Latest news with #Chicagoans
Time Out
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Chicago sandwich king debuts new Italian beef collab at Time Out Market
Acclaimed Hulu series The Bear continues to put spotlight on Chicago and its iconic Italian beef sandwich, catapulting our culinary scene to new heights and creating lots of copycats. But Chicagoans know there's nothing better than the real deal — which is why we're thankful for Windy City native Jeff Mauro, and his latest creation for Stefani's Bottega Italiana at Time Out Market Chicago. The new Mauro Beef Sandwich layers slow-roasted, thin-sliced prime beef with hot peppers and tangy giardiniera relish, served with gravy. Find it at Stefani's, which opened at Time Out Market in the West Loop back in February. The Italian icon typically slings Roman-style pizzas, pastas, and schiacciata sandwiches, but we have a feeling this big, beefy number might just outdo its predecessors. Born and raised in Oak Park, chef Jeff Mauro is considered the Sandwich King on Food Network's The Kitchen, and for good reason. For years, Mauro has been on a mission to make the best version of the beloved Chicago-style Italian beef. Only now has he finally achieved his goal with what he calls 'the best Italian beef for purchase,' featuring Turano bread, gravy, and an original recipe for giardiniera. (Pro tip from chef: Don't say the 'a' at the end of giardiniera when you order.) ' It's the greatest beef that you will ever taste,' Mauro told WBBM. 'And I guarantee that. It's USDA choice or prime whole muscle chuck roll. It's not filled with anything, it's like rubbed and roasted old school, sliced paper thin.' The Food Network star's collaboration with Stefani Restaurant Group includes a plan to ship this truly famous beef across the country, giving restaurants along the East Coast a taste of Chicago. Apparently, Mauro's father grew up with Phil Stefani, making this partnership a 'super special' personal and professional experience. And if you're looking for a high-quality beef sandwich outside the immediate area, Mauro recommends looking for high-turnover locales to guarantee fresh ingredients. 'The secret key is you got to wrap that sandwich,' he said. 'Throw it in a greasy paper bag.'
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Live music for summer 2025: 10 must-see concerts in Chicago beyond the fests and arena shows
This summer's concert slate points to a transition that continues to slowly unfold locally and around the country. Shying away from big festivals, artists are opting for standalone tours or participating in smaller, manageable package bills. That's welcome news for music lovers who prefer the equivalent of a savory main course to a prix-fixe buffet. And great for anyone looking to catch performers in more intimate environments where headliners can stretch out with a dedicated show. In the next few months, Chicagoans have no shortage of first-rate options in smaller venues purpose-built for music — and, in most cases, at prices that remain below the three-figure threshold. Here are 10 such stops that should be on your shortlist: Samia: 'I wanna be untouchable,' Samia sings in the first verse of the opening cut of her third LP, 'Bloodless. 'I wanna be impossible,' she wishes two stanzas later. The Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter doesn't hurt for confidence, though she has plenty of doubts, regrets and misgivings. Plenty of 20-something indie-pop tunesmiths fit that mold. Yet few possess the imagination to loosely base a record around the bizarre concept of bovine excision and leverage it as a metaphor for reconciling one's prior relationships with and senses of the opposite sex. Melodic, rich, bittersweet, hushed, intimate, albeit insistent: Samia's voice offers another reason to lean into the narratives. Album art and merch that evoke the dark designs preferred by Norwegian black metal bands lend further credence to her ideation. Alison Krauss & Union Station: The last several times Alison Krauss came through Chicago, she partnered with Robert Plant in support of the duo's surprise second duet record. Though the possibility of a third go-round with the former Led Zeppelin legend cannot be dismissed, the Illinois native recently reconvened with her longtime ensemble Union Station for their first LP ('Arcadia') in 14 years. The songs' myth-busting notion that hardship riddled the 'good ol' days' carries weight in our current age. For the group's first tour in a decade, dobro and lap-steel virtuoso Jerry Douglas receives deserved co-billing with the headliner. And newcomer Russell Moore steps in on co-lead vocals and guitar for former stalwart Dan Tyminski. You won't find a better excuse to connect with the premier purveyors of bluegrass. Kathleen Edwards: Sometimes, you need to follow your heart, not what other people want or expect you to do. Kathleen Edwards quickly established herself as one of the wittiest, spunkiest and craftiest singer-songwriters during the early 2000s. She issued four acclaimed albums that culminated with an effort ('Voyageur') spearheaded by Bon Iver leader Justin Vernon. Then, just like that, she dropped out. Or rather, she opened the cleverly named Quitters, a coffee shop outside of her hometown of Ottawa, Ontario. The Canadian operated the cafe as she slowly returned to music, releasing 'Total Freedom' (2020) and a covers EP this spring. Edwards also sold Quitters, remarried and started writing again. All positive developments for anyone drawn to smart, crackling country-rock and incisive, self-assured narratives. MJ Lenderman: Current indie-rock darling MJ Lenderman used a childhood fascination with the game Guitar Hero as a springboard to learn about predecessors who influenced his own work, which he started documenting on a laptop in fifth grade. After paying his dues in the North Carolina club circuits, Lenderman soon gained a wider following in 2022 after making his first properly recorded album ('Boat Songs'). The ascendency of the shambolic collective Wednesday, which Lenderman joins in the studio, and the fact that he unleashes memorably ragged, go-for-broke guitar solos further raised his profile. Last fall's 'Manning Fireworks,' brimming with penetrating character studies, exquisite detail and barbed humor, signaled the 26-year-old Lenderman had officially arrived. Obligatory magazine profiles, best-of-year nods, meme posts and a sold-out tour provided confirmation. FKA Twigs: FKA Twigs began dancing professionally as a 'tween, advanced to performing for global stars like Kylie Minogue and Jessie J, and got her solo break after playing at a party connected to a fetishwear company. Unsurprisingly, body language, fashion and sensuality serve as principal impetus behind everything the British multi-instrumentalist/singer touches. Especially the club music on 'Eusexua,' an electronically sculpted journey that spotlights her finessed vocals, reveals introspective lyrics and rearranges house, ambient, techno, dubstep and synthpop motifs at will. Built for headphones, FKA Twigs' textured sonic portraits transform into ethereal and empowering physical experiences when the singer gets to act them out onstage. Alabama Shakes: For reasons nobody can explain, promising rock bands that form in the 21st century inevitably have short lifespans. Alabama Shakes count themselves among those ranks. Led by vocal dynamo Brittany Howard, the quartet electrified crowds and won over audiences with two studio albums, particularly the aptly titled 'Sound & Color.' Then, just as the group appeared to leap from mid-sized hall to arena status, it went on hiatus. Howard busied herself with a solo career. Circumstances turned bleaker for former drummer Steve Johnson. Now operating as a trio, Alabama Shakes seek to rekindle their old spark on their first tour in more than eight years — one they hint will involve old and new material. Yeah Yeah Yeahs: If you were fortunate to catch Yeah Yeah Yeahs in their prime at Metro way back in April 2003, you witnessed the band's dervish of a singer, Karen O, attack with a blend of grit, humor, brazenness and New York City-style cool that felt too real and spontaneous to be anything else. Don't bet on the vocalist summoning the ghosts of her younger self here. Instead, the edgy trio plans a tactic that on the surface sounds like the exact opposite: reconceptualizing favorites and deep cuts with piano, strings and acoustic guitars. An arty retort to carefree nostalgia, or the next logical step for a group that seldom adheres to convention and values surprise? Yeah Yeah Yeahs' penchant for unpredictability says all bets are off until the shows happen. Pelican: In its most basic form, Pelican is a rock band that doesn't use a vocalist. Beyond that, the quartet endures as one of the most dynamic, diverse representatives of this city's creative climes. Cheekily characterized as 'Post-Emo Stoner Deathgaze' on its Facebook page, Pelican skirts simple description. Having evolved beyond the churning metal of its early era and even dared to adopt classically inspired motifs, Pelican functions as a two-way bridge to Chicago's hard-nosed noise-rock of the late '80s and anything-goes Fireside Bowl scenes of the mid/late '90s. Melodic devices and mysterious intrigue augment the quartet's palette. Another reason to cheer on the local heroes? The release of 'Flickering Resonance,' its first record with original guitarist Laurent Schroeder-Lebec since 2009. 100 concerts for Chicago summer 2025 — starting with music this weekendKing Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: Depending on the source, lo-fi cult favorites Guided by Voices have released somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 studio LPs, 20 EPs, four box sets and dozens of singles during an on-again, off-again legacy that stretched to the early '80s. Which means at the rate they're going, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard will lap their prolific forebearers in roughly five years, all the while adding chapters to their 'Gizzverse,' a fascinating galaxy with recurring characters, stories and themes. The forthcoming 'Phantom Island' marks the enviro-conscious sextet's 27th album since 2010 and witnesses the shape-shifting Australians lean in symphonic directions. At this ambitious outing, the Chicago Philharmonic helps the collective bring it to life. Expect fireworks without the boom. Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore: Elder statesmen Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore make up in pedigree what they lack in mainstream-name recognition. Alvin's sparkling resume includes a stretch co-leading the seminal roots-rock outfit Blasters; stints in the Los Angeles punk collective the Flesh Eaters; and having songs from his deep solo catalog hand-picked for revered television series such as 'The Sopranos.' The 80-year-old Gilmore counts membership in 'alt-country' forefathers the Flatlanders; Grammy-nominated records that double as middle fingers to the Nashville establishment; and a memorable acting turn in 'The Big Lebowski' among his achievements. Together, the explorers channel the aura of the lonely highways, high plains dustiness and bordertown barrooms that populate their bluesy folk and cosmic country.
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Tickets available Friday for June 14 celebration of Pope Leo
Chicagoans can buy tickets to a celebration of Pope Leo XIV's election beginning Friday, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced. The celebration, set for June 14 at the White Sox's Rate Field in Bridgeport, is open to all comers. Leo himself, a native of the Chicago area and the first American to lead the world's Catholics in the church's history, will not be at the event but will address 'the young people of the world' in a video message, according to the archdiocese's invitation. Tickets are $5 and available through Ticketmaster beginning at 10 a.m. Friday. The program will include music, film, in-person testimonials and prayer. The ballpark will open to attendees at 12:30 p.m. and the program, emceed by Chuck Swirsky, will begin at 2:30 p.m., according to the archdiocese. Cardinal Blase Cupich will celebrate Mass at 4 p.m. 'This celebration offers a unique opportunity for the people from Chicago and beyond to come together in shared pride for one of our own,' the archdiocese statement stated. Born Robert Francis Prevost, the 69-year-old Augustinian missionary was raised in south suburban Dolton and earned his master's in divinity from Chicago Theological Union. He is also a longtime White Sox fan, captured on video at one of the team's World Series games in 2005. The footage later went viral.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chicago alderman slams mayor's hiring practices as 'giant leap in the wrong direction' amid DOJ probe
A Chicago alderman says the city is taking a "giant leap in the wrong direction" after the Department of Justice announced it is investigating Mayor Brandon Johnson's hiring practices. During a May 18 service at the Apostolic Church of God, Johnson responded to people who claimed he only talked about hiring Black people. "No, what I'm saying is, when you hire our people, we always look out for everybody else. We are the most generous people on the planet," he said. "I'm laying that out because when you ask, 'How do we ensure that our people get a chance to grow their business,' having people in my administration that will look out for the interests of everyone, and everyone means you have to look out for the interests of Black folks." Johnson mentioned top officials who serve in his administration and emphasized their race. One example included his deputy mayor of business and economic development, a Black woman. Doj Launches Investigation Into Blue State City Over Alleged Race-based Hiring After his remarks, Harmeet K. Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, notified Johnson his administration is being investigated to see if it utilizes discriminatory hiring practices. Read On The Fox News App "Considering these remarks, I have authorized an investigation to determine whether the City of Chicago is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination as set forth above. If these kind of hiring decisions are being made for top-level positions in your administration, then it begs the question whether such decisions are also being made for lower-level positions," Dhillon said. Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez told Fox News Digital he's glad the DOJ is looking into the Johnson administration's hiring practices, saying he thinks many Chicagoans have the same concern. Chicago's Mayor Johnson Is So Focused On Race He Can't See The Truth About Humanity "I am glad that they are looking into it. I think it validates the concerns that many Chicagoans have had that Brandon Johnson is a mayor, not for the entire city, but for only one demographic," Lopez said. "There are tens of thousands of individuals who work for the city of Chicago who feel as though they have been left out of promotions, left out of advancement or even left out from being hired as a whole even on the front line. And I think that needs to be looked into by the Department of Justice." Lopez said he thinks the city is taking steps in the wrong direction in the way it hires. "This is just one sad step backwards for the City of Chicago to have the mayor articulate so passionately that he prefers to hire one ethnic demographic at the expense of all others. It doesn't make sense to me how, in the 21st century, we've done so much to try to move beyond seeing each other just solely based on race, that we are now taking a giant leap in the wrong direction," he said. The alderman said there are Black Chicago residents he talks to who disagree with Johnson when it comes to hiring decisions. "Let me be 100%, 110% clear on this note. There are African Americans who don't like that statement either. There are many well-qualified leaders of departments who put blood, sweat and tears into lifting up Chicago, who now have been trivialized by his comments and are viewed through a lens of they're just here because they're Black," Lopez added. In comments made after the DOJ launched its investigation, Johnson said it came from a place of fear. "You can tell when someone is fearful is because they act out," Johnson said. "We have a president that is screaming and having tantrums right now because we have an administration that reflects the city of Chicago, but he would much rather have administrations that reflect the country club. Period." Fox News Digital reached out to Johnson for comment. Fox News' Greg Wehner contributed to this article source: Chicago alderman slams mayor's hiring practices as 'giant leap in the wrong direction' amid DOJ probe
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why some Chicagoans struggle to find financial freedom
CHICAGO (WGN) — Achieving economic mobility has become difficult for many Chicagoans. That's among the key findings in a recent and wide-ranging series of stories from the Illinois Answers Project. The Chicago-based nonprofit examined why many residents are struggling to find financial footing and the successes and failures of some government efforts to help them. WGN interviewed one man who shared his story, detailing how crime in his West Side neighborhood almost derailed his dream of home ownership. Bryan Ramson purchased a four-flat in Garfield Park in 2019. He renovated the property and rented the units. But he ran into issues with drug dealers near his home. 'What we found is that there was basically lawlessness in front of our house,' Ramson told the Illinois Answers Project. He acknowledged that others may have backed down or bailed. But he chose to take action, in what could be a model for other homeowners facing similar challenges. Ramson worked to organize a block club, beautify the neighborhood and even got elected to the 11th Police District Council. Over time he says those things have made a difference. Besides violence, the Illinois Answers Project examined how other factors such as medical debt and the high cost of child-care impact economic mobility. To read more, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
