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The Chicago Traveler

April 8th, 2008

Chicago’s Eight Best Italian Beefs

The Italian Beef is a simple sandwich that is unique to Chicago, and there are several places in the city to find this great dish. Of course, just as is the case with pizza and hot dogs, Chicagoans can debate for hours on who has the best. I’ve tried to be as fair as possible […]

By Matt B -- 1 comment

April 5th, 2008

Purgatory Pizza

My favorite work of classic literature is without a doubt Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. If you’ve ever heard references to “the circles of Hell” or the “seven deadly sins (of Purgatory),” both of those came from this book. Now, you can indulge in every one of those sins at Purgatory Pizza, which just opened last […]

By Matt B -- 3 comments

April 3rd, 2008

Weekend Stuff

• Check out two local designers and their earth-friendly clothing for women at EcoFashion: Beyond the Basics. Sip on pomegranate martinis with organic vodka at Pivot, while seeing how scarves are made with natural pomegranate dye. (Apr 4)
• The 24th Annual Chicago Latino Film Festival features more than 100 short, animated, documentary, and feature films […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments

March 13th, 2008

"Top Chef: Chicago" Premieres

Fans of the American reality competition show Top Chef on the Bravo network had to know that there was no way I could not write about this season. The show was/is filmed in Chicago this season, much to my delight. The competition premiered last night, but if you missed it, don’t worry; Bravo airs the […]

By Matt B -- 5 comments

March 4th, 2008

Luke’s Italian Beef

It’s lunchtime at the downtown office. Greg wants something greasy. Tracy’s on her new vegetarian diet. And your pressing deadline has given you a stress headache that only the most comforting batch of French fries will cure. It’s time to go to Luke’s Italian Beef.
Luke’s is simple and straight up, which is what makes it […]

By Matt B -- 3 comments

January 30th, 2008

Chicago’s Ten Best Pizzas 2007

It’s nearly February, and it may be a little late for a 2007 round-up, but I’ll risk it.
Chicago is well-known for its pizza, but who has the best? Trust me, this question has long been debated by Chicagoans and an agreement won’t be reached any time soon. Here is a list of Chicago’s ten best […]

By Matt B -- 5 comments

January 24th, 2008

Uno Chicago Grill / Pizzeria Uno

I’ve written about quite a few pizza places here in Chicago, but you can’t talk about deep-dish pizza without giving homage to the original: Uno Chicago Grill, better known as Pizzeria Uno. (The new name evolved from the new menu, which includes “hip and intense new tastes.” Hmm.)
Whatever the name, the gooey deep-dish has remained […]

By Matt B -- 7 comments

January 9th, 2008

Aurelio’s Pizza

In 1959, Joe Aurelio Jr. opened a small, four-table restaurant in Homewood, IL. However, despite several expansions, growing into a business seating over 150 people, loyal customers would still form lines around the block, all waiting for some of that delicious Aurelio’s Pizza. In an effort to accommodate more of his patrons, Joe purchased a […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

December 5th, 2007

Tel Aviv Kosher Pizza

The eight-day Jewish holiday Hanukkah began last night, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple at the time of the Maccabee rebellion. To all our Jewish friends and readers, Happy Hanukkah!
In honor of the season, I present a little restaurant that is quite unimpressive from the outside. The sign is worn and faded, and if […]

By Matt B -- 2 comments

December 4th, 2007

Palermo’s Italian Cuisine

For over 35 years, Palermo’s Italian Cuisine on 95th Street has been well-known among the South Side locals for its service, its atmosphere, and, most of all, its thin-crust pizza. Hungry customers pour into the comfy interior with a family feel and an Old World ambiance (old-fashioned décor, brick arches, food and wine posters, and […]

By Matt B -- 0 comments