These are the dishes Chicago is known for deep-dish pizzas, old-fashioned donuts, and fried chicken.
These are also why most tourists and locals flock to some of the best restaurants in the city. But, unfortunately, these are also the biggest reasons dieters think it’s tough to find a keto restaurant in the city.
But wait, you seem to be forgetting something.
What about their top-quality steaks, hotdogs, and other juicy and meats?
Yes, the windy city has many things in store for people on a ketogenic diet too!
If you’re on the lookout for ketogenic dining places in the city, here’s the guide that you’ve been waiting for!
Are you ready to dive into the ketogenic food scene? Here are some of the best food spots that you should pay a visit:
Mable’s Table
- Address: 1655 W. Cortland St.
- Contact Number: 773-904-7433
- Website: https://www.mablestable.com/
Opening Hours:
- Mondays and Tuesdays: Closed
- Wednesdays and Thursdays: 4:00 PM-9:00 PM
- Fridays and Saturdays: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Sundays: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Inspired by his mother’s love for cooking and sharing her excellent meals with anyone who sits at her table, Chef Anthony Reyes decided to establish Mable’s Table. At this cozy place, you’ll get to taste the recipes from his grandma and mom, which will undoubtedly make you feel at home.
How to Order:
Mable’s Table offers different menu options for lunch and dinner.
For lunch, try to shy away from their mac and cheese and sandwich offerings. On the other hand, avoid the pasta entrées on the dinner menu. Also, make sure to choose your sides wisely.
What to Order:
Eggplant Caprese
This appetizer features your ketogenic favorites—mozzarella, tomato, and arugula drizzled with balsamic dressing, a delightful way to start your meal.
American Whitefish
Satisfy your protein needs with this perfectly cooked whitefish served with Meyer lemon butter and field salad on the side.
Meats + Chops
Choose from a wide range of perfectly grilled meats—NY Strip, Ribeye, Pork Chops, or Chopped steak and a salad of your choice.
Smoked Salmon
Their smoked salmon is done pastrami style and served with toast points on the side.
Keto Tip: We recommend holding the toast points to keep it low carb.
Skirt Steak and Frites
This features a long and flat steak which is known for its flavor instead of tenderness. The steak is cooked au jus and Mediterranean style. It’s served with fries on the side.
Keto Tip: Ditch the fries. Simple, right?
Bluebird
- Address: 2863 N. Clark St.
- Contact Number: 773- 661-1531
- Website: https://bluebirdchi.com/
Opening Hours:
- Mondays: Closed
- Tuesdays to Saturdays: 11:30 AM- 9:30 PM
- Sundays: 11:30 AM- 9:00 PM
Dedicated to delivering the best American comfort foods, Bluebird also made sure that they have something to offer for keto dieters that will help satisfy their cravings without the carbs! It may seem an impossible feat, but they did manage to achieve it.
How to Order:
- By skipping the buns and breads, you can turn most of their sandwiches and burgers into a keto-friendly dish.
- For a light meal, you can go for their salads or slaw.
What to Order:
Keto/ Gluten-Free Fried Chicken Meal
A fried chicken that’s both gluten-free and keto-friendly? Yes, you can find one at Bluebird.
Their famous dish comprises 4 buttermilk strips coated with their signature keto flour blend and house spices. This comes with house pickles, coleslaw, and your choice of sauce.
Cobb Salad
This vegetable salad includes chopped roasted chicken, Roma tomato, avocadoes, bacon, and blue cheese. All these are served on a bed of mixed greens and drizzled with homemade lemon vinaigrette.
- Keto Tip: You can ask them to hold the vinaigrette to reduce your carbohydrate consumption.
Santa Fe Salad
It includes roasted chicken, avocadoes, red onion, Roma tomato, white cheddar, corn, and mixed greens tossed in chipotle ranch.
- Keto Tip: Ditch the corn and chipotle sauce since creamy dressings are one of the worst salad ingredients that you can have. (*)
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Again, this salad uses roasted chicken, but this time, the chicken is tossed in buffalo sauce and mixed with blue cheese crumbles, Roma tomato, and onions, placed on top of mixed greens drizzled with buttermilk ranch.
Keto Tip: Order the salad without the buttermilk ranch as buttermilk is not considered keto-friendly.
Cheesesteak Sandwich
One of the best sandwiches you can order at Bluebird for the keto diet would be their cheesesteak sandwich. This sandwich is made of ribeye steak, provolone, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and American cheese.
- Keto Tip: Order this without the bun!
Blue Door Farm Stand
- Address: 2010 North Halstead St
- Contact Number: 773- 935- 2583
- Website: https://www.bluedoorfarmstand.com/
Opening Hours:
- Mondays to Fridays: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturdays and Sundays: 10:00 AM- 8:00 PM
From their menu, it seems like the Blue Door Farm Stand is just another typical American restaurant. But what you didn’t know is this is a farm-to-table restaurant where you can enjoy wholesome food in a warm and welcoming environment.
How to Order:
We recommend going for their lunch or dinner menu as they only have a few keto-friendly choices on their brunch menu.
What to Order:
Sesame Chicken Salad
This includes watermelon radish, bean sprouts, pickled peppers, chicken strips, and mixed greens served with sesame cilantro vinaigrette.
- Keto Tip: You can hold the vinaigrette if you’re on a strict keto diet.
Farm Stand Cobb Salad
This salad includes grilled chicken, egg, bacon, arugula, romaine lettuce, pickled peppers, blue cheese, and blue door vinaigrette.
- Keto Tip: Cobb salad is one of the highest caloric salads. (*)
Lucky for you, you can easily make this salad low-carb by holding the vinaigrette and peppers.
Brown Line Wrap
One of the best wraps is the Brown Line Wrap which includes Havarti cheese, bacon, scrambled eggs, roasted red peppers, and onions.
- Keto Tip: Ask the waiter to exclude the wrap, even if it’s whole wheat.
AVA Omelette
Now, this is one dish that’s truly low carb! It includes Havarti, green tomato relish, spinach, pesto, Havarti cheese, kale, mozzarella, and Swiss cheese.
- Keto Tip: Order this as is! No tweaks needed!
Atlantic Salmon
Opt for their Atlantic Salmon seasoned with garam masala and served with cauliflower and tomato stew for a light dinner.
Eli’s Cheesecake
- Address: 6701 W. Forest Preserve Dr
- Contact Number: 773-736- 3417
- Website: https://elicheesecake.com/
Opening Hours:
- Mondays to Fridays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sundays: Closed
Yes, we know. Cakes are not allowed on your diet. But we suggest that you give this cake spot a try as it offers plenty of keto-friendly dishes. Here’s a pro tip: they have keto cheesecake too!
How to Order:
You can choose from their wide range of sandwiches but make sure to have the bread slices removed. For a no-hassle order, we suggest going for their salads.
What to Order:
The Cobb
Satisfy your taste buds and tummy the healthy way with this mixed greens salad packed with blue cheese, chicken breast, boiled egg, avocado, and applewood smoked bacon.
Keto-friendly cheesecake
Your favorite cheesecake made low carb—what else is there to say?
Read: 18 Low Carb Keto Cheesecake Options at Cheesecake Factory
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
- Address: 57 locations
- Contact Number: 847- 562- 1814 (Central Office)
- Website: https://www.loumalnatis.com/
Opening Hours: Varies depending on the location
You might be surprised to find the home to Chicago’s deep-dish pizza on this list, but you’ll be delighted to know that they’re offering a crustless pizza option that is perfect for your diet!
How to Order:
As mentioned, ask for the crustless pizza. This is a pizza with a crust entirely made of sausage and with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce on top.
In addition to crustless pizza, you can also enjoy some of their delicious and filling salads.
What to Order:
House Salad
The most straightforward salad on the menu only has red onion and tomato slices arranged on a bed of Romaine and Iceberg lettuce. But, again, make sure to skip the croutons.
Malnati Salad
Take your salad gaming to a whole new level with this Romaine lettuce salad with black olives, tomatoes, salami bits, mushrooms, romano, and gorgonzola cheese. Skip the vinaigrette if you’re on strict keto.
Crustless Pizza
This one’s specially made for people on a low-carb diet as it has lean sausage as the crust. It’s then topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and lots of other toppings.
- Caesar Salad
- Chicken BBQ Club
The Purple Pig
- Address: 444 North Michigan Ave
- Contact Number: 312- 464- 1744
- Website: https://thepurplepigchicago.com/
Opening Hours:
- Sundays to Thursdays: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Fridays and Saturdays: 11:00 AM- 10:00 PM
Aside from wine, the main highlights of this restaurant are two staples—cheese and pork, making a definite must-try for keto dieters. They also have the most fantastic selection of appetizers and wine pairings that will suit your diet.
How to Order Keto:
Start your date with a plate of meats and cheeses. You can’t go wrong with that!
If you want something slightly different, eat the options under the Smears section but skip the breads. Instead, you can use these to put a twist on your salad!
What to Order:
Smoked Pork Tongue
The perfectly smoked pork tongue is drizzled with tomato sauce and served with Salad Olivier 15 on the side.
Mushroom 3 Way
Enjoy your mushrooms in 3 ways—grilled (King trumpets), truffle and mushroom puree, and shitake au jus with pickled onion.
- Milk-braised Pork Shoulder
Keto Tip: Order this without the mashed potatoes!
- Pork Belly
- Meatballs
- Keto Alley (Roasted Bone Marrow with Herbs)
Keto Tip: Replace the bread with herbed salad!
Eataly
- Address: 43 E Ohio St.
- Contact Number: 312- 521-8700
- Website: https://www.eataly.com/us_en/stores/chicago/
Opening Hours:
- Sundays to Thursdays: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Fridays and Saturdays: 8:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Yes, another Italian place landed on this list and for all the right reasons! While this cuisine is known for its pizzas and pastas, there’s one ketogenic side of Italian cuisine that you should take advantage of—cold cuts and cheeses. You can find this at Eataly.
How to Order Keto:
Shy away from their pasta and pizza selections and look for their meaty main dishes.
What to Order:
Bistecca di Manzo
Fill up on fats and protein with this grilled New York Strip. It also comes with roasted tomato marmellata, roasted zucchini, and balsamic cream. Skip the cream if you’re on strict keto.
Pesce ala Lipornese
Another fatty dish is their pan-seared market fish with capers, olives, tomatoes, and parsley.
- House-made fresh mozzarella with olive oil and sea salt
- Cheese and Salami Plate
Keto Tip: Ditch the bread.
- Beef Tenderloin
- American Wagyu
- Dry-aged Bone-in Ribeye
Fittingly Delicious
- Contact Number: 773- 754- 7793
- Website: https://www.fittinglydelicious.com/
Opening Hours:
- Mondays to Fridays: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Sundays and Saturdays: 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Fittingly Delicious’ setup is a bit different than the other dining establishments in this list as it’s more of a take-out spot of carefully prepared meals. This is a perfect option if you want to eat fresh, clean, and healthy meals but have no time for meal prep.
How to Order Keto:
If you want to enjoy their signature meals, order those without the rice.
What to Order:
Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers
Simply put, these are bell peppers stuffed with a blend of lean ground beef, onions, celery, and carrots.
Turkey Sausage Cauliflower
This is ground turkey seasoned with oregano, salt, cumin, chipotle powder, and pepper. It comes with cauliflower hash browns which are more like cauliflower omelets.
- Pepper Steak with Broccoli and Cauliflower
- Honey Glazed Salmon
- Plant Protein Brat (for vegans on keto)
Portillos
- Address: Multiple locations
- Contact Number: 630-628- 0358
- Website: https://www.portillos.com/index.html
Opening Hours: Varies depending on location
Home to famous Chicago-style hotdogs, this is the best keto restaurant to go to if you want to enjoy the all-time favorites!
How to Order Keto:
Just a heads up, their menu is packed with carb-rich meals, but you can easily make this keto by ditching the bread and some sugary sauces.
What to Order:
Char-grilled Maxwell Street Polish Sausage
This perfectly grilled Makowski’s Real Sausage comes with mustard and grilled onions—the same way it was prepared 75 years ago. Ditch the bun.
Chicago Combo Bowl
Enjoy the best of Chicago with this bowl containing Italian Sausage and Italian Beef topped with cheddar or mozzarella cheese and hot peppers.
- Chicago Style Hotdog
Keto Tip: You can enjoy its juicy Italian beef by ordering this without the bread.
- Half or Full Slab of Ribs
- Barnelli’s Soups Salads
Crab Cellar
- Address: 1962 North Halstead St
- Contact Number: 773-248- 1737
- Website: https://www.crabcellar.com/
Opening Hours:
- Mondays to Thursdays: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Fridays and Saturdays: 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Sundays: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- This is the only restaurant in town that offers all-you-can-eat Alaskan King Crab! As a keto dieter, you should take advantage!
How to Order Keto:
For the sides, just stick to roasted broccoli.
What to Order:
- Unlimited Alaskan King Crab Legs and Burgers
- Surf and Turf
- Add Filet Mignon to your unlimited crab’s order.
FARE
- Address: 205 W Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodbyfare/
- Website: https://www.foodbyfare.com/
Contact numbers: (312) 217-8041
You can enjoy a simple yet pure and carefully curated menu in a cozy yet modern environment at FARE. We love this restaurant because you’re free to mix and match the ingredients to make the meal suitable for your ketogenic diet.
What You Can Order:
- Salmon and Baby Lettuce
- Ground Turkey and Spicy Chili Oi, Brussels, Almond, and Broccoli
- Locally Smoked Sausage and Spicy Red Peppers
Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse
- Address: Multiple Locations
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjshchicago/
- Website: http://www.mjshchicago.com/
Phone Number: +1 312-321-8823
When it comes to satisfying your keto diet requirements and cravings, eating at a steakhouse is the best way to go. With the quality of their steaks, Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse is truly worth the while!
What You Can Order:
- Bone-in Filet Mignon
- Petit Filet with King Crab
- Nueske’s Double Smoked Bacon
Keto Tip: Order this without the glaze!
Tango Sur
- Address: 773 477-5466 / 3763 North Southport Avenue Chicago IL
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tango-Sur-196811650359084/
- Website: https://tangosurgrill.com/
Phone Number: +1 773-477-5466
Here, you can enjoy high-quality and delicious South American flavors in an intimate and homey atmosphere.
What You Can Order:
- Pechuga de Pollo (Grilled Chicken Breast with Chimichurri Sauce)
- Parrillada Para Uno (Meat Tray)
Keto Tip: Don’t order this with the potato side dishes.
- Steak plus Sauteed Vegetables
Final Words
Whether you’re just a tourist or a resident of the Windy City, there are plenty of restaurants that you can enjoy even if you’re on keto.
Also, there are more dishes that you can try other than the meals that we’ve recommended.
2 key takeaways from us:
- Just make sure that you do your research before you head to the restaurants.
- Ensure that the nutrition facts of the meals will suit your ketogenic daily intake.
If you want some beverages during your keto diet but still unsure how it works, this guide at Dutch Bros will help you get your way around.
Are you looking for more places to eat, read our restaurants guide title: “low carb restaurants near me“or “keto-friendly fast food“!
