5 Best Cafes for Sitting for a Spell
In this excerpt from her new book, The 500 Hidden Secrets of Chicago, Lauren Viera takes us around the city to the best coffee shops to kill some time in.
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High Steaks
Smoque Steak bets big on techy sous vide, but where the restaurant shines is with its old-fashioned hospitality.
Why Restaurants Still Add Surcharges
Why are restaurants still adding surcharges? I feel your pain. The extra fees can make it hard to swing a casual Tuesday dinner out. I’m not talking about set service charges like the 25 percent at Daisies or the 20 percent at Lula Cafe. Those are revealed upfront and are in lieu of a tip. … Read more
The 10 Hottest Restaurants in Chicago: November 2023
The city’s most buzzed-about restaurants this month
People Behind the Pizza
Related: The Best Pizza in Town Billy Zureikat Pop-up chef Billy Zureikat’s body began failing nine years ago when, at the age of 30, he first felt off balance on the basketball court. Then his leg muscles started to atrophy. As he waited for years to learn what was wrong, the kitchen became his escape. … Read more
The Chicago Pizza Playoffs
We ranked our 25 favorites. Now you get to tell us what you think.
The Best Pizza in Town
Homegrown styles have evolved thanks to a new crop of chefs putting their twist on pan, deep dish, and tavern. Here are our 25 favorite pizza joints, ranked.
Bakery Rising
For years, a perk of going to my doctor in Lake View was that Loba Pastry + Coffee was a few blocks away. Afterward, I’d stop in for owner Valeria Socorro Velazquez Lindsten’s treats, which draw on her fine-dining pastry skills and Mexican heritage. In 2021, with the lease up, Lindsten announced she was moving … Read more
Fine Dining for the People: Real Prices for Real Chicagoans
Our dining critic explores the affordable fine dining trend, makes a few lunch stops, and finds a great Indian catering option.