Switch to the mobile version of this page.

- Username
- View Profile
- Edit Profile
- Log Out
- Log in
- Create Account

The Chicago Reader

Articles

Loading...

Best of Chicago, Food & Drink Nov 6, 2019
Critics' Picks
Staff Pick: Best Greek Restaurant

Psistaria Greek Taverna
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Food & Drink, Best Greek restaurant, Psistaria Greek Taverna, Chicago Reader Best of Chicago 2019, best restaurant, best fancy restaurant, Smyth and the Loyalist, Oriole, Pizzeria Uno, Funkenhausen, Mark Steuer, best up-and-coming chef, Lost Lake, Dark Matter Coffee, House of Wah Sun, A Place by Damao, Superdawg Drive-In, Maurie and Flaurie, best hot dog, best Italian beef, Portillo's, Johnny's Beef, best Thai restaurant, Aroy Thai, Opart Thai, Paula's Thai Kitchen, Rainbow Thai Kitchen, One Off Hospitality, Frontera Grill, Rick Bayless, Big Star, best Mexican restaurant, Tank Noodle, Grant Achatz, pho, Nha Hang Viet Nam, Thanasi Bournas, Tom Bournas, George Bournas, Greek Islands, Greektown, Lincoln Square, opah!, saganaki, Lincolnwood, Touhy Avenue, Critics' Picks

Music, Music Feature Jun 24, 2019
Video
Metropolitan Brewing teams up with Pelican for the biere de garde Cold Hope

Beer and Metal returns to review a long-gestating collaboration by two beloved Chicago institutions.
- By Philip Montoro
- Tags: Music Feature, Pelican, Metropolitan Brewing, Beer and Metal, biere de garde, Nighttime Stories, Cold Hope, Trevor de Brauw, Trevor Shelley de Brauw, Logan Lippincott, Bryan Herweg, Larry Herweg, Dallas Thomas, the Creeper, Immutable Dusk, Three Floyds, Doug Hurst, Heliostat, Generator, Afterburner, What We All Come to Need, Forever Becoming, Sam Riggins, Cosmic Eye Brewing, Peter Anderson, Electrical Audio, Sanford Parker, Jody Minnoch, Augustiner, Hopleaf, Big Star, Laurent Lebec, Metro, GMan Tavern, Laurent Schroeder-Lebec, Kuma's, Map Room, Links Taproom, Bangers & Lace, Logan Arcade, Monk's Pub, Twisted Spoke, Maria's, Sleeping Village, Video

Food & Drink, Food & Drink Feature May 28, 2019
25 places to eat fresh, housemade tortillas

A not-comprehensive list of places serving tortillas hechas a mano
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Food & Drink Feature, Food & Drink, Food Chain, tortillas, Mexican food, tacos, hechas a mano, Birrieria Zaragoza, El Comalito, Buena Vista, El Pollo Vagabundo, Nuevo Leon, Canton Regio, 5 Rabanitos, Sol de Mexico, La Placita de Durango, Taqueria y Birrieria Morelia, Taqueria el Milagro, Ixcateco Grill, La Casa de Samuel, La Lagartija, Big Star, Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, Xoco, Leña Brava, Cruz Blanca, Bar Sotano, Antique Taco, Takito Kitchen, Huaraches Dona Chio, Rubi’s

Music, In Rotation Oct 16, 2018
Video
Meat Wave bassist Joe Gac on possibly the world’s only family-friendly trap records

Plus: Fckr Jr guitarist Ben Grigg on a band he could binge for weeks, the Reader’s Luca Cimarusti on the album Bad Religion tried to forget, and more
- By Luca Cimarusti
- Tags: In Rotation, Bad Religion, Into the Unknown, Rich Tupica, Chris Bell, Big Star, There Was a Light: The Cosmic History of Chris Bell and the Rise of Big Star, HoZac Books, Q Drum Company, Gentleman’s Series, copper snare, snare drum, Ilan Rubin, Nine Inch Nails, Joe Gac, Meat Wave, The RRA, Don’t Dance With the Devil, Blake Rules & Netherfriends, Kids Trap, Kids Trap 2, Kids Trap 3, Don’t Be a Fuck Boy, My Last Album About Fuck Boys, Lofi Hop Hop Radio 24/7, Ben Grigg, Milked, Fckr Jr, Ovlov, Tru, Short Morgan, Landowner, Blatant, Moving Again, Kal Marks, Universal Care, Loosed, Video

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review May 17, 2018
Recommended
With antique spirits and goat brats, Mordecai brings fine dining to Rickettsville

Chef Matthias Merges's restaurant is the latest to open in the Hotel Zachary, across from Wrigley Field.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Review, Mordecai restaurant, Mordecai "Three Fingers" Brown, Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field, Wrigleyville, Wrigleyville restaurants, baseball, Matthias Merges, Folkart Management, Tom Ricketts, Ricketts family, Rickettsvilee, Big Star, Boka Restaurant Group, Smoke Daddy, Dutch and Doc's, Arthur J. Gallagher and Co., Gallagher company, Alex Bachman, Sole Agent, Jared Wentworth, Regards to Edith, Alexander Willis, chocolate-Fernet sundae, goat bratwurst, Hotel Zachary, Recommended

Blogs, Bleader May 17, 2018
How Mordecai chef-owner Matthias Merges helped transform modern fine dining

A phone call to PolyScience in Niles resulted in the popularization of immersion circulators in restaurant kitchens.
- By Kate Schmidt
- Tags: Archive Dive, Food & Drink, Technology, Matthias Merges, Mordecai, fine dining, Chicago fine dining, Big Star, Hotel Zachary, Wrigley Field, Smoke Daddy, Folkart Management, Gideon Sweet, Graham Elliot, Charlie Trotter, Charlie Trotter's, Cuisine Solutions, immersion circulator, sous vide cooking, PolyScience, Philip Preston, Niles, Grant Achatz, Rick Bayless, Paul Kahan, Homaro Cantu, Chris Jones, Just Mayo, One Off Hospitality, Blackbird, the Publican, Nico

Blogs, Bleader Jan 29, 2018
Jeanne Ives says Bruce Rauner has ‘betrayed’ Republicans, and other Chicago news

Also, Senator Dick Durbin is bringing a local medical student "Dreamer" to Trump's State of the Union address.
- By Kate Shepherd
- Tags: News, Did You Read __________?, Chicago, Illinois, Jeanne Ives, Bruce Rauner, Election 2018, abortion, Mike Madigan, Dick Durbin, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, immigration issues, Loyola University Chicago, Donald Trump, Dreamers, State of the Union address, FBI, Calumet City, OpenMike, Chance the Rapper, Chicago Cultural Center, Bob Fioretti, Illinois Department of Labor, Big Star, restaurant openings, Wrigley Field, Hotel Zachary

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Jan 4, 2018
Lonesome Rose joins Logan Square’s crowded modern Mexican field

But its food inspired by the “borderlands” is no ordinary Tex-Mex—or, really, Tex-Mex at all.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Review, Lonesome Rose, Logan Square, modern Mexican, Mexican restaurants, Land and Sea Dept., Chicago Athletic Association, Cherry Circle Room, Big Star, Wicker Park, Quiote, Dos Urban Cantina, Mi Tocaya Antojería, Tex-Mex, Pete Coenen, truck stop nachos, Paul McGee, margaritas, michelada

Blogs, Bleader Dec 29, 2017
The best things to do in Chicago on New Year's Eve

Hip-hop artist Noname, the Annoyance Theatre's Steamworks: The Musical, and more recommended events for New Year's Eve in Chicago
- By Steve Heisler
- Tags: Arts, Do This, Food & Drink, Music, burning bluebeard, the infinite wrench, champagne, new year's eve, voyager, noname, leor galil, lincoln hall, a night of witchcraft and wizardry, the laboratory, harry potter, DJ My Boy Elroy, uncommon ground, Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers, big star, public house theatre, bye bye liver, marshall's landing, merchandise mart

Food & Drink, Food & Drink Feature Oct 4, 2017
Mousetrap, Off Color Brewing’s taproom, is designed to ensnare lovers of experimental beers

Off Color expands its capacity for experimental and wild beers with a 150-seat taproom in Lincoln Park.
- By Julia Thiel
- Tags: Food & Drink Feature, Off Color Brewing, John Laffler, gose, Mousetrap, taproom, Ben Fasman, Big Star, Dove's Luncheonette, Estereo

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Jan 17, 2017
Recommended
Anker is yet another compelling evolution of the Publican brand

The latest offshoot of the Publican is like the others in that it’s unlike the others.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Review, Publican Anker, Paul Kahan, Terry Alexander, One Off Hospitality, Francesca's Forno, Soul Kitchen, Wicker Park, crotch, Slagel Farms, Publican Quality Meats, Dove's Luncheonette, Big Star, Violet Hour, Recommended

Blogs, Bleader Dec 9, 2016
Cafe Tola is building an empanada empire

Lakeview's tiny empanada emporium goes for big flavor in Hot Doug’s former digs.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Food & Drink, Food Chain, Cafe Tola, Looncheria y tacos, Hot Doug's, empanadas, Tacos, tortas, burritos, Mexican food, Big Star, Doug Sohn, Frida Kahlo

Food & Drink, Bar Review Nov 23, 2016
Recommended
Estereo dances to a Latin beat in Logan Square

The Heisler Hospitality spot is a cafe by day, and by night a bustling bar focused on Latin American spirits.
- By Julia Thiel
- Tags: Bar Review, Logan Square, Mezcal, cocktail, Estereo, Heisler Hospitality, Michael Rubel, Ben Fasman, Violet Hour, Big Star, Recommended

Music, In Rotation Jun 14, 2016
Video
Saves the Day bassist Rodrigo Palma on the elementary particle of rhythm

Plus: CHIRP Radio DJ John Lombardo on slow-smoldering 60s psych from Japan, the Reader’s Luca Cimarusti on the best rock bio he’s ever read, and more
- By Luca Cimarusti
- Tags: In Rotation, Bob Mehr, Trouble Boys, Trouble Boys: The True Story of the Replacements, Replacements, Wayfaring Strangers, Cosmic American Music, Gram Parsons, Numero Group, Chris Bell, Big Star, I Am the Cosmos, #1 Record, John Lombardo, CHIRP, Comfort Food, Waffle Frolic, Apryl Fool, The Apryl Fool, The Lost Mother Land, John Olson, Life Is a Rip Off: The Complete Book, Wolf Eyes, Rodrigo Palma, Saves the Day, Into It. Over It., quarter note, Stella Mozgawa, Warpaint, Video

Music, Music Feature Apr 20, 2016
An oral history of the Empty Bottle

Staff members and musicians share stories of the venerable nightclub in this excerpt from The Empty Bottle Chicago: 21+ Years of Music / Friendly / Dancing.
- By John Dugan
- Tags: Music Feature, Empty Bottle, oral history, Curbside Splendor, John Dugan, John E. Dugan, The Empty Bottle Chicago: 21+ Years of Music / Friendly / Dancing, Miss Alex White, Hot Machines, White Mystery, Damian, Bobby Conn, Bobby Conn & the Glass Gypsies, Conducent, Jay Ryan, Bird Machine, Dianogah, Hubcap, Uzeda, Bedhead, Chisel, Chicago Stone Lightning Band, Idful Music, Brad Wood, Red Red Meat, Liz Phair, Tortoise, Veruca Salt, Big Star, Metro, Alianna Kalabba, We Ragazzi, Brian Case, 90 Day Men, the Ponys, Acteurs, Disappears, Boys Life, C-Clamp, Bruce Finkelman, Lustre King, Craig Ackerman, Lounge Ax, Damian Kulash, OK Go, Lonesome Organist, Allison Hollihan, Atombombpocketknife, the Mono Men, Estrus, Melisa Young, Kid Sister, Bruce Lamont, Yakuza, Led Zeppelin 2, Bloodiest, Corrections House, Ken Vandermark, Bob Pollard, the Strokes, Guided By Voices, Black Lips, Matt Williams, Chris Anderson, Chris Saathoff, the Red Lights, Mike Gebel, City Pages, Skeletonwitch, Bob Johnson

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Jul 10, 2015
Barcocina brings Baltimore's Mexican-ish tacos to Chicago

Maybe stick to crabs, hon.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Reviews, Barcocina, tacos, Baltimore, Maryland, Mexican food, Big Star, Takito Kitchen, Antique Taco, Lakeview, Hogsalt Hospitality, Matt Williams

Best of Chicago, Food & Drink 2015 Readers' Poll Jun 24, 2015
Best alfresco dining
- Tags: Food & Drink 2015 Readers' Poll, Best of Chicago 2015, Best alfresco dining, Big Star

Blogs, Bleader Apr 13, 2015
Dove's Luncheonette makes a diner burger

A traditional luncheonette item joins the Tex-Mex menu as a special.
- By Michael Gebert
- Tags: Food Chain, Food & Drink, Dove's Luncheonette, One Off Hospitality, Dennis Bernard, Big Star, Avec, The Publican, Vie

Food & Drink, Food & Drink Feature Nov 13, 2014
Thirty of Chicago's most important moments in food

Nearly two centuries of Chicago's culinary milestones, from its first lunch counter to its first Olive Garden
- By Aimee Levitt
- Tags: Food & Drink Feature, Food Issue 2014, Chicago culinary timeline, William Sianis, Billy Goat Tavern, Garrett's Popcorn, George Apostolou, gyro, Parkview Restaurant, Rich Melman, RJ Grunt's, Lettuce Entertain You, Taste of Chicago, Charlie Trotter's, Juan C. Figueroa, jibarito, Borinquen Restaurant, Green City Market, Hot Doug's, Doug Sohn, Alinea, foie gras, Paul Kahan, Big Star, Olive Garden

Food & Drink, Restaurant Review Oct 29, 2014
Recommended
Dove's Luncheonette: Paul Kahan and company's Mexican diner fills a void in Wicker Park

The neighborhood hasn't had this much soul since the Busy Bee closed.
- By Mike Sula
- Tags: Restaurant Review, Dove's Luncheonette, Wicker Park, Busy Bee, One Off Hospitality, Paul Kahan, Big Star, Violet Hour, The Publican, Dennis Bernard, torta ahogada, chile rellenos, Hoosier Mama Pie Company, Recommended

Food & Drink, Cocktail Challenge Aug 29, 2014
Video
Cocktail Challenge: Black sesame

Patrick Smith of the Violet Hour makes a cocktail that's "like a painkiller."
- By Julia Thiel
- Tags: Cocktail Challenge, Violet Hour, Patrick Smith, Maria Carlin, Big Star, Black sesame, Riga Black Balsam, rum, cocktails, mixology, Black Magic Woman, Fleetwood Mac, Michael Rubel, Henry's Swing Club, three-penis wine, cocktail challenge, Video

Food & Drink, Cocktail Challenge Aug 15, 2014
Video
Cocktail Challenge: Makgeolli

Maria Carlin of Big Star makes a drink using her grandmother's favorite fermented rice beverage.
- By Julia Thiel
- Tags: Cocktail Challenge, Maria Carlin, makgeolli, Big Star, Matty Colston, Parachute, Slow City Brewery, Niles, Ramos Gin Fizz, Ok Sun Fizz, Patrick Smith, Violet Hour, mixology, cocktail challenge, Video

Blogs, Bleader Jul 28, 2014
What some recent restaurant closings mean for the scene

Pecking Order, the Savoy, Telegraph, and others say good-bye.
- By Michael Gebert
- Tags: Food Chain, Food & Drink, Ina Pinkney, Ina's, Baume & Brix, Moto, Kabocha, Oon, Fat Rice, Embeya, Brendan Sodikoff, Dillman's, Sam Goldwyn, The Refinery, Lawrence Letrero, Mike Sula, The Savoy, Brian Greene, Big Star, Storefront Company, Bib Gourmand, The Purple Pig, Cecilio Rodriguez, TMIP, Telegraph, Webster's Wine Bar, Pecking Order, Kristine Subido, Mindy Segal, Hot Chocolate, The Radler, Analogue

Best of Chicago, Food & Drink Jun 25, 2014
Readers' Poll
Best bang for your buck

Big Star
- Tags: Food & Drink, Best of Chicago 2014, best bang for your buck, Big Star, Sultan's Market, Readers' Poll

Best of Chicago, Food & Drink Jun 25, 2014
Readers' Poll
Best alfresco dining

Piccolo Sogno
- Tags: Food & Drink, Best of Chicago 2014, best alfresco dining, Piccolo Sogno, Big Star, Readers' Poll

1 2 3 4 5 next »

Issue Cover

Browse by Issue

Other Searches