Rock the vote: The LGBTQA+ voter-mobilization organization Q Force will be in Saugatuck, Michigan on Nov. 1-3, for its final GOTV (Get Out the Vote) push, per its newsletter.
Canvassing will be the main focus, with other slated activities including drag bingo and Martini Monday. There will be $50 gas cards provided as well as discounted hotel rooms and free post-bingo pizza; RSVP here.
—Gill do: Grammy-nominated R&B superstar Johnny Gill will perform at the Chicago Urban League’s 65th Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner on Saturday, Nov. 7, at McCormick Place.
The event will begin with a Champagne reception at 6 p.m., followed by the Golden Fellowship Dinner and awards program at 7 p.m. Individual tickets are $750 each, and include admission to the reception, dinner, awards program, entertainment and after-party. Tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities are available at givebutter.com/GFD2026.
And now, on to culinary items…
SPOTLIGHT
Here are more Fast Foodie Facts, courtesy of Terri Schlichenmeyer and yours truly:
- A zucchini has more potassium than a banana.
- Popcorn is the state food of Illinois while corn is the state grain and sweet corn is the state vegetable. (I sense a theme here.)
- Peppermint is a hybrid plant, created from watermint and spearmint plants. Because it’s a hybrid, the plant itself is sterile; every peppermint plant grown is cultivated from a parent plant. (She’s also an amazing drag queen.)
- In September 2015, Bompas & Parr created the longest-ever tasting menu: 200 courses over 24 hours. The duo ran the event—held at The Factory in London—in conjunction with Bespoke Offers. Eight chefs worked in shifts to produce 1,600 total plates for more than 50 diners—including some who stayed for the entire duration. Dishes ranged from K-town fried chicken wing and blueberry sriracha to treats like bacon ice cream.
- The USDA says that up to 500,000 Chicagoans live in officially recognized food deserts, meaning that a grocery store is a mile or more away from their homes.
—Bid boys: The 2026 James Beard Foundation Auction is open until Nov. 6.
Some of the items up for auction include luxury suites at sports events, an Alterra Mountain resort getaway, a luxury stay at Wynn Las Vegas, a Cape Cod culinary escape, a jewelry set from Ellen Hunter NYC, a whiskey collection and a four-restaurant (Alla Vita, Momotaro, Girl & The Goat and Lazy Bird) tour for four in Chicago. The auction is here.
—This week, public-relations expert Ramsey Carey is offering a restaurant pick while promoting Civics Day, which will take place Saturday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Chicago Cultural Center.
What very popular South Side spot did she select? To find out, visit SAVOR with Andrew.
—The price is wrong?: Axios noted Chicago writer Kit Graham’s piece wondering why restaurant surcharges are still around while menu prices are steadily climbing.
Illinois Restaurant Association CEO Sam Toia responded to Axios’ query, saying, “If you raise prices 3% or 5%, you could lose 3% to 5% of butts in seats. But if you add a removable surcharge and try to explain its added value, like to give team members health care, consumers could be more OK with that.” Some restaurant owners have said (off the record) that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s wage increase has contributed to their price increases and surcharges.
Illinois is one of the few states that allows surcharges on restaurant bills as long as they’re disclosed. Most Chicago spots have a 3%-4% surcharge although Andros Taverna’s is reportedly 12%, Frontera restaurants’ is allegedly 20%, Hubbard Inn’s is 24% and Daisies’ is 25% (including gratuity and fees). However, most surcharges can be removed if servers are asked. To find out what surcharges are at certain spots, visit the Chicago Surcharges List. (Note: The list needs updating, as evidenced by the listing of Hutch; FELIX Modern American Dining is in that space now.)
—McLawsuit: Recently, U.S. District Judge April Perry rejected McDonald’s motion to dismiss a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing it of defrauding consumers about the content of its McRib sandwich, NBC News noted.
The plaintiffs accused the fast-food giant of purposefully shaping McRib patties with ridges to resemble pork ribs and make diners believe the sandwich contains rib meat—an expensive cut that has higher fat content and flavor. Among other things, Perry said McDonald’s website describes the sandwich only as containing pork and that consumers don’t need to conduct research before buying a $7 fast-food sandwich.
—Pies and dolls: West Town’s Dell’ Rooster will be offering a seasonal Pumpkin Pie cocktail.
Made with spiced rum, pumpkin puree, cinnamon syrup, and condensed milk, this sip will be available through Nov. 21. Those who visit Dell’ Rooster during dinner service (3-10 p.m.) on Halloween night will receive a complimentary cocktail if they’re wearing a costume.
—Fall in: The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce invites you to experience the flavors of the neighborhood at the 2nd annual Andersonville Autumn Restaurant Weeks that will take place Nov. 1-15.
Neighborhood eateries will offer a cornucopia of fall cuisines with prix fixe brunch, lunch and dinner menus ranging from $35 to $60 per person. (Prices vary by location.) Some of the participating restaurants include Lady Gregory’s, Uvae Kitchen & Wine Bar, Big Jones, Fiya and Replay Andersonville. For a full listing of menu items, visit the Andersonville Autumn Restaurant Week page.
—Seeing the light: Dedicated to bringing food education into schools across the country, Pilot Light is hosting the return of the annual Feed Your Mind Gala on Friday, Nov. 6, at Rockwell on the River (3057 N. Rockwell St).
Presented by Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, the evening will feature more than 20 celebrated local chefs—including Culinary leaders such as Thai Dang (HaiSous), Tim Flores and Genie Kwon (Kasama), Doug Psaltis (Andros Taverna), and Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark (Parachute)—coming together for a one-of-a-kind interactive and tableside dining experience for each guest.
Individual tickets are now available for $700 each, as well as full chef table buyouts. Visit Pilot Light’s website here.
—The meal thing: Seville, the Mediterranean-inspired rooftop restaurant from celebrity chef Fabio Viviani at 243 S. Franklin St., has launched its brunch service on Saturdays at 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Just some of the dishes will include fried chicken and churros; strawberry tres leches bread pudding; huevos a la Flamenca; smoked pork sandwich; pan con tomato; and steak and eggs. Also, guests can sip on mimosas, Bloody Marys and signature brunch cocktails like the Carajillo Old Fashioned (made with Bumbu Spiced Rum, Licor 43, espresso, vanilla and cacao bitters) and One Night In Madrid (made with Tito’s Vodka, Tia Maria Coffee Liqueur, vanilla and freshly brewed espresso).
Reservations are now available via OpenTable.
Until next time…