Talk about a Throwback Thursday…a few months ago, I unearthed some old Beta SP tapes from my Chicagoland TV (CLTV) days. In the eight years (and more than 400 episodes) of the “Good Eating” show I produced and hosted, we did a special, one-hour edition for our 5th anniversary, in January of 2000. The year … Continued
There are several great sandwiches available in Chicago. The Italian beef and the Maxwell Street porkchop come to mind, but finding a good Chicken Parm is just as rewarding. Here’s a whirlwind tour of three tasty ones. Robert’s Pizza & Dough Co. 465 N. McClurg Ct. 312-265-1328 https://www.robertspizzacompany.com D’Amato’s 1124 W. Grand Ave. 312-733-5456 https://damatoschicago.com … Continued
This taqueria, along busy Western Ave., hand-stacks their tacos al pastor with pork, but they also make a delicious vegetarian version with celery root and portobello mushrooms in butter confit. The melding of French and Mexican techniques is consistent, since each of the two chef-partners hails from different backgrounds. Taqueria Chingón 2234 N. Western … Continued
Shawarma stands selling falafel, kabobs and other Middle Eastern dishes are all over the region. But a locally-owned concept – with locations in Skokie and the West Loop – differentiates itself, by hand-stacking their shawarma each day into giant cones that are cooked slowly. Crave Kabob 1521 W. Madison St. 312-600-6800 http://www.cravekabob.com 7240 Niles Center … Continued
There were no ball drops last night at midnight, but Friday is the Chinese New Year. The Year of the Ox would typically usher in parades and family feasts in Chinatown, but with COVID-19, it’s obviously a different story. I visited a pair of restaurants this weekend. One specializes in Hunan cuisine and the other focuses … Continued
As we kick off Black History this month, I’ve been searching out some of the oldest Black-owned businesses in the area. I talked to the family behind a pioneer: Harold’s Chicken Shack, which just celebrated its 70th year in business. Harold’s Chicken 45 locations (26 in Illinois) http://www.haroldschickenscorp.com/locations/
February is Black History Month, and to kick things off, I’m taking a look at a couple of legendary Black-owned businesses where they’ve been feeding their neighbors for decades. Old Fashioned Donuts 11248 S. Michigan Ave. 773-995-7420 https://m.facebook.com/Old-Fashioned-Donuts-Inc-111494095555975/
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
For years, fans of the Jewish deli have lamented its demise in Chicago. Only a handful remain, like Eleven City Diner or Manny’s in the South Loop. But a couple of new options have emerged during the pandemic – offering takeout – including one in the West Loop that’s sure to be a destination once indoor dining … 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