Wyatt Waddell dropped the remarkable new single “Fight!” on Wednesday, June 3, and it vibrates with the grief, rage, and revolutionary purpose that millions of Americans have been demonstrating since the killing of George Floyd. “This song is me looking at what’s happening and what I’d tell the people protesting,” says the local singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Waddell recorded the track–with its pumping funk instrumentation and a roof-raising choir of his multitracked vocals–alone in a single day. “I hope that it can be an anthem for my people,” he adds. “Fight!” is a pay-what-you-want Bandcamp download, and he’s pledged to pass all donations along to the Chicago Community Bond Fund, Black Lives Matter Chicago, and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. He’ll also stream a set as part of the first virtual Do Division Street Fest on Friday, June 26.
Chicago rapper Femdot launched the nonprofit Delacreme Scholars in 2018 to help Black and Brown college students; this past semester, it gave six Illinois and Indiana students scholarships and clothes. Last week, after CPS briefly suspended its food-delivery program, Delacreme Scholars began food-distribution efforts serving the west and south sides. Those in need can e-mail [email protected]; you can use that address to donate via Zelle or QuickPay (or use $delacremescholars on Cash App).
On Friday, Chicago polymath Nnamdi self-released the EP Black Plight through Bandcamp. Snaggletoothed guitars, rambunctious bass, and athletic drumming tangle in its freewheeling protest songs–the seesawing “Rage” conveys the anger and anxiety he feels seeing police kill people who look like him. Black Plight sold so well on “Bandcamp day” that Nnamdi made more than $10,000; he’s giving $4,000 to Assata’s Daughters and to EAT Chicago and directing the rest to Chicagoans who need help with food or housing. v
Movie fans who want to return to watching their favorite films on the really really big screen that’s not located in their home will have several drive-in options in and around Chicago this summer.
While indoor moviegoing remains verboten under Illinois’ social distancing rules, drive-in theaters are permitted, and new ones are popping up in Pilsen and Bridgeview, with others on the way.
The ChiTown Movies drive-in, located in the parking lot adjacent to the massive ChiTown Futbol facility at 2343 S. Throop St. in Pilsen, opened for business Tuesday and will continue offering screenings of “Star Wars: A New Hope” at 8:50 p.m. and 11:50 p.m. through June 15.
The price is $33 per car for up to 5 adults; $5 additional charge for each extra adult. For social distancing purposes, cars will receive assigned spots that are seven feet away from the next vehicle. Only 107 car spots will be available per screening. All attendees must wear masks when exiting a car to use indoor restroom facilities (the only time anyone will be permitted to leave a vehicle during a screening).
An usher guides patrons to their parking spot at ChiTown Futbol’s first night of drive-in movies on Tuesday. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-TimesTyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Movies will be shown on a 60-by-40-foot screen; audio is played through cars’ FM radios.
According to a ChiTown Movies spokeswoman, concessions will be available for purchase by phone or online from the facility’s onsite restaurant The ChiTown Grille. “[They] give their parking spot number and the food will be directly delivered to their car.” ChiTown Futbol, a 60,000-square-foot indoor soccer/fitness/fun/food facility, received approval for the drive-in use from 25th Ward Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez.
Lea este articulo en espanol en La Voz Chicago, un servicio presentado por AARP Chicago.
Across town in Bridgeview, Chicago Drive-In Theaters will open June 11 with a screening of “Goonies” at SeatGeek Stadium, the home field of the Chicago Red Stars soccer team at 7000 S. Harlem Ave. Gates will open at 7 p.m. each day and family-friendly movies will screen at 8:30 p.m., with R-rated midnight movies Fridays and Saturdays. The movies will be projected on a 70-foot screen, with audio played through each vehicle’s FM radio.
Tickets, $30-$50 per car, are available at www.chicagodrivein.com. Concessions will be available from a central stand as well as mobile golf cart units, offering sodas, popcorn and candy. Masks are required if you exit a vehicle to use restrooms or purchase food/drinks.
Manny Rodriguez, head of security at ChiTown Futbol, hands food to a moviegoer at ChiTown Movies on Tuesday, the facility’s first night of drive-in movies in its parking lot.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
An announcement is expected soon on another drive-in site teased by Bucket Listers, a team of local event curators. The location has not been revealed, but it is said to be close to downtown Chicago with room for 300 socially distanced cars.
The venerable Music Box Theatre in Lake View is scouting locations for a drive-in it would run in partnership with Elevated Films Chicago.
And the Chicago Park District and Chicago Film Office announced Tuesday that they will present six drive-in movie nights this summer in various city sites that will be revealed later. Those will take the place of the popular Millennium Park Summer Film Series, which traditionally has drawn crowds too big to allow for proper distancing.
Meanwhile, at least two old-school drive-in theaters have been operating for several weeks in northeast Illinois: the McHenry Outdoor Theater in McHenry and the Route 34 Drive-in in Earlville.
Having just entered Phase 3 of its gradual reopening process, Chicago and its residents are ready to take advantage (albeit carefully) of the summer season. As we all get outside a little more, many of us are ready to see the return of one particular staple of summer living in the Windy City: farmers’ markets. Luckily, these neighborhood institutions are able to reopen as part of Phase 3, but they must follow strict guidelines (including social distancing, the use of protective equipment, and sanitization measures) laid out by the city, submit a form outlining their adherence to these guidelines, and be officially approved before they begin welcoming back members of the community. As a potential visitor to Chicago farmers’ markets, you can review the process at the City of Chicago’s website.
Check out these 10 Chicago farmers’ markets that are planning to reopen with the city’s approval this summer!
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Photo Credit: gipna.org
Independence Park Farmers Market
3945 N Springfield Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
This market, run by the Greater Independence Park Neighborhood Association and located along Irving Park Road (near the Kennedy Expressway), is scheduled to begin its summer season Sunday, June 14. There, one can choose from an array of goods sold by local farmers and other sustainable food providers. Market hours are 9 am – 1 pm on the second and fourth Sundays of each month through October.
Logan Square can find its usual fresh fruits and veggies 10 am – 3 pm on Logan Boulevard every Sunday, starting June 14 until the end of October; those with greater health risks amid the pandemic are encouraged to attend 9 am – 10 am.
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61st Street Farmers Market
6100 S Blackstone Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
This important source of fresh produce on Chicago’s south side is opening up in June and providing regionally-grown food 9 am – 2 pm every Sunday through the end of October. You can find it at Experimental Station, near East 61st Street and South Dorchester Avenue.
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Photo Credit: thechicagoelstopfoodhuntproject.com
Lincoln Square Farmers Market
N Lincoln Ave & W Leland Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Though the market is still waiting for official city approval (according to a June 5 Facebook post), its current tentative opening dates are Tuesday, June 16, and Thursday, June 18. Assuming all goes well, Lincoln Square residents should be able to buy their fruits, veggies, and baked goods every Tuesday and Thursday through October 29.
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Photo Credit: South Loop Farmers Market Facebook
South Loop Farmers Market
1936 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
Due to kick off June 11, the South Loop Farmers Market is scheduled to take place 4 pm – 8 pm every Thursday through September 24 on South Michigan Avenue. Among the farm-fresh produce to which you might be accustomed to at a farmers’ market, you can also buy specialty fruits and vegetables you might have a hard time finding in a grocery store.
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Photo Credit: Wicker Park Farmers Market Facebook
Wicker Park Farmers Market
1425 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Unlike many other Chicago markets aiming to open in early-to-mid-June, Wicker Park Farmers Market has scheduled its opening for Sunday, July 5, with a closing date of October 24. Situated on North Damen, the market will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. In addition to produce, meats, cheeses, and flowers, you can also find plastic-free alternatives here.
The market on West Catalpa is implementing an online pre-order system in order to help customers move through the space more quickly and safely, and the first pickup time for those orders is set for 3 pm – 7 pm on Wednesday, June 10. Check out their June 3 Facebook post to learn more about ordering and pickup procedures for their selection of fresh produce, grass-fed meats, dairy items, and baked goods.
Photo Credit: Pilsen Community Market Facebook
Pilsen Community Market
1800 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
According to a June 5 Facebook post, the Pilsen market will be kicking off its summer season and once more providing farm quality food sources 9 am – 3 pm on Sunday, June 14, at its usual location on South Blue Island Avenue.
Photo Credit: Green City Market Facebook
Green City Markets
1817 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 | 115 S Sangamon St #2615, Chicago, IL 60607
In addition to pickup and delivery options (the “Virtual Market” opens for online orders on Fridays at 8 am), Green City is planning to open both its Lincoln Park and West Loop locations in June, pending official city approval. Assuming the market’s safety protocols are approved, the Lincoln Park market will open 7 am – 1 pm Wednesday, June 10, and the West Loop market will open 8 am – 1 pm Saturday, June 13 (the Lincoln Park location also runs 7 am – 1 pm Saturdays), making Green City’s sustainable produce, meat, and other products more widely available once again.
Photo Credit: Low-Line Market Facebook
Low-Line Market
3410 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Thursday, June 11 is the first day of Low-Line’s new COVID-era experience. Operating 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm as an “‘in-and-out’ style market,” the Lakeview farmers market (located at the Southport CTA station) is committed to new procedures that help keep its community safe while allowing for the sale and purchase of produce, flowers, and specialty food items.
This south side classic (and rumored Obama-family favorite) is open 24/7, making it the perfect late-night spot for a plate full of bacon and eggs. Serving up diner classics like hashbrowns, corned beef, biscuits & gravy, and the namesake steak & eggs, you pretty much can’t go wrong. Oh, and don’t even get us started on the pancakes.
Yup, that’s right – one of the best breakfasts in Chicago is served all day at this South Loop staple. With classics like a killer create-your-own-omelette spread to signatures like the fried matzo brie (don’t even ask), this is one breakfast for dinner you’re gonna be craving again and again. And probably, also, again.
Looks can be deceiving at the Iguana Café, located in Chicago’s West Loop. What appears to be a trendy, coffee shop in outward appearance, is, in fact, one of the city’s finest choices for late-night breakfast munchies. Founded in 1998, this Euro-centric spot hails to the Windy City from Sparta, Greece, bringing with it an all-day serving of stupid-yummy crepes. Open late both weekdays and weekends, this is gonna become your go-to in no time.
Oh, Stephanie Izard, you’ve gone and done it again. Taking all the funky-fresh flavors of her ridiculously popular restaurant, Girl & the Goat, this Top Chef’s diner concept is anything but ordinary, but that’s what makes it perfect for breakfast AND dinner. Serving everything from bi bim bop breakfast bowls to what she’s calling Fat Elvis Waffles (see above pls) this west side rising star is serving up the goods till 10pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends. Plus, they have a pretty sick bakery, too.
Beatrix brings breakfast to heights of elegance and excellence. You absolutely have never seen eggs done like this before. The premium comes at a price, but sometimes you just gotta do breakfast for dinner right. The food? Decadent. The service? Top-notch. The ambiance? Unparalleled. Did we use too many adjectives in that description? Yeah, maybe. But that’s just how good it is. And if you end up at Beatrix and decide breakfast ain’t the move (why?), their menu is as endless as your imagination.
3rd Coast Cafe sits on the site where legendary Chicago restaurants stood before it for a century, and they aren’t eager to drop the ball. A wide selection of breakfast for dinner options from omelets, to breakfast sandwiches, to breakfast tacos (you heard that right!), and more, 3rd Coast Cafe serves breakfast all day because they’re no newcomers to the breakfast game.
Tempo Cafe stays true to its name. While there’s no question the food here is bangin’, patrons comment on how quick service is for both staff and food. Even though they hope to it, Tempo Cafe by no means wants you out of the door fast. How do we know this? Because they’re BYOB until 10pm. Grab a bite, sip your drinks, and live your best life.
For almost a half-century, Golden Apple has been a Chicago staple. Offering breakfast around the clock for anyone (families included) hankering to quell that breakfast hunger striking at any moment. Known for their prowess in all things breakfast, the one thing that will surely get your mouth-watering is their sizzling skillets. Once you hear that crackling, it’s game over.
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Featured Image Credit: Little Goat Diner Instagram
With the onset of coronavirus, the city of Chicago took preemptive measures and canceled many of its slated summer festivals. At the time, we had still to get word from major summer festivals and events but as of today, the bad news is here: Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, Chicago Jazz Festival, and the Air and Water Show are all officially canceled for 2020. (Yes, this means our Lolla 2020 Survival Guide probably won’t get much use, but just pretend we wrote it for 2021. We’re bummed about it, too.)
Photo Credit: Chicago Cut Steakhouse
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Heartbroken about not getting to see your favorite on stage? We are too. See you at a patio in Chicago.
In the written announcement above, Lollapalooza both canceled their 2020 event and made clear their intention to make the 2021 festival a spectacular celebration to honor their 30th anniversary. In regards to handling this year’s cancellation, the festival says to still keep the slated festival dates on our calendars to join them in a “weekend-long virtual event.” The event will include performances from all over, a peek at archived sets from both the Chicago festival and the international editions, and a whole slew of other surprises. The festival has yet to announce if current pass-holders should seek refunds or hold onto their passes, and it’s unclear if this virtual event will be exclusive to those with passes, require additional purchases, or be free for anyone’s experiential pleasure.
Taste of Chicago, though canceled in their normal capacity, is aiming to reimagine this summer’s event as “Taste of Chicago To-Go.” This slightly altered Taste, according to their Facebook, “will include an expanded Community Eats program (July 8–12), supporting about 25 neighborhood restaurants and food trucks while providing free meals to nonprofits serving healthcare and other frontline workers.” In addition to the Community Eats program, July 8th will include a food truck procession while online cooking demos will be organized from the 8th to the 12th.
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Photo Credit: Chicago Jazz Festival Facebook Page
Chicago Jazz Festival
This year’s Chicago Jazz Festival would be the 42nd year for the festival and was scheduled to run from August 28th through September 6th. Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park (which isn’t one of the Chicago parks opening this week) was to be the event stage for the last four days of the festival, usually showcasing the main events. This year’s schedule still hasn’t been posted, and it’s unclear if, like Lollapalooza, the canceled festival has any virtual performances planned to uplift disappointed festival-goers.
Photo Credit: Chicago Air and Water Show Facebook Page
The Chicago Air and Water Show
The Chicago Air and Water Show, similarly to the Chicago Jazz Festival, has announced its cancellation but hasn’t announced if the show plans any kind of virtual consolation or altered plans to try and reach the 2 million spectators that usually attend the event.
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Are there other events you were looking forward to that got canceled? Let us know in the comments!
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Chicago is easing its limitations on staying at home this June. Businesses are starting to open again, allowing employees back into the office. Restaurants and bars are inviting people to their patios for socially distanced dining. And intimate spaces, like CTA buses and trains, are being filled, once again, with people. While we are entitled to stretch our legs after a long few weeks at home, caution should still be advised. You should, in fact, consult Crain’s Chicago Business on whether or not public transportation is safe at all. Wearing a mask in public, practicing social distancing, and avoiding hand-to-hand contact are all really important, but the problem is that many of these things are unavoidable as we head back into the workforce. One solution to this issue would be to stagger start times for employees so people going back to work don’t clog up the roads with traffic, crowd building lobbies, or overflow parking garages. Here are a few reasons why this might work.
Though our intricate system of trains and buses that takes passengers all over Chicago is up and running, the city is encouraging people to reduce their travel by CTA as much as possible. The problem is that, as businesses start opening up their offices and allowing employees to come back to work, people will see work as essential travel. While some may use this as an excuse to take public transportation, those worried about gathering alongside masses of people again, mask or not, will opt to travel on the roads to avoid contact as much as possible. Regardless of which transportation method you prefer, road congestion will flare significantly as people get back to their regular 9-5 jobs in the office. If you stagger which days employees come into work and when they work from home, our roads will see less traffic, spaced out over the course of the week, instead of clogged highways at certain times of day.
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Even if the CTA doesn’t see full capacity, building lobbies almost certainly will. Chicago is made up of massive skyscrapers, filled with offices that house thousands of employees. If we allow every employee to start again at their usual 9 am, building lobbies will be a hotspot for the virus to thrive, as crowds of people rush through and pack into elevators. Staggering start times for your employees by allowing some to take morning or afternoon shifts, and spacing out which days they come into the office and when they work from home, will help you take precautions in your business to ensure people are socially distanced and, therefore, safe at work.
Parking is already an issue in Chicago, as most of us know. It’s too hard to find street parking, so the safest and most reliable option is to find a parking garage with affordable rates. However, as people start coming back to work all at the same time, it’s clear that parking garages will fill up rather quickly. As road congestion increases, and CTA travel decreases, many people will be unable to find parking at all, leaving them stressed about getting to work on time. This is another reason to stagger start times: to ensure that it’s far easier to find parking as traffic on the roads is bound to increase. Currently, InterPark garages are offering their morning special all day at participating locations through the iParkit app! Download today to snag that sweet deal.
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So, what is your business doing as employees come back to work? Are you staggering start times? Are you allowing work-from-home days? Let us know your strategy in the comments below!
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Starting on June 3, Chicago restaurants were officially open for business, but only if they could serve their customers outdoors. This rule severally limited restaurants who didn’t have patio or sidewalk seating, so Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that the following six streets would be closed to thru traffic to allow restaurants the space for outdoor seating:
Chatham: 75th Street from Calumet Avenue to Indiana Avenue
Lakeview: Broadway from Belmont Avenue to Diversey Parkway
Little Village: 26th Street from Central Park to Harding Avenue
Rush & Division: Rush Street from Oak Street to Cedar Street
Near West Side: Taylor Street from Loomis Street to Ashland Avenue
West Loop: Randolph Street from Expressway no further than Elizabeth Street
According to the Mayor, these streets were selected as part of the pilot program due to the impact of the closures on traffic and how accessible the areas were to pedestrians.
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During specific hours, the restaurants will be closed to vehicle traffic, allowing restaurants to spread out tables in accordance with social distancing rules and the guidelines put out earlier this month.
If these initial closures are successful, it is possible that more roads will be closed to thru traffic as the city continues to move into Phase 3. For restaurants that don’t have outdoor seating already, they can visit the city website to submit an application to be a part of the Expanded Outdoor Dining program.
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Before restaurants can participate, they must sign up for a permit for a sidewalk cafe. According to Rosa Escareno, commissioner of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, the agency is working as quickly as possible to approve the permits. So far, they have approved 400, and are working on the next 400.
However, Mayor Lightfoot wants Chicagoans to remember this is not a “street festival,” but instead a way for restaurants to have space to provide a service to their customers. Under this new program, restaurants can serve food or drink until 11 pm each evening.
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The restaurants will still have to follow the guidelines, including:
No more than six people per table
No more than 10 individuals per gathering
Tables must be six feet apart
Staff must wear face coverings, and customers must wear face masks when not seated
Providing sanitizer stations
In addition to closing down space for restaurants, Chicagoans will have more run to walk, run, and ride their bikes while safely social distancing. It’s expected that as more streets open, more people will be able to spend time outside safely.
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Despite being the furthest you can be from an ocean — smack-dab in the middle of the country — Chicago has an outstanding seafood culture, often topped off by our many diversified Asian restaurants. The Second City is home to hundreds of sensational restaurants influenced by China, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Thailand, and so many more Asian countries. But, when it comes to offering some of the best sushi in Chicago, one only has to look to our Japanese mainstays, proudly brimming with the Midwest’s most delicious selection of raw fish.
Photo Credit: U.B. Dogs Instagram
View the 24 of the Best Hot Dogs in Chicago, Ranked
Sushi not your thing? View our list of the 24 best hot dogs in the city.
We know it can be overwhelming to find a good place to eat, but don’t worry — we did the work of discovering the best of the best sushi restaurants in Chicago to make it nice and easy for ya. No need to thank us. Just let us know what you think in the comments below!
We’d guess you’ve probably heard of Sunda, given that it’s a place beloved by locals and celebrities alike. This New Asian fusion joint opened in River North just over 10 years ago. Combining the influence of Japanese, Filippino, Indonesian, Thai, and Chinese flavors, as well as many others throughout Southeast Asia, Sunda tops the sushi market in Chicago with unparalleled innovation and a dedication to guest service. Sushi is a huge hit at this Chicago staple, but the entire menu is worth a once-over.
A BYOB Japanese-inspired mainstay with an 8-year-old past in the Windy City, Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill has quickly risen to the top of the ranks for some of the best sushi Chicago has to offer. They dabble in the cultural influence of Japanese cuisine, while also crafting all-new and absolutely delicious sushi rolls that are totally unique to their menu. They offer a limited one-cup sake, beer, and wine selection, but also allow you to BYOB with your meal.
Real-deal Japanese cuisine is the name of the game here. This omakase-style restaurant boasts artfully and expertly crafted rolls that will undoubtedly make for a memorable experience. Some would venture to say that it’s the best in the city.
Runa has all the accouterments of a hip sushi joint. Mural art, modern music, and a BYOB policy make this a popular spot amongst young locals in the Wicker Park area. If you’re looking for a recommendation, try the Hawaiian Catch Maki.
This place has all the essentials – hot and cold apps, sashimi, maki, and cocktails – and it executes each of them flawlessly. Many Chicagoans will claim this Lincoln Park sushi spot to be their favorite, and we totally get it.
Step into this trendy, social environment with a group of friends for something that’s a little more upscale, but not too fancy. Trust us – if you suggest going here for dinner, people will get excited. It tends to get busy in the evenings, so call ahead.
Venture further east in Lakeview and you’ll come across this cute, bamboo-trimmed sushi bar that invites fresh air in the summertime with sidewalk seating. Owned by a traveler and sailor, try a taste of one of their creatively-named signature rolls or their assortment of classic maki.
Situated on a busy corner on Randolph’s “Restaurant Row,” this is the kind of place that’ll have you talking for days about how freakin’ great it was. Melt-in-your-mouth rolls will have you smiling at the first bite, and a superb list of Japanese craft beers and whiskey top it off perfectly. Bring someone here and they’ll surely be impressed.
730 S Clark St, Chicago, IL 60605 | 1217-1219 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Enjoy your sushi night in this South Loop spot with funky digs relaxed vibes. The line for a table can get pretty lengthy here, so make sure to plan in advance. Oh, and if you want your sushi fix without leaving your couch, it’s cool. They deliver.
Hailing from Bridgeport, the unassuming South Kawa is definitely somewhere we’d encourage you to put on your bucket list. In fact, we challenge you to find something on this menu that’s not absolutely delicious. Trust us, it’s impossible.
This Humboldt Park phenomenon makes sushi that’s just as amazing to look at as it is to eat. Here, sushi isn’t just a meal. It’s an art form. Presentations showcase colorful arrangements, but it’s not all about looks. The taste is just as impressive.
This BYOB sushi bar in Wicker Park, Chicago is conveniently located, has cool vibes on the inside, and the sushi rolls themselves are pretty tasty. However, for the price, we just wish the rolls weren’t so damn small…
Photo Credit: Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar Yelp Page
The Union Sushi & Barbeque Bar is one of the best destinations to get sushi in Chicago. This restaurant features inventive takes on sushi served in an edgy space in River North. Try anything from their expansive menu – from the lunchtime bento box specials to smoky barbecued seafood, to noodle dishes, and of course, an assortment of sushi rolls.
Rollapalooza is a quaint sushi restaurant in Boystown of Chicago that is perfect for a casual lunch. Considering how comfortable the prices are, the sushi is surprisingly good here. They’ve got a pretty large list of signature rolls, so you’re guaranteed to find something. Make sure to go here for a failsafe option.
There’s no “you can’t sit with us” talk at this place, because it’s all about friendship here, if you couldn’t tell by the name. Top-notch apps and a massive selection of sushi makes this a no-brainer for an affordable yet satisfying meal.
Beautifully presented Japanese dishes made with high-quality ingredients are what this award-winning restaurant is known for. Even though it has locations in other U.S. cities too, it’s still a must when you’re in River North.
This cozy Lincoln Park joint is a cult favorite amongst Chicagoans – people swear by it. One bite of these delectable rolls and you’ll immediately plan your next visit. The best part? It’s one of the most affordable places on this list.
Spice things up with an omakase-style dining experience served in an elevated, modern interior. Using only the freshest fish, Macku is a hit with locals in Lincoln Park.
Housed in an unassuming storefront on bustling Clark Street in Lakeview, this is a place that’s sure to surprise you. Pick anything from their huge selection of appetizers, signature rolls, maki, sashimi, and ramen, and you won’t be disappointed.
This small but comfortable space is often met with high praise from anyone that visits. Their thoughtful takes on traditional sushi rolls are refreshing to frequent diners, and the chic lounge setting is perfect for a date night.
1139 West Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60642 | 1131 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607
The colorful interior of Butterfly is met with an equally colorful menu featuring generously-sized sushi rolls and various Thai dishes. It’s moderately priced and there’s more than one location, so this one’s definitely a go-to on a spur-of-the-moment sushi night.
This place receives nothing short of rave reviews, and for good reason. The highly-acclaimed Lincoln Park restaurant uses high-quality ingredients to craft their sushi rolls to perfection. If you’ve wondered what all the hype was about, go see for yourself.
Brought to you by the renowned Boka Restaurant Group, this heavy-hitter in the West Loop touts a Michelin star, proving that it’s a major destination in the Fulton Market District. The menu regularly tops the restaurant lists, and the Izakaya bar downstairs adds another fun element to the experience.
Where do we start with this one? Kai Zan is a sushi experience unlike any other in Chicago. Led by two two sushi masters (seriously, they are), prepare to be served a customized, omakase-style meal that’s totally catered to your taste. Does it get any better than that?
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As Illinois continues its Phase 3 run, more and more entertainment and recreation areas, such as Chicago libraries and parks, will be opening up. Most notably, a drive-in theater in Bridgeview will be opening its lot to anyone ready to indulge in some movie nostalgia.
Since March, public libraries have been completely closed down in the Chicago area, barring many from accessing reliable connections and information, except online. As of yesterday, almost all Chicago Public Library (CPL) locations will have been opened with limited service and proper social distancing measures in place. Computer service is available on a first-come, first-served basis, but not all computers are available for use to continue ensuring CPL locations adhere to social distancing guidelines.
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At this time, meeting and study rooms are not available for use to discourage patrons from coming into close contact with each other. For a detailed understanding of how the CPL is conducting its operations, peruse the CPL COVID-19 Reopening Frequently Asked Questions document available to address any and all concerns.
View Chicago Bars and Restaurants with Open Patios
Want to snag a bite with your book or grab a drink after a day in the park? View which patios are open in the city.
Chicago parks west of Lake Shore Drive, such as Grant Park and Jackson Park, will slowly allow visitors in, but it should be noted that the Lakefront Trail will not be joining the reopening. Like the libraries, these parks have been closed since the end of March due to overcrowding and the increased risk of coronavirus spread.
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Photo Credit: Maggie Daley Park Facebook
Larger parks in the city will also be opening up as summer begins to ramp up. Maggie Daley Park will open on June 15th, its rollerblade and scooter ribbons open for use for patrons with their own equipment. Their rental counters and playgarden will remain closed until further notice. Masks will be required for visitors at the park. Millennium Park plans to open parts of the park mid-June, but a concrete date has still to be set. Until then, features and fountains such as Cloud Gate and Crown Fountain remain closed and turned off.
Photo Credit: SeatGeek Stadium Tripadvisor
For those hankering to experience their favorite films on the big screen again, Chicago Drive-In Theaters will be launching their experience at Bridgeview’s SeatGeek Stadium this Thursday. The stadium, home to the National Women’s Soccer League’s Chicago Red Stars, has been dormant since the start of the pandemic.
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The movie lineup includes films friendly for the family and has a mix of classics to contemporary. For this week, The Goonies begins the fun on Thursday. Friday and Saturday have double-features of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Trading Places, and Spiderman: Far From Home and The Blues Brothers respectively. Sunday closes out with The Sandlot.
The theater has strict guidelines in place to ensure all attendees can safely enjoy their viewing experience. Some of these guidelines include wearing masks when not in one’s vehicle, not allowing grilling, and asking patrons to take their trash home with them to reduce cross-contamination for employees cleaning up the theater. Tickets start at $30 for General Admission per car and go up to $50 for Preferred Parking per car. To purchase tickets, view the full schedule of movies, and glean more information, visit the company website.
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The Chicago Bears quarterbacks are champing at the bit to begin the competition that will determine next year’s starter. Just ask Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. Oh wait — you can’t do that because the team has yet to make them available, which is leading some to wonder why?
In fairness, both players were scheduled to speak to the media on June 3rd, but the team postponed those calls, only stating that they would be rescheduled for a date later in the month.
Then word came today that the team will make a number of players available via Zoom calls this week. They include Matt Nagy, Eddie Jackson, Roquan Smith, and Eddy Pineiro, among others.
Notably absent from the list? You guessed it — Trubisky and Foles.
Bears we’ll be hearing from via Zoom this week: Tuesday – Matt Nagy, Eddy Pineiro, Jordan Lucas Wednesday – Demetrius Harris, Eddie Jackson, Roquan Smith, Buster Skrine Thursday – Tarik Cohen, Germain Ifedi
But why? The constant refrain virtually coming out of Halas Hall has been transparency about the quarterback competition. However, that transparency doesn’t seem to apply to those outsides the confines of Halas Hall.
However, the team has also emphasized how well each quarterback is handling the quarterback competition. Nagy and Ryan Pace have constantly reiterated how well Trubisky is handling the competition — that he is tackling it “head-on” and “understands it” the need for it. For all the talk that he is handling it really well, none of it has come from Mitch.
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The only time we’ve heard Mitch talk since Foles was acquired was during a softball interview with his friend Chase Daniel, which didn’t even broach the subject.
If you are a skeptic by nature, you’ll see this as another attempt by the Bears to insulate their quarterback from scrutiny. Despite their insistence that Trubisky has demonstrated mental toughness throughout this period, they apparently don’t want that tested — at least not at the moment.
In my opinion, they are doing Trubisky and themselves a disservice. The team has handled him with care his entire career and that approach has failed them.
Now, with one final opportunity to learn who Trubisky is, they need to take the gloves off for good. You can’t coax mental toughness into a player, and the Bears are going to learn that lesson one way or another — hopefully, before it’s too late.
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