Chicago’s Think Jerky is Leading an Artisanal Jerky Movement

Beef jerky is making a very big comeback. Not that it ever really went away, but it’s no longer consigned to the snacks-of-shame aisle at the truck stop and 7-Eleven. Once the mainstay of hunters, rig operators and hikers, beef jerky is now the low-fat, high-protein darling of paleo dieters and CrossFit fanatics. This ain’t […]

New in Town: Peppercorns Kitchen in Evanston

Named for the famed Sichuan spice sprinkled liberally through its extensive menu, Peppercorns Kitchen is a modern, chef-driven Chinese restaurant located in the heart of Evanston’s bustling downtown. Yes, you’ll find many standard favorites, like Orange Chicken and Mongolian Beef, but you’ll also discover inventive regional delights such as Xinjiang-Style Sautéed Lamb, Dungeness Crab with […]

Simple Slow-Cooked Supper: Falling-Off-the-Bone Short Ribs

Despite being the executive chef and head of food services for Wolfgang Puck Kosher Catering at Chicago’s Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership, Laura Frankel knows her way around a slow cooker. It’s the secret weapon of her home kitchen, because when your day job is cooking for hundreds of people, who really has […]

Eating Your Way Through Spain With Kids

Spain, a breathtaking country with a fascinating history and rich food culture, is a wonderful European destination to visit with kids. An integral part of Spanish life, children are adored and welcomed just about everywhere — including restaurants. Experiencing Spanish meals like a local, however, will likely require some adjustments for American families, especially those […]

Brunch Time! Our New Favorites for 2016

Who doesn’t love brunch, that genius mash-up of breakfast and lunch, eaten on weekends when late-night shenanigans make early-morning breakfast an impossible dream? Thoughtfully, some of our favorite restaurants have recently jumped on the brunch bandwagon, dishing out miraculous egg-centric meals, entrée-sized desserts and hair-of-the-dog beverages that will happily bite back. So roll out of […]

Daytripper: Rosemont

This year, Rosemont celebrates its 60th anniversary. This village has transformed from a destination for business travelers into a true entertainment district full of restaurants, shopping and activities for all ages. Activity Hub Get your live music fix in Rosemont at the Allstate Arena, ranked by Pollstar magazine as the third-best concert venue in the […]

New in Town: Epic Burger in Evanston

In a bold move, local mini-chain Epic Burger has opened in downtown Evanston, just a block north of homegrown Edzo’s and a block east of national burger chain Five Guys. They’re betting that locals and Northwestern students will be enticed by their message of sustainability and mindful eating. The menu is pretty basic — choose […]