CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Chicago Loop, Logan Square, Oak Park
Bucktown and Wicker Park: Stan’s Donuts is celebrating its founders 88th birthday this Saturday! To celebrate, Stan’s will be slinging their famous glazed donuts for just 88 cents (usually $1.80). Chicago’s first Stan’s donuts opened in 2014 at 1560 N. Damen Ave. in Wicker Park. Owner Rich Labriola has since opened five more locations, with two in the works. For Stan’s birthday last year, the donut chain offered $0.87 donuts, so it appears there’s a trend in the making. In addition to the birthday donuts, you can find a variety of other specialties, including peanut butter banana pockets, chocolate drizzle pretzel, and lemon pistachio old fashioned.
Lakeview: A cat café and arcade is coming to Lakeview. Located at 1235 W. Belmont, the CatCade is a nonprofit cat shelter with free arcade games, big screen TVs, and drinks. The grand opening for the public is scheduled for this Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. A $15 donation to the shelter gives you one drink and a one-hour session in the cat lounge. If you choose to adopt a cat, the $15 is deducted from the standard $100 adoption fee. All proceeds from the cat café go towards the operation of the shelter, including food, medical care, and cat rescues. While the space has video games and TVs playing a steady stream of movies, the goal is to re-home cats permanently.
Lincoln Park: Have you ever wondered about the dating life of the penguins at Lincoln Park Zoo? Well, wonder no more! The zoo has a soap opera blog titled “All My Penguins” chronicling the topsy-turvy romances of these sweet penguins. The first post was released in July of this year. The blog has a tongue-in-cheek tone, while offering informative updates on the African penguin colony. The blog series is scheduled to end in October and the zoo is still determining if they’ll bring it back next year. Catch up on the latest penguin drama here!
Chicago Loop: Furious Spoon is expanding to the West Loop. Next summer, they will open their 6th Chicago location at 810 W. Randolph St. Furious Spoon has four locations in Chicago proper, one in Evanston, and two more in the works in Andersonville and Lakeview. In West Loop, this popular ramen spot replaces Olympia Meats, a full-service butcher shop and neighborhood favorite. Before its closing in July, Olympia Meats was the oldest continually family owned butcher shop in Chicago. Furious Spoon’s menu features ramen, rice bowls, and sides. The Furious Beef rice bowl caught my eye, loaded with spicy beef brisket, snow peas, and eggplant.
Logan Square: Are you a fan of “Stranger Things”? This sci-fi Netflix show exploded when it was released in July of last year. And now, it’s coming to Logan Square! A “Stranger Things” pop-up bar opens Friday, August 25 at 7 pm. It is located in the event space next to Emporium (2367 N. Milwaukee Ave.) and will be open until September 23. The bar is named “The Upside Down”, after the alternate reality featured in the show. Fans will immediately recognize the alphabet wall with colorful Christmas lights. The bar features six themed craft cocktails, including two slushies. “Eleven’s Eggos” is comprised of Angel’s Envy bourbon, lemon, orange, cranberry, and maple syrup; and is garnished with a slice of waffle. Hours are Wednesdays through Fridays from 5 pm to 2 am, Saturdays from 12 pm to 3 am, and Sundays from 12 pm to 2 am.
Oak Park: It’s not too early to start thinking about Oktoberfest– or should I say OAKtoberfest! Located in downtown Oak Park, the fest will be held September 15 and 16. Admission is free! There will be live music, craft beer, delicious fall food from local restaurants, and a Kids Root Beer Garden. Craft beer and wine tickets are cash only; one drink ticket is $7. For just $22, you can purchase 3 drink tickets and a 22 ounce souvenir mug. The Kids Root Beer Garden is open Saturday from 12 to 5 pm. This family fun area includes zucchini races, a ninja obstacle course, root beer floats, games, and more! Live music will take place on Friday from 4 to 10 pm and Saturday from 12 pm to 10 pm. Find more information about this fabulous fall fest here!
RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
