Author Archive


TOM VAN LENTE TAKES THE STAGE AT WHITE OAK TAVERN & INN

TOM VAN LENTE TAKES THE STAGE AT WHITE OAK TAVERN & INN

Tom Van Lente left Big Star to help turn Lincoln Park’s White Oak Tavern & Inn around—but it’s preparation for a bigger production number down the road


People - January 19, 2016 - 7:24 am - Michael Gebert


THE FOODITOR GUIDE TO CHICAGO’S NEW MEXICAN FOOD BOOM

THE FOODITOR GUIDE TO CHICAGO’S NEW MEXICAN FOOD BOOM

Upscale Mexican is hot—but which hotspots are worth the effort to check out? We ate to find out


Guides - January 14, 2016 - 9:37 am - Michael Gebert


EVOLVING AN OLD FAMILY BUSINESS FOR A NEWLY HOT STRIP

EVOLVING AN OLD FAMILY BUSINESS FOR A NEWLY HOT STRIP

J.P. Graziano reopens today with changes designed to make you think nothing ever changes on Randolph Street


Neighborhoods - January 12, 2016 - 10:01 am - Michael Gebert


MAKING PASTA TO ORDER WITH SARAH GRUENEBERG AT MONTEVERDE

MAKING PASTA TO ORDER WITH SARAH GRUENEBERG AT MONTEVERDE

At Monteverde. some of the pasta is made to order in front of you. We talk about that—with both of the Spiaggia alums behind the restaurant


People - January 11, 2016 - 8:32 am - Michael Gebert


TOUGH ROAD FOR A SAUSAGE GUY ON ROOSEVELT

TOUGH ROAD FOR A SAUSAGE GUY ON ROOSEVELT

Brendan O’Connor’s sausage stand won acclaim. Then life threw him a curveball bigger than a Big Guys sausage


People - January 7, 2016 - 10:37 am - Michael Gebert


THE BEST PLACE IN CHICAGO TO EAT RUSSIAN FOOD—NAKED

THE BEST PLACE IN CHICAGO TO EAT RUSSIAN FOOD—NAKED

There’s authentic, delicious Russian food in a nondescript brick building on the northwest side of Chicago. The only thing is, you have to be male, nearly naked and pass through fire to eat it


Neighborhoods - January 4, 2016 - 8:40 am - Michael Gebert


FOODITOR RADIO:<br>THE FORCE STEAKENS, OR 2015 IN REVIEW

FOODITOR RADIO:
THE FORCE STEAKENS, OR 2015 IN REVIEW

Join us for our well-lubricated roundup of the best, least and strangest of 2015’s Chicago restaurant scene


A/V - December 21, 2015 - 8:21 am - Michael Gebert


TALKING WITH THE LATE SOUTH SIDE PITMASTER JAMES LEMONS OF LEM’S

TALKING WITH THE LATE SOUTH SIDE PITMASTER JAMES LEMONS OF LEM’S

Owner of Lem’s Bar-B-Q on 75th street, the city’s oldest barbecue stand, died this week at 87


People - December 16, 2015 - 8:47 am - Michael Gebert


NICK SPENCER’S DEAD BRILLIANT AMERICAN RESTAURANT, VIVIAL

NICK SPENCER’S DEAD BRILLIANT AMERICAN RESTAURANT, VIVIAL

Vivial aims to bring an Aviary veteran’s sophisticated food and cocktails to the Southport corridor


People - December 15, 2015 - 8:57 am - Michael Gebert


TOURING CHICAGO BBQ WITH TEXAS MONTHLY’S BARBECUE EDITOR

TOURING CHICAGO BBQ WITH TEXAS MONTHLY’S BARBECUE EDITOR

Daniel Vaughn, America’s only “barbecue editor,” checked out Chicago’s ‘cue—and Fooditor went along for the ride


People - December 11, 2015 - 9:14 am - Michael Gebert