Food & Drink

As fall approaches, the rate of openings is cooling off, but there is one devilish new spot for cocktails.

Fans on a budget, take notice.

Options include the Samurai Rice Bowl with teriyaki salmon, a Cuban hoagie and fried bread pudding bites.

“Why draw the line?”

“In all honesty, I think it’s downtown that is suffering. Less conventions, less office traffic. The demographics have changed.”

The El Salvadoran staple makes for a satisfying – and affordable – meal.

The space was most recently home to Chow Morso, but has sat empty since late 2020.

Italian water ice is another staple at this carryout-only spot that industry veteran Jason Dascoli started out of his house in 2020.

The downtown restaurant recently opened its fifteenth floor terrace where it’s serving a menu that’s ideal for late summer snacking and sipping.

From mac and cheese with brisket to banh mi-inspired tacos, local restaurants and food trucks brought it hard this year.

“Please pray for us to survive another day, we will try to hang in here until the last minute.”

New additions to the culinary scene include Gringos Tacos, which is now serving at the Mercury Cafe, vegan bakery the Cake Bar and more.

It started as a pop-up out of Biker Jim’s in 2020 and also serves its food at many venues, including Red Rocks, Ball Arena and Coors Field.

Owned by Concept Restaurants, Inc. from Old Chicago founder Frank Day, the space was once home to the legendary eatery Strings.

Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, owner Farah-Jane Jean Pierre moved to the U.S. and now shares her culture through dishes like Island Snapper and griot (fried pork).

Open since 1979, Rico’s was taken over by new ownership in late 2019, and now it has expanded, serving its New York-style pizza, pasta and $4 subs across from East High School.

By bringing chefs together to network and share ideas and challenges, the co-op hopes to help the city’s pastry scene continue to rise.