Dorothy Hernandez

2 months ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Amber Colón |Dorothy Hernandez

A Northwest Side pop-up is putting its twist on the Chicago classic pizza puff. Smash Jibarito is filling the puff with muenster cheese and picadillo, a type of savory ground beef popular across Latin America. The pizza puff is one of Chicago’s most iconic food items, and owner and chef Josean Irizarry of Smash Jibarito, 30, wanted to put something on the restaurant’s menu that spoke to the robust Chicago food scene.

Mar 4, 2025 | chicago.suntimes.com | Caroline Hurley |Katie Anthony |Dorothy Hernandez |Katie Anthony

While New Orleans celebrates Mardi Gras, Chicago has its own gluttonous Fat Tuesday holiday — Pączki Day. Pączki Day marks the last day before the Lenten season begins for Christians. Because Lent is meant to be a time of fasting and prayer, many people spend the day before gorging themselves on, well, pączki (POONCH-key). This year, Pączki Day falls on March 4. The Polish fried dough treats are similar to jelly doughnuts, but they’re not jelly doughnuts — they’re pączki.

Mar 3, 2025 | chicago.suntimes.com | Matt Moore |David Struett |Olivia Dimmer |Dorothy Hernandez

Last week, a jury of six men and six women were selected to decide the fate of Robert Crimo III, accused of killing seven and wounding 48 while shooting from a rooftop at Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade in 2022. Prosecutors were set to deliver opening statements this morning — but the trial reached an abrupt end when Crimo pleaded guilty to all charges related to the shooting. In today’s newsletter, we take you inside the courtroom and break down what happens next.

Feb 28, 2025 | chicago.suntimes.com | Olivia Dimmer |Dorothy Hernandez

We break down complex business news to help you understand how money moves in Chicago and how it affects you. Expect to pay more for pączki this year, as pastry chefs grapple with the skyrocketing costs of sugar, eggs and other baking staples. While some bakeries are eating the cost of higher ingredients, others have had to increase prices by as much as 30% for the jelly or custard-filled doughnuts eaten to mark the start of Lent, which falls on Wednesday, with Pączki Day taking place Tuesday.

Feb 28, 2025 | chicago.suntimes.com | Caroline Hurley |Dorothy Hernandez |Katie Anthony

While New Orleans celebrates Mardi Gras, Chicago has its own gluttonous February holiday — Paczki Day. Also known as Fat Tuesday, Paczki Day marks the last day before the Lenten season begins for Christians. Because Lent is meant to be a time of fasting and prayer, many people spend the day before gorging themselves on, well, paczki (POONCH-key). This year, Paczki Day falls on March 4. The Polish fried dough treats are similar to jelly doughnuts, but they’re not jelly doughnuts — they’re paczki.