There are several restaurants on Chicago’s South and Southwest Sides serving soul food, but one family-run business is going the extra mile. They’re making everything in-house, often getting to work at 5 a.m. each day just to prep all of the dishes.
You probably know what a dumpling is, but what about a momo? You might be tempted to call them dumplings, but the cooks would prefer it if you didn’t. Unlike its Chinese relative, the steamed, meat-filled delicacy stems from the Himalayas, in and around Nepal.
A lot of locals will soon head down to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for homecoming. Some just to see old friends, while others, like me, to see their kids. With a senior now at the university, I asked my daughter to do some research on great spots for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Columbus Day is a day when Italian pride swells in Chicago and around the country, but for me, it means it’s time for pasta. This week, I’m introducing you to a place in Wicker Park where they’re not only making everything by hand in-house, but they’re also offering some shapes and combinations you may not have … Continued
Late-night diners in the city tend to serve the same sorts of dishes: eggs, sausage and maybe a few sandwiches or a burger. But at the Fireside in Edgewater, weekend late-night dining turns into a Thai feast, with all sorts of unique items on a menu that runs until almost sunrise.
On Jason Hammel’s first day in Chicago in the mid-90’s, he grabbed lunch at the Logan Beach Coffee Shop inside the Logan Square Auditorium, not realizing how it would change his life. “So in that moment, first day in Chicago, I was sitting in the space that would become Lula, talking to a soon-to-be ex-girlfriend … Continued
There are several Mexican restaurants along South Archer Avenue and west of Pulaski, but few are like Xocome Antojeria. They not only make the salsas, tortillas and quesadillas from scratch, but they only use premium ingredients, which are mostly seasonal. It’s a little bit of Mexico City on the Southwest Side, where you can’t help … Continued
The kitchen at Libanais, which is French for Lebanon, is deceiving. This Lincolnwood restaurant has a small one up front, where you’ll see them slice off beef and lamb shawarma and tuck it into wraps jammed with pickles and tahini. You might see them grill off kebabs or assemble appetizer platters. But the real action … Continued
A new restaurant in Logan Square began with a pair of local boys, both steeped in Indian culture with a shared love of the Indian kitchen. Their first project together is proving to be a hit in the neighborhood, as it combines lesser-known ingredients and presents them in some very familiar ways. On its face, Superkhana … Continued
We’re continuing our series of “Sweet Saturdays” this month, with a look at a pair of classy desserts. Last week we talked about creamy soft serve, but if you’re looking for something a little sweet to eat after taking in a show downtown, consider a pair of elegantly plated desserts from two of Chicago’s more … Continued
If you’re headed out for a picnic this weekend and craving some fried chicken, a new spot in Bridgeport offers every level of heat – from mild to inferno. They make gigantic sandwiches too, but it’s definitely not a part of the emerging Nashville hot chicken trend. The spicy chicken at Big Boss is more … Continued