Chicago vs. Reno

My name is Elaina Develine and I have lived in Reno, Nevada for the last year. Before Reno, I lived in Chicago for the majority of my life, which exposed me to a variety of different cultures. I would like to think my experience living there gave me an irreplaceable knowledge of how awesome food from other cultures can be.

Growing up in Chicago, with it being one of the most culturally diverse cities in America, what would you say is the most prominent difference between the food you’ve experienced here in Reno and Chicago?

Generally, I would say that the quality of food is held to a completely different standard. You would be hard pressed to have a particularly bad dining experience due to the large amount of competition in the city the restaurant experience in Chicago tends to be more consistent. Whereas Reno I would almost say 1 in 3 times I go out I would chalk up to being mediocre or worse.

With that being said, what would you say was your favorite restaurant or cuisine in Chicago?

Italian food is so incredibly diverse in Chicago, and my personal favorite for a quick bite is Portillo’s, they make an incredible Italian beef sandwich, as well one of the cities best deep dish pizzas.

How about Reno?

As far as Reno goes I can’t get over the availability of sushi, while I haven’t picked a favorite restaurant, it’s alway so fresh and definitely my current favorite.

How do they compare to each other?

If I had to compare the overall quality and uniqueness of the two, I would have to say Portillo’s is a legitimate Chicago staple while Reno sushi is a little more generic.

How would you say being exposed to such a culturally diverse area shaped you and your diet?

Well you could say I’m kind of pear-shaped. Just kidding. I believe it made open to many different cultures, and in some ways I can say that all started with food. I went to a Greek restaurant when I was 9, and my perspective changed from seeing a guy in public with a funny accent, to hearing the accent and thinking “man I bet that guy can be probably make a mean moussaka”. Same things went for Italians, Jamaicans, Indians, really any race. So I grew up with an open mind and a hunger for trying new things.