If any of this year’s Chicago-based James Beard Award nominees get the fancy medallion, it’s going to be extra sweet (unless you’re a journalist), since they’ll get to ascend the stage at the Civic Opera House on May 4 in front of a very home crowd. This year’s Chef and Restaurant Awards are being held … Continued
Cocktail enthusiasts won’t want to miss this month’s guest bartender at CH Distillery, as they welcome “Best Bartender in the World” and “Best American Bartender” winner Charles Joly. Next Tuesday, the 31st, from 8 p.m. – midnight, the former Beverage Director at The Aviary (and creator of Crafthouse Cocktails) will be serving up two unique … Continued
This delicious, high-calorie dish should come with a warning label. Consumed in only one Departamento (State) in Colombia, it is favored by coffee plantation workers who need to fuel up for a hardworking day ahead.
1. Johnnie’s 7500 W. North Ave., Elmwood Park; 708-452-6000 $4.32 for sandwich + .37 for sweet peppers + .37 for hot peppers Total: $5.06 Bread: Gonnella Opened in 1961, the legendary store in Elmwood Park typically has a line snaking out the side, especially in the summertime. On a chilly weekday, I walked right in and … Continued
1. Bob-O’s Hot Dogs 8258 W. Irving Park Rd.; 773-625-9840 $4.95 for sandwich + .50 for sweet peppers + .50 for hot peppers (pictured, above) Bread: Gonnella Don’t let the title fool you. Yes, Bob-O’s started as a literal hot dog cart/trailer (like Portillo’s) in the Northwest suburbs. But they also make their beef in-house, and they … Continued
1. Johnnie’s 7500 W. North Ave., Elmwood Park; 708-452-6000 (second location at 1935 S. Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights; 847-357-8100) $4.32 for sandwich + .37 for sweet peppers + .37 for hot peppers Total: $5.06 Bread: Gonnella Opened in 1961, the legendary store in Elmwood Park typically has a line snaking out the side, especially in the summertime. … Continued
When you attempt to assemble the ultimate Italian beef roundup, and you announce each stop along the way via Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, you get a lot of input from people. “Don’t forget Dengeo’s,” say loyals on the North Shore; “Jay’s is the best” brag Northwest Siders. Like most things that elicit strong opinions (pizza, … Continued
At the risk of becoming persona non grata at both Vienna Beef headquarters as well as every Giordano’s in the state, I’m going to just lay it out on the line: the Chicago hot dog and the deep dish pizza have nothing on an Italian beef sandwich. What is this “Italian beef” of which I … Continued
It had been awhile since I ventured into Katy’s Dumpling House in Westmont. A few weeks ago, I had tried, but arrived just as they were closing. On Saturday, however, my son’s soccer game ended nearby at 7 p.m., so we had plenty of time (why the Chicago City team plays in Westmont every week … Continued
This March, Piece Pizzeria and Brewery is teaming up with Doug Sohn, owner of the late, great Hot Doug’s to create a limited edition pizza. They’ve named their creation the Atomic Pizza, and this red version with pepper jack cheese, caramelized onions, and Doug’s own Atomic Bomb Sausage will surely be loaded with flavor. The … Continued
(photo by Jessica Lynn Capron) There’s a reason you’ve never seen one tweet or Instagram post on my feeds from The Dawson, that hulking glass-and-concrete behemoth on the corner of Grand and Halsted. Why, you might ask? Because after two chefs, the food just never made an impression (the drinks, however, have always been solid). … Continued