Zareen Syed – Page 7 –

Inocencio Carbajal monitors the entrance to Carnitas Uruapan in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood during business hours on Oct. 25, 2025. Recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in the area have resulted in Carbajal and his son, Marcos, keeping watch for activity by federal agents to protect worried customers and workers. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

ICE pushes Chicago restaurants in immigrant neighborhoods into survival mode: ‘We are dying a slow death’

November 3, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The Tribune spoke to several restaurant owners about the impact of immigration enforcement on their businesses and on diners. The blow to foot traffic is widespread across the city, but...

The front door of Katherine Anne Confections, 3653 W. Irving Park Road in Chicago, on Oct. 10, 2025. The company posted a sign stating immigration agents are not welcome without a warrant. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Cafes, restaurants across Chicago put up signs barring immigration agents

October 15, 2025 at 6:47 a.m.

For restaurant and cafe workers, many of whom are immigrants, the looming threat of unannounced visits by ICE has created anxiety and uncertainty about their future.

Edith Anaya, left, and her daughter, Ariana, both of Oak Forest, receive free snacks and beverages from Metra employee Greg Godfrey, right, after filling out a survey on the Metra’s prototype Café Car as it debut on the Rock Island Line on Oct. 1, 2025, at the LaSalle Street Station in Chicago’s Loop. (Dominic Di Palermo/baiduhai)

Metra debuts Café Car, surveys riders on prototype

October 10, 2025 at 11:41 a.m.

The agency is asking riders to weigh in on whether they'd like to see the concept become a permanent part of their commute.

The new Forty Acres Fresh Market in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on Sept. 29, 2025. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Forty Acres Fresh Market, Chicago’s only Black-owned grocery store, is a new option for fresh food in Austin

October 6, 2025 at 4:33 p.m.

Forty Acres Fresh Market in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood is an expansion of Liz Abunaw's community-focused effort to offer fresh produce via home deliveries and pop-up markets.

Val Capone tips the staff at The Wieners Circle as the restaurant fulfills its promise to give out free hot dogs on Sept. 23, 2025, after the Bears' Caleb Williams threw four touchdown passes in Sunday's game. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

The Wieners Circle hands out free hot dogs — and insults — for Caleb Williams’ 4 TD passes

September 23, 2025 at 7:50 p.m.

The Wieners Circle made good on the promise of free hot dogs Tuesday if Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams threw four TD passes vs. the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Vendor Rodolfo Espinoza sells fruit, vegetables and nuts in Chicago, Sept. 9, 2025. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

A culture at risk: Chicago’s street vendors quietly disappear from familiar corners during ICE surge

September 22, 2025 at 10:55 a.m.

Their quiet disappearance marks not just a loss of income for them, it’s also the erosion of a cherished culture by many in the city.

Van Leeuwen’s first Chicago scoop shop opens in Wicker Park with a limited edition Malört flavor

September 12, 2025 at 2:39 p.m.

The storefront will serve more than 30 signature flavors in addition to custom sundaes, milkshakes, root beer floats, ice cream sandwiches and plenty of to-go pints.

Customers line up at Harold's Chicken 55 food truck. The truck is one of the vendors participating in the Far South Side Food Festival in the West Pullman neighborhood on Saturday. (Far South Community Development Corp.)

Free Far South Side food truck festival hopes to encourage investment in historically overlooked neighborhood

September 10, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

A new food truck festival is pulling up in Chicago’s West Pullman neighborhood, aiming to foster community engagement and economic growth in an area organizers say is often overlooked.

President Michael Schill speaks to Northwestern University incoming students and families on Sept. 12, 2023, in Evanston. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Northwestern President Michael Schill’s exit reopens wounds over campus protests, antisemitism allegations

September 7, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Faculty members and students are reeling from Northwestern University President Michael Schill's resignation after a turbulent three-year tenure.

Mae Wee in her restaurant, Lasa Filipino Cafe, in Carol Stream on Aug. 28, 2025. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Following in the footsteps of family, Lasa Cafe in Carol Stream among the growing Filipino bakery trend

September 3, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

For Lasa owner Mae Wee, gaining the approval of older generations has been crucial to her success, especially during a time when many coffee shops and cafes are striving to...

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