The Mexican dishes at Topolobampo, in Chicago, IL, are a favorite of Michael Chiarello's on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate.

As a Jewish food specialist, Ted Allen calls Manny's noodle kugel "classic" and a "great way to gain a lot of weight." The kugel in itself merits a trip to Chicago, but diners nationwide head to Manny's for all the tasty Jewish fare, including the chicken soup and massive corned beef sandwiches.

Ted Allen counts down the days until he can have Chef Art Smith's famous fried chicken, which is only served on Sundays. The juicy and flavorful chicken is brined for 3 days before it's dredged in an amalgam of secret spices and fried. If you're feeling hungry, order some mac and cheese as well.

Wine bar Avec's entrees and small plates echo the wine-growing region of southern France. The chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates with smoked bacon have become an iconic cult dish (Chris Cosentino ordered multiples on The Best Thing I Ever Ate), and the focaccia with Taleggio isn't far behind.

At Alinea, Ted Allen downs his favorite appetizer: Hot Potato, Cold Potato. Ted says it's a bit like a circus on your plate, but it's more like a high-wire act. Alinea takes chilled potato soup and suspends a hot melon-balled potato with black truffle above it. It's hyper-modern and hyper-good.

Marc Murphy had never heard of a pizza pot pie. But after one bite of the pizza pot pie at this spot, he instantly knew it was deserving of the title The Best Thing I Ever Ate. The pie layers cheese and a special sauce inside a fluffy Sicilian crust. Flip the behemoth over and then devour.

The philosophy behind Urbanbelly is about creating a communal dining experience, which is why Chef Bill Kim opted for communal dining tables. The menu's also a fusion of flavors. Art Smith's favorite dish, rice noodles, blends both Latin and Korean roots with hominy, kimchi and spicy pork.

Besides Swedish cookies and coffee cakes, Swedish Bakery also turns out dozens of European and American culinary confections, including Ted Allen's favorite nutty treat: marzipan. Specifically, he loves the little green frog cakes filled with raspberry buttercream and covered in marzipan.

The way Art Smith sees it, the pizzettes at Socca are so good that he insists on hiring the chef to make them for his parties. Art admits the pizzettes' perfect crust and toppings like heirloom tomatoes, basil, roasted garlic and shrimp are less about the oven and all about the person making it.

Andrew Zimmern's known for eating unusual foods across the globe, but when back home, he indulges in his favorite Filipino specialty, crispy pata (fried pork leg) at Ruby's Fast Food. The crispy skin "shatters like glass" on each bite. Meanwhile, fans can't get enough of her cured beef, tapsilog.

Don’t tell Art Smith white chocolate isn't chocolate, because he'll take you down to May St. Cafe for the white chocolate flan. May St. makes the flan with cream cheese, mascarpone and creamy white chocolate. It's the perfect dessert for a restaurant with "gourmet eclectic Latino cuisine."

Local Chicagoans know The Wiener's Circle for the signature Chicago-style hot dogs and also the "verbal abuse" between late-night customers and employees. The famous tradition has garnered national attention. Still, the real superstar is the Char Dog. As Ted Allen says, "It's true, real Chicago."

When the Swedish owners of a restaurant in Chicago decided to retire, Ann quit her job of 22 years, pooled her life savings and bought herself a diner. Her devotion to made-from-scratch food, especially the cinnamon rolls Jeff Mauro calls insane, is legendary in the Lakeview neighborhood.

During the holidays Art Smith will be eating Boka's holiday special: Duck Ragout With Saffron Bigoli Pasta. On The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Art reveals how Boka adds the perfect hint of saffron. As a restaurant cooking with seasonal ingredients, Boka also shines with its take on Short Rib Ravioli.

Ray Lampe may be called Dr. BBQ, but he says the best-ever, "meat fest" doesn't come from the South, but from Joe Boston's Italian Beef in Chicago. The true meatfestorama is right at Joe Boston's, as Ray orders the Italian Beef Sausage sandwich dipped, with the giardiniera pepper topping.