Latest news with #NoahSandoval
Eater
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
A Chicago Icon and Favorite of the Cast of ‘The Bear' Recovers From a Devastating Fire
Chicago's restaurant community has rallied around Birrieria Zaragoza as the Mexican restaurant plots its recovery from a devastating fire. The blaze struck in the afternoon on Monday, June 24, at 4852 S. Pulaski Road. No injuries were reported. The fire originated on the building's second floor. The Zaragozas are waiting to hear from insurance adjusters to assess the damage as the restaurant remains closed. The restaurant has enjoyed an 18-year run and is a member of the Eater Chicago 38. Big Star, the taqueria from One Off Hospitality Group, is raising money for Birrieria Zaragoza at its locations in Wicker Park, West Town, and Wrigleyville. They'll donate a portion of Saturday, July 5 sales of their quesabirria to fire recovery efforts. So far, a GoFundMe has raised more than $30,000 as the family-owned restaurant figures out its next steps. The family also has a second location in Uptown near the Riviera Theater on the corner of Lawrence and Broadway. Donations will go toward rebuilding, paying workers, and overall expenses. Beyond being a popular destination for the cast and crew of The Bear , the restaurant has become an essential part of the city's cultural fabric thanks to a simple menu featuring slow-cooked goat served with fresh tortillas and all the fixings. The Archer Heights restaurant, near Midway Airport, has also become a destination for members of the service industry, and many are offering their support. Notable donations listed on the GoFundMe include Oriole (last month, chef Noah Sandoval won a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes), chef Norm Fenton from Michelin-starred Cariño; and Beard winner Sarah Stegner of Prairie Grass Cafe in suburban Northbrook. See More:
Time Out
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
These three Chicago restaurants took home James Beard Awards last night
Chicago has a storied history with the James Beard Foundation Awards, taking home a whopping 50 trophies since the culinary honors hosted its first ceremony back in 1991. And that connection triumphantly continued at the 2025 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards, which were held at the Windy City's own Lyric Opera of Chicago—its home base through 2027—on Monday, June 16, where two top-rate local spots got their well-deserved dues. Chicago had 22 semifinalists up for awards in categories like Outstanding Restaurant, Outstanding Chef and Best New Restaurant, two of which ultimately took home a coveted medal. First-time nominee Kumiko —Julia Momose's elegant West Loop bar that pairs Japanese omakase with bespoke cocktails to sublime results—was rightfully crowned this year's Outstanding Bar, beating out worthy competitors like Scotch Lodge (Portland, OR), The Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday (Philadelphia, PA), Water Witch (Salt Lake City, UT) and Wolf Tree (White River Junction, VT). And over in the Best Chef: Great Lakes category (which honors top toques in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio), Noah Sandoval of two-Michelin-starred Oriole in the Fulton River District, continuing a nice little streak for Chicago-area chefs. This is the fourth time in five years that a local chef has won in the category, with Sandoval joining Kasama 's Tom Flores (2023) and Genie Kwon (2022) and Virtue 's Erick Williams (2021). What a group! Outside of the competitive categories, a longtime Chicago favorite also got some James Beard love this year: Lem's Bar-B-Q, the longstanding barbecue joint in Greater Grand Crossing, was the recipient of one of the foundation's 2025 America's Classics Award, which recognizes 'locally owned restaurants with timeless appeal that serve quality food and are beloved by their communities.' Lem's was joined by fellow iconic eateries including the Pioneer Saloon in Ketchum, ID; Sullivan's Castle Island in Boston, MA; Lucky Wishbone in Anchorage, AK; Dooky Chase in New Orleans, LA; and Gaido's in Galveston, TX.
Eater
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
Two Chicago Nominees Bring Home 2025 James Beard Awards
Chicago's hospitality industry didn't leave empty-handed this year. Celebrated West Loop Japanese bar Kumiko and chef Noah Sandoval of Oriole leave the awards tonight with medals. Kumiko was named the 2025 winner for Outstanding Bar, a category that included lauded bars Scotch Lodge, the Lovers Bar, Water Witch, and Wolf Tree. Owner Julia Momosé accepted the award on behalf of her team at the Restaurant and Chef Awards Gala on Monday, June 16, at the Lyric Opera in Chicago. 'Kumiko was born from a belief that hospitality could be quiet, precise, and powerful, that a bar could feel like a conversation,' she said. In addition to thanking her entire team by name, she thanked her parents, to whose 'love and generosity live in every plate and every glass we serve at Kumiko.' Continuing with the theme throughout the Beards weekend, which coincided with massive protests against ICE and the Trump administration, Momosé also spoke to the tensions surrounding immigration and deportation in the United States: 'Even in celebration, I can't help but think about what's going on outside our industry. These privileges are not guaranteed. At Kumiko, we remember every day that we are children of immigrants. Anyone who ever felt they don't belong in this world, you do.' Noah Sandoval of Oriole won in the category Best Chef: Great Lakes, where he was nominated alongside fellow Chicagoans Thai Dang of HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen, Chris Jung and Erling Wu-Bower of Maxwells Trading. While he wasn't present at the awards, a message was read on his behalf that noted he was focusing on his mental health and had elected not to attend, and concluded by saying, 'Fuck ICE.' Other notable Chicagoans also presented and appeared at the awards, including chef Rick Bayless, Stephanie Izard, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Gov. JB Pritzker. Galit was nominated in the Outstanding Restaurant category, but the award went to Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Colorado. Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Awards. Eater is partnering with the James Beard Foundation to livestream the awards in 2025. All editorial content is produced independently of the James Beard Foundation. See More:
CBS News
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
James Beard Awards 2025 in Chicago tonight; 5 local chefs, restaurants nominated
The James Beard Awards are being handed out in Chicago Monday night to the best restaurants and chefs from around the country. Five local chefs and restaurants are nominated, including Galit in Lincoln Park for Outstanding restaurant and Kumiko in the West Loop for Outstanding Bar. Chefs Thai Dang of HaiSous in Pilsen, Noah Sandoval of Oriole in Fulton Market, and Chris Jun and Erling Wu-Bower of Maxwells Trading in West Town are all nominated for Best Chef: Great Lakes. The winners will be revealed at a ceremony at the Lyric Opera starting at 6 p.m. You can also livestream the awards on Eater.
CBS News
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
5 Chicago chefs, restaurants nominated for James Beard Awards including national nods for Galit, Kumiko
Chicago restaurants and chefs received five James Beard Award nominations Wednesday. Galit in Lincoln Park was nominated for Outstanding Restaurant, while Kumiko in the West Loop was nominated for Outstanding Bar. Chicago chefs dominated the Best Chef: Great Lakes category. Thai Dang is nominated for HaiSous in Pilsen, Noah Sandoval is nominated for Oriole in Fulton Market and Chris Jung and Erling Wu-Bower are nominated for Maxwell's Trading in West Town. The nominees were announced at a live ceremony at the Conrad Los Angeles. The award is considered to be among the most prestigious for culinary and food media institutions. Chicago will host the James Beard Awards in June, with the ceremony for chefs and restaurants on Monday, June 16 at the Lyric Opera.
