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Adalina’s Soo Ahn will compete and El Ideas’ Phillip Foss will guest chef Warning: Small spoilers for Top Chef: Wisconsin, episode 6. As the latest season of Top Chef motors on to its sixth episode — premiering tonight (Wednesday, April 24) on Bravo — there are two developments that Chicagoans should know about. Soo Ahn, the chef at Gold Coast Italian restaurant Adalina, gets the call to the big show after fighting his way through the Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen, the web-only series that offer
<div><figure> <img alt="Four goblets of beer." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/U4gMezI0SkhwMd86NcuA_mjpanU=/0x590:3024x2858/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73302503/IMG_1162.0.jpg"> <figcaption>Working Draft is a highlight when it comes to Madison’s drinking scene. | Ashok Selvam/Eater Chicago</figcaption> </figure> <p>This town offers more to drink than just beer — but the beer is still good</p> <p id="b72H6G">Ounces upon pints of ink have been spilled documenting Wisconsin’s drinking culture, some of it valuable and some of it… less so. But between the punchlines and statistics is a region where drinking is best taken seriously and enjoyed thoroughly.</p> <p id="hJw4vl">With the premiere of the 21st season of <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/2024/3/26/24111637/top-chef-season-21-wisconsin-milwaukee-madison-midwest-dining-chicago-chefs-bravo">Bravo TV’s <em>Top Chef</em></a>, Madison is getting some much-deserved hype as a destination for food and drink travel. I’m thrilled about this; as a decades-long resident and food and beer writer since 2007, I’m a big proponent of experiencing everything Madison offers. And believe me, the beer is good, but there’s more than suds in our glasses</p> <p id="BCiqno">From bourbon to tiki, elaborate modernist cocktails to single-origin espresso, and all varieties of beer, mixed drinks, and yes — even non-alcoholic twists — Madison’s drinks culture compliments the restaurant scene and stands steady all on its own.</p> <p id="aOxJcD"><small><em>For a rundown on where to eat in Madison, </em></small><a href="https://chicago.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-madison-wisconsin-food-road-trip"><small><em>check out our restaurant guide</em></small></a><small><em>.</em></small></p></div>
Appreciation of a particular regions wine is part and parcel of a ecommerce vintners life. in this Rhône wines guide for ecommerce…
Feels like this is a lotto number.
A Quick update before I forget again.
<div><figure> <img alt="An empty bar" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/f70jMyrYFx48gWWxqwlJ8WITjZg=/89x0:1512x1067/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73300004/53632568655_af2d5cc14c_h.0.jpg"> <figcaption>Common Decency was supposed to be Felipe Hernandez’s first venture as an owner. | Garrett Sweet/Eater Chicago</figcaption> </figure> <p>Common Decency’s staff mourns the loss of Felipe Hernandez</p> <p id="ghvD67">After years of working at restaurants, Felipe Hernandez was brimming with excitement about finally opening his own. Hernandez was a partner and co-chef at <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/2023/11/9/23954451/common-decency-logan-square-bar-lost-lake-replacement">Common Decency</a>, an upcoming bar in Logan Square. Hernandez — with friends chef Mark Steuer, beverage director Kelsey Keller, and partner Jason Turley — had big plans for the space at 3154 W. Diversey Avenue.</p> <p id="l6RHex">Hernandez, a native of Munster, Indiana, worked at restaurants like <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/venue/takito-kitchen">Takito Kitchen</a>, <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/venue/bistro-campagne">Bistro Campagne</a>, the Bedford, <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/venue/el-che-bar">El Che Bar</a>, and <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/venue/funkenhausen">Funkenhausen</a>. Simply nicknamed “Bro,” he was known as an all-around good guy, and ready to take the next step in his career with owning a place.</p> <p id="t1XDk1">That dream was cut short when, just days from opening, on Friday, April 5, Hernandez died suddenly after what friends and family described as an accident. No foul play was involved. <a href="https://everloved.com/life-of/felipe-hernandez-chicago-il/obituary/">Funeral services were held</a> on Sunday, April 14. Hernandez was 34.</p> <p id="o2WEwm">Originally set to open in December, Common Decency’s opening date inside the former <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/venue/lost-lake">Lost Lake</a> space had already been pushed back a few times when the tragic loss of their chef temporarily halted work. Chicago’s culinary community responded in kind with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5mKQoSPzNG/?igsh=MXh4cXRtZ3FpcWExOQ%3D%3D&img_index=1">an outpouring of support for the Common Decency team</a>. </p> <div class="c-float-right"><div id="49kLhP"> <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5mKQoSPzNG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5mKQoSPzNG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewbox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div> </div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5mKQoSPzNG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Mark Steuer (@chefmarksteuer)</a></p> </div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> </div></div> <p id="jo0SxV">Hernandez’s family, who live in Indiana, declined comment. They were in town over the weekend as Common Decency quietly opened on Sunday for a private fundraiser. Steuer says they raised nearly $8,000 which they’ll donate to Chicago-based <a href="https://theevolvednetwork.org/">Evolved Network</a>, a charity that “provides experiential programming through culinary and gardening equipping youth in systemically oppressed communities with transformative healing, skills and support needed to evolve into masters of their unique gifts.”</p> <p id="SrizER">Now, the staff is trying to get it together to open the bar and honor Hernandez’s work. The bar is set to open on Friday, April 26.</p> <p id="1LzUCP">Hernandez worked with Steuer to build the menu at the bar and at a second restaurant that will occupy the room next door to the bar. Fever Dream will open later this year. Steuer says he’s hired a key member of the kitchen staff (a cook who’s worked with Steuer before) at Webster’s Wine Bar in Logan Square, with the ownership’s blessing, to help pick up where Hernandez left off in the kitchen. </p> <p id="CpV4R6">Steuer, who led the kitchens at Funkenhausen and Bedford, worked with Hernandez for years. He struggled to articulate what his loss meant: “Spending time in the kitchen with him was one of my favorite things to do,” Steuer says. </p> <p id="S7siCH">He described Hernandez as a very “soulful” man. As adults grow older, it’s harder to find real friends, and Steuer says he was fortunate to share such a genuine connection with Hernandez. He recalls spending a day with Hernandez watching the Super Bowl and being introduced to his mother’s signature seven-layer dip. A version of it named after Hernandez appears on the bar’s opening menu. </p> <p id="WwnTgj">Steuer posted a tribute <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5mKQoSPzNG/?igsh=MXh4cXRtZ3FpcWExOQ==">on his Instagram account</a> on Wednesday, April 10. He wrote: “I’m not sure how to even begin to navigate a life without you in it, but I will, and I promise to make you just as proud as you’ve made me over the years. To say that I’ll miss you every day is an understatement, but I know that all I need to do is recall any of the innumerable fond memories we made and you’ll be right here again.”</p> <aside id="k3iJjl"><div data-anthem-component="newsletter" data-anthem-component-data='{"slug":"chicago-eater"}'></div></aside></div>
<div><figure> <img alt="The interior dining room at Heritage Restaurant and Caviar Bar." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bzLnTX8WXdoniSO4DAYnSaMDL14=/231x0:3270x2279/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73299850/35468495374_26e04acd05_o.0.jpg"> <figcaption>Heritage Restaurant and Caviar Bar opened in 2017. | Marc Much/Eater Chicago</figcaption> </figure> <p>As staff at Heritage cope, as second fire in Edgewater has delayed the opening of Lunchbox</p> <p id="C67oAF"><a href="https://www.heritage-chicago.com/">Heritage Restaurant and Caviar Bar</a>, a Humboldt Park restaurant that serves everything from ramen to paczki, is closed after a fire on Sunday that destroyed its kitchen.</p> <div class="c-float-right"><div id="65YV4c"> <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6E5UGFvLm7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6E5UGFvLm7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; 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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div> </div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6E5UGFvLm7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by & (@heritage_chicago)</a></p> </div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> </div></div> <p id="W2TGMj">The fire began the night of Sunday, April 21 in the restaurant’s kitchen at 2700 W. Chicago Avenue, owners Tiffany and Guy Meikle announced <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6E5UGFvLm7/">on social media</a>. A malfunctioning hood motor that “suddenly went out of balance,” sparked, and ignited the blaze. Firefighters responded quickly to the restaurant, which was open at the time, and no injuries were reported. </p> <p id="3CAtGl">Repairs to Heritage’s kitchen should take two weeks, the Meikles write <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-rebuild-heritage-restaurant-caviar-bar">on GoFundMe</a>, where they aim to raise $10,000 to help cover the costs of smoke and water damage, purchase new equipment, and financially support employees through the unexpected closure. ”This isn’t just about repairs; it’s about keeping the spirit of our community alive,” they write.</p> <p id="vgI4tL">One of Chicago’s most unusual neighborhood restaurants, Heritage was founded in 2017 as a stylish and intimate destination for caviar from a wide range of countries including Uruguay, Denmark, Italy, and Germany. Its extensive menus are ostensibly rooted in Eastern European cuisine — “born of the Black Sea,” per the Meikles — with staples like kopytka (Polish potato dumplings), prime rib pierogi, and pickled herring. But as executive chef, Guy Meikle (Nana) has also cast his gaze across numerous continents for dishes like lamb and shiitake mandu, Korean fried chicken sandwiches with kimchi, and even a Chicago-style Italian shaved lamb sandwich with giardiniera made on-site.</p> <h3 id="IJuYoI">An accidental fire sparks a major setback for Lunchbox food truck’s first permanent location</h3> <p id="l59aog"><a href="https://www.chicagolunchbox.com/">Lunchbox</a>, a decade-old Chicago food truck featuring Asian-style street food, was a week away from unveiling its first permanent location when a fire destroyed its space on Wednesday, April 17 at 1535 W. Devon Avenue in Edgewater. </p> <div class="c-float-right"><div id="5qnTnw"> <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C58r-87rs4c/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C58r-87rs4c/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewbox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div> </div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C58r-87rs4c/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Lunchbox (@chicagolunchbox)</a></p> </div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script> </div></div> <p id="HhElUA">Owner John Nguyen was checking on the building around 9 p.m. on Wednesday ahead of a city inspection scheduled for the following day when he opened the back door to discover a cloud of black smoke, he tells reporters <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB9QFz43BhA">from WGN</a>. Nguyen called the Chicago Fire Department, and while firefighters were able to extinguish the flames, the blaze caused significant damage to the space. No injuries were reported and Chicago police <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-fire-devon-avenue-lunchbox-pilsen/14688863/">tell ABC7</a> that the fire was ruled accidental. </p> <p id="miWVZa">Nguyen, along with wife and business partner Tanya Nguyen, had spent a year working toward opening a permanent home for Lunchbox, the food truck business they founded in 2013. Chicago has a <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/5/13841786/chicago-food-trucks-lawsuit-decision-parking">contentious history</a> with food trucks, but the pair tell reporters they were one of the first in the city, navigating <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/2019/12/20/21031405/chicago-food-truck-longer-parking-proposal-jaipur-indian-bar-cocktails-intel">stringent regulations</a> to earn a following with spicy “fire” rangoons, bahn mi stuffed with juicy Filipino longanisa, and pork tacos slathered in savory Vietnamese sauce. </p> <p id="sxnYuz">Despite the disheartening setback, the Nguyens have vowed to spend the next year rebuilding Lunchbox and aim to raise $15,000 <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/Help-restore-lunchbox">via GoFundMe</a> to help them start over. The food truck, which remains operational, will continue to do lunchtime business on weekdays, usually near the University of Chicago at 5801 S. Ellis Avenue. “We shall rise from these ashes,” the Nguyens write <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C58r-87rs4c/">on Instagram</a>. </p> <aside id="Vtr4Tf"><div data-anthem-component="newsletter" data-anthem-component-data='{"slug":"chicago-eater"}'></div></aside><p id="ifpTai"></p> <p id="w7OMK5"></p> <p id="0n6fH7"></p> <p id="7VoJhA"></p></div>
<div><figure> <img alt="A large brick corner building with a sign that reads “Foxtrot”" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CBIyI0i0KQUrqxH_qpRuLFMHkCo=/400x0:3600x2400/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73299054/MilwaukeeDamen_exterior_1.0.jpg"> <figcaption>Foxtort and Dom’s Kitchen & Market are shutting down. | Foxtrot</figcaption> </figure> <p>The move comes five months after the company merged to form Outfox Hospitality</p> <p id="apt0ZQ"><a href="https://www.chicagobusiness.com/retail/foxtrot-and-doms-kitchen-merge-outfox-hospitality">Five months after Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market</a> merged, the new company appears headed to bankruptcy and all its stores in Illinois, Texas, and the D.C. area are closing on Tuesday, April 23.</p> <p id="FpUq6g">Corporate workers were informed Tuesday morning via a conference call with management that the stores would be closing by noon. Store workers were left in the dark and instructed not to talk to customers about the matter. Their emotions ranged from frustration to fear about losing their jobs. Dom’s locations in Lincoln Park and Old Town closed Tuesday morning, with one account claiming staff had to kick out Lincoln Park shoppers to close the store.</p> <p id="lSuPoY">Outfox Hospitality — the combined venture of the two Chicago-based entities — is filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, according to <a href="https://www.snaxshot.com/p/somethings-happening-at-foxtrot">Substack newsletter Snaxshot</a>. A meeting was called for Tuesday evening, as confirmed by Eater, to discuss the company’s future with workers. Outfox has yet to return an official request for comment, though employees are scrambling after Snaxshot’s Monday afternoon scoop. No filings have shown up in court records, as of Tuesday morning. About 1,000 staffers work at Outfox across several states, with about 100 full-time workers in Chicago. No notices were made <a href="https://www.illinoisworknet.com/LayoffRecovery/Pages/ArchivedWARNReports.aspx">on Illinois</a>’ or <a href="https://www.twc.texas.gov/data-reports/warn-notice">Texas’</a> WARN report pages, which track notices of mass firings. In Illinois, that covers companies with 75 full-time workers; they’re legally mandated to submit layoff notices with a 60-day warning. <a href="https://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/eta/warn/fs2e.asp">WARN still applies</a> if a company files for bankruptcy.</p> <p id="0QVbwh"><a href="https://domschicago.com/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_9658007">The company posted an announcement</a> around 11:30 a.m. Central Time. Here’s a portion of the statement. There was no mention of bankruptcy:</p> <blockquote><p id="tRpbIc">This decision has not been made lightly, and we understand the impact it will have on you, our loyal customers, as well as our dedicated team members. We want to express our sincerest gratitude for your support and patronage throughout the years. It has been our highest honor to elevate the everyday and create a remarkable shopping experience for people who love food as much as we do. It has been a privilege serving you and being a part of your everyday lives.</p></blockquote> <p id="5puPgS">Snaxshot reports that last week Dom’s didn’t make its routine purchase orders; the grocer has two Chicago-area locations in Lincoln Park (near the border of Lakeview) and Old Town. On a Monday visit to the Old Town location, the produce section was picked over, with several staples missing. Some items, like cucumbers, were already rotting. Several key members of Outfox C-Suite began jumping ship last week, Snaxshot reports.</p> <figure class="e-image"> <img alt="The facade of a grocery store with the name in large letters above several large windows." data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yzOPxSyaYE8tRWAQ7nqod171N-E=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23537384/51233925613_cd3c7eba1e_h.jpg"> <cite>Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago</cite> <figcaption>Dom’s Kitchen & Market opened its first of two stores in 2021 in Lincoln Park.</figcaption> </figure> <p id="UV1b9C">In February, the company hired a new CEO, Rob Twyman, a 27-year vet of Whole Foods. <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/venue/foxtrot">Foxtrot</a> debuted in 2016 in Chicago as a delivery-only app, capitalizing on liquor delivery. Sales boomed during the pandemic, with bars closed due to COVID precautions. But as the company matured, it grew into a modern alternative to corner stores, partnering with esteemed restaurant brands like <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/venue/pretty-cool-ice-cream">Pretty Cool Ice Cream</a> and pasta restaurant <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/venue/tortello">Tortello</a>. It provided another place for restaurant owners to sell their goods and build their brand while giving Foxtrot an edge over traditional corner stores.</p> <p id="SmNIqK">While growing its footprint, it began raising millions. <a href="https://www.chicagobusiness.com/retail/foxtrot-raises-money-fund-expansion">In 2023 alone</a>, the company raised $18.6 million in debt financing while expanding to 33 locations primarily in four markets: Chicago, Austin, Texas, Dallas, and the Washington, D.C. area. The company invested in stores in prime locations including Fulton Market and Wicker Park’s Four Corners and tapped Karen Herold — a restaurant designer who’s worked on trendy venues like <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/venue/gt-fish">GT Fish & Oyster</a>, <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/venue/maple-ash">Maple & Ash</a>, and the Guinness Open Gate Brewery — to create Foxtrots. There are 15 Foxtrots in Chicago in locations including Wilis Tower and the former Tribune Tower. Aside from the Willis, all are on the <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/venue/north-side">North Side</a>. In January 2023, they brought in Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/2023/1/13/23553561/foxtrot-zach-lavine-maple-ash-lawsuit-settlement-table-donkey-stick-water-josh-noel-tribune">to hype up a candy collaboration</a>. Foxtrot reps visited Chicago earlier this year and said the brand was interested in New York expansion.</p> <p id="HTySgx">Dom’s has historic Chicago grocery store connections. Bob Mariano was the chain’s co-founder and co-chair. Mariano was a friend of Dominick DiMatteo, of Dominick’s Finer Food fame. He worked through the ranks and eventually became CEO, but left after Safeway bought the chain. He would start a new brand, Mariano’s, which debuted in 2010 (<a href="https://chicago.eater.com/2022/10/14/23404335/marianos-jewel-acquisition-purchase-combine-grocery-store-mega-deal-kroger-albertsons">pending federal approval</a>, Mariano’s is set to combine with Chicago’s iconic Jewel-Osco).</p> <p id="fjrSrH">After Kroger took over Mariano’s, Bob Mariano left the company in 2016 and would eventually co-found Dom’s. Dom’s was supposed to open a <a href="https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/doms-kitchen-market-to-expand-to-river-north">location in summer in River North</a>, plus <a href="https://www.chicagobusiness.com/retail/doms-kitchen-open-fulton-market-location">a location in Fulton Market</a>. Another location <a href="https://www.dailyherald.com/20231215/business/doms-kitchen-market-looks-to-vernon-hills-as-first-suburban-location/">was headed to suburban Vernon Hills</a>.</p> <p id="qLoTxf">Dom’s, a store that toed between a basic grocery and a gourmet vendor, debuted in 2021 at the southwest corner of Diversey and Halsted in Lincoln Park. A second location opened <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/2022/11/4/23441215/doms-kitchen-market-old-town-photos-images">in November 2022 in Old Town</a>, and a ribbon cutting was attended by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who listened as the company talked about expanding throughout Chicago; Dom’s goal was to open 15 stores in Chicago by 2025.</p> <p id="k3Z2p7">Lightfoot lauded Dom’s food court, which had an agreement with <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/venue/bonci">Bonci</a> pizza, a famous Italian pizzeria endorsed by Anthony Bourdain, to sell pies. In Lightfoot’s eyes, stores like Dom’s were key to providing affordable prepared food options as inflation made restaurants costly for many people. </p> <p id="Obi9EV">The Old Town location was controversial. Dom’s arrival pushed out <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/venue/plum-market">Plum Market</a>, a Michigan-based retailer that had found a comfortable home along Wells Street for nine years. Plum’s ownership was angry about the deal, <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/2022/2/28/22949591/doms-kitchen-plum-market-grocery-old-town-pandemic-mask-vaccine-mandates-russian-tea-time-ukraine">saying it was done </a>in secret, and didn’t allow them to negotiate. Apparently, according to Snaxshot, the Lincoln Park location was making money while Old Town struggled. Neither Bonci nor Pretty Cool Ice Cream’s owners knew about the shutdown when reached by phone on Tuesday morning.</p> <p id="EJJeHs">In the last two weeks, workers were worried about the future of Outfox, which was a stark contrast to the image that ownership wanted to project. The company had shown ambition early in the year when it switched coffee roasters, bringing in La Colombe — Foxtrot’s coffee bar was considered competition with neighborhood coffee shops. They planned a pop-up dinner to drum up interest for a new snack. They saw potential in their private label chips and other snacks, <a href="https://chicago.eater.com/2023/9/12/23870110/chicago-style-hot-dog-potato-chips-foxtrot">including its Chicago-Style Hot Dog Chips</a>. But in the last two weeks, workers sensed trouble for the once-promising company.</p> <p id="n5UIm0">The story is developing and will be updated if more information becomes available.</p> <aside id="WfSbST"><div data-anthem-component="newsletter" data-anthem-component-data='{"slug":"chicago-eater"}'></div></aside><p id="EaegOe"></p> <p id="EccDza"></p> <p id="RVot9N"></p> <p id="FpGJg4"></p></div>
An expert on French and Creole cuisines, Russell served celebrities like LeBron James before he died at age 58 Julius Russell was an influential chef, caterer, and a much-needed mentor in Chicago’s community of Black chefs. A South Side native, Russell founded a private chef and catering brand, A Tale of Two Chefs, and frequently shared his French and Creole culinary expertise — using his familiar resonant baritone — on TV and other media. “For young Black chefs, he was the Green Book — he could