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Q985

partner publisher · 3.8K followers
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These 12 Illinois Restaurants Make The List Of America’s 100 Best

Illinois landed twelve spots on OpenTable's best restaurants in America list, and they're all a road trip away in Chicago.

Illinois · 3d

NBC Chicago

publisher · 127.4K followers

Highly-acclaimed Chicago restaurant opens in Highwood on North Shore

One of Chicago's most beloved Mediterranean restaurants is now open on the North Shore. Avec, from the award-winning One Off Hospitality group, opened its doors at 250 Waukegan Avenue in Highwood Nov. 6. The restaurant, inside a former boxing gym, was transformed by Present Future Architects and Chas Bender Co. over the past 1.5 years into a 95-seat, bleached-oak dining room with exposed beams, a U-shaped bar and an exhibition kitchen customers can see from the street.

Highwood, IL · 15h
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WBEZ

publisher · 6.0K followers

How a retired Chicago Army veteran found peace and purpose through baking

At 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, with most of Chicago still asleep, Quinton McNair already was in the kitchen. By 9 a.m., the 49-year-old had baked enough cookies, muffins and other treats to fill the display cases at his Hyde Park bakery. And McNair still had the rest of another long day ahead of him.

Chicago, IL · 2d
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MyStateline.com WTVO WQRF

partner publisher · 73.8K followers
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Rockford’s Plume named one of Illinois’ 50 best restaurants in statewide ranking

he "50 Best Restaurants in Illinois — 2026 Edition" list published by Travel With Me, a Chicago social media platform with about 1 million followers on Facebook alone.

Rockford, IL · 2d

takemetotn.com

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This Nostalgic Illinois Diner Serves Chicago Deli Classics With A Side Of Old-School Charm

The house potatoes here get cooked in beef tallow. That one detail alone made me sit up and pay attention. Then there’s the homemade root beer, poured at a spot that also serves matzo ball soup, lox, and a Reuben with a name you won’t forget. Breakfast runs all day, so pancakes at dinnertime are completely fair game.

Chicago, IL · 1d

whatnow.com

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5918 Catering & Events Leases Kitchen Space in Hazel Crest

Soul food will soon be prepared out of a storefront in the suburb. Matanky Realty recently carried out the lease for 5918 Catering & Events, coming to 17503 Kedzie Avenue in Hazel Crest. The owners Anthony and Rhonda Williams have been serving the Chicago area at pop-ups and have been looking to prepare their meals out of a brick-and-mortar. Rhonda told What Now Chicago it is too early in the process to announce an opening date right now.

Hazel Crest, IL · 1d

Axios Chicago

partner publisher · 5.3K followers

Alley cafes and plants in the Pedway: 3 ideas to transform Chicago's State Street

From more green space to interactive installations, three winning proposals reimagine what could make Chicago's State Street "that great street" once again. Why it matters: The plans could help breathe new life into a part of the Loop that was once a retail, cultural and social attraction. Driving the news: The Chicago Architectural Club, World Business Chicago and other civic organizations on Wednesday announced the winners of this year's Burnham Prize . Context: In April, the groups called for ideas for "The Future of State" — ways to make State Street a vibrant, inviting and modern urban center. Zoom in: The three winning projects take different approaches to best utilize what already exists along State Street, as well as what new infrastructure is needed. Thickness: From Corridor to Urban Field focuses on the spaces between the buildings. It would turn parking lots into green space, alleys and the Pedway into spots to meet and drink and build elevated walkways to move through the Loop. Unlocking State Street centers on the Chicago Federal Center block, a Mies van der Rohe-designed complex surrounded by Dearborn, Clark and Adams Streets and Jackson Boulevard. The plan would move the security barriers that exist around

Chicago, IL · 1d

Secret Chicago

publisher · 7.1K followers

Free turkeys at 5 Chicago-area McDonald’s are here: 3,000 up for grabs, one location per day through Saturday from 8 a.m.

A Thanksgiving turkey giveaway is making five stops across the Chicago area this week. The Black McDonald’s Operators Association of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana plans to distribute 3,000 turkeys , along with gift cards to help families buy additional holiday groceries. The 26th annual Food for the Body & Spirit giveaway runs November 10–14, with a different McDonald’s hosting each morning. Distributions begin at 8 a.m. and continue while supplies last, so organizers recommend arriving early. The first stop took place in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on Tuesday morning. The remaining giveaways are scheduled for Maywood, Grand Boulevard, Auburn Gresham, and Chicago Heights through Saturday. Where and when to get a free turkey Each restaurant hosts the giveaway on one scheduled day—not throughout the week. Here’s the full lineup: Tuesday, November 10: 5015 W. Madison St., Chicago Wednesday, November 11: 11 N. 1st Ave., Maywood Thursday, November 12: 740 E. 47th St., Chicago Friday, November 13: 8321 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago Saturday, November 14: 19767 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights All five distributions begin at 8 a.m. and continue until supplies run out. Veterans can use a priority line Veterans can receive VIP line entry by showing proof of military service.

Chicago, IL · 3d

blockclubchicago.org

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Trader Joe’s Uptown Store Opens Monday

UPTOWN — A Trader Joe’s is opening on the Far North Side sooner than expected. The popular grocery store chain is opening 9 a.m. Monday at 804 W. Montrose Ave. in Uptown, a company spokesperson said. Last month, the company said the store wouldn’t open until next year.

Chicago, IL · 9h

fastfoodclub.com

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When Hoosiers Want Real Pierogi, They Drive To These 5 Northwest Indiana Polish Kitchens

Northwest Indiana takes its pierogi seriously, and for good reason. Lake County has deep Polish roots, and you can still taste that history in Highland, Hammond, Crown Point, and Schererville. Some of these spots are sit-down kitchens with pork chops and fried chicken on the side. Others are delis where...

Highland, IN · 14h

chicagocrusader.com

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Black McDonald’s Operators Bring Thanksgiving Relief to 3,000 Chicago-Area Families

As families across Chicago prepare for Thanksgiving amid rising household expenses, the Black McDonald’s Operators Association (BMOA) of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana is continuing its longstanding tradition of giving back to communities in need. Through its 26th annual Food for the Body & Spirit initiative, the organization plans to...

Chicago, IL · 18h

nrn.com

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Trending this week: Portillo’s to shutter five to nine restaurants outside Chicago

This week on Nation's Restaurant News, the top story was “Portillo’s to shutter five to nine restaurants outside Chicago.” Portillo’s plans to close a "mid- to high-single digit" number of underperforming restaurants outside Chicago, mostly in the fourth quarter, as part of a turnaround plan. The company did not say which restaurants are scheduled to close or where specifically.

Chicago, IL · 3d

Timeless Dishes

partner publisher · 11.9K followers

8 Regional Hot Dog Styles and Stands, From Chicago to Seattle

From Chicago's garden of toppings to Seattle's cream cheese, eight regional hot dog styles and stands, each with its own bun, sauce and story. The post 8 Regional Hot Dog Styles and Stands, From Chicago to Seattle appeared first on Timeless Dishes .

Chicago, IL · 2d

travelmag.com

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This Illinois Drive-In Is Topped With Giant Hot Dog Statues And Has Served Carhop Burgers And Dogs Since 1948

Two giant hot dogs are hanging out on an Illinois rooftop, and one is wearing a leopard-print leotard. The other rocks a blue skirt and a bow. Fashion week could never. Meet the rooftop duo named after the couple who started this quirky hot dog joint. And trust me, the experience only gets better at ground level.

Chicago, IL · 4d

Siliconera Nandemo

partner publisher · 471 followers

Chicago couple opens pizza from Keith Lee-recommended restaurant. Uh, that definitely shouldn’t be in there: ‘And its a knockoff? im ccryyinnn’

'I need ANOTHER pizza for FREE.'

Chicago, IL · 2d

juliescafebakery.com

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7 Chicago Foods You Need to Try at Least Once (Beyond Deep-Dish Pizza)

Ask a Chicagoan where they actually eat and the answer rarely involves a knife and fork. It usually involves a paper bag, a cash-only counter, and a very specific way of ordering. These seven places keep coming up in local roundups, review sites, and Reddit threads. Each one comes with...

Chicago, IL · 1d

BevNET.com

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Kava Haven Launches at Binny’s Beverage Depot

CHICAGO, IL — November 2026 — Kava Haven, the kava-infused non-alcoholic spirit redefining how people relax and socialize without alcohol, is now available at Binny’s Beverage Depot. The launch marks a meaningful milestone for the Chicago-based brand, expanding its Midwest presence through one of the region’s best-known...

Chicago, IL · 1d

takemetotn.com

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7 Illinois Restaurants Where Dinner Comes With A Show The Kids Won’t Stop Talking About

Dinner with no fork sounds like a kid’s wildest dream, and at one Illinois spot, it’s actually the rule. You eat a four-course meal with your hands while knights joust a few feet away. That alone would be enough for me. But this list goes further, with servers...

Rock Island, IL · 2d

WTTW - Chicago PBS

publisher · 12.7K followers

While Sujan Sarkar Expands His Restaurant Empire, Sahil Sethi Keeps the Chicago Spots Up to Snuff

More than ten years ago, Sahil Sethi and Sujan Sarkar met in the kitchen of a Mediterranean restaurant in India. Many years, restaurants, cities, and awards later, they are still working together, with Sarkar expanding into a global presence based on the reputation of restaurants in Chicago that Sethi helps to oversee and maintain as culinary director.

Chicago, IL · 15h

fastfoodclub.com

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Chicago’s Lou Mitchell’s Has Been Handing Out Free Milk Duds To Breakfast Crowds Since 1923

Some Chicago breakfast spots hand you a menu and a check. One downtown diner hands you a little gift before the first plate even lands, and it has been playing that generous game for more than a century. The doors first opened in 1923, back when travelers heading west needed...

Chicago, IL · 1d