Stories by Maggie Hennessy

The neighborhood of Dunning may be unofficially known as Chicago's other Little Italy, but new businesses serving Vietnamese-inspired beer, Turkish delights, and scratch-made tamales and tacos have recently sprouted up as well. 

Simon's Tavern in Andersonville began life as a basement speakeasy during Prohibition but has been open legally for 90 years. It's only on its third owner, and retains its old-school charm.

As cicadas have begun their emergence in Illinois this year, a couple of Chicago area chefs have cooked up some crunchy recipes – including one for Cicada Cracker Jack that you can make on your own – that celebrate the nutty, earthy flavors found in the insects.

Since the legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois in 2020 brought broader cultural acceptance, stricter guardrails, and $1.6 billion in sales in 2023 alone, the bar has gotten higher on cannabis-infused food and drinks, from cake mix to drinks to gummies to hot sauce.

Omarcito's in Logan Square, which recently won the Jean Banchet Award for Best Counter Service, serves up home-style Latin American plates and handhelds. Owner and chef Omar Cadena, "a big softie with big energy and a big voice," wants everyone to feel loved and included when they walk up to the window.

El Alebrije in Irving Park highlights Mexico’s less-understood regional specialties with an artfulness and attention to detail that suggests we still have much to discover – and eat.