What’s New

Last month, local darkwave band Kill Scenes dropped “Acid Black Window,” the first single from the upcoming full-length album Masque. The five-piece group, anchored by songwriters Meghan Lamb (vocals) and Sean Whittaker (guitar, electronics), lace their tracks with swirling six-string textures and driving synth melodies—Gossip Wolf doesn’t doubt for a second that “Acid Black Window” would’ve been a late-night dance-floor killer at Neo during the club’s peak goth years. Lamb describes Masque as a “Lynchian interrogation of identity, power, possession, transformation, and destruction.” The album doesn’t arrive until Friday, September 23, but Kill Scenes will preview material from it when they play the Hideout on Tuesday, August 30, with opener Adoptahighway and a DJ set from Lidia Vomito. 

“Acid Black Window” is the first single from the forthcoming Kill Scenes album.

Since moving from Chicago to New York City in 2012, Elia Einhorn has become a multimedia mogul. Around these parts, he was best known as singer and cofounder of the Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, but lately his undertakings have included curating and hosting the excellent Sonos Radio show Music Is Everything! (which runs every two weeks) and editing his 2021 zine Sober 21. He’s also just launched Listening, a new ten-episode podcast via Talkhouse and Mailchimp Presents that features heavyweights such as Jeff Tweedy, Björk, and Jlin; it explores how musicians hear and process their environments by inviting each guest to create a piece that captures a particular experience. Einhorn’s projects often reflect his years in Chicago: an episode of Music Is Everything! from earlier this month features a crackling collaboration between local footwork producer RP Boo and bassist-composer Joshua Abrams, which is available on the show’s Mixcloud page. On the show Abrams also mentions the next Natural Information Society album, which he says will feature ten musicians; it’s provisionally titled Since Time Is Gravity, and it’ll drop on Eremite Records later this year.

The episode of Music Is Everthing! with RP Boo and Joshua Abrams was posted August 10.

In 2018, Richard Wallace, aka rapper Epic of BBU, founded the nonprofit Equity and Transformation to advocate for Black Chicagoans who depend on the informal economy (often because they’re shut out of the conventional workforce), where their work isn’t regulated or protected by the state. Among EAT’s projects is the Big Payback campaign, which aims to convince the state of Illinois to pay out tax revenue from legalized cannabis sales to survivors of the war on drugs. On Friday, August 26, EAT and event promoter 1833 throw a Big Payback fundraising concert at Metro, and it’s got a hell of a lineup: Local legend Twista headlines (no word if he’ll have Tiny Twista with him), joined by fellow Chicago hip-hop royals Do or Die, Crucial Conflict, and Shawnna. Special guest performers include Fendi Frost, Bella Bahhs, Rich Jones, and Yagi DaGoat. Fred Hampton Jr. will also make an appearance. Tickets are $51, or $46 in advance; the show starts at 9 PM.

The expanded 2022 edition of Twista’s 1997 album Adrenaline Rush

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Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.

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The 2022 NBA draft is in the rearview mirror, summer league has come and gone and most free agents have inked new deals. LeBron James inked a two-year, $97.1 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday ahead of his fifth season with the franchise, which will mark his longest tenure with a team since he spent the first seven years of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Several other vets around the league signed extensions, including Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden, Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard and Washington Wizards point guard Bradley Beal, as well as Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine. The 2022 NBA All-Stars Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic all signed supermax extensions to remain with the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets, respectively. The 2019 draft class also saw big paydays, as Ja Morant, Zion Williamson and Darius Garland all signed rookie extensions.

Some notable names opted to change teams, including former Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson, who signed a four-year, $104 million deal with the New York Knicks. And the Utah Jazz sent shock waves throughout the league when they traded big man Rudy Gobert, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, to Minnesota.

Will Gobert’s former teammate Donovan Mitchell join Brunson in New York? And what about the other team in New York? Will Kevin Durant start the season in a Brooklyn Nets jersey? Our NBA insiders break down where every team stands after a wild free agency spree, plus which questions remain ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Note: These rankings are based on where the members of our panel (ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez and Kevin Pelton) think teams belong heading into next season, taking into account potential player movement. Title odds for 2023 by Caesars Sportsbook.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

1. Golden State WarriorsPost-Finals ranking: 12023 title odds: +550

The Warriors lost Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr., but they brought in Donte DiVincenzo and JaMychal Green — two players that, on paper, fit the Warriors’ system. If they look as good with Golden State in reality as they do hypothetically — in addition to their youngsters taking the next step and their core remaining the same — the Warriors should be just as dangerous in 2022-23. — Andrews

2. Boston CelticsPost-Finals ranking: 22023 title odds: +450

After struggling offensively during the playoffs, Boston added two significant weapons — guard Malcolm Brogdon and forward Danilo Gallinari — without sacrificing a single player from the eight-man rotation that got the Celtics to last season’s NBA Finals. Barring any blockbuster moves, Boston will go into next season as one of the deepest teams in the NBA. — Bontemps

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3. Milwaukee BucksPost-Finals ranking: 32023 title odds: +800

Would the Bucks have made it back to the NBA Finals if Khris Middleton had been healthy for their second-round matchup with the Celtics? We’ll never know the answer, but Milwaukee is bringing back virtually its entire roster — the Bucks re-signed Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, Wesley Matthews and Jevon Carter. The Bucks did add Joe Ingles, who will be 35 in October and is coming off an ACL tear, but if he can bounce back to his pre-injury form he could add some much-needed wing depth. — Collier

4. Memphis GrizzliesPost-Finals ranking: 42023 title odds: +2000

Memphis’ biggest move of the offseason was landing a full five-year max deal for superstar guard Ja Morant. Signing his backup, Tyus Jones, on a new deal was no small feat, either. The impact of losing Kyle Anderson, a key part of their frontcourt rotation, will be one to monitor next season. — Bontemps

5. Phoenix SunsPost-Finals ranking: 72023 title odds: +800

What happens when Deandre Ayton returns to camp? The big man signed an offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers during free agency, but that deal was quickly matched by the Suns. Ayton averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds last season and has averaged a double-double in each of his four seasons in the league. Now, he gets the chance to continue building with the Suns, who are coming off a league-best 64 wins. — Lopez

6. LA ClippersPost-Finals ranking: 82023 title odds: +800

With Kawhi Leonard returning, the Clippers have put together one of the most expensive rosters in NBA history by re-signing Nicolas Batum and Amir Coffey, extending Ivica Zubac with a raise and adding John Wall. The Clippers do have one spot remaining for a training-camp battle, which could go to a replacement for departed Isaiah Hartenstein as a backup to Zubac in the middle. — Pelton

7. Miami HeatPost-Finals ranking: 62023 title odds: +1400

Losing P.J. Tucker hurts — he was popular in the locker room and an important piece of a team that came within a couple plays of making the Finals. The Heat did re-sign Victor Oladipo and Dewayne Dedmon, but they have not found that extra piece that would help push them over the top in the East. The rumor mill will continue to connect them to Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell, but it remains to be seen if they have the pieces to make either deal a reality. — Friedell

8. Dallas MavericksPost-Finals ranking: 52023 title odds: +2200

While the Mavericks traded for Christian Wood and signed JaVale McGee to dramatically change the look of their frontcourt, the move that will hang over Dallas heading into next season is Jalen Brunson leaving to sign with the Knicks. Now, Dallas will enter training camp with just two ball handlers on their roster — though they are two pretty good ones in superstar Luka Doncic and 2021-22 midseason trade acquisition Spencer Dinwiddie. — Bontemps

9. Denver NuggetsPost-Finals ranking: 92023 title odds: +2000

The Nuggets will finally be healthy next season with the return of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., which should help Denver take a step forward. The loss of Monte Morris stings, but acquiring Ish Smith as a backup point guard helps. Signing Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope puts more impact players around two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. — Andrews

10. Philadelphia 76ersPost-Finals ranking: 112023 title odds: +1600

The 76ers knew they needed to shore up some weaknesses this offseason, namely athleticism, rebounding and toughness. By adding De’Anthony Melton, Danuel House Jr. and P.J. Tucker, Philadelphia did just that. Those moves were made possible largely because James Harden took a pay cut, which signaled everyone in the franchise is pulling in the same direction. — Bontemps

11. Minnesota TimberwolvesPost-Finals ranking: 122023 title odds: +3500

The Timberwolves made the shocking move of the offseason when they unloaded several draft picks to bring in Rudy Gobert, arguably the NBA’s best defensive player, to pair with another All-NBA center in Karl-Anthony Towns. Between watching how well those two mesh and how budding star Anthony Edwards evolves, there will be few more intriguing teams to watch next season than Minnesota — a sentence that has rarely been said throughout the franchise’s 30-plus years. — Bontemps

12. Toronto RaptorsPost-Finals ranking: 152023 title odds: +2800

The Raptors didn’t make any waves this offseason, retaining Chris Boucher and Thaddeus Young to continue to boast a roster with as many interchangeable 6-foot-8 players as any team in the NBA. And while the ongoing drama surrounding Durant continues to linger around the franchise, it’s been made clear Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes won’t be part of any potential package. — Bontemps

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13. Brooklyn NetsPost-Finals ranking: 102023 title odds: +1800

The summer of discontent continues for the Nets. Where Kevin Durant ultimately lands remains the single biggest question in the league — and Kyrie Irving‘s future in Brooklyn might be the second biggest. The Nets added Royce O’Neale and T.J. Warren and were able to retain Patty Mills and Nic Claxton. Brooklyn could have a dangerous roster in place if Ben Simmons can return to form next season — but Durant’s future hovers over everything. — Friedell

14. Chicago BullsPost-Finals ranking: 132023 title odds: +5000

Chicago made a few minor additions — veterans Andre Drummond and Goran Dragic — in free agency, but the health of Lonzo Ball will be perhaps their biggest storyline heading into training camp. The Bulls were a different team with Ball on the floor, but the club has remained vague about the status of his recovery from a season-ending left knee injury suffered in January. The Bulls are hopeful he will be ready for the start of camp. — Collier

15. Atlanta HawksPost-Finals ranking: 192023 title odds: +5500

The Hawks made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason in late June when they traded for All-Star guard Dejounte Murray for three first-round picks (two unprotected). Now the Hawks move forward with a backcourt of Murray and Trae Young. Atlanta also added Justin Holiday and Aaron Holiday in separate deals, reuniting two of the league’s three Holiday brothers while also picking up Frank Kaminsky. But all eyes will be on how Young and Murray mesh once training camp begins. — Lopez

16. New Orleans PelicansPost-Finals ranking: 162023 title odds: +3500

It’s been a relatively quiet offseason in New Orleans, aside from Zion Williamson inking a five-year designated rookie max extension. But that’s what happens when you enter the offseason with 14 guaranteed contracts and a first-rounder. The Pelicans selected Dyson Daniels with the No. 8 overall pick they received from the Lakers in the Anthony Davis deal. Now, the focus will be on Williamson getting up to speed after missing the entire 2021-22 season. — Lopez

17. Cleveland CavaliersPost-Finals ranking: 182023 title odds: +12500

The Cavs addressed a few items on their offseason checklist: signing Darius Garland to a five-year max extension, bringing back Ricky Rubio after his ACL tear in December and adding backup big Robin Lopez. Yet, Collin Sexton still remains unsigned after Cleveland extended a qualifying offer before the start of free agency, making him a restricted free agent. — Collier

18. Los Angeles LakersPost-Finals ranking: 172023 title odds: +950

The Lakers hired highly regarded Darvin Ham as coach and wisely prioritized youth in free agency, filling out their bench by signing Troy Brown Jr., Thomas Bryant, Damian Jones, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Lonnie Walker IV. After signing LeBron James to a two-year extension, can they now find a way to trade Russell Westbrook for Kyrie Irving? If not, Ham’s biggest challenge will be figuring out how Westbrook fits. — Pelton

19. Portland Trail BlazersPost-Finals ranking: 232023 title odds: +12500

The Blazers are hoping last year’s lottery trip was a gap year due to Damian Lillard’s abdominal surgery. They extended Lillard, dealt for starting forward Jerami Grant and re-signed Jusuf Nurkic and Anfernee Simons before signing Gary Payton II to strengthen the bench. Long term, No. 7 pick Shaedon Sharpe — sidelined minutes into an NBA Summer League title run — offers potential, but Portland’s vets will be counted on to deliver an improved season. — Pelton

20. New York KnicksPost-Finals ranking: 222023 title odds: +7500

The Knicks — finally — have a point guard of both the present and future, landing Jalen Brunson as a free agent and giving the team a much-needed floor general. Will the Knicks, who have the most to offer in a Donovan Mitchell trade, find a way to add the Westchester native, too? — Bontemps

21. Charlotte HornetsPost-Finals ranking: 202023 title odds: +25000

The Hornets re-signed Cody Martin to a four-year deal and drafted big man Mark Williams out of Duke — but the biggest news continues to revolve around Miles Bridges. The restricted free agent is facing three felony domestic violence charges and his future in the league is hazy at best. — Friedell

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22. Washington WizardsPost-Finals ranking: 242023 title odds: +50000

The Wizards re-signed Bradley Beal to a max deal and he remains the focal point of everything the organization does. Washington also snagged Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis with the 10th pick in the draft, which should help take some offensive pressure off Beal. They also signed big man Taj Gibson, who will fit nicely as a veteran presence in the locker room. — Friedell

23. Sacramento KingsPost-Finals ranking: 252023 title odds: +35000

“We’re getting 40 wins this year” is the rallying cry for Sacramento fans eager to crack the postseason for the first time since 2006. There’s reason to believe the play-in at minimum is possible after No. 4 pick Keegan Murray impressed as MVP of the NBA Summer League, and the Kings added Kevin Huerter (via trade) and Malik Monk (via free agency) to their backcourt. Optimism is justified for Mike Brown’s first season as coach. — Pelton

24. Detroit PistonsPost-Finals ranking: 272023 title odds: +50000

The Pistons came away from draft night feeling like one of the biggest winners in the league, landing guard Jaden Ivey at No. 5 and center Jalen Duren at No. 13. Together with Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart, they give Detroit a solid foundation. — Collier

25. Utah JazzPost-Finals ranking: 142023 title odds: +30000

After trading Rudy Gobert to Minnesota for a boatload of draft picks and mostly expiring contracts, it is a new era in Salt Lake City. The only question now is how much longer Donovan Mitchell will remain there — and how much the Jazz will get for him when he is inevitably moved. — Bontemps

26. San Antonio SpursPost-Finals ranking: 212023 title odds: +100000

The rebuild is a full-go in San Antonio. The Spurs dealt Dejounte Murray, let Lonnie Walker IV walk and waived Danilo Gallinari — the player they received in the Murray deal — outright. With three first-round picks, the Spurs added Baylor’s Jeremy Sochan, Ohio State’s Malaki Branham and Notre Dame’s Blake Wesley. All three players will be 19 when the season starts. The Spurs hope to have plenty of draft success in the future, especially after prying away three first-rounders from Atlanta in the Murray deal. — Lopez

27. Indiana PacersPost-Finals ranking: 262023 title odds: +50000

The Pacers launched further into full rebuild mode, trading Malcolm Brogdon to the Celtics in the latest move to accumulate assets. Drafting Bennedict Mathurin and adding Jalen Smith gives the Pacers more intriguing young players next to promising young guard Tyrese Haliburton. — Collier

28. Orlando MagicPost-Finals ranking: 302023 title odds: +100000

Orlando’s big decision came down during a dramatic draft night, when it selected Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 overall pick. The hope is that Banchero can develop into the face of the franchise star it hasn’t had since Dwight Howard. The Magic re-signed Mo Bamba and Gary Harris — now they have to hope Jonathan Isaac can still be a difference-maker as he returns from missing over two years because of a knee injury. — Friedell

29. Oklahoma City ThunderPost-Finals ranking: 282023 title odds: +50000

As usual, the Thunder were busy on draft night, making three of the first 12 picks. No. 2 selection Chet Holmgren showed his potential during summer league and immediately joins guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey in Oklahoma City’s core, while Ousmane Dieng and Jalen Williams give the Thunder two more promising wings. — Pelton

30. Houston RocketsPost-Finals ranking: 292023 title odds: +100000

The Rockets continued their youth movement by drafting a pair of forwards — Jabari Smith Jr. (third overall) and Tari Eason (17th) — in June’s draft. Smith now slots in alongside Jalen Green as the centerpieces of Houston’s rebuild in the post-James Harden era, as the Rockets will have a very young, yet intriguing roster to follow. — Bontemps

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The Chicago Cubs would love nothing more than to spoil the playoff hopes of the St. Louis Cardinals. However, that is going to be very hard as St. Louis comes into Wrigley Field as one of the hottest teams in the league right now.

They also have one of the hottest players in the league right now in Albert Pujols. You’d think that MVP candidates like Paul Goldschmidt or Nolan Arenado would be mentioned there but Pujols has been just as good as those guys over the last few weeks.

Pujols is closing in on his 700th career home run as he entered this series with 692. Well, he hit his 693rd at Wrigley Field on Monday and now only needs seven more to reach that impressive milestone that only three before him have ever reached (Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and Babe Ruth).

The home run was a solo shot that put the Cardinals ahead of the Cubs by a score of 1-0 in the 7th inning. St. Louis would hold onto that lead and win 1-0 on the back of that Pujols solo shot. It was a tough break for the Cubs but it is baseball acting all romantic again.

Jordan Montgomery also had an impressive game for the St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched a complete game shutout and only allowed one hit. It was an amazing performance for him as he seems to have really found it with the Cardinals since coming over from the New York Yankees.

The Chicago Cubs allowed home run number 693 to Albert Pujols on Monday.

There is also another twist to the Pujols side of the story. He has Alex Rodriguez in his way of 700 career home runs as he hit 696 in his career. He needs three more to tie him and four more to pass. That will put him in 4th place on the all-time list.

Pujols, as Cubs fans know, started his career with the Cardinals. He played there from 2001-2011. He then signed with the Los Angeles Angels and played there from 2012-2021 (he was traded to the Dodgers at the end of 2021).

He then signed a one-year deal with the Cardinals and announced he would end his career after one final year where it all started. Well, the season didn’t start off amazing for him but he has been red hot lately. Now, the 700 mark is within reach.

This home run on Monday was the 58th that Pujols has ever hit against the Chicago Cubs. That is the second most against any team he has faced. The only team that he has hit more against is the Houston Astros who were in his division with both the Cardinals and Angels (they switched to the American League West from the National League Central in 2013).

Pujols has been an amazing player in his career and a lot of damage was done against the Cubs. It will be interesting to see how much more damage he can do against them in this series. Getting those final seven home runs is going to be tough but he just might be able to do it.

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After months of searching for a new location, Twisted Hippo, the Albany Park craft brewery that experienced an unfortunate fire this past February — finds a residency at District Brew Yards’ pour-your-own beer hall. In addition to its space at the Wheeling location, Twisted Hippo will take over the former Bold Dog Beer Co’s wall at the original Ashland location starting Tuesday, August 16.

“We’re excited to not only bring our one-of-a-kind beer hall to the North Shore, but to also welcome two new breweries to the District Brew Yards family,” says Founder Steve Soble. “With our own history of Burnt City rising from the ashes, we couldn’t be happier to provide a new  home to Twisted Hippo,” he adds.

Shortly after the fire, owners of District Brew Yards, Steve and Greg approached Twisted Hippo’s owner Marilee Rutherford with the suggestion of joining them at the new Wheeling location. It only made sense for two of Chicagoan’s favorites to join force, given that the brewing industry have already been struggling with many challenges, such as supply chain issues.

Therefore, instead of rebuilding from scratch, which would have kept all of us hippo lovers waiting on our toes, Twisted Hippo decided to take on the offer and the rare opportunity to reintroduce themselves to the public with a new look in as short as six months!

As many fans have expected, the reopened Twisted Hippo will come with both old and new. On the one hand, some of our favorite classics are returning on the wall to satisfy the cravings of the regulars. On the other hand, there will be plenty of new recipes joining the list for those looking for fun, new things to try.

Twisted Hippo will also be part of District Brew Yards’ pour-your-own model at the new Wheeling location. Since the Hippo’s motto is “Embrace YOUR strange,” the pour-your-own model is just perfect for them. Try a few ounces of this and a dabble of that, and make a night out with friends a phenomenal choose-your-own-adventure kind of gathering.

District Brew Yards, the first-of-its-kind brewery collective, and pour-your-own-beer hall, is planning its expansion with a second location in Wheeling, IL later this summer. It will feature three breweries from its Ashland location, including Burnt City Brewing, Around the Bend Beer Co, Casa Humilde, and two newcomers, Twisted Hippo and Histrionic.

“We love finding and experiencing the new breweries coming out of Pilot Project Brewing and we’re proud to be a part of Histrionic Brewlab’s growth,” states Soble.

The collaborative space will include a taproom with communal tables, bottle shop, and outdoor beer garden. Another concept close to owner Steve Soble’s heart will live on at the Wheeling location. A commemorative table will be made from the bowling lanes of the now closed (but forever missed) Southport Lanes.

District Brew Yards Wheeling will be open every day except Mondays from 11:30 am -10 pm. Guests at the Wheeling location can indulge in three food concepts from Executive Chef Charlie McKenna, including barbeque from Lillie’s Q, fried chicken and fish from Salt & Scratch, and Mexican favorites from Chicano Taqueria.

Featured Image: Twisted Hippo

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A greasy griddle. A stack of pancakes. A hearty meal that can fill your soul and (cure your hangover). There’s nothing quite one of the best neighborhood diners in Chicago. Check out this tasty roundup if you’re tired of going to the fancy spots, and see if your favorite Chicago diner made the list.

Image Credit: Stella’s Diner

3042 N Broadway #5316 Chicago, IL 60657

Since 1962, this classic and casual corner eatery has served top-notch American food. Even if you’ve never been there, you’ve for sure saw the giant fist holding plastic utensils outside of the building. The menu is surprisingly extensive, ranging from simple breakfast items to delicious skillets, burgers, comfort food, even seafood. However, we usually just go there for the sweets. Their classic milkshakes are divine, and the daily dessert is always fun to explore.

Image Credit: Lou Mitchell’s

565 W Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60661

For over almost 100 years, this iconic diner has been a neighborhood staple. If you’re having a rough morning, this neighborhood diner will give you the right type of kick because they absolutely live up to the “serving the world’s finest coffee” slogan. As of food, you can’t go wrong with their Eggs Benedict, Fluffy Pancakes, or Greek Omelets.

2333 N Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

Calling all vegetarians and vegans! This diner serves up plates of diverse eats dished out in a casual setting. Known as the Veggie Diner among regulars, The Chicago Diner’s menu will turn a carnivore into a herbivore any day. Our all-time favorite is the Truffle Mushroom Lentil Loaf, but everything else is just as good. And the milkshakes. Try. The. Milkshakes. 

820 W Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60607

Award-winning and popular local chef, Stephanie Izard, offers a massive menu of creative, gourmet takes on comfort food classics. Our favorites? Lemme think… Bull’s Eye French Toast, Tonkatsu, and… right, Okonomiyaki, savory Japanese pancakes topped with eel sauce and okonomiyaki sauce. 

Image Credit: Google

4454 N Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60630

Looking for a no-frills diner experience? Check out Lucky Grill! This traditional American diner offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a great meal any time of the day! The Irish Breakfast is one of their icons. But they also have solid skillets and omelets!

2005 W Roscoe St. Chicago, IL 60618

When we said neighborhood diners in Chicago, you were thinking mom & pop breakfast joints, weren’t you? Well, here’s something different. Check out this funky spot with a tiki bar, vintage decor, and TV memorabilia! Their food and service are out of this world, too. Try the Chicken & Waffles, Coconut French Toast, or BBQ Pulled Pork Panini.

Image Credi

2753 N Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

This chill AF neighborhood coffeehouse is your new go-to spot for delicious eats! Heads up, it gets pretty packed on the weekends, so you might have to wait a bit unless you get here right after it opens. The salmon egg benedicts are perfect. Or, just go with your classic biscuits and gravy. You can never go wrong at this place!

1236 W 18th St. Chicago, IL 60608

Got a craving for true Mexican flavors? Stop by this laid back cafe for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Faves include the Mexican Scrambled Omelette, Chilaquiles, and the Garbage (no that’s not a typo) Omelette.

Featured Image: The Chicago Diner

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For the most part, the Chicago Cubs have had a disaster of a season. They are one of the worst teams in the National League for the second year in a row as they are trying to rebuild their roster. However, despite all of this turnover leading to losses, there are a few players having good years.

On an individual level, Justin Steele is one of those players. As a starting pitcher, he has been marvelous for the Cubs this season. He is only 4-7 because his team is bad but his ERA of 3.25 and WHIP of 1.346 are pretty good.

He also has 120 strikeouts over 113.2 innings pitched which is an amazing total. He loves to fan hitters using his very impressive pitches. All of these great stats have accumulated a WAR of 2.0 this season and that is great for him.

As good as these stats are, they don’t tell the whole story. In his last nine starts, he has been even better than that by a lot. He has a 1.47 ERA over that span which is the best in the national league. He has six quality starts out of the nine with 59 strikeouts over 49 innings pitched.

In his recent stretch of starts, Justin Steele has been elite for the Chicago Cubs.

Since the All-Star break, the ERA is even better as it is under one at 0.86. This is all after his most recent start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday afternoon. It was one of the best starts of his season as he went 6.0 innings pitched with nine strikeouts, two hits against, and one walk.

David Ross took him out after those 6.0 innings pitched. He yielded 0 runs in the start and only had 89 pitches on him. It became a mistake to take him out that early as the Cubs’ bullpen allowed the Brewers to score five runs over the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings combined.

Steele couldn’t get the win as a result as Rowan Wick was charged with the loss on the afternoon. It isn’t really fair that Steele was robbed of the win but baseball is barely ever fair. All the Cubs can do is hope that this 27-year-old stud can keep it going for a long time moving forward. He has truly been remarkable lately.

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As the Chicago Cubs play out the final month and a half of the Major League Baseball regular season, the focus will soon shift towards 2023 and how to address the areas of weakness across the Major League roster.

Perhaps the largest area of weakness that the Cubs will need to address this offseason is the offense.

The Cubs have spent much of the past three years preaching a contact-first approach on offense and emphasizing putting the ball in play as opposed to putting the ball over the fence.

Through that approach, the Cubs have identified Nico Hoerner as a legitimate starting shortstop this season and Ian Happ earned All-Star honors for the first time in his career.

In the power department, the Cubs haven’t been bad but they haven’t been great either. Entering play Monday, the Cubs ranked 13th across all of Major League Baseball with a team ISO of .153 this season, and 15th in total home runs with 126.

There is room for improvement for the Cubs in regard to the power within their starting lineup. Cubs’ president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer does plan to address the team’s need for power this offseason.

“This year, we put the ball on the ground way too often,” the Cubs president of baseball operations said. “We’ve gotten on base, we’ve done a good job of grinding at-bats but [not] finishing off rallies, too many double plays, not enough power in some ways. So those are some things we have to address.”

Pending free agent shortstops Carlos Correa and Xander Bogaerts figure to be towards the top of the Cubs’ wish list this offseason and both would certainly help improve the power numbers of the Cubs starting lineup.

There is, however, an emerging internal improvement for the Cubs that figures to be ready for the Major League level at some point during the 2023 season. That improvement could come from 22-year-old outfielder Alexander Canario.

The Chicago Cubs have promoted slugging outfielder Alexander Canario to AAA.

While Caleb Killian drew all the attention this season as part of the return that the Cubs received from the San Francisco Giants last season in the Kris Bryant trade, Canario was believed to be the better of the two prospects in that trade.

In his first full professional season with the Cubs’ organization, Canario has exploded onto the scene this season with an offensive line of .256/.336/.559/.895 to go along with 31 home runs and 83 RBIs.

Canario spent the past 81 games with the Cubs’ Double-A affiliate in Tennessee but he is now on his way to Triple-A Iowa.

Canario will likely spend the final month of the regular season with Iowa Cubs and it is likely that he begins next season with Iowa as well.

If Canario is able to make the adjustment to Triple-A pitching relatively quickly, there is a chance that he jumps outfielder Brennan Davis in regard to being the first prospect to make his Major League debut in early 2023.

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The National Hockey League is absolutely loaded with elite scoring wingers that make the game as exciting as it has ever been. The Chicago Blackhawks have had no shortage of good wingers over the years and they have been led by Patrick Kane.

Kane, of course, is one of the greatest players in NHL history. He has been a Stanley Cup champion three times, won a playoff MVP, a regular season MVP, and a scoring title to go with many other accolades along the way.

After all these years, he is still one of the best at his position. The NHL Network came out with their list of the top 20 wingers in the league right now going into 2022 and Patrick Kane is on the list. He even cracked the top-ten sitting at number ten on the dot.

You can argue him higher or lower depending on what you look at but it is good to still see him amongst the elite in the league. Most of the players around him on the list are much younger but Kane still keeps pumping out elite season after elite season.

Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks made the top-20 NHL wingers list.

Right around Kane are guys like Brad Marchand (9), David Pastrnak (11), and Matthew Tkachuk (12). All of those guys can go in any order because they are all so great. You have to split hairs to separate them for whatever reason.

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is on pace to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record over the next couple of years and he is still sitting at the number one spot. Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild sit at two and three and easily could be one.

There are also some former Blackhawks wingers on the list as well and both of them loved playing with Patrick Kane. Artemi Panarin, now of the New York Rangers, sits at number 8 and it can be argued that he deserves to be even higher than that.

Alex DeBrincat is also on this list. He has yet to play a game in a different sweater but will certainly play for the Ottawa Senators this season. He deserves this recognition as he is also one of the very best wings in the NHL. A great career is on the horizon for him.

Patrick Kane only has one year left on his current contract so even his Blackhawks’ career is cloudy. We have to hope that he continues to play well so that he can either be traded for a haul or help this team rebuild.

It is good to see him get this type of recognition because he is one of the few remaining bright spots on the team right now. It will be tough if they trade him but it is fair to enjoy him while he is still there. This is going to be a bad team but Kane will continue to be a shining star.

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