This is a city of fierce competition. For a Chicago new restaurant to stand out above other new venues, as well as match or surpass well-established names, is a feat of its own. There were many openings last year, but these 15 restaurants have broken through the mold...
Farmers Market season is taking full swing. Produce is growing nicely and the sun is making its appearance more often to give you that much needed dosage of vitamin D and happiness. These markets provide you with a great alternative to supermarket shopping and their...
The General, in Logan Square, is a hot spot for craft beer and satisfying food. Their focus is on soul food and artisan tacos– which is a mighty fine combination if you ask me. Their daily special is really one of the best in Chicago. For $8ºº you can have yourself...
Easter in Chicago is a phenomenal time of the year. Not only is the weather warming, but there are also an abundant amount of restaurants in Chicago and the surrounding area offering food and drink specials to warm you on the inside. Have a relaxing brunch with...
Chicago has been taken over by a fever for Japanese ramen noodles. Within walking distance from my apartment alone, I can think of four places I could go for noodles. Jakarta, Indonesia-based Imperial Lamian, a restaurant group with more than 20 locations, picked...
There is just something about dining at the food trucks in Chicago that makes this sidewalk dining experience so enjoyable. Maybe it’s a sense of rebellion against sit-down restaurants, maybe it’s quality fast-food service, maybe it’s taking advantage of the...
The red Weber Grill has been a staple of American backyards since the 1950s, but you may not be aware that the iconic kettle was born right here in Chicago. In 1952, George Stephen Sr. was a part-owner of the Weber Metal Works in Chicago crafting marine buoys....
Flagship, to many, may seem like just another typical sports bar. Upon first glance, I wouldn’t argue with you. However, being that sports games were flooding the copious amount of screens throughout the venue and my table didn’t pay attention to any of them one bit–...
I most certainly would not consider myself to be a master when it comes to grilling– but I do know a thing or two about cooking in the kitchen. This easily translates to cooking on the grill. Essentially everything that you can fry or bake can also be grilled– even...
Airports can sometimes feel more like a prison than a gateway to the world. Time spent between flights should be well used rather than abused. This list compiles some of the best O’Hare restaurants to spend your time, indulge in some food, and refresh with a drink....
This is a sign– a sign of everything great to come the next handful of months. Sitting outside on a patio just makes food taste better and beer more refreshing. While a few locations are still a few weeks out from opening, others have embraced the weather and opened...
Good ole’ Southern cooking has blessed our palates with many unique and favorite dishes? but one of the very most cherished dishes is the simple Chicken and Waffles combination. There is just something about the soft, yet crunchy experience of a waffle matched up with...
Growing up– I participated in Lent as a religious experience. Unfortunately, as a kiddo, I wasn’t the biggest fan of fish and any sort of plant was still foreign matter to me. I settled with a lot of cereal and pb&j’s (somewhat similar to my current meal plan)....
Some of Chicago’s best food can be found in ‘ma & pa’ restaurants and even on the sidewalk. To make your evening of dining out a true experience, a magnificent view of Chicago’s skyline is almost a must. These Chicago restaurants should be on everyone’s...
Burgers are one of America’s favorite comfort foods. Many of us have fond memories of going to the local burger joint with our parents and friends and enjoying some greasy goodness. For a lot of Chicago’s Southside residents, that burger joint was Grant’s Wonderburger...
While America may have exported the bulk of its manufacturing jobs overseas, more and more restaurants are adopting the assembly line model such as Chipotle. One of the more recent additions is Mixed Greens, fast food restaurant focusing on organic and healthy salads,...
Our recent list of the best Chicago burgers was not without its share of controversy. After its publication, I was told I had to go over immediately to Cochon Volant and try their Le Cheeseburger Royale. Translated as “Flying Pig,” Cochon Volant recently opened in the...
I hate the feeling of being absolutely clueless when it comes to gift shopping for someone. Whether the person has everything, or nothing– finding gifts is not always an easy task. Judging from personal experience, receiving amazing food- especially sweets- or some...
5411 Empanadas is one of the fastest growing restaurant groups in the city. Named after the international dialing code for Buenos Aires, the group first opened in 2009 with a quality product and making deliveries to local Chicago businesses. That led to an incredibly...
Super Bowl is always a bittersweet event. The entirety of a season’s battles, trash talking and celebrations come down to this very day. It can be joyous, even if your team isn’t in the running for World Champions. It’s the perfect day for camaraderie. On the flip...
Chicago was once known as one of the bacon capitals of the world. Back in the day, much of the pork in the U.S. of A. came from Chicago. Maybe that is one of the reasons that bacon bars exist in this land– a homage to the yesteryears. Or, maybe I need to stop being...
An egg sandwich at brunch can be a wonderful thing; however, when you’re in the rush before work it always seems like your only option is to run into McDonalds or Starbucks. Eastman Egg Company is out to change that. They started with the idea that you can get an...
The most fitting way to enjoy summer is to spend as much time as possible outside. These riverside restaurants make it easy to enjoy a variety of cuisine and a multitude of beverages. Whether you are on your lunch break, scouring for happy hour specials, have a hot...
Chicago Mexican breakfast options are a welcome change to the traditional fifteen stack of pancakes and twelve-egg omelets that are large enough that you could wrap yourself in it. The primary reason to crave south of the border before noon is chilaquiles. ‘What are...
Seeking out the best burger in Chicago can be an overwhelming task. You can scrounge through Yelp, ask your neighborhood shop keeper or start with these recommendations and see if you learn of anywhere else on your travels. The neighborhoods of Chicago that have the...
Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful although, it’d be a shame if we were only thankful once a year. For some of us, we may be thankful for the new opportunities that opened up over the passed year others may be thankful for the time that they can spend with family....
Juicing is a great and easy way to obtain your daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Avoid the shops that load their drinks with sugar – the best juice bar Chicago offers can be found at any one of these locations. Juice Bar Chicago Guide: Vegetarian Express – $...
Chicago is known for its incredible food, but that recognition doesn’t just come from the Windy City’s many fine dining establishments. In fact, some of Chicago’s most memorable food can be found at locally owned and operated hot dog stands. For the perfect lunch or...
Culinary arts schools are a great way to master the fine arts involved in preparing and cooking great dishes. Chicago has a wide variety of culinary arts schools that can help teach you about the different aspects of professional cooking. Not all of them focus on the...
The idea of going to a Wrigleyville bar could either be the greatest or worst thing every depending on who you are. If that is your scene, there’s certainly no shortage of places to choose from to watch the game, grab some lunch, or have a boozy weekend. Located just...
I find myself walking around this glorious city more than I find myself in a vehicle. That is what made me realize that 2015 was going to be a focus on health and eating better. “With the New Year, comes the new me” I have been a pretty big condiment fan. I like my...
Some days nothing kickstarts you like a hearty meal accompanied by a little champagne and orange juice. That means that one of the bottomless mimosas Chicago brunches is literally calling your name! There are a handful of solid options that will help you get your fix...
A few years ago, most Chicagoans probably thought of ramen as the cheap microwave noodles they ate in college, but now the city is obsessed with the Japanese noodle-soup dish. The latest contender for best ramen bowl in the city is Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya in...
The last time I was at the Stretch, I was in pursuit of their award-winning Cortland Street Burger and walked away with a very happy stomach. I made a return trip to the Wrigleyville sports bar and grille to sample their new spring menu—launching March 12—created by...
If you’ve got a taste for raw fish and the many ways it can be prepared, you may be interested to know which the top sushi places in Chicago are. Each has its own unique décor and personality. They’re about as different from each other as night from day, but Sushi...
