The Chicago Traveler

• If you’ve ever been to a garage sale, you’ve probably seen the chance video cassette for sale that no one wants. Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher have been collecting these tapes from garage sales, thrift stores, and trash bins. They will present them in the Found Footage Festival at Lakeshore Theater. Expect a hilarious look at workout videos, training films, and random recordings. (Oct 24)
• Costumed representatives from the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Sky, and other businesses will compete in the relay race Freaky Fast 500 (hosted by Jimmy John’s) outside the Thompson Center. A cash prize goes …read more

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• The 11th Annual Chicago Art Open presents drawings, paintings, photographs, and more by nearly 300 artists at Merchandise Mart. (ends Oct 19)
• Several local spas are taking part in the Pretty in Pink Fundraiser and offering fixed-price ($31) massages, facials, and other beauty treatments. Every participating spa and salon has made a donation to Breast Cancer Network of Strength. Be sure to mention “Pretty in Pink” when booking your appointment. (ends Oct 31)
• Want to see something spooky? Take the Chicago Hauntings Ghost Tour, featuring Hull House, the sites of the St Valentine’s Day Massacre and Eastland Disaster, and …read more

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Can you name the seven key ingredients for a Chicago-style hot dog? Here are ten great places to conduct your research (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp).

10. The Wiener’s Circle. Love it or hate it, this greasy spoon has got a “charm” all its own.
9. Gold Coast Dogs. All ten locations follow the Chicago-style recipe to the ‘T’.
8. Superdawg Drive-In. The winking hot dogs on the roof will be a sight you won’t soon forget.
7. Huey’s Hot Dogs. While serving up great dogs and burgers, this eatery is also well-known for its vegetarian-friendly dishes.

6. Portillo’s Hot Dogs. Both the nostalgia and …read more

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Do I sound like a broken record yet? From one of my earlier articles:
The Chicago-style hot dog has seven essential toppings: a boiled or steamed all-beef dog on a poppy-seed bun with (1) mustard, (2) relish, (3) chopped onions, (4) tomato wedges, (5) a pickle spear, (6) sport peppers, and (7) celery salt. I’ve seen a few varieties on this (including lettuce, sliced pickles, cucumbers, and/or green peppers) but the “lucky seven” mentioned above are the components of a classic Chicago-style dog. And yes, the exclusion of ketchup is just as important as the ingredients that are included. Why? …read more

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Feeling retro? Inside Kitsch’n on Roscoe, everything from old advertisements to cheesy toys bring the funkadelic ’60s and ’70s back to life. Customers enjoy classic hits while seated at orange, formica kitchen tables on a linoleum floor. And the bright yellow and lime-green walls add to the cheery atmosphere.
However, you won’t be finding the salad bars and Hamburger Helper that were made popular during that era here. Owner and chef Jon Young takes traditional favorites and gives them a modern touch. The breakfast menu offers items like a low-carb egg scramble or French toast made out of huge bread slices …read more

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I just got back from Chicago’s Andersonville Midsommarfest a couple hours ago. With all the great food and music, I didn’t want to leave! I had walked from end to end of the festival several times, wanting to see everything, and after a few hours, I thought it best to come home and rest my feet.

While I was journeying back and forth, sampling different wares and foods, I came upon a small eatery I hadn’t noticed in the neighborhood before, despite the fact that I’ve lived in the area for a number of years. And yes, I know I’ve written …read more

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