Part 2 of my Turkish food exploration this week. Today I’m talking about döner vs. cağ kebab. The former is known around the world (aka gyros) as a vertical spit of lamb & beef. But few realize cağ was first – from Erzurum in Northeastern Turkey – as a horizontal stack of lamb only. Both … Continued
Shortly after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey that killed some 50,000 people, I took a previously planned trip back to Istanbul I had been organizing for a few months. The area where the quakes were is about a two-hour flight from Istanbul, so I felt completely safe, but obviously there was a kind of PTSD … Continued
The ovens have barely cooled from our L.A. event, and we’re proud to announce the 2nd annual Pizza City Fest: Chicago, presented by Greco & Sons, will be taking place later this summer at The Salt Shed. We learned so much from our first year, implementing many of the changes at our L.A. event, which … Continued
After almost a year of work (and dozens of slices), I’m excited to announce our second pizza festival, coming up in four months. Pizza City Fest: Los Angeles will bring together 40 of Southern California’s best pizzerias for a full weekend of pizza appreciation, education and giving back. Local pizza guru Noel Brohner and my … Continued
Bill Kim loves trying out concepts within existing ones. He operates a Ramen Bar out of the Time Out Market in the West Loop and The Table at Crate in Oak Brook. He previously had a pizza and Parm shop running out of the Michael Jordan’s restaurant across the street from Oak Brook Mall, and … Continued
This just in: After 17 years as Food Reporter at ABC 7 News, the finest local TV affiliate in the country, I am moving on to get serious about my own business.
The convenient fast food snack known as the Pizza Puff may be known to millions of hungry football fans, convenience store shoppers and itinerant snackers throughout the U.S., but few people know this self-contained, personal-sized panzerotti was created in Chicago in the 1970s. Having grown up in Minnesota, I thought I knew what a Pizza … Continued
While the pandemic has been brutal for restaurants, it’s been even harder for bars. At least with restaurants, you can order take out; but most bars are unable to bottle their handcrafted cocktails, especially if they call for fresh juice. But a new company in Skokie is helping them create, bottle and ship those cocktails all … Continued
Had enough turkey this week? Well, if you think you can’t handle another bite, there’s a barbecue spot in Forest Park where they’re smoking turkey breast – along with ribs and brisket – to create some memorable meals, even if you’re still full from Thanksgiving. Small Batch BBQ 7441 W. Madison St., Forest Park 708-689-8075 … Continued
2020 has been a brutal year for restaurants, but for a few local icons, it’s been a year of milestones: 70 years for D’Amato’s Bakery and Pat’s Pizza. A hundred years for Vito & Nick’s. And a very thankful third generation at Lawrence’s Fish and Shrimp, where they’re celebrating 70 years in business as well. … Continued
With the holidays approaching and most restaurants closed to indoor dining, bakeries seem to be opening at a frantic pace. This week, I visited two new spots in the city where creative pastry chefs are leading the way. Sugargoat 820 W. Randolph St. 312-667-0108 www.sugargoatsweets.com Brite Donuts & Baked Goods Available at Metric Coffee, 2021 W. … Continued