Maple Park, IL Lifestyle and More

Garfield Park Conservatory Opens 4-Acre Child Wild Garden, First of Its Kind in a City

Garfield Park Conservatory has a sprawling new reason for West Side families to head outside: a four-acre nature play garden called the Child Wild Exploration Garden, packed with climbing mounds, a sensory cave, a prairie maze and a floating boardwalk. Park District Superintendent Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and the district's director of conservatories, Mary Eysenbach, cut the ribbon on the space Thursday at the conservatory grounds in Garfield Park.

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Q985

Wisconsin Claims Two Spots In Top Fifty-five Foodie Cities In US

Madison and Milwaukee both cracked the top 55 foodie cities in America, with Milwaukee coming in ahead of Chicago by one spot.

Wisconsin · 2d

ABC 7 Chicago

partner publisher · 193.3K followers

Community fundraiser supports Chicago homeless outreach

An evening of stand-up comedy is helping to provide a bit of warmth to Chicagoans who are experiencing homelessness.

visittheamish.com

Prairie View Pantry: Old-World Tradition Meets North Shore Elegance at the New Chicago Suburbs Amish Deli in Northbrook, IL

Nestled amidst the leafy, upscale residential communities and bustling commercial corridors of Chicago’s prestigious northern suburbs, Northbrook has long been celebrated for its beautiful parks, exceptional dining culture, and welcoming neighborhood spirit. From its vibrant town center to its deep appreciation for artisanal craftsmanship, the North Shore continually embraces independent establishments that honor authenticity, meticulous food preparation, and genuine connection. Now, local residents, commuters, and regional food enthusiasts have an extraordinary new culinary destination to explore with the grand opening of the Prairie View Pantry Amish Deli. Bringing time-honored Pennsylvania Dutch deli traditions, slow-cured meats, small-batch farm cheeses, and artisanal pantry provisions right to the heart of Cook County, this remarkable specialty market offers a warm, rustic escape into traditional, unhurried craftsmanship.

Northbrook, IL · 2d

hoodline.com

UChicago Hires First Banned Books Scholar As Challenges Hit Near-Record High

Dulcey Hunter spent more than two decades teaching middle and high school students in Florida before trading the classroom for a research post at one of the country's most prominent universities. This fall, she became the University of Chicago's first Banned Books Postdoctoral Scholar, a newly created role dedicated to studying how book bans affect the people living through them.

fb101.com

FARE Opens in Charlotte, Bringing Seasonal, Clean Eating Beyond Chicago

For eight years, FARE has been making the same bold argument on Chicago blocks: fast food can actually be real food. Now that argument is traveling. On Friday, November 6, 2026, the female-founded, better-for-you fast-casual brand opens FARE Queensbridge Collective — its first location outside its home market and the first real test of whether a clean-label concept built in the Midwest can resonate in a new metro.

Charlotte, NC · 2d

whatnow.com

Chicago’s Dog House Owner Cooking Up New Location in West Loop

A staple dog house in the city will serve those traveling to and from the suburbs soon. From Chicago Business Journal, the Chicago’s Dog House team is getting ready to open a third spot at the Ogilvie Transportation Center, 500 W Madison Street. The concept has been around since 2009, and owner Aaron Wolfson wants to bring the hot dogs to a new neighborhood. Right now, the team is shooting for a Dec. 1 opening date.

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Secret Chicago

Lincoln Park gift shop Givánne organizes by personality

Watch a tour of Givánne, a new Lincoln Park gift shop in Chicago that organizes its unique homeware and decor entirely by personality traits.

partner publisher · 99.2K followers

WGN News

Weekend Break: The Goddess & Grocer

CHICAGO — Looking for some exotic flavors to spice up your weekend? A locally owned cafe and food market with a globally inspired menu could offer the perfect escape. The Goddess and Grocer is a Chicago-based specialty food market that blends a neighborhood café with a curated marketplace. The Goddess and Grocer has three locations […]

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WGN News

Digital price tags at grocery stores raise surveillance pricing fears

From websites to brick-and-mortar stores, it’s easier than ever for companies to target shoppers with prices based on their personal data. Now, a recent change at many grocery stores is raising concerns about so-called surveillance pricing.

Chicago, IL · 3d

everafterinthewoods.com

This Illinois Donut Shop Still Fries Its Huge Apple Fritters Fresh In The Window, Just Like Always

An apple fritter roughly the size of your face comes out of a fryer in a shop window, and the man flipping it opened the place in 1972. He was 85 in 2024. He still works six days a week. The fritters get stuffed with apple chunks and cinnamon. Then...

Chicago, IL · 7d

takingthekids.com

We Ranked The Best Italian Beef In Illinois And These 7 Spots Made The Cut

A sandwich stand on a busy Chicago street became the filming spot for a hit TV show, and its business reportedly more than doubled. That is the kind of pull an Italian beef sandwich has in Illinois. The idea goes back about a century. Thin-sliced roast beef gets soaked in...

Illinois · 3d

insideradio.com

‘93.9 Lite FM’ Chicago To Kick Off 26th Year Of Christmas Music.

IHeartMedia AC “93.9 Lite FM” WLIT will launch its annual holiday music format Nov. 5 at 3pm, marking the station’s 26th consecutive year as Chicago’s Christmas music destination. The station will kick off the seasonal programming with a two-hour commercial-free broadcast live from the Griffin Museum...

Chicago, IL · 4d

commercialbaking.com

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Talerico Bakery starts the next chapter in its fresh-to-frozen story

KANSAS CITY, MO — Bob Talerico loves to tell stories. The owner of Talerico Bakery, a more than 40-year-old fried and baked sweet goods manufacturer on the South Side of Chicago, has plenty of tales to tell. One of his favorites is about how he and his buddy Michael “Mickey” Martin started the bakery in 1984 using the kitchen of a family business. After all these years, Talerico still gets excited when asked to share the story … and its next chapter.

Chicago, IL · 3d

Belleville News-Democrat

2 IL pizzerias serve some of the best pies in US, report finds. Where to go

Two Illinois pizzerias earned spots on The Infatuation’s recent analysis of the best pizza places in America. Both are in Chicago and serve distinctly different styles. FULL STORY: These 2 Illinois pizza shops serve some of the best pies in America, report says Here are key takeaways: The Sept. 22 report from The Infatuation, “ The Best Pizza Places in America ,” named Pizz’Amici and Milly’s Pizza In The Pan among the nation’s best. The analysis did not numerically rank the restaurants. Pizz’Amici was praised for its tavern-style pie. The Infatuation described the crust as “impressively thin and crackery” with a bottom that is “a Dalmatian-spotted, charred beauty.” A 14-inch Chicago thin-crust pizza starts at $21. Milly’s Pizza In The Pan stood out for its pan-style Chicago deep-dish, with “zesty” tomato sauce and caramelized cheese on the crust. A cheese pizza starts at $20 for a 10-inch and $24 for a 14-inch. Pizz’Amici is at 1215 W. Grand Ave. in Chicago. Milly’s has two locations: 925 N. Ashland Ave. and 3409 N. Broadway in Chicago. Milly’s does not take reservations and makes a limited number of pizzas each day, so staff recommend placing an order online in advance. In a

Chicago, IL · 3d

southportcorridorchicago.com

Remember SOPO Lounge? Southport Avenue Before Gap

Before Gap occupied this stretch of Southport Avenue, SOPO Lounge & Grill was one of the neighborhood’s memorable early-2000s nightlife spots. SOPO opened in March 2003 at 3418 N. Southport Avenue, bringing a New York-inspired lounge atmosphere to a corridor increasingly known for its restaurants, bars and nightlife. Its black awning, large open front windows and sidewalk seating made it a familiar sight along the street.

Chicago, IL · 6d

thehypemagazine.com

Chance the Rapper’s SocialWorks Launches Ninth Annual Warmest Winter Drive Across Chicago

Eleven collection sites are open now through Jan. 10, gathering coats, blankets and essentials for Chicagoans facing homelessness. Chance the Rapper is asking Chicago to show up for its neighbors again. His nonprofit, SocialWorks, has opened the ninth annual Warmest Winter drive, with 11 collection sites across the city accepting donations from Nov. 2, 2026, through Jan. 10, 2027.

chicagostarmedia.com

Gibsons Tavern offers a first look at its new Fulton Market destination

Chicago's restaurant scene is about to get another heavyweight addition. Gibsons Restaurant Group is bringing its signature hospitality and a fresh interpretation of the American tavern to Fulton Market with the debut of Gibsons Tavern, a sprawling 15,000-square-foot restaurant at 925 W. Fulton Market. A press preview earlier this week offered a first look inside the highly anticipated new destination ahead of its Nov. 17 opening.

WGNtv.com

Little Betty Smokehouse Opens on University of Chicago Campus

Acclaimed Chicago pitmaster, chef Dominique Leach is bringing her signature Chicago barbecue to the University of Chicago’s campus with the opening of “Little Betty Smokehouse”. Chef Dominique joined us with more on her new concept and a taste of her signature menu items. 1133 E. 57th Street.

southwestregionalpublishing.com

Mother McAuley’s Shopapalooza returns for 22nd year

Holiday shopping will get an early start at Mother McAuley High School as the McAuley Mothers’ Club prepares to host its 22nd annual Shopapalooza Vendor Fair on Saturday, Nov. 7. More than 90 vendors will fill the school with merchandise ranging from clothing and home decor to handmade crafts,...