurant located in Little Mexico of Chicago, has been serving some of the most authentic Mexican food around since they opened their doors in 1962. However, expect to see a line out the door with at least a thirty minute wait time, but the wait is completely worth it. *I recommend the tamales.

8. Garrett’s Popcorn

Looking for the perfect combination of sweet and salty? Head on over to Garrett’s Popcorn where they hot air pop their signature blends of kernels and then mix them into their secret family recipe. This popcorn is an irresistible snacking sensation with flavors from cheese corn, caramel crisp, cashew caramel crisp, and pecan caramel crisp. *I recommend the Garrett’s Mix (a blend of cheese corn and caramel crisp).

9. Vosges

This is for all those who have a sweet tooth. Vosges Haut-Chocolate is a Chicago based luxury chocolate maker, founded in 1998. Offering some of the most exotic chocolate around, your taste buds will be exploding with every bit of the truffle.*I recommend the chocolate bombs that have a kick of spice while covered in savory chocolate.

10. Flub A Dub Chub

One of the best “hole in the wall” restaurants around. Flub A Dub Chub has been serving pedestrians with a traditional Chicago style hot dog for years. But don’t you dare ask for ketchup otherwise your picture will be taken and placed on the wall of shame. (My sister has been on the wall of shame multiple times) *I recommend the traditional Chicago style hot dog.