The Chicago Traveler

There was a bit of dispute over my last Best Pizzas list, as I expected there would be. It is a Chicagoan debate that has gone on for generations and will continue probably forever. So, just to add more fuel to the fire, here is another list of Chicago’s ten best ‘pies’ (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp).
Honorable Mention: Gino’s East. If you enjoy reading, the walls here provide plenty of material.

10. Pizzeria Uno. The one, the only, the original. Loosen your belts now.
9. Piece. These very non-Chicago-style slices are simply delicious.
8. Home Run Inn. This old neighborhood tavern offers the …read more

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Oh Volo… where do I even begin? Your radiant décor? Your chic food? Your comfortable, social atmosphere?
Owner Jon Young (co-creator of Kitsch’n across the street) and chef Stephen Dunne are behind this Roscoe Village wine bar, which has been featured on The Food Channel. The restaurant bears striking design with dark brown walls, dim lighting, and a small open kitchen. Couples and small groups relax over granite tabletops, completing the modern yet warm vibe.
The weekly-rotating menu includes small tapas-like dishes that focus on organic and local produce. Past plates have featured heirloom tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella and basil vinaigrette; mussels …read more

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If you were a child in Chicago anytime between 1961 and 1994, you will recognize the following names: Cooky, Wizzo, Cuddly Dudley, Garfield Goose… These characters and more were all regulars on Bozo’s Circus and then on the even more popular The Bozo Show, both of which were produced locally and aired on WGN.1
You might drive by the WGN television studios and not even know it. While most of the other TV stations in Chicago broadcast from beautiful skyscrapers downtown (including the NBC Tower), the WGN structure looks like a boring office building. That’s because it was constructed in 1963, …read more

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As we’ve learned well by now, great food doesn’t just come from swanky digs. Restaurants like Taste of Peru and La Gondola overcome their strip-mall surroundings with big flavors. Another popular spot that could be easily overlooked (but you’d be severely missing out if you did) is Lakeview’s Art of Pizza.
Here, pizza truly is an art—a masterpiece, in fact—in which every detail is enjoyed and appreciated. The canvas is your choice of crust: thin, pan, or (my recommendation) stuffed. The Art’s sauce does more than just hold your preferred ingredients in place; its seasonings actually contribute incredibly to the overall …read more

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• In Roscoe Village, the Harvest Fest celebrates the 100th anniversary of Jahn World Language School with live music, carnival rides, and food vendors. (Sept 12-14)
• The 19th annual Festival de La Villita features carnival rides, live music, lots of food, and arts and crafts vendors, commemorating Mexican independence from Spanish rule. The fair is also the end location of the 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade (with floats, mariachi bands, and folk dancers) on Sunday. (Sept 12-14)
• A new art festival has arrived in Bucktown and Wicker Park. The smARTshow showcases the works of 75 artists inside the Flat …read more

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• If fresh-shucked oysters and pints of Guinness sound like a good time to you, check out the Guinness Oyster Festival in Roscoe Village. There are also vendors of other foods, pints of Harp’s and Smithwick’s available, and live music. (Sept 6)
• Chow down on brats, potato salad, sauerkraut, smoked sausages, and beer at the 88th Annual German-American Festival in Lincoln Square. The 43rd Annual Von Steuben Parade (featured in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) starts Saturday at 2 p.m. (Sept 5-7)
• You can sample from more than 300 international vintages and watching cooking demos at the Fourth Annual Windy City …read more

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• The annual three-day festival, Lollapalooza, takes place this weekend with performances by Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails, Kanye West, and many, many more. (Aug 1-3)
• Play a game of Australian football at 6 p.m. in Waveland Park thanks to Chicago United’s Friday Night Metro. Everyone is welcome to participate, and coaches are on hand to explain the rules. (Aug 1, 15, Sept 20)
• Ready? OK! Matthew Hollis and the Power of Cheer pick up their pom-poms and put on their best cheers in Let’s Go Love! (Aug 1-3)
• Get your shop on at the Andersonville Summer …read more

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Last week, my mother-in-law was celebrating her birthday, so we decided to take her out to an Italian restaurant she had visited in Chicago ages ago. La Gondola had since changed locations to a tiny storefront in a strip mall, located between a hair salon and a popular tax preparation company office.
I know what you’re thinking… a strip mall? But get that doubting thought right out of your head. As soon as you walk in, you’re transported to a charming dining room filled with the smells of Italian authenticity. The small room bears only six tables (5 four-tops and 1 …read more

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• RedEye columnist Mark Bazer hosts “The Interview Show” at Hideout, where a variety of guests (including musicians, comedians, authors, and more) share their thoughts. (Every first Friday)
• The indoor-outdoor 23rd annual Irish-American Heritage Festival features live Irish music on five stages, folk dancing, food, arts and crafts vendors, and a raffle for a trip to Ireland. (July 11-13)
• You can browse through wood carvings, paintings, and jewelry from Asia, Africa, and Europe at the Black Thai International Arts and Crafts Fest in the West Loop. (July 9-11, Aug 6-8, Sept 3-5)
• More than 200 painters, sculptors, photographers, street musicians, …read more

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• The annual Cinco de Mayo Festival at Douglas Park features live music, food booths, carnival rides, games, and a parade at 12 noon on Sunday. (May 2-4)
• The 75th annual SAIC Fashion Show is produced by School of the Art Institute of Chicago students and faculty. Located at the Sullivan Center, the exhibition is preceded by a cocktail reception and features a meet-and-greet with the designers afterward. (May 2)
• For four nights, Adobo Grill will feature special Mexican menu items and $5 margaritas. (May 2-5)
• Can’t party on Monday? Hit up the Dos de Mayo Party at Easy Bar, …read more

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