The Thai New Year of Songkran began on Friday. The three-day holiday includes water fights all over the country and special celebrations. I say it’s a good excuse to try my favorite dish from Thailand – khao soi. In Chicago, there are two Chicago area restaurants where they make versions that aren’t that much different from … Continued
Once known for her fabulous breakfasts at her namesake restaurant, Ina Pinkney is back in business. Sort of. Pinkney closed her West Loop restaurant, Ina’s, years ago, but the Chicago Tribune wisely snatched her up to have her write a monthly column on breakfast. The column is giving her, and some noteworthy breakfast joints, a chance to … Continued
The interest in Nashville “hot” chicken has extended well beyond the city lately, with a new concept in South Suburban Oak Lawn now adding chile heat to its fried bird. The owners are taking a slightly different approach, adding a few things you might not see in Nashville.
The annual South Side Irish Parade steps off Sunday, but if you want something other than Guinness to go with your fish and chips, Beverly’s Open Outcry Brewing Company is worth a try. The company’s Head Brewer got his start with home brewing and self-education. Now he gets to experiment every day.
If breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day, there’s a cafe in Rogers Park you might want to take a peek at. Great coffee is a given, but it’s the egg sandwiches, made with homemade biscuits or cornbread, that are really worth the trip. SmackDab 6730 N. Clark St. 872-241-9111 http://smackdabchicago.com
This week on The Feed Podcast, we’re talking about service. How to hire, train staff and then deliver it with the utmost grace and professionalism. We’ll talk with the founder of one of the most successful restaurant groups in the country, then spend time behind the bar with a Bar Manager on a busy night, … Continued
Most Mexican restaurants purchase their tortillas, since making them one at a time requires extra labor, expense and skill. But there’s a three year-old Mexican diner on the city’s West Side that does everything old school- including salsas, juices and tortillas – made from scratch every day. Minna’s Restaurant 5046 W. Armitage Ave. (773) 417-7602 … Continued
If you’ve ever bought cheese in a grocery store, there’s a good chance it may have come from Melrose Park. Cauputo’s has been producing and processing cheese in the near Western suburb for the past 40 years. They supply vendors all over the region, but they also produce a lot of cheeses strictly for their family-run … Continued
Pilsen continues to see signs of new development. From the stately Thalia Hall, to restaurants reaching beyond the neighborhood’s tradition of Mexican and Czech immigration. One of those new restaurants is serving food with a more global approach, at a level as high as anything downtown, but at a fraction of the cost. S.K.Y. 1239 W. … Continued
Italian delis are all over the region, but a new one in West Town is unique, because they make pretty much all of the cured meats themselves. The family is originally from Calabria, and one of their beloved, spreadable sausages is the star of a number of items they now carry in their store. There are … Continued
Eating your way through Southeast Asia requires planning. Thailand is a must-visit for any food lover, with its curries and salads, not to mention streetside vendors; banh mi sandwiches and pho in Vietnam are also required eating, as are the grilled meats and fried insects of Cambodia. On this edition of The Feed Podcast, I … Continued