For a decadent breakfast, order the Pulled Pork Benedict at this barbecue joint in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Snuggled below rich and runny poached egg is the restaurant's tender smoked pork shoulder with tangy barbecue sauce, and on top is a hefty drizzle of chipotle-scented hollandaise.

At this chain that stretches across several states, Chicago-style franks share the menu with other American classics like burgers and malts. Sherri Shepherd is a fan of the Chocolate Cake Milkshake. To make this over-the-top drinkable treat, chocolate cake is added to a vanilla shake base. A healthy pour of chocolate syrup adds to the richness.

When this bar opened, it was all about craft brews and music, but soon the burgers (almost all named for bands) caught on. Graham Elliot is fan of the Mastodon, a beefy patty topped with strips of crispy bacon and a squirt of bourbon-laced barbecue sauce, plus a slice of melty cheese and a pile of fried onions. It’s the perfect fuel for rocking the night away.

The heaping plates of Italian-American cuisine served here have Jeff Mauro hooked. His must-have dish is the Pork Chop Calabrese. A buttery white wine sauce punched up with Calabrese peppers, garlic and pepper cheese infuses the breaded-and-fried chops with a blend of briny, spicy flavors.

Savor an array of delectable small plates at this Mediterranean tapas spot known for its pork dishes. Anne Burrell raves about the Milk Braised Pork Shoulder, a flavorful cut that’s seared and then cooked slow and low to tender perfection in a creamy bath of milk, pork stock, herbs and vegetables. Aarón Sánchez is a fan of the neck-bone gravy, which comes paired with thick slices of toasted bread. This riff on a traditional Sunday gravy brings together bright tomatoes, fresh basil, chile flakes and wisps of shredded pork.

Chocoholics in need of a morning fix should try this spot’s irresistible take on a breakfast classic. The Chocolate Tower French Toast features chocolate-morsel-studded bread that’s dipped in batter, grilled and then served in a pool of rich banana sauce. Chocolate shavings add a final sweet touch.

On Food Network's Sugar High, Duff Goldman dines on The King's dessert at Hoosier Mama Pie Company in Chicago, IL, where they are making Fat Elvis Pie - graham cracker, peanut, pretzel crust filled with chocolate, peanut butter and bananas.

Bobby calls Gibsons’ cuts (like the 48-ounce porterhouse) some of the "juiciest steaks around.” Also try the dessert: The Macadamia Turtle Pie features mounds of caramel-drizzled ice cream, while The Meaning of Life features five layers of chocolate cake, rich mousse and raspberry preserves.

Stop by this joint if you’re looking for stuffed deep-dish pizza while in Chicago. Each pie starts with a beautifully seasoned crust made from a secret family recipe. Fillings like pepperoni and sausage are heaped evenly onto the crust to ensure consistent flavor in every bite, then smothered with a pound and a half of mozzarella cheese. Another layer of dough and some housemade tomato sauce complete the pie.

It's no secret that Chicago is known for hot dogs, but at Franks 'n' Dawgs, the archetypal street food is elevated into some seriously "haute" dogs. Munch on a Brunch Dog — breakfast sausage with bacon, fried egg and maple mayo — with some Waffle Truffle Fries.

Chicago may be known for deep-dish pies, but Lou Malnati’s serves a thin-crust creation that has won over legions of pizza lovers. Known as the Loaded Combo Pizza, this pie features a butter-brushed crust and a bevy of toppings (think pepperoni, sausage and black olives). Another popular pie is the Malnati Chicago Classic, which comes covered with sausage, local mozzarella and vine-ripened tomato sauce. There’s even a take on that iconic deep-dish pie. “Lou Malnati’s deep-dish pizza is one of the best dishes you can eat in Chicago, period,” says Ken Oringer. He’s partial to The Lou: a deep-dish pie that pulls in baby spinach, mushrooms, Roma tomatoes and four types of cheeses to create a “mac and cheese-type crust” Oringer says.

If you’re craving something extra-sweet, stop in for Sublime’s creative riff on ice cream sandwiches (aka “burgers”). Richard Blais recommends the Oreo ice cream burger: A chocolate doughnut is sliced in half, stuffed with housemade Oreo ice cream, and then coated with vanilla fondant and crushed Oreos. Jeff and Audrey Dunham tried their Peach Extravaganza. For this creation, a peach fritter is doused in peach caramel sauce and served with sautéed peaches topped with a peach Riesling sorbet. 

Holeman and Finch draws the crowds with its burger, available on the nightly menu. Two cheese-smothered chuck-and-brisket patties are topped with slivered red onions and bread-and-butter pickles. They’re served on a brioche bun, alongside hand-cut fries and housemade ketchup and mustard.

Twin brothers Jonathan and Justin Fox are serving up a hearty taste of their home state at this Texan barbecue joint in Atlanta, where they smoke around 10,000 pounds of pork and brisket weekly. Guy is a fan of the Fox Bros. “Burger,” which stars hickory-smoked brisket topped with a melty pimento cheese patty, peppered bacon, pickles, tomato and onion, all on a toasted bun.

As its name suggests, this comfort food joint has a fixation with biscuits. The buttery, maple-laced beauties come stuffed with delectable fillings like the spicy fried chicken breast used in The Squawking Goat. A seasoned, crisped layer of goat cheese and jalapeno-spiked jelly finish the creation.