How To Tell If Someone Is From Chicago Instantly?

A Checklist So You Can Tell If Someone Is From Chicago

Ever run into someone and say to yourself, "Man, I know that guy's from Chicago!" People from the Windy City have some pretty peculiar habits, ways of talking, and favorite foods that give them away. If you're wondering how to find a true Chicagoan, read on! Here are some dead giveaways that the person is from the greatest city in the Midwest.

Chicago Locals Have Strong Feelings About Pizza

Ask a Chicagoan what the best pizza is, and, well, you may get a slight speech. Chicago is known for deep-dish pizza, topped heavily with thick chunks of cheese and pieces of tomato at the top, but not everything in the city is deep-dish. In fact, most locals also favor tavern style, which means thin, snappy crust that's cut into squares rather than triangles.

One thing is certain: If anyone says that New York has better pizza than Chicago, the person from Chicago will argue, or rather fight, on words for their city.

People Of Chicago Knew How To Handle Crazy Weather

The weather is never the same each day; that is the beauty and curse of living in Chicago. In one minute it may be sunny outside, and then comes a snowstorm out of nowhere. True Chicagoans are prepared for the worst, which entails an extra jacket at any time of the year and layering as well as a lack of reliance on the forecast fully.

Winter in Chicago is merciless, and the temperature dramatically drops to below zero; the wind prickles your face like a thousand needles. But do Chicagoans complain? Of course, they do! However, they pride themselves on the fact that they survive. If there's anyone who laughs at people who think 30-degree weather is cold, they're probably from Chicago.

Dedicated Support For Their Sports Teams 

Some of the most passionate sports fans reside in Chicago. You have to be from Chicago if you start crying with real joy when you hear about the Cubs' 2016 victory. 

The Bears' fans will always be there for them, regardless of how badly they play. Bulls fans still revere Michael Jordan as though he had just won another championship. The Blackhawks, what about them? They make it through the hockey season. 

Someone will say, "This is our year!" even while their team is struggling; you can tell they are a true Chicago sports fan.

Chicagoans Take Their Italian Beef Sandwich Seriously

One of the things to definitely try in Chicago is an Italian beef sandwich. But, of course, there's a way of ordering one! If you ask for your beef sandwich "dipped," what that means is that the whole sandwich should be dunked in delicious gravy. And if you ask for it "hot," what that means is that you like spicy giardiniera peppers on top.

A real Chicagoan knows the difference between dry, wet, and dipped. And they definitely know the best Italian beef comes from Portillo's or Al's Beef.

They Know What A "Chicago Handshake" Is

Ask any Chicagoan about the "Chicago Handshake," and he won't bring up the action of shaking hands. He instead brings up a drink: a shot of Malört—a super bitter liquor—paired with an old-school Midwestern beer, like Old Style. Most people who take Malört make this terrible face because it is so strong, but if someone drinks it and doesn't flinch, they are probably from Chicago!

Chicago Residents Know All The Short Routes Through The City

Chicago traffic is a nightmare, but real Chicagoans know all the tricks to get around it. They know to avoid the Kennedy Expressway during rush hour, know how to use Lower Wacker Drive like a pro, and take side streets to avoid traffic. If anyone can precisely tell how much time it will take to travel from the South Side to the North Side at any moment of the day, they are unquestionably a Chicagoan.

So, Can You Tell A Chicagoan?

Check most of these off, and they are probably from Chicago! Everything, from debating deep-dish pizza to how one deals with crazy weather, is peculiarly done by Chicagoans and thus easily recognizable. The next time you meet someone who orders an Italian beef sandwich the right way, cheers to a "Chicago Handshake," or refuses to put ketchup on a hot dog, you'll know you've just met a true Chicagoan!