If you're looking for a gift that tastes like Chicago, you're in luck. From deep-dish pizza to Garrett’s popcorn and old-school Italian beef, this city is packed with iconic eats that ship nationwide. Whether you’re shopping for a homesick Chicagoan, a foodie friend, or just treating yourself, Chicago food gifts are one of the best ways to send love that comes with extra cheese or butter.
Here’s a guide to the best Chicago food gifts to order, wrap, or devour — locally or across the country.
Let’s start with the obvious one. You can’t talk about Chicago food gifts without Lou’s. Their deep dish pizza is probably the most famous export next to the Bean. Luckily, you can order frozen Lou Malnati’s pizzas through Tastes of Chicago, and they ship just about everywhere in the U.S.
You can choose classic cheese, sausage, pepperoni, or even combos that include Eli’s Cheesecake or Portillo’s Italian beef. They bake up surprisingly close to restaurant quality, and for anyone craving that buttery crust and molten center, it hits the spot.
Another icon. Garrett’s popcorn is sweet, salty, crunchy, and kind of addictive. The “Garrett Mix” — half caramel, half cheddar — is the go-to flavor and shows up in everything from weddings to office parties.
Their signature blue tins are instantly recognizable and make a great presentation. You can even customize them for holidays or special occasions. If you want a Chicago food gift that’s shelf-stable and easy to ship, this one’s a winner.
If someone you love has been talking about Vienna Beef hot dogs and dragging them through the garden, this is your move. A few gift box services let you ship full hot dog kits — buns, dogs, neon relish, sport peppers, the works.
The kits often come with instructions on how to make an “authentic Chicago dog,” which means no ketchup allowed. It's a fun experience and one of the more interactive chicago food gifts on this list.
Eli’s is a Chicago staple. They’ve been making rich, creamy cheesecakes for over 40 years. The original plain cheesecake is still the fan favorite, but they’ve got tons of flavors — chocolate chip, key lime, turtle, and even mini bite-sized samplers.
This ship is frozen and holds up really well. You’ll find them bundled in a lot of the Chicago food gifts on Tastes of Chicago or available directly from Eli’s themselves.
If you want something a little more curated, local gift basket companies like Thoughtful Presence offer pre-made boxes filled with everything from Chicago-made jams and sauces to coffee beans roasted in the city.
You can even find baskets that combine sweet and savory snacks made by local artisans. These are great if you want your Chicago food gifts to include a little variety — maybe something beyond the usual deep dish and popcorn combo.
Reddit users and foodies have pointed out some lesser-known but equally worthy Chicago-made items that make great gifts. Think spicy giardiniera from J.P. Graziano, handmade barbecue sauce from Lillie’s Q, or locally roasted coffee from Metropolis or Dark Matter.
You can put together your own DIY food box filled with specialty condiments and treats that someone wouldn't find outside the city. For food lovers, that kind of Chicago food gift hits differently — thoughtful, unique, and full of local flavor.
And then you thought, "Well, this is it—Portillo's!" You can now order an any-day Italian beef kit capable of giving anyone the homemade experience, containing seasoned beef, gravy, and the right rolls. You are led to make a delightful barbecue and to build it with joyous laughter at your house.
Maybe a few even bundle these with giardiniera, adding just enough heat that only emphasized what most people come to support as a sweeping hallmark of one of Chicago's finest and most sought-after stops in a gastronomical tour itinerary for those longing to encase their face with that gloriously messing beefy sandwich, no napkin in each hand.
When someone is celebrating a birthday, you should literally look for something that has heart with a tart, not skimpy on its repertoires. A queer gift like this! Looking at somebody's perceptions, snapping the crucian carp, acting like gentle contempt, demanding things, even with tough ones, longing for small acts of equality: bodily discomfort, at least through rejecting the shoes off. Let's think to choose something deep-laden!
From well-known brands to small-batch local finds, the best Chicago food gifts come with more than just flavor — they carry a little bit of hometown pride, too. And honestly, who wouldn’t want a pizza or a tin of caramel popcorn showing up on their doorstep?