I fall in love with things pretty easily. Puppies, sunsets, you name it -- but my one true love, the one I hold above all others forever and ever? Food.

I. Love. Food.

Now, a lot of people ask me why I left sunny Southern California for not-so-mild-winter Chicago for college. I love my school and everything, but if I’m being honest, a small (or maybe not-so-small) part of me was in it for the food. Everyone knows that Chicago has some of the best food in the world, and I was ready to spend the next four years of my college life on a quest to try it all.

I grew up in Orange County where there is *hands down* some of the best food in the universe. And that’s not an exaggeration. It really isn’t.

So, how did Chicago’s best hold up against the OC eatery in my first year? Who did it better: Chitown vs. SoCal Showdown!

1. In-N-Out vs. Devil Dawgs

Ugh, yes, a classic California staple, the one and only In-N-Out Burger. Pair it with french fries and a chocolate shake and you’re golden. Devil Dawgs may be home to some awesome Chicago-style hot dogs (and I can’t ever not get a bucket of fries), but In-N-Out wins hands down for the fast food bit.

2. Ruby’s Shake Shack vs. Portillo’s

Cake … in a shake? No. Way. While the view at Ruby’s Shake Shack on PCH is to die for, I might just have to give it to Portillo’s. Super yummy fries plus an equally yummy shake. I can’t stop thinking about it now. Chicago, you’ve stolen this one, rightfully so.

3. Pho King Way vs. Tank Noodle Grill

OK, let me start out by saying that 1) I am half Vietnamese and 2) the best Asian food is in Orange County. However, Tank Noodle is so. darn. good. PK Way is one of my favorite Vietnamese restaurants back home, but Tank Noodle is a nearly perfect twin. Asian on Argyle, you’ve earned a tie on this one.

4. Cream vs. Mindy’s Hot Chocolate

My friends and I love to grab quick cookie ice cream sandwiches, so Cream is our absolute go-to. We can swap and match our midnight sweet cravings with a bazillion different cookie and ice cream options, but unfortunately, Cream doesn’t have the churros that Mindy’s Hot Chocolate has to offer. Or the Mexican hot chocolate. Or the donuts*. Mindy takes the title on this one.

*Shout-out to Stan’s Donuts for being one of the best doughnut places in probably the whole world.

5. Starbucks vs. Dunkin' Donuts

And finally, here it is: Starbucks vs. Dunkin' Donuts. While Starbucks isn’t an entirely an OC original, it might as well be. Starbs Very Berry Hibiscus, cake pops, and their lemon loaf bread still remain the most important things in my life. In a Dunkin'-dominated city, Starbucks prevails! Now, if they could somehow work in Dunkin’s chocolate munchkins, the universe would be a better place. No surprise here, Starbucks wins.

All in all, Chicago does some things that the OC hasn’t mastered yet. Grateful to get to live in both and get the most amazing food in the world all in one lifetime.