The Menu: Devil in the White City
Step right up and take a bite out of history. Imagine strolling through the fairgrounds in 1893, surrounded by the sights, sounds, and sizzling smells of the World’s Fair. This menu is your ticket to the Midway, no admission required. From first bites to grand finales, you’ll sample iconic eats and nostalgic novelties that once wowed the crowds. Grab your fork, hold onto your bonnet, and get ready for a culinary carousel of classics. Come one, come all, the flavor fair is in town!
Drinks
Raise your glass to 1893 with a cold can of Pabst Blue Ribbon. It won top honors at the fair and still hits the spot today. Sip it like a champion, imagine the crowds, and let your taste buds take you back in time. Cheers to beer, good company, and being alive.
Appetizer
Start things off with snacks that made a splash at the 1893 World’s Fair. Cracker Jacks brought the sweet-salty magic, Cream of Wheat served up cozy comfort, and Milton Hershey introduced chocolate products alongside his caramels. The rest is history. These weren’t just crowd-pleasers, they were game-changers.
Salad
Freshen things up with a Chicago favorite: Portillo’s Chopped Salad. This crowd-pleaser combines pasta, bacon, chicken, and Gorgonzola, all tossed in a tangy Italian vinaigrette. It’s bold, satisfying, and easy to love. Find the recipe at The Girl Who Ate Everything.
Main
Take a trip back to the fairgrounds with the original Vienna beef sausage, the inspiration behind today’s beloved Chicago-style hot dog. Pile on mustard, onions, and that signature poppy seed bun for a bite that’s all flavor and all history. Find the recipe at The Tipsy Housewife.
Side
No Chicago fair-inspired feast is complete without a slice of deep-dish pride. These individual-sized pizzas from Allrecipes serve up the perfect crust-to-cheese ratio with plenty of gooey, savory goodness. One bite and you’re back in the heart of Chicago.
Dessert
End on a high note with the original Palmer House brownie, first baked for the 1893 World’s Fair. Rich, fudgy, and topped with an apricot glaze, this chocolate classic has stood the test of time and is still served at the Palmer House Hilton. Chill the brownies in the freezer for a couple of hours before slicing for clean edges. Find the recipe at Allrecipes.
Here’s to the magic of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, a celebration of bold ideas, wild inventions, and unforgettable flavors. Raise your PBR, toast to Ferris wheels and zippers, and savor the joy of sharing good food with great company.
