Chicago Home and Lifestyles – The places needing daily cleaning in your kitchen

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Minimal and cozy green kitchen with black quartz sink and sunlight

You may think you take care of everything that needs to be cleaned in the kitchen, but some surfaces get particularly germ filled and grimy and need special attention. Just cleaning some surfaces may not be enough. Some need disinfecting and sanitizing.

All the handles in your kitchen should be wiped off every day. Just think of all the people touching them! Especially the cook who may have been handling vegetables and meats that can be contaminated with all sorts of germs and bacteria. I use a paper towel soaked in soapy dish water. Follow that up with a quick Lysol spray. 

Speaking of materials used to clean and dry surfaces: I keep a dedicated cloth that is used only on dishes. I don’t have a dishwasher so I hand wash everything. I use a clean cloth every two days to wash and dry. I tend to stay away from sponges as they harbor a lot of bacteria no matter how careful you are. All other surfaces I use paper towels that are disposable. 

Your sink is the next dirtiest place in the kitchen. Think about all the vegetables and meat that comes in contact with the sink! All that bacteria can sit in the trap if not cleaned properly. Wash after each use with hot water and soap. Follow up with Lysol spray. Lysol also makes a kitchen cleaner made just for this. Cleans and disinfects in one step. I am a big fan of Lysol products. They kill germs and are safe on most surfaces. 

The countertops and island in your kitchen can also be a germ filled nightmare. Imagine all the things that come in contact with these surfaces in a day! From backpacks to grocery bags, these surfaces can be a danger, so clean with hot water and soap. After drying, wipe them down with Clorox sanitizing wipes. Don’t forget other surfaces too like chairs and stools. All can benefit from a sanitizing wipe down daily. 

I carry a reusable water container every day. I’m afraid I used to neglect it horribly until my husband brought it to my attention one day. He was thirsty and didn’t have his usual bottle of water. I offered him a sip from my glass, and he said no way was he drinking from that nasty thing! Wow! Now I wash it daily in hot water and soap. The top and straw I clean with a bleach cleaner and rinse with hot water. 

Let’s all spend a little more time everyday taking care of the surfaces we come in contact with everyday to prevent the spread of illness in our families! 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Creative Ways to Make Your Home Feel More Spacious

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Overhead view of an open book, plant, tea and couch in living room interior design

Small spaces certainly pose a set of design challenges, but there are plenty of savvy decor tactics that can be employed to make a room seem larger than it actually is, while keeping it stylish at the same time.

Here are some creative ways to decorate your home to make it appear bigger if it’s short on square footage.

Declutter

Too many knick-knacks in a tight space will make it feel even tighter. Get rid of anything that you haven’t used in over 6 months. You might have an affinity for all your little figurine collections or like to have stacks of magazines available at your discretion, but too much “stuff” in a room will make it feel smaller.

Light Color Floors and Walls

Darker colors tend to be rich and sophisticated, but they don’t often work in large amounts in smaller spaces. Go for lighter colors on your walls and floors so that light is reflected rather than absorbed, creating a sense of more space.

Keep the Flooring Consistent

If your living and dining area are linked, make sure to keep the same flooring throughout. Breaking it up with hardwood in the living room and ceramic tiles in the kitchen will just cut the space in half, which does nothing for visually expanding the space.

Ceiling Height Shelving

Adding a wall bookcase or floating shelves that extend all the way up to the ceiling can help create the illusion of more space. This helps generate a focal point that draws the eyes upward and visually expands the area by pushing the ceiling and walls out.

Multi-Functional Furniture

A small room obviously doesn’t have the luxury of housing a variety of furniture. As such, try to find pieces that serve double-duty. For instance, an ottoman that also acts as a coffee table can serve more than one purpose without having to outfit your room with two separate pieces that will take up extra space.

Scale Down Your Furniture

Furniture that’s sleeker and less bulky will make the room look larger.  Instead of a puffy sofa with a skirt, for instance, a thinner sofa with exposed legs that offers the same amount of seating is perfect for a smaller room.

Lots of Mirrors

Mirrors obviously have reflective properties, which can be harnessed to reflect light all around a room and make it seem bigger. Hang your mirrors across from windows or lights so that they can more effectively allow the light to bounce off them and illuminate the surrounding space.

‘Float’ Your Furniture

If the space permits, try pulling your furniture away from the walls a few inches. Lining up your sofas and chairs against the walls will only make the room seem tight.

Natural Lighting

The less obstructed your windows are, the more natural light will be allowed in. If you want some privacy, you can always hang blinds that can be drawn up when not required. These offer more versatility compared to curtains, which tend to make the room feel cramped.

Color With Consistency

Creating harmony in a space can be done by using two different shades of the same color. For instance, a leather sofa can be effectively paired with off-white throw pillows to create coherence and make a room feel much more open and airy.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – It’s a Four Day Fourth of July Weekend!

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Vector 4th of July graphic with cartoon of Uncle Sam

As usual, Chicago’s Fourth of July Weekend will be jam-packed with fireworks, festivals, ballgames, and so much more.  Here’s a few of the top things to do on this four day Fourth of July Weekend!

For the first time ever, Chicago welcomes the NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend this Saturday and Sunday as it takes over Grant Park (337 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop.  Come check out the sights, sounds, and speed of NASCARs going 120 miles per hour down Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Avenue, Columbus Drive, and select surrounding thoroughfares for a 2.2-mile street course with 12-turns.  The NASCAR Cup Series Street race will take place on Sunday while an additional sanctioned series race will run on Saturday.  Plus, enjoy full sets from top music artists The Chainsmokers, The Black Crowes, Miranda Lambert, and Charley Crockett as well as driver autographs, Q&A sessions, interactive displays, and much more!

The 30th annual African/Caribbean International Festival of Life returns to Washington Park (55th St. and Cottage Grove Ave.) with this year’s theme, “One Beat. Many Nations.” highlighting the diversity of the African and Caribbean communities celebrating their collective cultural influence.  This festival is going to be a four-day cultural explosion featuring world renowned performers, local artists, popular DJs playing the hottest sounds, art vendors, crafts, games, and more!  Plus, this year’s festival will offer the best in savory and spicy international dishes with the Jerk, Seafood, and Vegan Festival all combined into one.  It’s known to be a transformative experience for the whole family!

Experience the holiday on one of Chicago’s many Fourth of July boat cruises being offered by City Experiences Lake Cruises (choose from premier brunch, lunch, and dinner Fourth of July cruises); Shoreline Sightseeing Lake and River Cruises (learn all about Chicago’s architecture); Chicago Seadog Lake and River Cruises (get your adrenaline pumping as Seadog offers high-speed boat rides as well as a special Fireworks Cruise on Lake Michigan); and Wendella Boats (choose from a variety of flexible cruise options).

The Hyde Park neighborhood will be hosting its 4th on 53rd Parade and Free Festival on Tuesday the 4th of July.  The parade will kick-off on 53rd Street at 11 a.m. featuring floats, marching bands, community groups, and kids on decorated bikes/scooters ending at Nichols Park (1355 E. 53rd St.) where a free festival will be held from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. featuring performances, bouncy houses, a magician, face-painting, a petting zoo, and more!

Interested in a baseball game?  Here’s who’s in town for the Fourth of July Weekend:  Chicago Cubs host the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday (6:15 p.m.) and Sunday (1:20 p.m.) at Wrigley Field (1060 W. Addison St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood; Chicago Dogs host the Sioux Falls Canaries on Saturday (6 p.m.) at Impact Field (9850 Balmoral Ave.) in Rosemont (Elvis Night and Fireworks will be presented by Wintrust); and Chicago White Sox host the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday (7 p.m.) at Guaranteed Rate Field (333 W. 35th St.) in the Bridgeport neighborhood along with post-game fireworks!

Finally, end the long holiday weekend with viewing Fourth of July Fireworks, both in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, as the night sky is filled with explosions of dazzling colors!

Have a Happy & Safe Fourth of July!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Neighborhood News: Hermosa’s All-American Walt Disney House & Museum

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Los Angeles, CA, USA - November 2, 2016: Walt Disney star in Hollywood walk of fame

“Imagine… if every child, family and community could achieve their highest and best purpose in life because that one single life story inspired them.”

Walt Disney House and Museum website 

From Steamboat Willie to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to The Little Mermaid remake, the name Disney has always meant something special to the wide world of entertainment. 

It all started with the dream of a young boy named Walt Disney, who was born in Chicago’s Hermosa neighborhood at 2156 W. Tripp, on December 5, 1901. 

Perhaps the creative gene came from his parents. His mother Flora drew up the architectural plans, and his father Elias built the two-story, 18 x 28 foot wood cottage in 1893.

Disney, according to Wikipedia sources, was their fourth and youngest son. Aside from Walt, Elias and Flora’s sons were Herbert, Raymond and Roy; and a fifth child, Ruth, was born in December 1903.

“A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes”

According to the blog ‘The Disney Classics,‘ Disney developed an early interest in drawing. He took art classes as a boy and drew cartoons for the newspaper at McKinley High School. drawing patriotic pictures about World War I. According to Walt Disney.org, in the most serious of times, everyone could rely on Walt, a prankster, to lighten the mood. He said, “My mother had a terrific sense of humor. My dad was sort of straight-laced and very slow to catch on to a gag, a joke—but when he did, he would laugh until he had tears in his eyes.”

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s Off To Work You Go

The Disney family left for Missouri, where Elias ran newspaper routes and employed his sons to deliver the newspapers year-round, which took a toll on Walt’s health and schooling. They moved back to Chicago when Elias got a job at The O-Zell Soda Company. 

When Walt was in high school, according to the website, Elias couldn’t understand his son’s ambitions, but he agreed to pay for Walt’s extracurricular art classes at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts.

Once he got his first job as an animator, it was the catalyst that set off his dream of opening his own studio. 

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

According to Wikipedia sources, Disney and his brother Roy opened Laugh-O-Gram Studios in Missouri. Before Disney created Mickey Mouse, he made Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Then, Disney lost the rights to Oswald. The loss of his first character inspired the birth of the Mouse. Disney got the inspiration from a tame mouse at his desk. Disney altered Oswald’s appearance and created a new character that he named Mortimer Mouse; at the urging of his wife, Lillian, every bit the creative partner that his mother was for Elias, Disney rechristened him Mickey Mouse.  Fromhis first silent film, Plane Crazy, in 1928, to 1940’s Fantasia, the mouseinspired hundreds more Disney characters and became an icon known the world over. 

The rest…Disneyland, Disney World, the Disney Channel, the Mickey Mouse Club, Bambi, Mary Poppins, Old Yeller, and multiple multibillion-dollar enterprises, as they say, is Disney magic.  

Your Heart Will Lead You Home

While Walt was making Disney magic in Los Angeles, the two-story cottage in Hermosa remained an unmarked single-family home. In 1991, according to the home’s website, Chicago attempted to designate the property as a historical landmark but the owner fought the designation and won, putting the home at risk of demolition.

Dina Benadon and Brent Young purchased the home on Tripp for $169,000 in 2013 and turned it into a heritage site, and it became a historical landmark, according to an article in Business Insider.

They bought the home after hearing through their jobs working on theme-park animations that the property had fallen into disrepair.

“It was very sad to us because this is a part of very important history in our country,” Benadon told Chicago ABC affiliate ABC 30 Action News in 2018.

As the Insider notes, a grant from the Walt Disney Company and crowdsourced funding helped restore the home to its original state.

The Future’s In My Hands

While the museum is not open for touring just yet, they do host annual, free Creativity Days, a community block party and arts festival, in late June. They also host holiday celebrations on Walt Disney’s birthday, December 5. 

Co-presented with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and the Hermosa Neighborhood Association, Creativity Days is an important part of The Walt Disney Birthplace’s long-term goal of supporting arts education for children. 

At Walt’s 121st birthday party in 2022, the YMCA of Chicago tweeted “We had a blast celebrating Walt Disney’s 121st birthday at the @WDBirthplace on Dec. 5! It was a fun-filled evening of special guests, treats, and a community gathering to celebrate limitless creativity and imagination!” 

Walt, who died in 1966 at the age of 65, would be proud.  For more information, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Restaurant Review: Three Cheers for the Red, White and Barbecue at River North’s Bub City

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Statue of Liberty and American flag on party table with blurry food not in focus

This upcoming Fourth of July Weekend in Chicago brings a plethora of great events—Chicago’s first-ever NASCAR race, fireworks and great music throughout the city. 

Centrally located to both events is  River North’s Bub City, Lettuce Entertain You’s sprawling, buzzy BBQ eatery and bar with a country-western theme, live music and a comfort food menu.

Nothing says “three cheers for the red, white and blue” like freshly smoked, barbecued meats.  And at Bub City, it’s about quality, big portions, and tangy BBQ sweetness.

For starters, try their Nachos Bub Grande, a mix of smoked brisket chili, nachos, melted mixed cheese, sour cream, lettuce, pico de gallo, jalapeno, guacamole and salsa rojo. Or, go another direction with Guacamole, Pimento Cheese and Chips, pairing house-made corn tortilla chips with pimento cheese & guacamole.

A true bargain on the menu is Bub City’s Game Day Platter. For $94.95 you, your family and a couple of friends can feast on a full rack of ribs, 8oz of brisket, 8oz of pork, ‘General Joes’ Buffalo Bites, and six smoked wings, served with Texas toast and coleslaw. Faroe Island Salmon is served your way: a choice of grilled, blackened or BBQ, with comeback sauce and a fresh cucumber tomato salad. Gluten-free Pork Berkshire Pork Shoulder is served withMemphis BBQ sauce.

Tex-Mex offerings include Bub’s Burrito, a meal in itself with your choice of chicken, pork or brisket with pico de gallo, bell peppers, poblano peppers, red onion, onions, rice, and mixed cheese with sour cream, roasted tomato salsa and guacamole. Or, Bub’s Chipotle Pork Tacos, which pairs three chipotle pork tacos on flour tortillas, with shaved cabbage slaw, cotija and Bub’s cheddar blend, pico de gallo and a side of roasted tomato salsa and guacamole.

After all that, is there even room for dessert? When it’s Bub City’s Butterscotch Pudding, it might be “just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, homemade butterscotch custard, salted caramel and whipped cream.”

But don’t just take my word for it. Google reviewers like Bub City too! 

“Popped in on a slow Sunday night for a burger/beer and to charge my phone. The pickles that came with burger were so good, I ended up getting an order of fried pickles too. Friendly servers and patrons. Baseball and hockey on TVs.”

“Bub City BBQ is a great restaurant to go with a group of fellow carnivores. I don’t know why they don’t have this listed on their regular menu, but for $94.95 you can get the Game Day Platter, which includes a full rack of Chicago-style baby back pork ribs, 18 hour smoked prime beef brisket, pulled Berkshire pork shoulder, hickory-smoked jumbo chicken wings, and buffalo chicken bites, served with white bread slices, creamy cole slaw, pickled red onions, and regular pickles. It is enough food for 4-5 people if you also order something to share as a starter, such as the salad we went with. I recommend the Southwest Chopped Salad to accompany any bbq. The Southwest Chopped comes with tomatoes, black beans, avocado, white cheddar (you can get this on the side if you are lactose intolerant), chipotle ranch, and a gluten free fresh lime vinaigrette over a few types of greens for $14.95.”

Fourth of July Weekend 

Bub City is the home of country music in the city, and is hosting 11 nights of singing and dancing including 4th of July weekend.

Bub City is located at 435 N. Clark Street. They are open Sunday, Monday and Tuesday from 11am–12am, and Wednesday through Saturday from 11am–2am. For reservations, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Are you a workaholic?

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A conceptual image of many crumpled papers on the desk of a stressed male

The term was coined by a psychologist in 1971 named Wayne E. Oates who described it as “an uncontrollable need to work incessantly” as an addiction. We of course would associate this with working long hours but the two don’t necessarily go hand in hand. You can work long hours without being obsessed with work. There are people that barely work 45 hours or so that are unable to detach from work and would be considered workaholics. 

Workaholics often have a higher RMS (Risk for Metabolic Syndrome). This is a reliable gauge of one’s risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Researchers have found that the number of hours worked was not an indication but being a workaholic was. The inability to psychologically detach from work goes together with anxiety, stress, depression, and sleep problems. Stress can literally become chronic. Elevated stress hormones can increase cortisol which can raise blood pressure. When stress is removed the body goes back to regular set points. Chronic stress resets those points to higher than normal hence the danger of a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Even people who love their work are at risk of a high RMS. Just because you love your work doesn’t mean you are unable to disengage but the risk is slightly lower than those who hate their work. Although both are bad even a small difference in risk is important. Being aware of workaholism is part of the battle. Realize that the number of hours worked does not make you a workaholic. It’s necessary to fully disengage from work. Off time is off. 

Managers can help employees find motivation and can provide support. Reduce red tape and other barriers. Provide ample resources, with autonomy and feedback. Help with time management skills, with weekly and long-term goals. Family and friends can work to provide real and emotional support at home.  

Ultimately, the challenge for everyone is to identify if we have a compulsive work mentality and how to prevent the consequences associated with it. We all need to have the ability to switch off so we can have rich and healthy lives. At work and at home too. 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago

Grilling Out This Summer? Here’s How To Update Your Backyard

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Backyard hardscape entertainment area with built-in kitchen

As the weather heats up, homeowners almost always gravitate toward their back yards, inviting friends and family over for cookouts and holiday parties. If you’re lucky, you’ve created an oasis that makes gatherings more enjoyable. Even if you don’t have the nicest back yard in town, you can add little touches that will make your get-togethers more fun for everyone.

Outdoor Kitchen

If you’re tired of traipsing food from your kitchen to the grill and back again all summer, an outdoor kitchen is a great option. You can make it as elaborate or as simple as you’d like, from food prep counters and barstools to outdoor sinks and refrigerators. You don’t have to limit yourself to what you can throw on the grill, either. Brick ovens open up your outdoor cooking possibilities to pizzas, bread, vegetables, and desserts.

Tiki Bar

Tiki bars have become more affordable than ever in recent years, with homeowners realizing what a great addition they make to outdoor areas. You can set up your bar by a pool, on a patio, or in the middle of your back yard and instantly start serving drinks to your guests. Not only does a tiki bar offer a convenient place to mix drinks, it adds a tropical island feel to your back yard.

Outdoor Shower

Outdoor showers and baths have evolved in recent years. Once reserved for encouraging cleanliness around pool areas, these bathing areas can be set up to provide a private shower or bath in your own back yard. If you live near the beach or on a lake, these bathing areas can also have the added benefit of keeping sand and mud out of your home.

Hot Tub

If you can’t afford a pool, a hot tub may be a more reasonable option. While hot tubs usually cost thousands of dollars, they’re still far cheaper than an in-ground pool and they can be installed within days of purchase. Instead of lounging around the pool with all of your friends, you can gather in the hot tub to relax. When friends aren’t around, you can use the hot tub whenever you need to relax and unwind after a tough week.

If you kick off the summer with a small back yard upgrade, you’ll make your back yard more enjoyable. Friends and family will enjoy visiting and your own family will be able to get out of the house and spend time together, rather than sitting on the sofa, staring at the TV during the warmest months of the year.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Topping Off Pride Month & More!

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2023 LGBTQ pride month graphic

This last weekend in June, not only will we be topping off our Pride Month celebrations, but we’ll also be celebrating the “official” start of the summer season!

It’s all about celebrating Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community when Pride in the Park returns to Grant Park’s Butler Field (South Lake Shore Dr. and East Monroe St.) in The Loop this Saturday (3 p.m.-10 p.m.) for its third festive year.  This annual outdoor music festival will feature a non-stop lineup of top national and local music headliners along with an impressive DJ roster who will have everyone dancing.  Plus, there will be plenty of fantastic food, artists, merchandise vendors, and more to make this festival the perfect party!

Navy Pier’s annual full-day celebration of LGBTQ+ culture is back with Navy Pier Pride this Saturday (11 a.m.-11 p.m.) in the Streeterville neighborhood (600 E. Grand Ave.).  This free event celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and support for the LGBTQ+ community with festivities that include live music, performances from local LGBTQ+ artists, educational programs, on-site resources from community partners, and more!

Boat owners are invited to decorate their boat in Pride Colors and partake this Saturday in Pride Flotilla (weather permitting).  A pre-parade circle will begin north of the Playpen at 12:30 p.m. with the parade commencing at 1:00 p.m. and then proceeding North along the coast to Kathy Osterman Beach.  Those of us without a boat can soak in the colorful action at either Ohio Street, Oak Street, or North Avenue Beaches!

Celebrating all different kinds of love, Chicago’s Pride Bar Crawl takes place Saturday (12 p.m.-6 p.m.) at some of Wrigleyville’s best bars.  As usual, tickets include admission to all participating bars, a free brunch buffet, gift cards to be used on the crawl, giveaways, and more!  It’s a party for everyone and not to be missed!!

Last by not least, the Chicago Pride Parade returns to the streets of the Uptown and Lakeview neighborhoods this Sunday.  The parade features 150 registered entries which includes floats, performance groups, a marching band, decorated vehicles, and walking contingents.  The parade will step off at 12:00 p.m. at the corner of Montrose and Broadway as spectators gather along the parade’s usual route.  You may want to stake out your spot early along the route as this parade can attract over one million attendees!

The Logan Square Arts Festival will be kicking off the first official weekend of the summer on Saturday and Sunday (12 p.m.-10 p.m.) at 3150 W. Logan Boulevard at Kedzie and Milwaukee Avenues in the Logan Square neighborhood.  This event is a celebration of the art, music, and culture reflecting the diversity and vitality of this neighborhood.  Once again, stages, tents, and food trucks will spring up around the Illinois Centennial Monument with artists of varying disciplines, a great line-up of music, local craft vendors, food, and beer!

Chicago’s Dragon Boat Race for Literacy takes place this Saturday (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) at the Ping Tom Memorial Park (300 W. 19th St.) in Chinatown.  This event is a family-fun activity featuring a lion dance opening ceremony, dragon boat races, cultural performances, exhibition booths, and kids’ activities promoting Asian culture and helping the neighborhood literacy programs!

Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago

Neighborhood News: A Rite of Passage at Taste of Chicago

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Taste of Chicago graphic with skyline

When I was young, Taste of Chicago was a rite of passage. Not only could you try foods from Chicago’s communities, and actually see the musical performers we couldn’t afford for free (Stevie Wonder and John Mayer come to mind)… if you could drink and stack a number of colorful beer cups from the ubiquitous beer vendors, you ‘proved’ that you were once, and for all, an adult. 

HOLD ON…I’m joking about the beer cups! Except about them being a rite of passage. They were.

Without Taste of Chicago, I might never have known the delicious coldness of an Original Rainbow Cone. Or the creaminess of Eli’s Cheesecake. Or the spices of authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken. Or those giant BBQ turkey legs, which have been missing since 2010. (source: DNAInfo) I miss them! 

Deep dish pizza from Giordano’s may have been as exotic as I could get in my hometown. Taste of Chicago expanded my palate at very low prices, all while listening to the best music of the day. 

Beginnings-One Steamy Day on Michigan Avenue 

The first Taste of Chicago took place on July 4, 1980, on Michigan Avenue, aka ‘The Magnificent Mile.’ It came about after restauranteur Arnie Morton persuaded then-Chicago mayor Jane Byrne and Lois Weisberg, Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, to block it off for the holiday. Over 250,000 people attended (nearly tripling all expectations), sampling hot dogs, ribs, and Italian ice. Food and soda sales grossing $300,000, as Wikipedia sources note. Taste of Chicago far exceeded any  expectations the City of Chicago had. 

According to DNAInfo.com, the original vendors included Aunt Diana’s Old Fashioned Fudge, Fireplace Inn, Gaylord India, Guey Lon, Lawry’s The Prime Rib, Leon’s BBQ, Nancy’s Pizza and the Pump Room. 

And Just Like That… 

In the following decades, the restaurant selections grew from 10 to 70. DNAInfo says that Sam ‘Chizborger, chizborger’ Sianis, of Billy Goat Tavern, didn’t have a booth the first year, but when they moved The Taste to Grant Park, his booth became a staple. 

Mayor Byrne and Commissioner Weisberg knew they were on to something. In the years prior to The Taste, Chicagofest had brought Chicago’s communities together at Navy Pier in a celebration of all forms of music—jazz, pop, heavy metal, soul, and r&b. Even Frank Sinatra made an appearance! Now, they combined the two festivals into one large music and food extravaganza. The fest grew from one day to more than 10 in the 90’s and 00’s. 

For the next three decades, the fest grew in worldwide popularity, as Chicago’s unique restaurant culture came to fruition with several Michelin-starred, James Beard award-winning restaurants joined erstwhile favorites like Gene & Georgetti’s. 

According to a Chicago Tribune article, in 1997, a record 3.46 million people spent $12 million, munching on 272,000 slices of pizza, 253,405 ears of corn, 117,000 frozen bananas, 31,000 lobster tails and 15,000 stuffed artichokes. In 1999, the record was broken again, as 3.68 million attended. 

Today…

The pandemic, waning attendance, and concerns about cost-effectiveness among the vendors necessitated several changes to The Taste. While it’s still the largest food and music festival in the world, TimeOut Chicago noted that the 2023 edition will feature smaller, day-long festivals in neighborhoods across the city, with a lineup of local restaurants and live music. 

Entry to all Taste of Chicago events is still free, and vendors will accept cash and credit cards.

Taste of Chicago-Humbolt Park this weekend! 

The single-day Taste of Chicago events will be held:

  • Saturday, June 24 in  Humboldt Park, 1440 N. Humboldt Boulevard, from 11am-9pm

Vendors include African Food Palace, Banato, Chicago’s Doghouse, El Azteca Sanchez, Robinson No.1 Ribs, and Tandoor Char. Chicago House Music Festival performers include “Queen! For A Day” featuring Robert Owen’s Live, with Michael Serafini and Garret David. 

  • Saturday, July 15 in Pullman Park 11101 S. Cottage Grove
  • Saturday, August 5 in Chicago Lawn, Marquette Park, 6743 S. Kedzie Avenue

Taste of Chicago 2023 concludes with a three-day festival in Grant Park from September 8-10, where you’ll find a variety of food vendors in addition to live entertainment. Keep your eyes on this website for announcements about food vendors and music lineups!

Enjoy The Taste This Summer!  

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago

Restaurant Review: Brunch with Pride at Edgewater’s Rewired Pizza Café & Bar

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Cupcake or cake with cream and confetti in the colors of the rainbow. LGTBI+ pride celebration

Chicago’s 53rd Annual Pride Parade steps off at Broadway and Montrose noon this Sunday, June 25, with a four-mile procession through Northalsted, Uptown, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park. 

You may be asking yourself… where to eat before the parade? Dean’s Team Chicago has a suggestion…at Rewired Pizza Café and Bar in Edgewater. 

This month, their special Pride menu is filled with rainbow-hued ‘gay deviled eggs,’ rainbow cake, Gay IPA from local brewery Marz, and Rewired’s signature Pride lattes with edible glitter. 

During week, their pizzas take top spot. Made from scratch, with crispy dough that’s been tossed by hand, they have personal size & sharing size pizzas are available for dine-in and takeout – or get a slice to go!

Also, try their most unusual coffees, available all day and including Banana Bread Latte, with house made “banana bread syrup” with espresso & milk. Baezilla Latte, their signature coffee, is prepared with house-made basil syrup, white chocolate, cinnamon, espresso, and milk. Or, your can combine coffee with cereal and milk by adding Cheerios or Fruity Pebbles. (What…no Count Chocula?) 

Over the weekends, Pride Month and beyond, Rewiredhosts a Showtunes Sunday Brunch, from 10am-3pm. 

No need to be fancy, either. They invite you to “Just roll out of bed and stroll into Rewired for our bottomless mimosa Pajama Brunch party!” 

Saturdays at brunch, you can enjoy your favorite old school cartoons. 

Whimsically named dishes are their tune. You and your kids will enjoy such favorites as Oh What A Beautiful Breakfast, featuring two eggs your way, your choice of bacon, sausage, or ham, breakfast potatoes and sourdough toast. Or The Pancakes Lola Wants, with fresh berries, powdered sugar, and real maple syrup. And if you dare… Mrs. Lovett’s Quiche, with a different selection daily. Sweeney Todd would be proud! With these selections, ala carte sides sound promising, with Kinky Fruit and West Side Side Salad. 

Google reviewers love this spot:

”I searched for “kid friendly with wine” and this place did not disappoint. Food and service were A+ most wine is by the bottle though. Be ready if you order a slice. They are huge! If I am ever in the neighborhood again I will definitely be back. Highly recommend a 10” pizza for a kid.”

“Love this place it’s great! The atmosphere is so friendly and open, it’s such a great neighborhood spot to go have a drink or a slice of pizza or a coffee! I love the pet friendly patio area and so does my dog Evee! They always give her a cute little puppy party snack 😋 the daily specials are fabulous and I love that they do a date night three course meal with music!”

Rewired Pizza Café and Bar is located at 1100 W. Thorndale Avenue. Their hours are Monday-Saturday, 10am–1pm and Sun: 10am–3pm. For information and reservations, click here. 

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago