Chicago Flavors Food Map Illustration and Puzzle

Map of the city of chicago with local foods illustrated on top, with orange banners with text of the name of each and the title "Chicago Flavors" — Chicago Flavors: A fun map of the city of Chicago, complete with lots of the foods that make the city unique. Included on this Chicago city map are lettering and food illustrations of local foods that are popular or that were invented in Chicago.

The Brief: Create images of foods that are Chicago specific to celebrate the city as a personal project.

Role: Illustrator responsible for research, concept, design, and implementation of all lettering and illustration.

Tools Used: Procreate app, iPad Pro, Apple pencil, Photoshop.

I’ve always loved Chicago foods, and many of them are unique and found only in the city, invented in the city, or have a strong cultural connection to Chicago. I created a fun map building on this idea, celebrating Chicago Flavors in the form of a map and food catalog. I researched specialty foods of the city, illustrated them and combined them with lettering, and added a map and some landmarks. The result is a fun homage to tasty and unique foods of the Windy City. Would be great to see this made into a book or puzzle!

Grid of famous Chicago foods, including Atomic Cake, Brownie, Calumet Fisheries, Cheese Caramel Popcorn, Chicago dog, Chicken Vesuvio, Deep Dish Pizza, Depression Dog and Do-Rite Donut — In addition to the foods shown on the Chicago Flavors food map, I’ve illustrated over twenty Chicago specialty foods. Chicago is known for so many niche foods that were invented there, are very prevalent there, or are found only there. Taste the Chicago flavors!

Grid of Chicago foods, including dry chili chicken, the Gym Shoe sub, Harold's Chicken, Italian Beef, Jibarito, Malort, Maxwell St Polish, Paczki, and Pierogi — More Chicago Flavors! In addition to the foods shown on the Chicago Flavors food map, I’ve illustrated over twenty Chicago specialty foods. Chicago is known for so many niche foods that were invented there, are very prevalent there, or are found only there.

Grid of Chicago foods, including pizza puffs, Rainbow Cone, rib tips, saganaki, shrimp de jonghe, carne asada tacos, the Tamale Guy, tavern-style pizza, and The Freddy sandwich — Even more Chicago Flavors! In addition to the foods shown on the Chicago Flavors food map, I’ve illustrated over twenty Chicago specialty foods. Chicago is known for so many niche foods that were invented there, are very prevalent there, or are found only there.

A Chicago map with local foods on a puzzle — Chicago food map in puzzle form! What a fun way to show your Chicago spirit and enjoy the foods… just don’t put it together when you’re hungry.

If you’d like a custom illustration similar to this project, please go to my Process page to see about getting a custom quote.

These images can also be licensed for your greeting card, product, or social media feed. Please reach out to me via my licensing page to inquire about purchase rights.