Moving away from your hometown can be tough, especially if you are moving from a place that makes some of the best food in the United States. Transplants from Chicago can smile a little bit knowing that a little bit of the Windy City has made its way home to the Arizona Desert.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria is a Chicago favorite! Deep dish pizzas just the way pizza was meant to be enjoyed! Those who want a piece of Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizza can enjoy it at one of three locations in Arizona. Not in the mood for classic deep dish pizza? Why not try out another Chicago favorite in the desert, Portillo’s where you can get all your Windy City favorites. Classics such as the famous Chocolate Cake Shake and Chicago Style Hotdogs!
Maybe Sundays feel a little blue without being in your favorite Chicago bar to watch the Bears, Bulls or Blackhawks games. You have to check out Hob Nob Sports Bar & Grill in Chandler, Arizona! The restaurant describes itself as a “Chicago-friendly atmosphere perfect for true die-hard Chicago sports fans and everyone else, too!” Great prices and an atmosphere that reminds you of home; might be the perfect place to call your new favorite neighborhood bar. Looking for a place more centrally located? Check out Half Moon – Windy City Sports Grill in the Biltmore. This places captures the essence of Chicago through their hospitality & great Chicago food! Get yourself an authentic Chicago hot dog or an Italian Beef. In the mood for pizza? Half Moon – Windy City Sports Grill uses a family recipe straight from Chicago!
Now that you’re stuffed with yummy food, what better way to conclude the day by stopping by the Chicago Cubs spring training facility, Sloan Park, which is located in Mesa, Arizona. More of a White Sox fan? They’re here for Spring Training too! You can catch the White Sox in the Phoenix/Glendale area. No matter which Chicago baseball team is your favorite, you can count on the home teams being in town each year for Spring Training from the end of February to March. Check out more info on Spring Training at The Cactus League’s website.
You found the food, you found some of your favorite Chicago teams. Something is missing though, the people! Chicago Born, Arizona Based Sports Fan is a group that hosts meetups for Chicago transplants. Check out one of their events to feel like you are back in Chicago!
There are so many places in the valley that will make any Chicago transplant feel at home. From pizzerias straight from Chicago expanding into the valley to seeing the Cubs and White Soxs for Spring Training, there are plenty of pieces of Chicago in Arizona. The best part of moving from the Windy City to the Arizona Desert? It might simply be the fact you will no longer have to shovel snow.
