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Oct 22, 2024 | 
chicagomag.com | Titus Ruscitti
Your browser does not support the video tag. 1 Johnnie’s Beef There’s a reason you’ll find a line snaking around the building: Customers want to get their hands on the freshest beef dipped in the most savory jus and topped with the crispest, spiciest giardiniera in town. $6.72. 7500 W.
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Oct 22, 2024 | 
chicagomag.com | Amy Cavanaugh |Peter Sagal |Titus Ruscitti |Grace Perry
In Chicago, the answer is everywhere. If you told me Mr. Beef was Chicago’s most popular tourist attraction of 2024, I’d believe you. Having never been to the River North stand (I’m a Johnnie’s or Al’s gal), I decided to join the line of folks who had flown into town and proceeded directly, suitcases in hand, to the restaurant on which the one in The Bear is based.
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Oct 2, 2024 | 
chicagomag.com | Titus Ruscitti
Sanders BBQ Supply Co. 1742 W. 99th St. Beverly Hours Perfect order Catfish, pork ribs, sausage, elotes, cornbread Chicago’s barbecue history dates back to the Great Migration, but a new Beverly spot is looking to the future. Sanders BBQ Supply Co., which James Sanders opened in June, is the first new-school ’cue joint on the South Side.
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Aug 19, 2024 | 
chicagomag.com | Titus Ruscitti
Cairo Kebab 730 W. Maxwell St. Little Italy Hours Perfect order Hawawshi and koshary To longtime Chicagoans, the mention of Maxwell Street triggers visions of Polish sausage and bone-in pork chop sandwiches. But a new wave of restaurants has set up shop on the historic street, including the city’s only Egyptian spot, which moved here last year after a stint in Lincoln Park.
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Aug 5, 2024 | 
chicagomag.com | Titus Ruscitti
Amici-Chicago 3933 N. Broadway Lake View Hours Perfect order Italian arancino with pasta salad Amici-Chicago, a counter-service spot that opened in September, is Italian in origin — owner Alfio Sciacca moved here from Sicily at the age of 24 — but as he’ll tell you, it isn’t solely an Italian restaurant. “Amici” means “friends” in Italian, but here it is an acronym for African, Mexican, Indian, Caribbean, and Italian.
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Jul 16, 2024 | 
chicagomag.com | Titus Ruscitti
Justin Fortuna opened the first Jay’s Beef in Schiller Park back in 1976. That spot has since closed, but the family’s other northwest suburban location is still kicking. Their prep is a two-day process that involves roasting the meat in a mix of seasonings, then cutting it razor thin. They dunk slices in potent gravy before tucking them into rolls from nearby Liborio Bakery. I like it “hot,” with the unique house blend of giardiniera. 4418 N. Narragansett Ave., Harwood Heights.
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Apr 9, 2024 | 
chicagomag.com | Titus Ruscitti
Its chicken shawarma Arabi, a lavash-wrapped sandwich with rotisserie-cooked halal chicken, pickles, and garlic sauce, comes out nice and toasty thanks to the flattop grill. It’s cut into slices and served with fries, pickles, and hot sauce. $14. 1133 W. Granville Ave., EdgewaterGet the shaved-to-order chicken plate, since it comes with fluffy rice, pita, salad, and some of the best hummus in the city. Ask for the excellent hot sauce to go with it. $17. 1317 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wicker Park; 1433 W.
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Feb 28, 2024 | 
chicagomag.com | Titus Ruscitti
Mano Modern Cafe 851 N. Ashland Ave. West Town Hours Perfect order Pan de Slider with Spam, ube latte No cuisine has taken off in Chicago in recent years quite like Filipino. Among other spots, there is Boonie’s and its homey flavors. There is Kasama and its lines out the door. Now joining them is Mano Modern Cafe, a corner joint with big ambitions.
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Oct 17, 2023 | 
chicagomag.com | Amy Cavanaugh |John Kessler |Titus Ruscitti
1 Milly’s Pizza in the Pan The past few years have been a great time for pizza in this city. During the worst of the pandemic, new purveyors were cropping up every week, as many top chefs pivoted to takeout food. But no newcomer has wowed us like Robert Maleski, whose pizza is so flavorful, with its tangy tomato sauce and chewy, cheese-edged crust, that it has made us rethink how we see pan pizza.
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Sep 28, 2023 | 
chicagomag.com | Titus Ruscitti
Kala Modern Greek 2523 N. Clark St. Lincoln Park Hours Perfect order Greek burger, pork souvlaki, kolokythokeftedes Greek food has had a renaissance in Chicago, with new restaurants offering high-end takes. But Kala Modern Greek, vibrant and airy with white and teal tiles, is more about street food, with most of its exceptional dishes coming off the grill.
