Shonda Talerico Dudlicek

A Chicago Dogs fans elbows the Ketchup mascot during the home opener for the Dogs' at Impact Field in Rosemont on July 7, 2020.

Minor league baseball stadiums change their lineups this year

July 30, 2020 at 3:23 p.m.

America's pastime sure looks different this summer. With Chicago's two Major League Baseball teams playing a shortened season without fans in the stands, where does that leave leagues in the...

Bret Busby of Chicago and Spring Grove hopes to recreate this scene at the Chain O'Lakes on July 4. Boats and boaters alike dressed in patriotic decorations, celebrate America's birthday on Nippersink Lake a few years ago.

‘Cavalcade For Our Country’ boat parade scheduled for Chain O’ Lakes: ‘We’re there to stimulate the economy’

July 2, 2020 at 1:13 p.m.

No entertainment. No fireworks. No county fairs. No festivals. No carnivals. No parades. The pandemic has affected the livelihoods of the people and businesses along the Chain O'Lakes, so Bret...

Vai’s offers Italian food — both traditional and unusual

June 23, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

"Sharing life over plates" — that's the motto at Vai's in Naperville. It's on the backs of the servers' shirts and hung on the wall inside. Co-owner Sandy Georganas explains...

Fatmans' Foot Long French Toast features bread cut the long way, not as slices. There are four varieties offered at the Gurnee restaurant: classic, banana Nutella, Monte Cristo and strawberry cheesecake, shown here.

Fatmans in Gurnee reopening corresponds with remodeling

June 23, 2020 at 1:47 p.m.

Fatmans in Gurnee closed for remodeling when Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered the statewide shutdown in March. In fact, the Khayat family shut down all five of its restaurants; which...

During the statewide shutdown, the West Dundee arcade Underground Retrocade offers its games and pinball machines for weekly rentals.

Underground Retrocade brings arcade games home

May 15, 2020 at 5:26 p.m.

Imagine being able to play your favorite vintage arcade game or pinball machine — right in your garage. It all started with an early May Facebook post: "Just in time...

The name of TheVine Martini and Wine Bar — and the mission — is about community

May 7, 2020 at 1:20 p.m.

Michael Pruitt was just 22 when he opened TheVine Martini and Wine Bar in Grayslake on Sept. 11, 2006. That meaningful date doesn't go unnoticed. "We've been through a recession...

The avocado benedict at Double Yolk Pancake House and Restaurant in Aurora is two poached eggs on an English muffin, topped with avocado, bacon and hollandaise sauce and includes a choice of potato or fresh fruit.

Double Yolk owner, staff works double hard to stay open

May 4, 2020 at 2:16 p.m.

On Sundays, customers often gave Tammy McCarthy hugs after they dined in her Double Yolk Pancake House and Restaurant. She hasn't been getting those hugs lately and she misses that,...

Seafood is always on the menu at The Backyard Steak Pit in Gurnee. The twin cold water lobster tails are served with drawn butter and choice of five sides.

Backyard Steak Pit can fill your craving for steaks and more

March 25, 2020 at 2:49 p.m.

Imagine a 15-foot charcoal pit in your backyard. That's what The Backyard Steak Pit has in its Gurnee dining room, and that's how everything is grilled, right out in the...

The pork chop at Spotted Fox Ale House is a 12-ounce bone-in chop that's frenched, meaning the meat is cut away from the bone so the bone is exposed. The pork chop is served with a twice-baked potato and seasonal vegetables.

Naperville, Fox Valley restaurant owners talk about how they are coping with coronavirus concerns

March 24, 2020 at 12:17 p.m.

For thousands of restaurateurs in the state of Illinois, March 15 was a devastating day. On that day, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, frustrated with photos and social media posts showing St....

Jeff Gorbena, owner of Tamales in Highland Park, has been greatly moved by the support from his patrons. "I think we'll come out of this with a stronger sense of community," he said.

Lake County restaurant owners talk about how they are coping with coronavirus concerns

March 23, 2020 at 2:00 a.m.

For thousands of restaurateurs in the state of Illinois, March 15 was a devastating day. On that day, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, frustrated with photos and social media posts showing St....

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