—HAPPY PRIDE! 
And now on to culinary items…
—Queer pressure: Avondale Italian-American restaurant Void poked fun at Chick-fil-A (which has an anti-LGBTQ+ history) during a pop-up in an effort to raise money for Brave Space Alliance, a South Side Black- and trans-led community organization, The Advocate noted.
Void sold the sandwiches with nuggets and fries as part of its “Chick-Feel-Gay” event. The restaurant pledged to donate 20 percent of the proceeds to Brave Space. The organization said in January that it was “blindsided” by the news a Chick-fil-A location would be opening in the same building as its office. CEO Channyn Lynne Parker told Windy City Times that “we respect the right of businesses to operate, but we also have a responsibility to our community to ensure that they feel safe, valued and supported, and Chick-fil-A’s track record creates a level of understandable apprehension among the people Brave Space Alliance serves.”
Chick-fil-A’s profits have continued to fund efforts to block the Equality Act, which would update federal laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in employment, housing, education, credit and more.
SPOTLIGHT: Beard and wonderful—Last week, I mentioned two of Chicago’s James Beard winners—but there were more. Just to remind you, the James Beard Foundation announced its 2025 America’s Classics Award presented by HEINZ back in February—and one of the restaurants honored was local iconic spot Lem’s Bar-B-Q, which represents the Great Lakes region.
However, there was another winner with a local connection: The film Marcella—a movie executive-produced by James Beard Award winner Art Smith that’s about cookbook author Marcella Hazan, who’s considered one of the top authorities on Italian cooking—won in the category of Documentary Visual Media at this year’s James Beard Media Awards. Congrats to everyone involved! (Also, Smith notified me that the same group did Love, Charlie, about the late chef Charlie Trotter, that’s currently on Netflix. Marcella is slated to air on PBS Masterpiece Theater on July 11 and will then also move to Netflix—but don’t confuse it with the three-season series with the same name.)
SPOTLIGHT: KAMA Chameleon:—This week’s restaurant spotlight shines on Kama, a Wicker Park spot that focuses on contemporary Indian cuisine. (There’s also a LaGrange location that’s been around for quite some time.)
KAMA sign. Photo by Andrew Davis
Visit SAVOR with Andrew to find out why some of Kama’s items might be too hot to handle.
—Pi not?: Another iconic spot is closing, as My Pi is shutting down on June 29 (today!), per Axios.
Its final location is in Bucktown, at 2010 N. Damen Ave. The deep-dish institution spread to up to 21 locations nationwide (and even some in Moscow), but after 44 years in the business, founder Larry Aronson’s son Rich told the outlet, “I’m a little tired.”
Nonnina’s Tiny Tinis. PR photo
—“City” life: River North Italian restaurant Nonnina is offering a twist on the loyalty program with a 12-week program called “Tiny Tinis & the City” (reflected after “Sex & the City”).
Each week, Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., bring your punch card and get a free tiny martini (aka a “Tiny Tini”) with any purchase. Collect 11 weeks of Tiny Tinis and, in week 12, you’ll be rewarded with a regular-size martini, our Mr. Big Martini, on the house.
—Gear shift: As the high-octane energy of the 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race returns to Grant Park on July 5–6, two local dining destinations—Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap and River Roast—are shifting into high gear with race-only menu specials as part of an elevated food and beverage experience curated by Levy.
Jake Melnick’s will be offering “The Wingy City,” which is made with a punchy blend of mustard, horseradish, vinegar and mayo, this special-edition wing is available only at the NASCAR event in Grant Park and at Jake Melnick’s Streeterville location on July 5-6.
Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap’s “The Wingy City” and other wings. PR photo
River Roast is offering a chopped turkey club sandwich served alongside house-made sea salt potato chips; available only during race weekend (July 5–6), this sandwich will be at both the Grant Park track and at River Roast.
—Katz entertainment: Windy City Smokeout, the award-winning outdoor country music and BBQ festival, is hosting a pop-up with the iconic Katz’s Delicatessen from New York City at Bub City in River North on July 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the Katz’s Pastrami Sandwich along with pickles, steak frites and their choice of Dr. Brown’s Soda while taking in live country music performances at Bub City. Guests will also have the chance to win passes to Windy City Smokeout, which takes place July 10-13 outside of the United Center.
Tickets for the festival kick-off are $45 per person (tax and gratuity not included) and must be purchased in advance via OpenTable, with limited quantities and seating available.
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