Indulging My Hunger at a Miniatures Convention

This article first appeared in the May 27, 2023, issue of Dinogo Travel, a biweekly newsletter from Dinogo’s team about exploring food-centric destinations. Subscribe now.

People travel for countless reasons — to see friends, support loved ones, face fears, have an Eat, Pray, Love experience, broaden our horizons, or simply to escape the routine and embrace the unfamiliar. For me, my recent trip to Illinois lasted just 36 hours to attend and cover the annual Chicago International Miniatures Show, recognized as the largest convention for dollhouse miniatures and its passionate enthusiasts.

Given that I was flying in for work (which always sounds intriguing, like I’m a character from Mad Men!), I realized my free time would be limited, especially since the convention and my hotel were conveniently close to the airport but inconveniently far from many must-try Mytouries. However, like most Dinogo team members, I see such challenges as part of the adventure, and I was eager to maximize my dining experiences in the limited hours I had in Chicago.

After crunching the numbers, my boyfriend and I concluded that renting a car would be more cost-effective than relying on Ubers as we explored different neighborhoods. (I suggest this option if the math works out for you and you want to sample a bit of everything in a short time).

While we certainly couldn’t capture the essence of “real Chicago” in such a brief visit (no deep-dish or tavern-style pizza, or Italian beef sandwiches—my sincerest apologies), sometimes you have to let go of the details and focus on having fun regardless.

During my work hours, we ventured away from our Marriott near the airport and visited Superdawg, a classic drive-in that has been a Chicago staple since 1948. We ordered Polish sausages in buns with a side of cheese fries, which we devoured in our rental car while snapping photos with the quirky hot dog statues that adorn the place like festive decorations. My boyfriend was driving, and afterward, we made our way to Outside Voices, a wine bar with a laid-back vibe (complete with a disco ball), perfect for a pre-dinner drink while we enjoyed a game of Guess Who?. It was a quick drive to Superkhana International, a modern Indian Mytoury recommended by the Dinogo 38 Chicago list; after tasting the paneer pizza, I was grateful it was the only reservation I made for our trip.

The following morning, with our evening flight on the horizon, we knew we had to make the most of our time. We quickly made our way to Doma Cafe, a trendy coffee shop known for its Croatian cevapi breakfast platters, recommended by a bartender friend and a tea vendor. Fueled by caffeine, we spent some time thrifting before arriving at Dove’s Luncheonette just an hour before closing, securing a table for a late lunch/early dinner. Their “Mex-Tex”-style diner offerings were the perfect choice before our flight. Our final stop before heading to the airport was a visit to the iconic Inner Town Pub. Honestly, beer is so much cheaper in Chicago than in New York!!! I love feeling a bit tipsy on a night flight.

I left Chicago with a selection of miniatures, though choosing from the thousands of tiny treasures at the convention was no easy feat, especially with so many food-themed items available — think miniature bowls of ramen, nacho machines, matzo ball soup, chopped vegetables, and even martini bar setups, alongside diner-style kitchen tables and scaled-down midcentury Tupperware. These souvenirs are sure to delight everyone in your life, from kids to adults, and they’re perfect for carry-on travel.