Lake In The Hills, IL Lifestyle and More

This Humble South Side Chicago Shrimp Spot Serves Up Fried Seafood Worth The Trip

One little counter in Illinois has built its whole name on bags of fried Gulf shrimp. The breading stays light, and the seasoning leans proudly toward Louisiana. Order a shrimp dinner, and coleslaw comes along with your choice of fries or spaghetti. Yes, spaghetti, sitting right next to fried seafood, and it’s one of the most talked-about things on the menu.

raptology.com

The Final Hours of Lil Mister: No Lackin, Chicago Drill and the 2019 Killing of Antwon Fields

On a Friday evening in March 2019, a Chicago rapper whose voice helped define the first wave of drill was shot in Englewood. Antwon Fields, known to fans as Lil Mister or Lil Woppa, had spent years building a name through raw neighborhood videos, collaborations and the kind of music that traveled farther than its budget. By the following day, the artist behind “No Lackin” was dead, and another piece of the scene’s early history had been lost.

Chicago, IL · 13h

takingthekids.com

The Hidden Illinois Amish Store Where Locals Go For Fried Pies And Cinnamon Rolls

Shoo fly pie, cream top milk, and fried pies are all waiting in one small Amish-style shop in the Chicago suburbs. That combo alone got my attention. It’s a store where pies sell out fast enough that calling ahead to reserve one is a smart move. The shelves go...

Orland Park, IL · 1d

takingthekids.com

We Ranked The Best Barbecue In Illinois And These 7 Smokehouses Made The Cut

Two of the best barbecue joints in Illinois sit inside old train depots. I love that. Brisket and railroad history might be the most Midwestern pairing ever invented. The surprises keep stacking up from there. One Chicago spot has been a South Side standard for over 70 years. A small...

Illinois · 2d

hoodline.com

Wicker Park Woman Climbs Railing After Coyotes Follow Her Dog

A Monday night walk near Oakley Boulevard turned into a three-minute scramble for Odalys Flores and her Chihuahua mix, Coco. Flores said two coyotes followed them in Wicker Park, closed the distance, and left her on an elevated railing with the dog in her arms. The Nov. 9 encounter is...

Chicago, IL · 18h

allhiphop.com

Da Brat Has Message For Chicago Rappers Looking To Make It Out Of The City

Da Brat is bringing a message to a new generation of Chicago rappers as she prepares to return home this month. She’s joining The Hip Hop Nutcracker with advice for artists still trying to turn neighborhood recognition into something bigger. “I just wanted to be a star outside of...

everafterinthewoods.com

publisher · 196.4K followers

Old Italian Grocers Still Slice Mortadella At These 6 Illinois Markets

A single log of mortadella can weigh more than a toddler, and somebody still slices it by hand. That old ritual lives on behind a handful of no-frills Illinois deli counters that still do things the slow way. I find that oddly thrilling, like discovering your favorite song still plays...

Illinois · 3d

rolling out

James Sanders on the best BBQ in Chicago that never reheats

James Sanders started his career at Ryan’s Steakhouse the day after he graduated high school. He set cooking aside to join the National Guard, then studied at Southern Illinois University, where late night backyard barbecues for friends turned a passion into a plan. Back in Chicago, he attended culinary school and worked as a prep cook for the Chicago Bears. He went on to own and oversee 22 Harold’s Chicken locations across the country, then launched Fuze Catering, the first African American owned catering company to cater events at the Art Institute of Chicago. Fuze also catered the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

everafterinthewoods.com

Inside A Retro Illinois Pie Shop, Cream Pies And Savory Slices Never Went Out Of Style

A pie called the Fat Elvis sits on the menu at a cheerful little shop in Illinois. Right next to it, you might spot a lamb and apricot hand pie. That combo alone tells you this place plays by its own rules. The chocolate cream pie is considered a house...

culturalcreatives.org

publisher · 12.7K followers

3 Illinois Places Where Going Alone Could Be Riskier Than You Expect

Illinois does not need a remote mountain range to present serious outdoor hazards. Sandstone bluffs, canyon trails, and Lake Michigan can all punish a decision that seemed minor a few minutes earlier. Going alone matters because there may be nobody beside you when a slip, sudden wave, or wrong turn occurs.

Illinois · 21h

WTTW - Chicago PBS

Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Nov. 11-17

Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more. Daily Chicagoan, the newsletter from WTTW News, sends these picks to your inbox each week along with more essential recommendations from our staff. Sign up here. Wednesday, Nov. 11:

partner publisher · 482 followers

Siliconera Nandemo

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.'

fastfoodclub.com

publisher · 127.4K followers

Chicago Has 7 Old-School Italian Red-Sauce Joints Where The Waiters Remember Your Order

Some Chicago restaurants chase trends, and some have been serving the same lasagna and chicken Vesuvio for generations. This list is about the second kind. These are the red-sauce rooms with checkered tablecloths, framed photos, old-world murals, and servers who treat regulars like family. A few have been around since the 1930s, and a couple sit right across the street from each other in Heart of Italy.

Chicago, IL · 1d

NBC Chicago

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade to start an hour earlier for the first time in 92 years

If you’re planning to attend the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade this year, set your alarm an hour earlier. For the first time in the parade’s 92-year history, the procession will begin at 7:45 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning — an hour earlier than in previous years, according to a parade spokesperson who confirmed the change to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Chicago, IL · 1d

Chicago Public Radio

publisher · 67.1K followers

The Rundown: Beware of rats in your car’s engine

Good afternoon! It’s Thursday, and while I love how widely available $9 matcha drinks have become, I don’t think I’d wait three hours for one. Here’s what you need to know today. Local mechanics say rodent infestation in engine compartments is not only common in the...

Chicago, IL · 1d

Fox 32 Chicago

List of holiday themed bars and restaurants in Chicago

CHICAGO - It's just about time for holiday cheer to spread across the Chicago area. There are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday season in the area with several festive bars and restaurants popping up. Chicago holiday bars and restaurants. Local perspective:. All throughout the Chicago region there are...

nrn.com

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.

islands.com

Chicago Boomers Are Moving To This Midwestern State With Vibrant Cities And Iconic Craft Brews

Retirement doesn't necessarily have to mean packing up for the Sun Belt. For some baby boomers, the next chapter might be just across the state line — somewhere they can enjoy a change of pace without straying too far from the people and places they know. That's apparently the approach of many Chicago boomers, according to a U-Haul migration study: Wisconsin was the top net-gain state for baby boomers moving out of Chicago in mid-2026. For boomers looking to downsize, slow down, or find a city that's a little more affordable, Wisconsin has some options. It has thousands of lakes and miles of scenic trails, alongside cities like Madison and Eau Claire, where award-winning breweries, museums, and senior centers can keep daily life exciting.