The hottest restaurant in Park Ridge is packing them in, not only because of their large menu, but also due to their different approach to some American classics. Make Room for Truman 550 W. Touhy Ave., Park Ridge 847-692-6205
A beloved barbecue joint that opened 11 years ago in North Chicago has been quietly attracting a devoted following, ever since it moved to Waukegan in 2012. Big Ed’s BBQ 4030 Northpoint Blvd., Waukegan 847-473-5333
New Zealand is known for its breathtaking scenery, worthy of a “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, but one of that country’s best-known coffeehouses has been quietly serving breakfast and lunch to Loop workers for about a year. Mojo Coffee 200 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago 312-631-3881
A McKinley Park bakery is a homecoming of sorts for a local family. After opening in Pilsen in 2003, they moved to Florida five years ago. But the family couldn’t keep away. So a few months ago, they re-opened on 35th Street, now focusing primarily on cakes. One of them is called a chocoflan, and it’s … Continued
This week on The Feed Podcast, Rick is away, so Ina Pinkney is sitting in as our first-ever guest co-host. Pinkney was, for many years, the proprietor of Ina’s, a beloved breakfast and lunch spot which moved from Lincoln Park to the West Loop. Pinkney has since become the Breakfast Columnist at The Chicago Tribune. … Continued
Restaurants come and go all the time, but it was a surprise in the food community when Grace suddenly shut its doors last year in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. A legal dispute between the chef, GM and owner led to a high-profile vacancy. However, a new restaurant called Yugen opened in the space by an all-female … Continued
The Chinese New Year is coming up on Tuesday, and if you’re headed to Chinatown, be prepared to see a lot more baked goods and specialty teas. Tous les Jours 2144 S. Archer Ave. 312-225-8488 Bingo Tea 2150A S. Archer Ave. 312-328-6668
On this week’s Pizza City podcast, I spoke with Justin Bazdarich – proud Kansas boy – who’s dad was from St. Louis, and thus, exposed him to Imo’s and the provel cheese of that beloved institution as a child. After years working for Jean-Georges Vongerichten, he decided to open Speedy Romeo in New York City, … Continued
There is only one Chicago area restaurant combining both Filipino and Cuban cuisines in the city’s Ravenswood neighborhood. Bayan Ko is a result of the origins of the husband-and-wife owners, and sits just beneath the Montrose stop on the CTA’s Brown Line. BAYAN KO 1810 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago 773-698-6373
How does all-you-can-eat Alaskan King Crab and prime-grade beef burgers sound? It’s not some gimmick from a chain restaurant, but rather, a new concept tucked away in the basement of an oyster bar, from the folks at Lettuce Entertain You. Crab Cellar 1962 N. Halsted St. 773-248-1737
Chef Rick Bayless has been a part of Chicago’s food scene for over 30 years, but his latest project — a subterranean bar beneath his Frontera Grill — is a collaboration with his daughter, who is a cocktail impresario. BAR SOTANO Alley behind 443 N. Clark St., Chicago 312-391-5857