May 19th, 2008
This season of the Bravo Network’s Top Chef was filmed here in Chicago, exposing competing chefs from all over the country to all the culinary treats the Windy City has to offer.
This week’s Quickfire Challenge gave the chefs 45 minutes to create a modern salad using fresh produce. Forty-five minutes is a long time to […]
By Matt B -- 0 comments
April 8th, 2008
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 2nd, 2008
Jay Leno, host of The Tonight Show, often hits up Mr. Beef on Orleans Street whenever he’s in town. And the folks at Mr. Beef won’t let you forget it either, as there are over a dozen pictures of him on the wall. If you’re not one to take stock in celebrity endorsements, Leno isn’t […]
By Matt B -- 4 comments
March 25th, 2008
Chicagoans are just as opinionated about their Italian beef as they are about their pizza and hot dogs. So when a restaurant claims to have the best beef in town, they’d better prepare themselves for plenty of heat. And that’s exactly what Al’s #1 Italian Beef has got.
Since 1938, Al’s has been offering some of […]
By Matt B -- 1 comment
January 9th, 2008
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 12th, 2007
One of my favorite dishes of the season is potato latkes. These shallow-fried cakes of grated potato can be topped with anything from sour cream to applesauce, and are commonly associated with Eastern European and Jewish cuisine. Chef Mindy Segal from Hot Chocolate loves them too, but despite all her culinary expertise, she’ll still admit […]
By Matt B -- 3 comments
December 5th, 2007
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
Ah, the Italians. They have given us so many wonderful things: pizza, cheese, wine, pasta, coffee, biscotti, tiramisu, cannoli… it’s amazing the entire country of Italy isn’t busting out of their pantaloni. Their secret, of course, is that they keep their portions small or, as they say, piccolo.
Piccolo is a new Ukrainian Village corner restaurant […]
By Matt B -- 1 comment
October 16th, 2007
As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to an end, here’s a look back at some of the moments in which The Chicago Traveler celebrated Latin culture and tradition.
• Two to Tango: There are places throughout the city where you can learn and practice this passionate dance from Argentina.
• La Pasadita may not look like much on […]
By Matt B -- 0 comments
October 13th, 2007
It’s lunchtime, and you open up your brown paper bag to find yet another ham and cheese on white bread. Zzzz… Boring! If you want a sandwich that you’ll actually remember, stroll on down to Jerry’s.
Opened in 2002, Jerry’s isn’t just any sandwich shop. Along with a homemade collection of soups, side salads, and […]
By Matt B -- 0 comments
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