“White Sox! White Sox! Go Go White Sox!!”

The Chicago White Sox,  333 W. 35^th Street, have earned their reputation as the “best food in baseball!” Every year, Delaware North (their Sportservice division) and Levy Restaurants put their already -estimable reputation on the line. 

Their creativity knows no bounds, focusing on the whimsical, the unusual, the tributes to players, and Chicago’s diverse communities to come up with tasty creations that sustain fans through nine innings of compelling baseball action!

In 2026, their new selections include:

Wingman – Section 101

Chicken Wings & Fries- crispy chicken wings are served with fries, as well as dry rubs and sauces, including Buffalo, mango habanero, garlic pamesan and lemon pepper.  

Jibaritos – Section 104

Try their new Jibarito, a fried plantain sandwich with steak, lettuce, tomato, cheese and special sauce.

Machete – Section 111

“Giant Quesadilla” made with chicken chorizo, queso Oaxaca and orange salsa. A vegetarian option is also available.

Specialty Hot Dogs – Section 113

Fajita Dog Foot-Long Vienna Beef Hot Dog, Sauteed Onions, Sauteed Peppers and Avocado Crema. 

Gourmet Burgers – Section 126

Two Bagger Smash Burge is 1/2-Pound Beef Patty, Vienna Beef Sausage, Guacamole, Grilled Jalapeño and Poblano-Aioli Slaw. 

Vegetarian Emparogi Polombia/Fusion – Section 152

For vegetarians, Section 152 is the place to be! 

Veggie Arepa Burger

Other Veggie Options:

Additionally, you can find vegetarian burgers and dogs at the following stands:

Impossible Burger Grill Stands – 122, 140, 160 & 544

Impossible Dog Classics & Creamery – 538

Classic Stand – 112, 130, 152 & 160

Nachos (Plant based Chorizo) at Buenos Nachos – 160 & 529

Fusion – Section 152

And your non-vegetarian option is a good one …the Arepa Burger comes with corn griddle cakes sandwiching honey-glazed pork belly, sofrito, coleslaw, garlic aioli and aji sauce. 

Lucky’s – Section 154

Korean Dog “Papas Freedom” pairs a Vienna Beef hot dog with hash browns and spicy chipotle ketchup. 

Rainbow Bubble Waffle has vanilla ice cream, gummy bears, Nerd clusters and sprinkles. 

Tonkatsu Dog is a  Vienna Beef hot dog rolled in panko, topped with Kewpie mayo, teriyaki sauce and Bonito flakes.

Soba Noodle Stir Fry has a chiili  crunch marinade,  carrots, mushrooms, cabbage and sesame seeds. 

La Esquinita Boricus –Section 155

Puerto Rican Rice Bowl is Puerto Rican rice with your choice of grilled steak or roasted pork, topped with jalapeños, hot sauce, sofrito aioli and pickled onions.

Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Cantina –Section 159

In 2024, Rate Field went viral with their gooey, Instagram-worthy Campfire Milkshake in a souvenir cup, In 2026, Campfire Milkshake 2 goesshareable! The  S’mores-inspired dessert, upgraded to a bigger size with two straws. It features Prairie Farms Belgian chocolate ice cream, graham crackers, and toasted marshmallows, topped with whipped cream and chocolate-rimmed souvenir plastic cup!  And remember…SHARE! It comes with two straws for you and your loved one! 

300-Level Treats

Please note: to access the 300 Club Level, guests are required to have a 300 Level ticket. 

DB Kaplan’s Express – 330 & Stadium Club Bar

For Chicagoans “of a certain age,” DB Kaplan’s Delicatessen at Water Tower Place (1978-1995) was THE PLACE to go for creatively named sandwiches piled high with meats, cheeses and veggies, along with sloppy cocktails that ruined you for the afternoon.

Back then, as a Chicago Tribune article recalled, they had a Mike Royko (Vienna pepperbeef); the Hugh Hefner (topless club sandwich); the Bob Sirott (salami and bologna on rye); and a Dr. Ruth (sausage platter).

The Chicago White Sox are recreating the magic in Section 330 with their 35th St. Muffaletta…dry-cured salami, mortadella, prosciutto, provolone cheese, and house-giardiniera olive spread on sun-dried tomato focaccia.

They’reresurrecting an oldfavorite with Turkey in the Slaw, made with house-roasted turkey, applewood smoked bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, Louie dressing, and Mrs. Levy’s coleslaw on challah bread. 

For dessert, try their moist, spicy Mrs. Levy’s  Original Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting and toasted coconut. 

Stadium Club Bar

Chicken & Waffle is a meal in itself with a Belgian liege waffle, house-buttermilk fried chicken and local honey. served with seasonal fresh fruit and DB Kaplan’s latkes (don’t miss them!)

For a complete list of Rate Field ‘s food offerings for the 2026 season, click here.

Here’s to a great season!! 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

When people think about improving their home, they usually picture big projects—fresh paint, a kitchen remodel, maybe even new landscaping. But the truth is, the way your home feels day to day has a lot less to do with major upgrades and a lot more to do with the small things you do consistently.

Tiny daily habits might not seem like much in the moment, but over time, they shape your space, your stress levels, and even how much you enjoy being at home. The best part? They don’t require a big budget or a free weekend—just a few intentional minutes each day.

Why Small Habits Matter More Than Big Projects

A beautifully renovated home can still feel chaotic if it’s not maintained. On the flip side, even a modest space can feel calm, functional, and inviting when it’s cared for regularly.

Daily habits create a baseline. They prevent clutter from building up, keep maintenance issues from snowballing, and make your home feel consistently “put together” instead of something you’re always trying to catch up on.

Think of it this way: instead of resetting your home once a week (or once a month), you’re doing small resets every day.

The 10-Minute Reset Rule

One of the simplest habits you can adopt is a quick daily reset—morning, evening, or both.

In just 10 minutes, you can:

• Clear kitchen counters
• Put away stray items
• Wipe down surfaces
• Fluff pillows and fold blankets

It doesn’t sound like much, but it keeps your home from drifting into disorder. You wake up or wind down in a space that feels intentional, not overwhelming.

Make Your Bed (Yes, It Actually Matters)

It’s a classic for a reason. Making your bed takes less than two minutes, but it instantly makes your bedroom feel cleaner and more pulled together.

It also sets the tone for the day. Starting with one completed task creates a small sense of momentum—and that tends to carry into other areas of your home and routine.

Clean as You Go

This habit is a game-changer, especially in high-traffic areas like the kitchen.

Instead of letting dishes pile up or crumbs accumulate, handle small messes in real time:

• Wash or load dishes right after meals
• Wipe counters while cooking
• Put ingredients away as you finish with them

You’re not adding more work—you’re just spreading it out. The result is a space that never feels out of control.

The “One-Touch” Rule

If you pick something up, put it where it actually belongs—right then and there.

Mail doesn’t sit on the counter. Shoes don’t linger by the door. Jackets don’t drape over chairs for days.

This habit alone can dramatically reduce clutter, because it eliminates the need to “deal with it later”—which is usually when things pile up.

Stay Ahead of Maintenance

Homes don’t fall apart overnight. Most issues start small—then grow when they’re ignored.

A few simple daily or weekly check-ins can save you time and money:

• Notice leaks, drips, or unusual sounds early
• Keep an eye on filters, vents, and appliances
• Tackle minor fixes before they become bigger repairs

These aren’t glamorous tasks, but they protect your home’s value and keep everything running smoothly.

Create a “Drop Zone”

Life gets busy, and not everything has to be perfect. That’s where a designated drop zone comes in—a spot for keys, bags, mail, and everyday essentials.

The habit here isn’t just having the space—it’s actually using it. When everything has a go-to place, your home naturally stays more organized without extra effort.

End the Day with a Reset

There’s something underrated about waking up to a clean, calm space.

Taking a few minutes each night to reset your home—clearing surfaces, dimming lights, maybe even setting out what you need for the next morning—makes a bigger difference than you might expect.

It turns your home into a place that supports you, instead of one that immediately demands your attention.

It’s Not About Perfection

Here’s the key: these habits aren’t about keeping your home perfect. They’re about keeping it livable.

Some days you’ll skip the reset. Some weeks things will get messy. That’s normal. What matters is having a simple system you can return to without feeling overwhelmed.

Over time, these small actions add up to something bigger—a home that feels easier to manage, more enjoyable to live in, and ready for whatever life throws your way.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a renovation to fall back in love with your home. Often, it just takes a shift in how you move through it each day.

Tiny habits won’t transform your home overnight—but stick with them, and you’ll start to notice something: your space feels lighter, calmer, and more like a place you actually want to be.

And that’s a pretty big impact for something so small.

Here’s a question for Dean’s Team Chicago readers: Do April showers really bring May flowers?

You can probably find the answer at one of the area’s Free Days at Chicago’s iconic museums!

The Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Illinois residents can enjoy free admission (with proof of residency) on the following days:

• Wednesday, April 8
• Wednesday, April 15
• Wednesday, April 22
• Wednesday, April 29 

NOTE: Admission is always free for Illinois teachers.  Make sure to book online and in advance by clicking here.  

A new entry this month in Chicago’s Loop is the American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Avenue, 2nd Floor, where you and your family can enjoy free admission on the third Sunday of each month.

You can see and interact with exhibits like American Prophets: Writers, Religion & Culture, which explores the profound ways writing reflects and influences our understanding of religion. From the poet Phyllis Wheatley to the comedian Harold Ramis, writers are driven by their beliefs and the beliefs of those around them. 

Access to all exhibits are included on free museum days. Prior registration is not required, but recommended. For more information, click here. 

In the Loop, The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Avenue begins a new free program this month: Beginning April 16, the world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago will sponsor Third Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m.

Additionally, they offer free admission every day for Chicago teens under age 18, all children under age 14, Link and WIC cardholders, active-duty military, and Illinois educators. To reserve tickets, click here. 

Lincoln Park’s Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark Street, helps you explore both Chicago and American history at their upcoming Illinois resident Free Days:

• Wednesday, April 22
• Thursday, April 30

Note: Throughout the year, admission is always free for active-duty military and active-duty Chicago police and firefighters, Illinois teachers, Illinois residents under age 18, and all children under 12. For tickets, click here. 

Washington Park’sDuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 E. 56th Place,  offers free entry on select dates and for certain groups.

Throughout the year, there’s free admission for all every Wednesday.

Note: Admission is always free for military and first responders, University of Chicago students, Chicago Park District employees, Illinois public school students, and other groups. For tickets and information, click here. 

At the iconic Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive.  Every Wednesday throughout 2026 is free. 

Free tickets are available for advanced reservation online and on site. The free tickets include all general admission exhibitions. Just present a current Illinois driver’s license, state ID, or Chicago CityKey card at the ticket desk to establish proof of residency. For tickets and information, click here.

Note: Illinois teachers and active military personnel receive free general admission year-round.

In Hyde Park, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, makes Sunday, April 19 its free day this month.

That said, MSI is always free for United States military active-duty personnel and veterans, Illinois POWs, Chicago firefighters & Chicago police officers, Illinois teachers (Pre-K through 12th grade), United States military active-duty personnel and veterans also receive $4 off U-505 On-Board Tour tickets for themselves. For information and reservations, click here. 

Streeterville’s Museum of Contemporary Art,  220 E. Chicago Avenue, reserves every Tuesday from 5pm – 9pm for Illinois residents to receive free admission.

Note: The museum is always free for visitors under age 18, visitors with disabilities and their caregivers, active members of the military, police, and fire departments, veterans and their families, and Illinois elementary and high school teachers. 

And …If it’s not Tuesday evening, MCA has a pay-what-you-can policy — no one will be turned away.

Another Museum Campus favorite is the venerable Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive.  Illinois residents receive free access to all permanent exhibits on select dates throughout the year. 

In April, they’re offering Free Museum Nights for Illinois residents. The museum will be open 5pm– 9pm on the following dates: 

• Tuesday, April 7
• Tuesday, April 14
• Tuesday, April 21
• Tuesday, April 28

And…Admission is always free for Chicago police officers and firefighters, active-duty U.S. military personnel, and educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

NOTE: There is a $5 convenience fee per order for Free Hours reservations made online. 

HOWEVER, you can reserve tickets by phone with no convenience fee by calling 312-939-2438. 

Andersonville’s Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark Street, has free admission every second Tuesday of the month throughout the year, and children aged 1 year or younger are admitted free every day they are open. Their current exhibit, We Are America, explores Swedish immigration to Chicago. There are environmental displays such as the deck of a steamship, a 19^th century Swedish stuga (cottage), an early 20^th century Swedish-American woodshop, and a mid-century Swedish-American kitchen. 

If you plan on visiting with a group of 10 or more, it is highly recommended that you contact the museum so that they can accommodate you for a guided or self-guided tour.  For more information, click here. 

Here’s to an awesome April!

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Air fryers are the best! 

They’ve become very popular since being introduced in 2010, and it’s easy to see why. They are much healthier as you don’t need much oil, they don’t heat up the kitchen or take up much counter space, and they reduce cooking time. Plus, they make the absolute best French fries!

There are many types and sizes of air fryers on the market, so be sure to read the instructions first for your machine. Here are some general tips to get the most out of your air fryer.

Don’t overcrowd the basket. It’s better to do two batches instead. This mistake blocks air flow, preventing the air fryer from cooking your food evenly. Foods should be spread in a single layer with a little space in-between.

Skip pre-heating. Many people think it’s necessary to preheat the air fryer to get a crispy crust on your food. But most cooking times figure in the preheat time so you may end up over cooking your food. So, unless your recipe specifically says to pre-heat you can skip this step. I’m always sure to check the food a couple of minutes early just in case. 

Use a liner. You’ll thank me later. A thin lining like parchment paper won’t block the air flow and it will cook just fine. It really reduces the mess in the basket and makes cleanup so much easier. I bought 125 count air fryer liners from Amazon for around $12. This helps also to keep residue build-up from forming on the basket, especially from aerosol sprays. In addition, it’s best to oil your food before placing it in the fryer. Using a liner means that you really don’t need to clean the fryer every time you use it. 

Cook dry foods. Even with using liners it’s best to stick with foods that have a somewhat dry exterior. Coated foods (like battered meat) end up losing their sticky coating in the tray. Don’t forget to turn your food about halfway through cooking time to ensure even texture and thorough cooking!

Air fryers are the greatest for leftover heating. No soggy half cold results like the microwave. They are also better than the microwave for cooking frozen meat, veggies and meals. Faster and cooler than the oven with crispier results than the microwave!

Do you have any other air fryer tips?

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicagoans will continue celebrating this last weekend of March with the official start of Baseball Season here in Chicago this past Thursday with the Chicago Cubs!

Couldn’t score a ticket to the Chicago Cubs Home Opener this past Thursday?  Perhaps your chance at scoring a ticket either this Saturday or Sunday will be more fruitful as the Chicago Cubs will be hosting the Washington Nationals at historic Wrigley Field (1060 W. Addison St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood.  The promotional item for Saturday’s game will be a Cubs Puffer Vest.  In addition, the ballpark has added some new items to its menu this year.  In fact, check out our Team Member Alison’s Restaurant Review from this past week on this very subject.  So, come and cheer on the Cubs for a victorious weekend, and afterwards hang out at the neighborhood’s bustling bars and restaurants to continue celebrating!

Not a fan of baseball?  Not to worry, I’ve got you covered as well!

Returning to its annual stomping grounds at McCormick Place (South Building, 2301 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in the South Loop this Saturday (10 a.m.-7 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) is the C2E2: Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo with a massive wonderland featuring comics, cosplay, gaming, anime, and much more.  Attend live panels with some of the biggest names in the industry to hands-on experiences like workshops, or even trivia in The Yard.  Discover incredible local talent at the event’s Artist Alley (the largest in the country) located on the Show Floor along with one-of-a-kind merch inspired by your favorite fandoms, genres, and pop culture icons.  Come celebrate the fandoms you love by wearing your most creative cosplay outfit at one of the largest pop culture conventions in the country!

The Chicago Philharmonic invites you to their Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert this Saturday (7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.) at the Auditorium Theatre (50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr.) in the Loop as they celebrate the 45^th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece.  This concert has assembled an impressive team of supporting actors combined with innovative special effects techniques by Industrial Light & Magic for an evening you soon won’t forget!

One Tail at a Time invites you to their 17^th annual Houndstooth Ball this Saturday (5 p.m.-11 p.m.) at Morgan MFG (401 N. Morgan St.) in the West Loop.  This dog-friendly gala features a live auction during the dinner program along with a silent auction and raffles for both in-person and virtual attendees to raise money in support of One Tail at a Time’s foster pets, rescue work, and community support programs.  Plus, new for 2026, this event will be assigning dinner guests to tables this year.  Not only is this an evening for you to win big but also to save lives at the same time!

Showcasing the abundance of great restaurants throughout their neighborhood, the Andersonville Restaurant Week wraps up this Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m.-10 p.m.) at the Clark Street Corridor.  Come support small businesses by trying a new spot or exploring diverse cuisine or fine dining in the Andersonville neighborhood.  A wide variety of their restaurants offer a $30, $45, or $60 special prix fixe menus (prices vary by location) for you and your family to enjoy a meal out together!

Let’s Play Ball and Fly Some W’s This Weekend!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago