Week 1 in Chicago is quickly approaching as the Bears prepare to host the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 8, and fans in attendance will have a few new offerings to sink their teeth into. The new offerings are being ushered in by Levy, who took over for Aramark as the official beverage and hospitality partner of the Chicago Bears heading into the 2024 season. Among the most conspicuous of the new offerings is “The Odunze Dog,” named after rookie Rome Odunze while serving as the receiver’s “culinary introduction to The Windy City.” The dog is inspired by the “Italian combo,”…

An iconic Chicago-area restaurant just launched a new, fall-themed menu item, 20 years in the making. Tuesday, Portillo’s launched a new Salted Caramel Spice Cake and Salted Caramel Spice Cake Shake for the fall season, an announcement said. It’s the first time in 20 years Portillo’s has added a new cake flavor to its menu, the announcement said. After 20 years, we knew our new cake had to be something special,” Portillo’s said, “and the Salted Caramel Spice Cake delivers—a true celebration of fall that invites you to slow down, savor every bite, and embrace the cozy.” The dessert features…

The Gwen Hotel has released their next set of Tipsy Tea Party themes. With seatings at 12pm and 2:30pm on Saturday & Sunday, experience this boozy twist on traditional high tea, complete with small bites, cocktails, and a DJ spinning. Reserve via OpenTable for parties of 1 to 12. Cost is $70–$95 per person. SEPTEMBER: “All That Jazz” Tipsy Tea Party The Chicago musical-themed tipsy tea party this September will include tea-infused cocktails and bites like: ITALIAN BEEF CROSTINI (giardiniera salsa, parmesan, frisee)FRIED CHICKEN TENDER WITH HAROLD’S SAUCEPUBLICAN MULTI GRAIN BREAD (smoked salmon, cream cheese, everything bagel spice)GREEKTOWN SPANAKOPITAAMARETTI COOKIESRED VELVET CAKECHICAGO POPCORNBROWNIES WITH WALNUT BRITTLECHOCOLATE FUDGE…

News coverage and analysis of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Last week, Chicago accommodated politicians, celebrities, journalists and thousands of other out-of-towners at the Democratic National Convention.But the city also made efforts to serve its own in the process.The convention worked with the city, including Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar, and other partners to rescue and donate 26,746 pounds of leftover food, distributing 22,288 meals to more than a dozen Chicago-area churches and nonprofits. The contribution was part of the event’s sustainability plan, which also included steps to prevent waste, reduce emissions and reuse materials. Local organizations Bright…

Get more recipes, food news, and stories at wttw.com/food or by signing up for our Deep Dish newsletter.The Poklenkowski family’s life centered on Webster and Hoyne Avenues in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood in the 1950s. St. Hedwig’s church was (and still is) at the intersection, as was Ray’s, a neighborhood grocer where the owner Ray and his wife “would help children distinguish between cabbage and lettuce, as well as sort out change we carried in to pay,” as J. Poklenkowski recalls. Kids sent on an errand waited amongst the towering shelves of goods after passing lists from their mothers to the butcher,…

It’s hard to remember a year where more restaurant chains have gone through financial struggles than 2024. Another Chicago-based company with 10 Illinois locations is now suddenly in bankruptcy court, too.Nation’s Restaurant News has shared the word that Roti Modern Mediterranean has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Their story says that Roti is based in Chicago and their official website shows 10 different Illinois locations.Chicago – AdamsChicago – DearbornChicago – Lake & MichiganChicago – Lincoln ParkChicago – West LoopHyde ParkMellody FarmsNorthbrook – Skokie & DundeeOak BrookSchaumburgThe good news at least in the short term is the press release says that…

Bhofack2/Getty Images It’s no secret (and not up for debate) that giardiniera is the ultimate condiment of the Windy City. If you’ve never tried it before, giardiniera is a relish-adjacent mixture of diced vegetables that have been pickled then soaked in oil. It can be hot or mild, but spicy is more common in the Chicago food scene, and it first came to Chicago with Italian immigrant home cooks. Giardiniera started as a method of vinegar-pickling vegetables for preservation into the winter months. The method arrived in Chicago with Italian immigrants during the mid-1800s. By 1920, over 4 million people had arrived at…

Starting on Sunday September 1st, and continuing every Sunday moving forward from 10am-2pm, Daisies will present a brunch that implements their sustainable practices. In addition to new savory selections like the Scrambled Egg Bruschetta with black truffle ricotta, parm and chives; Salmon Gravlax on a potato latke with spring onion vinaigrette and a cured egg yolk; a seasonally rotating presentation of classics lwill be offered ike the “Overpriced Tomato”, house made pastas, and a trio of pastries like the Kouign Amann, Olive Oil Cake and Chocolate Crumb Cake.  Bar Director Nicole Yarovinsky will bring the restaurant’s sustainable practices to your glass. There’s the Bloody Masha with dill, mushroom and Cleetus Heatus, the Daisies Espresso Martini with…

Avli is one of Chicago’s favorite Greek restaurants – it has another in Milwaukee with NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo as an investor – and now is spinning off a fast-food eatery in Pitaki for more casual dining. The menu will include pita wraps, bowls, savory pies, salads, and dessert and it will have just 20 seats inside more patio seating scheduled for 2025, said Eater Chicago. The name, of course, means little pie but a lot of people don’t know that. https://chicago.eater.com/2024/8/12/24218648/avli-fulton-market-west-loop-pitaki-street-foot-quick-serve-annoucement-coming-soon Avli founder Louie Alexakis created the menu with an assist from the new director of culinary David Tsirekas…

The Taste of Chicago, one of the city’s most popular summer festivals, is poised to make a return in a few weeks – but in a different timeslot. This year, the festival will be held Sept. 6 through 8 in Grant Park, according to officials. Timing was shifted due to big summer events in the city, including NASCAR Chicago Street Race and the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Over 40 food vendors and more than a dozen food trucks will line the three-day festival, which will also feature free performances by big names, including CeeLo Green, known for his 2010 hit…