Illinois’ Most Iconic Restaurant Has 60 Locations Across the State

What exactly makes a restaurant "iconic?"

I guess it depends on who you ask because while I like this restaurant, I fear throwing the " icon " term on it might be a bit of a stretch.

After all, it's essentially a pizza chain at this moment.

CHAIN RESTAURANT NAMED THE MOST ICONIC RESTAURANT IN ILLINOIS

They boast about how many locations this joint has on their website's home page.

60 CHICAGOLAND LOCATIONS
PLUS, 8 IN ARIZONA, 5 IN WISCONSIN, AND 7 IN INDIANA!

Again, the food is great, but I'm not sure it's the most iconic restaurant in Illinois.

LOU MALNATI'S LOCATIONS IN ILLINOIS

LoveFood listed Every State's Most Iconic Restaurant, and they said Lou Malnati's is Illinois' choice.

Pretty much synonymous with Chicago, Lou Malnati’s is renowned as one of the best places to get proper deep dish pizza. Having started from scratch back in 1971, it’s now a full on local chain – and yet still family-owned and widely lauded. Folks love the flaky butter crust (a closely guarded recipe, naturally), signature cheese pulls, and exclusive sausage seasoning. In the ever-raging ‘best deep dish pizza’ wars, Lou Malnati’s has the majority in its corner.

THE MOST ICONIC RESTAURANTS IN ILLINOIS

Don't get it twisted; I love Lou Malnati's pizza, but is it the Green Mill, The Berghoff, or Billy Goat Tavern? Those places are iconic because they have stood the test of time.

In your opinion, what is the most iconic restaurant in Illinois?