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Food & Drink

Axios Chicago

partner publisher · 5.3K followers
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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

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 · 16h
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rolling out

publisher · 196.4K followers

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.

Chicago, IL · 2d
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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
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southportcorridorchicago.com

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Giordano’s Returning to Wrigleyville in 2027, Closer to Wrigley Field

Giordano’s is planning a return to Lakeview in 2027, this time closer to Wrigley Field, as its longtime Belmont Avenue restaurant building is slated to make way for a new residential development. The Chicago deep-dish pizza chain plans to open a new Wrigleyville restaurant in 2027, according to a...

Chicago, IL · 2d

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

whatnow.com

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Jibarito Time in Des Plaines Reopening Under New Ownership

In the Chicago area, jibarito sandwiches are not losing popularity anytime soon. Jibarito Time in Des Plaines at 935 E Oakton Street is now under new ownership following its recent closure. The concept has become a destination for Chicago-style plantain sandwiches. Business consultant Will Santiago told What Now Chicago the team is hoping to open in the next 30 days.

Des Plaines, IL · 21h

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 · 11h

Mass Market Retailers

partner publisher · 3.8K followers

Online grocery sales rise 20.7% in third quarter

Brick Meets Click finds firm demand for food delivery.

Barrington, IL · 2d

fb101.com

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Michelin-Recommended Hattie B's Expands in Chicago and Sets Chattanooga Opening

Hot chicken isn't just a Nashville flex anymore — it's a growth strategy. And Hattie B's Hot Chicken, the family-owned fast-casual brand that helped turn Tennessee's spiciest export into a national obsession, is having a landmark month that proves the point. After earning its second consecutive nod in the...

Chicago, IL · 1d

southportcorridorchicago.com

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Remembering Justin’s Bar & Grill: 31 Years of Southport Memories, Beer Garden Photos and the End of an Era

Before Southport Avenue became known for its newer restaurants and national retailers, Justin’s Bar & Grill was the kind of neighborhood place where an afternoon could turn into an entire evening. At 3358 N. Southport Avenue, its beer garden, sports-bar atmosphere and familiar faces made it a Lakeview fixture for more than three decades.

Chicago, IL · 5d

everafterinthewoods.com

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We Ranked The 10 Best Breakfast Restaurants In The Chicago Area And Here Is Who Made The Cut

Free donut holes. Tiny boxes of Milk Duds. One Chicago diner has handed both to breakfast guests since 1958, and I honestly can’t decide which part delights me more. That sweet little tradition sent me hunting for more great Illinois breakfast spots. One suburban kitchen serves its waffles as a flight, like a sampler at a fancy tasting.

Chicago, IL · 1d

familydestinationsguide.com

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This Illinois Seafood Restaurant Is Known Far And Wide For Its Incredibly Fresh Fried Fish

Some restaurants earn their reputation quietly, one perfectly fried piece of fish at a time, and The Fish Keg in Chicago has been doing exactly that for longer than most food trends have existed. If you haven’t heard of The Fish Keg yet, that’s about to change. The...

Chicago, IL · 6d

wheninyourstate.com

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Restaurant closures hit popular Chicago hot dog chain known for its longtime local following

Chicago favorite Portillo’s plans to close several underperforming restaurants outside the Chicagoland area as it changes its approach to national expansion. The company announced the decision on November 5, 2026, following a review of its restaurant performance. Portillo’s expects to close approximately 5 to 9 locations, with most shutdowns...

Chicago, IL · 4d

takemetotn.com

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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.

Chicago, IL · 2d

Siliconera Nandemo

partner publisher · 295 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 · 1d

allamericanatlas.com

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5 Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois that Will Make You Feel Like You’re in Rome

Chicago is a city that sings in many tongues—where the L rumbles above streets lined with brick and glass, where the lake wind tangles with the scent of roasted garlic and sweet basil, and where every neighborhood is a patchwork of stories. Here, the skyline rises bold and blue, but it’s the warmth of the people—Polish, Mexican, Black, Irish, Italian, and every dreamer in between—that gives the city its pulse. This is a place where food is memory, migration, and celebration, and where the table is always set for one more.

Chicago, IL · 3d

Secret Chicago

publisher · 7.1K followers

Bears star D’Andre Swift names his 3 favorite Chicago restaurants—and launches a limited-time Philly-meets-Chicago menu

Caleb Williams has already made it known that his favorite restaurant is Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna, calling his love for it “ the best pizza I’ve ever had in my life. “ Now, fellow Bears star D’Andre Swift is sharing his own go-to Chicago restaurants —and his list offers plenty of inspiration for your next dinner out. D’Andre Swift shares his favorite Chicago restaurants While Williams’ pick might settle your next pizza order, Swift’s shortlist gives you a few more options for a night out: West Loop steakhouse Adalina Prime, Lincoln Park steakhouse & cocktail lounge The Bull Moose , and Asian bistro & nightclub TAO . For something a little more game-day-ready, though, you can try a menu the running back helped create himself. What’s on D’Andre Swift’s menu at Jake Melnick’s? Swift has teamed up with Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap on “Da Swift Picks,” a limited-time lineup that mixes Philadelphia-inspired flavors with Chicago favorites. Here’s what’s on the menu: High Step Hoagie Dip ($12.95): Salami, prosciutto, hot peppers, provolone, and cream cheese, served with fresh Sidewinder Fries. Swift City Wings ($19.95): Long hot pepper-garlic butter, giardiniera rub, parmesan, and a Cooper’s Wiz sidecar. Hometown Fries ($9.95): House-cut fries,

Chicago, IL · 1d

everafterinthewoods.com

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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...

Chicago, IL · 1d

everafterinthewoods.com

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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 · 2d