When people hear the words Chicago-style food, they may immediately think of deep-dish pizza.
But Chicago food culture is much bigger than pizza.
Italian beef, hot dogs, giardiniera, Polish sausage, neighborhood sandwiches, gyros, Italian sausage and other casual foods have become part of the food identity of the Chicago metropolitan area.
And you don’t have to drive into downtown Chicago to explore those flavors.
Aurora is part of the larger Chicagoland food landscape, and that makes it an interesting place to look for Chicago-style comfort food.
The interesting part is that not every Chicago-area food is simply a variation of the same sandwich. Italian beef has its own ordering style. A Chicago-style hot dog has a recognizable collection of toppings. Giardiniera brings a completely different combination of acidity, vegetables, oil and heat. A Gym Shoe takes several sandwich traditions and puts them together into one oversized meal.
So if you’re searching for Chicago-style food in Aurora, IL, this guide is meant to help you understand what you’re actually looking at before you order.
What Does “Chicago-Style Food” Actually Mean?
There isn’t one single ingredient that makes something Chicago-style.
Instead, the phrase usually refers to foods that became strongly associated with Chicago and the surrounding region through local restaurants, sandwich shops, neighborhood food stands and generations of customers.
Some of these foods have roots outside Illinois. Italian beef, for example, developed through Chicago’s Italian-American food culture. Hot dogs themselves obviously aren’t unique to Chicago. Gyros aren’t originally from Chicago either.
What makes the Chicago connection interesting is how those foods developed a distinctly local identity.
Big Sandwiches
Italian beef, Italian sausage, Polish sausage, Gym Shoes and other substantial sandwiches are closely connected with Chicago-area casual dining.
Peppers, Relish & More
Giardiniera, onions, peppers, pickles, mustard and other toppings can completely change the flavor of a simple sandwich.
Casual & Filling
A lot of Chicago-area food is designed to be satisfying, practical and easy to order for lunch, dinner or takeout.
Italian Beef: One of Chicago’s Most Recognizable Sandwiches
If you’re specifically searching for a Chicago-style food in Aurora, Italian beef is one of the most natural places to start.
An Italian beef sandwich is built around thinly sliced roast beef served on a substantial roll with savory au jus and peppers. Giardiniera can add heat, acidity and crunch, while some versions include cheese.
The way the sandwich is prepared matters almost as much as the ingredients.
Mayo Grill’s current Italian beef is served with thinly sliced roast beef, giardiniera, mozzarella, au jus and fries. Customers can choose how much au jus they want, making the sandwich drier or considerably juicier depending on preference.
That ordering choice is one of the fun parts of Italian beef.
Dry
The bread stays firmer and the sandwich is easier to handle.
Dipped
More of the bread gets coated with savory au jus for a softer, juicier sandwich.
Extra Juicy
For people who want the au jus to play a major role in every bite.
If you’re completely new to Italian beef, Mayo Grill also has a dedicated guide explaining
what Italian beef is
and how the sandwich is typically ordered.
Giardiniera: The Chicago Topping That Changes Everything
If you’ve never had giardiniera before, the first bite of an Italian beef can be confusing.
You may taste peppers, vegetables, vinegar-like acidity, oil, salt, spice and crunch all at once.
That’s because giardiniera isn’t simply a hot sauce.
Chicago-style giardiniera is a vegetable-based condiment that commonly combines peppers and other vegetables with oil and seasonings. Hot versions can include chile peppers that bring noticeable heat.
That contrast is one reason giardiniera works so well with Italian beef. The beef and cheese bring richness, the au jus brings savory moisture, and the giardiniera provides acidity, vegetables, crunch and heat.
Once you’ve tried that combination, it becomes much easier to understand why giardiniera became so closely associated with Chicago sandwiches.
Chicago-Style Hot Dogs: What Makes Them Different?
The Chicago-style hot dog is another food that has developed an identity far beyond a basic hot dog.
A traditional Chicago-style hot dog is generally built around an all-beef hot dog on a poppy-seed bun with yellow mustard, chopped onions, bright green relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato, sport peppers and celery salt.
The important thing is that the toppings aren’t random.
The hot dog is designed to create several different flavors and textures in one bite: savory beef, tangy pickle, sweet relish, fresh tomato, onion, mustard and pepper heat.
What You Should Expect
The savory foundation.
Sharp and tangy.
Sweet and pickle-forward.
Fresh bite and crunch.
Freshness and juiciness.
Acidity, crunch and heat.
Mayo Grill’s current hot dog menu uses all-beef hot dogs with onions, tomatoes, relish, pickles, ketchup and mustard, served with fries. The restaurant also offers different meal sizes, from one hot dog through three.
Because ketchup is part of Mayo Grill’s current preparation, it is more accurate to think of the restaurant’s version as a fully topped all-beef hot dog rather than suggesting that every topping combination follows the traditional Chicago dog formula.
You can see the current menu and meal options on the
Hot Dogs in Aurora
page.
The Gym Shoe: A Chicago Sandwich You May Not Know
If Italian beef and Chicago-style hot dogs are familiar names, the Gym Shoe is the one that may make you stop and ask:
The Gym Shoe is a Chicago-area sandwich associated with neighborhood sandwich shops and combinations of multiple meats, cheese, vegetables and sauces.
There isn’t one universally standardized recipe, which is part of what makes the sandwich interesting. Different restaurants can use different meats, cheeses, sauces, breads and toppings.
Mayo Grill’s version takes the concept in its own direction.
Three Meats. Cheese. Peppers. Crunch.
The current Mayo Grill version combines Philly steak, Italian beef and gyro meat with mozzarella, onions, sweet peppers, mayonnaise and gyro sauce. It is wrapped in a tortilla and deep-fried, with lettuce, tomato and fries served alongside.
Philly Steak
Italian Beef
Gyro Meat
Mozzarella
Peppers
Gyro Sauce
The Gym Shoe is particularly interesting for people exploring Chicago-area food because it shows how neighborhood sandwich culture can combine different influences rather than fitting neatly into one cuisine.
Chicago-Style Food in Aurora Goes Beyond the Classics
Once you start looking at Chicago-area food culture, you quickly realize that the classic dishes are only part of the story.
Aurora restaurants also serve foods that have become everyday suburban comfort food: gyros, Philly cheesesteaks, wings, burgers, loaded fries, fried fish, chicken sandwiches and more.
These foods aren’t necessarily Chicago inventions, but they fit into the same casual restaurant culture where customers want filling food, lots of flavor, fast service and enough variety to make everyone at the table happy.
Gyros
Seasoned lamb-and-beef gyro meat, warm pita, tomatoes, onions and tzatziki.
Philly Cheesesteaks
Grilled meat, peppers, onions, mozzarella and a soft roll.
Wings
A classic group-friendly option for lunch, dinner, takeout and game days.
Loaded Fries
Crispy fries combined with cheese and different meat or sauce options.
Mayo Grill’s current menu reflects that variety. Alongside Italian beef and hot dogs, the restaurant serves Phillies, gyros, burgers, wings, fried fish, seafood, chicken, loaded cheese fries, salads, sides, desserts and drinks.
That broad menu is useful when you’re eating with people who don’t all want the same thing.
Philly Cheesesteaks Are Part of the Aurora Comfort-Food Mix
A Philly cheesesteak isn’t a Chicago invention, but it has become a familiar part of the casual restaurant landscape throughout the Chicago suburbs.
The basic formula is straightforward: thinly sliced or grilled meat, peppers and onions, melted cheese and a long soft roll.
Mayo Grill currently offers several Philly variations, including steak, chicken, buffalo chicken, teriyaki chicken, a steak-and-chicken mix and crispy versions.
That makes the Philly a useful choice when someone wants a hearty sandwich but doesn’t necessarily want Italian beef.
Italian Beef vs. Philly
If you’re specifically looking for a Philly in Aurora, Mayo Grill’s
Philly cheesesteak menu
has the current options.
What About Gyros in Aurora?
Gyros aren’t Chicago food in origin, but they have become a very recognizable part of the Chicago-area casual dining landscape.
For many suburban diners, a gyro is one of the first alternatives they consider when they want something filling but different from a burger or beef sandwich.
Mayo Grill’s classic gyro combines seasoned lamb-and-beef gyro meat with warm pita, tomatoes, onions and creamy tzatziki, served with fries.
Seasoned Meat + Fresh Vegetables + Cool Tzatziki
The gyro gives you a different combination from Italian beef or a Philly. Instead of au jus or melted mozzarella being the main supporting flavors, tzatziki provides a cool, creamy contrast to the seasoned meat while tomatoes and onions add freshness and texture.
What Chicago-Style Food Should You Try First?
There isn’t one correct answer.
The best place to start depends on the kind of food you already enjoy.
You Want a Chicago Classic
Try Italian beef with giardiniera and au jus.
You Want a Hot Dog
Try an all-beef hot dog with plenty of toppings.
You Want Something Huge
Look into the Gym Shoe and its combination of meats, cheese and toppings.
You Like Grilled Sandwiches
Try a Philly with steak, chicken or one of the specialty variations.
You Want Pita & Tzatziki
Go with a classic gyro, crispy gyro or gyro plate.
You Like Heat & Crunch
Explore giardiniera, wings, loaded fries or crispy sandwich variations.
Chicago-Style Food Is Great for Groups Because Everyone Can Choose
One of the reasons these foods work so well in Aurora is that casual sandwich restaurants make it easy for groups to order completely different meals.
Imagine four people sitting down for dinner.
One wants Italian beef. Another wants a gyro. Someone wants a Philly. Someone else wants wings.
Nobody has to convince everyone else to eat the same thing.
One Table. Completely Different Cravings.
Italian beef
Gyro
Philly
Wings or burger
That’s also why variety matters for families, coworkers and larger orders. Mayo Grill’s menu currently includes Italian beef, Phillies, gyros, burgers, wings, seafood, chicken, loaded fries, hot dogs, salads, sides, drinks and desserts.
For larger gatherings, Mayo Grill also offers catering and group-order options built around foods such as Italian beef, wings, gyro pans and Philly trays.
If you’re feeding a larger group, the
Aurora catering page
has the current group-order information.
Chicago-Style Food Works Especially Well for Takeout
Another reason these foods are popular is that they fit naturally into busy days.
You may be heading home after work, picking up dinner for the family, meeting friends for a casual meal or simply not interested in cooking.
Sandwiches, wings, fries and similar comfort foods are easy to order ahead and bring home.
Decide the Food Before You Leave
Mayo Grill offers online takeout ordering from its Aurora restaurant. Browse the menu, choose your meals, place the order and pick it up instead of waiting until everyone is hungry to decide what to eat.
Why Aurora Is an Interesting Place for Chicago-Style Food
Aurora is far enough outside Chicago that it has its own local restaurant identity, but close enough to the larger Chicagoland food culture that many familiar Chicago-area foods remain part of everyday dining.
That creates an interesting mix.
You can find food with obvious Chicago connections alongside Mexican, Greek, Mediterranean, Asian, Italian, American and other cuisines.
That means searching for Chicago food in Aurora doesn’t necessarily mean limiting yourself to one restaurant type. It can mean exploring the foods that became especially recognizable in the region while also seeing how Aurora restaurants put their own spin on them.
Chicago-area favorites can be part of a much larger Aurora food scene where different cuisines, flavors and restaurant styles exist side by side.
Chicago-Style Favorites at Mayo Grill in Aurora
Mayo Grill’s menu is built around many of the casual foods people look for when they want a filling Aurora meal.
The restaurant’s Chicago-style standout is Italian beef, served with giardiniera, mozzarella, au jus and fries. The menu also includes fully topped all-beef hot dog meals, along with Phillies, gyros, burgers, wings, seafood, chicken, loaded fries and other comfort-food choices.
Italian Beef
Thin-sliced roast beef, giardiniera, mozzarella, au jus and fries.
Hot Dogs
All-beef hot dogs with onions, tomatoes, relish, pickles, ketchup, mustard and fries.
Crispy Gym Shoe
Philly steak, Italian beef and gyro meat with cheese, peppers, sauces and a crispy exterior.
The restaurant is located at 954 East New York Street Unit B, Aurora, IL 60505.
You can
visit Mayo Grill in Aurora
for dine-in service, order ahead for pickup, check current delivery availability or contact the restaurant about larger orders.
A Simple Way to Explore Chicago-Style Food
If you’re new to these foods, you don’t need to order everything at once.
Start with one food that sounds closest to something you already enjoy.
Start With a Familiar Flavor
Like roast beef? Start with Italian beef. Like steak and cheese? Try a Philly.
Add One New Thing
Try giardiniera, a gyro, a Gym Shoe or another Chicago-area specialty.
Order for the Group
Let everyone choose something different and compare what they ordered.
Find Your Favorite
Once you know what you like, ordering becomes much easier.
Chicago-Style Food Quick Guide
| Food | What Defines It | Try It If You Like… |
|---|---|---|
| Italian Beef | Thin-sliced beef, au jus, peppers, giardiniera | Juicy beef sandwiches and bold toppings |
| Chicago-Style Hot Dog | All-beef dog with a large mix of toppings | Classic hot dogs with lots of texture |
| Giardiniera | Vegetables, peppers, oil, acidity and heat | Spicy, tangy and crunchy toppings |
| Gym Shoe | Multiple meats, cheese, vegetables and sauces | Huge, loaded sandwich combinations |
| Philly | Grilled meat, peppers, onions and melted cheese | Steak sandwiches and cheesy comfort food |
| Gyro | Seasoned meat, pita, vegetables and tzatziki | Fresh toppings with savory seasoned meat |
Chicago-Style Food in Aurora FAQs
These are some of the questions people commonly have when they are trying to understand Chicago-area food.
What is Chicago-style food?
Chicago-style food refers to foods that became strongly associated with Chicago and the surrounding region. Italian beef, Chicago-style hot dogs, giardiniera-topped sandwiches and other neighborhood comfort foods are common examples.
What Chicago food should I try in Aurora?
Italian beef and Chicago-style hot dogs are two recognizable places to start. If you want something less familiar, a Gym Shoe is another Chicago-area sandwich worth exploring.
What makes Italian beef Chicago-style?
Italian beef is strongly associated with Chicago because of its development in Chicago’s Italian-American food culture. The sandwich typically features thin-sliced roast beef, a sturdy roll, au jus and peppers, with giardiniera being a particularly recognizable Chicago-area topping.
What is giardiniera?
Giardiniera is a vegetable-based condiment commonly made with peppers and other vegetables, oil and seasonings. Chicago-style versions are especially associated with Italian beef and other sandwiches and can provide acidity, crunch and chile heat.
What is a Gym Shoe sandwich?
A Gym Shoe is a Chicago-area sandwich associated with combinations of multiple meats, cheese, vegetables and sauces. Recipes vary by restaurant. Mayo Grill’s version combines Philly steak, Italian beef and gyro meat with mozzarella, peppers, sauces and a crispy tortilla preparation.
Is a Philly cheesesteak Chicago food?
The Philly cheesesteak originated in Philadelphia rather than Chicago. However, it has become a common comfort-food option throughout the Chicago suburbs and can be found alongside Chicago-area favorites such as Italian beef, hot dogs and gyros.
Are gyros Chicago food?
Gyros originated in Greek cuisine, not Chicago. However, gyros became a well-known part of Chicago-area casual dining and are now a familiar food throughout the metropolitan area.
Where can I get Italian beef in Aurora?
Mayo Grill serves Italian beef at 954 East New York Street Unit B in Aurora. The current meal includes thin-sliced roast beef, giardiniera, mozzarella, au jus and fries.
Where can I get hot dogs in Aurora?
Mayo Grill serves all-beef hot dog meals in Aurora with onions, tomatoes, relish, pickles, ketchup and mustard, with fries included. Current meal sizes include one, two or three hot dogs.
Where can I try a Gym Shoe in Aurora?
Mayo Grill offers a Crispy Gym Shoe at its Aurora restaurant. The current version combines Philly steak, Italian beef and gyro meat with mozzarella, onions, sweet peppers, mayonnaise and gyro sauce inside a deep-fried tortilla.
More Aurora Food Guides & Menus
Try a Chicago-Style Favorite in Aurora
Start with Italian beef and giardiniera, try a fully topped all-beef hot dog, explore the Crispy Gym Shoe, or choose a Philly, gyro, wings, burger or another Mayo Grill favorite.
