Playing: <\/b>1:40 p.m. Sept. 19 at Riot Fest<\/p>\n
![\"Chief](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CTC-CTFL-3099813DStPattys_023_177995951.jpg\")
Chief O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant, located in Albany Park, prepares for St. Patrick’s Day weekend in March 2020.
\n(Brittany Sowacke\/for the Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n
Where he\u2019s eating: <\/b>\u201cChief O\u2019Neill\u2019s Pub<\/strong> is definitely the best place in Chicago, and one of the best places in the world, for true Irish traditional music. There are sessions here most every day, which draw some of the best musicians, artists and performers from Chicago and around the world. The food and the chefs are elite, and it is as much of a family restaurant as it is a pub. Children are welcome. It is a lifeline for Irish culture and heritage here. I love the fish and chips, a pint of Guinness and a glass of Paddy or Powers whiskey, but I\u2019m simple. Their braised pork shank is amazing; so is their steak and Guinness pie, and their shepherd\u2019s pie is to die for. The Atlantic salmon is also unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n Chief O\u2019Neill\u2019s Pub, 3471 N. Elston Ave., 773-583-3066, chiefoneillspub.com<\/a><\/p>\n Steve Selvidge of The Hold Steady<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>4 p.m. Sept. 19 at Riot Fest<\/p>\n Where he\u2019s eating: <\/b>\u201c(I) love the beer hall setting (at The Publican<\/strong>). The oyster selection is top-notch. The half chicken is sublime and (there\u2019s) so much good meat!\u201d<\/p>\n The Publican, 837 W. Fulton Market, 312-733-9555, thepublicanrestaurant.com<\/a><\/p>\n Hex Cougar<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>12:40 p.m. Aug. 1 at Lollapalooza<\/p>\n Where he\u2019s eating: <\/b>\u201cMy girlfriend is from Chicago and I\u2019m from LA, so for the first couple years of our relationship, we dated long distance, flying back and forth to visit each other. Because of that, Chicago will always hold a special place in my heart. During my visits, one of our favorite Sunday rituals was lounging around watching \u2018The Office\u2019 and ordering breakfast arepas from 11 Degrees North<\/strong>. The Santa Monica was always my go-to: an arepa stuffed with egg, sausage, cheddar cheese, bacon, and chive cream cheese. Pure heaven.<\/p>\n Another favorite from my many pilgrimages to Chicago (is Aba)<\/strong>. I have two very vivid memories from my time at Aba: chain-vaping in the restroom after one too many drinks (not my finest moment) and tasting the crispy short rib hummus for the first time, which I still think about regularly. The entire menu is phenomenal, but for whatever reason, those two memories are permanently etched in my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n 11 Degrees North, 824 W. Belmont Ave., 773-904-7284, 11degreenorth.com<\/a><\/p>\n Aba, 302 N. Green St., 773-645-1400, abarestaurants.com\/chicago<\/a><\/p>\n Puddles Pity Party<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>2:15 p.m. Sept. 19 at Riot Fest<\/p>\n Where he\u2019s eating: <\/b>\u201cTypically, when I find myself in (Chicago), I\u2019m eating on the run or scarfing down snack bars from the lavish catering in the green room of WGN Morning News. Sometimes, when I\u2019ve been a good boy, Jeff Hoover and Wink Winkle treat me to brekkie at Kitsch\u2019n on Roscoe<\/strong>, where I enjoy bottomless coffee and more than my fair share of chocolate chip waffles. And for dinner, if I\u2019m lucky, I find time to sit down at Amitabul Simply Vegan<\/strong> for a clean-burnin\u2019 home-cooked organic plant-based Korean dish like the Yin and Yang (or maybe the Buddha Bop) and the always delicious Wolfman\u2019s Dream Treats. And with my tummy taut, I set off a waddlin\u2019 through that toddlin\u2019 town!\u201d<\/p>\n Kitsch\u2019n on Roscoe, 2005 W. Roscoe St., 773-248-7372, kitschn.com<\/a><\/p>\n Amitabul Simply Vegan, 6207 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-774-0276, amitabulvegan.com<\/a><\/p>\n Jake Burns of Stiff Little Fingers<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>7 p.m. Sept. 19 at Riot Fest<\/p>\n Where he\u2019s eating: <\/b>\u201cMoving over from the U.K., I was convinced that no Indian restaurant in the U.S. made proper curry. And for years, I was proved right, until we moved to Lincoln Square and discovered Essence of India<\/strong>. My go-to was either their butter chicken or chicken bhuna (spicy, of course). Add pulao rice, garlic naan and some lamb samosas, and man, that\u2019s a good night. The last time we played Chicago, we had food from there delivered to the Metro for the whole band. You better believe it\u2019s one of the main things I\u2019m looking forward to when we play Riot Fest in September!\u201d<\/p>\n Essence of India, 4601 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-506-0002, essenceofindiachicago.com<\/a><\/p>\n Mac McCaughan of Superchunk<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>2:55 p.m. Sept. 20 at Riot Fest<\/p>\n Where he\u2019s eating: <\/b>\u201cChicago is one of our favorite places to play; we\u2019ve had great shows there since our first tour in 1990. It\u2019s also one of our favorite places to eat. I love going to see our friend Courtland (Green) at Dove\u2019s Luncheonette<\/strong> for incredible Tex-Mex breakfast or a special mezcal, depending on the hour (sometimes both?). Also, great music on the turntable there. Avec<\/strong> on Randolph has been a post-show or night off favorite for years. More recently, my wife and I had a memorable lunch at All Together Now<\/strong>; I had the insanely good smashed white bean sandwich on focaccia. Can\u2019t wait to come back this fall.\u201d<\/p>\n Dove\u2019s Luncheonette, 1545 N. Damen Ave., 773-645-4060, doveschicago.com<\/a><\/p>\n Avec, 615 W. Randolph St., 312-377-2002, avecrestaurant.com<\/a><\/p>\n All Together Now, 2119 W. Chicago Ave., 773-661-1599, alltogethernow.fun<\/a><\/p>\n Nathan Hardy of Microwave<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>4:15 p.m. Sept. 21 at Riot Fest<\/p>\n Where he\u2019s eating: <\/b>\u201cI\u2019m not vegan, but I\u2019m vegan for The Chicago Diner<\/strong>. We eat there almost every time we\u2019re in Chicago. We\u2019ve walked quite a ways for it before.\u201d<\/p>\n The Chicago Diner, 3411 N. Halsted St., 773-935-6696 and 2333 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-252-3211, ext. 1, veggiediner.com<\/a><\/p>\n Bo Staloch<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>9 p.m. July 30 at the Lollapalooza after-show<\/a> at Lincoln Hall (sold out) and 4:30 p.m. July 31 at Lollapalooza<\/p>\n Where he\u2019s eating: <\/b>\u201cBeing on tour means I\u2019m constantly bouncing from city to city, but one thing I never stop chasing is good local food. In Chicago, there are two spots I always come back to: Dicey\u2019s Pizza<\/strong> and the Yum Dum Truck<\/strong>. Dicey\u2019s is solid \u2014 just really good pizza that hits every single time. Yum Dum is amazing. If the truck is nearby, I\u2019m stopping by, no question.\u201d<\/p>\n Dicey\u2019s Pizza & Tavern, 2109 W. Chicago Ave., 872-335-4645, diceystavern.com<\/a><\/p>\n Yum Dum Truck, 847-376-1925, yumdumtruck.com<\/a><\/p>\n Jason Balla of Dehd<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>4:50 p.m. Sept. 21 at Riot Fest<\/p>\n Where he\u2019s eating: <\/b>\u201cLula Cafe<\/strong> is the easy number one. They do it with such style, you\u2019re cooler just by being there. The food is ingredient-forward and the wine rips. Ask to eat at the bar and you\u2019re a real local.\u201d<\/p>\n Lula Cafe<\/a>, 2537 N. Kedzie Blvd., 773-489-9554, lulacafe.com<\/a><\/p>\n Rebecca Black<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Aug. 3 at Lollapalooza<\/p>\n Where she\u2019s eating: <\/b>\u201cSushi-san<\/strong> is the one place I\u2019ll always make time for in the city. (It has an) incredible playlist always blasting through the speakers, and to die for Japanese cuisine. If you go, you have to get the togarashi chicken nuggets (the best karaage I\u2019ve ever had) and at least two orders of the skirt steak (I dream about the mustard sauce). If you don\u2019t leave too full of fish, definitely stop by Three Dots and A Dash<\/strong> on your way home! Recently, my crew and I have been getting into tiki bar lore and this one is one of the best!\u201d<\/p>\n Sushi-san, 63 W. Grand Ave., 312-828-0575 and 1950 N. Halsted St., 773-389-7101, sushisanrestaurant.com<\/a><\/p>\n Three Dots and a Dash, 435 N. Clark St., 312-610-4220, threedotschicago.com<\/a><\/p>\n LP Giobbi<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>8:45 p.m. Aug. 30 at North Coast<\/p>\n Where she\u2019s eating: <\/b>\u201cMy family is from Chicago and my grandfather started an Italian restaurant, The Tivoli, in Chicago Heights that fed families traditional Italian food. I say this to say that food and the restaurant dining experience is one of my family\u2019s love languages. My family has been going to Lettuce (Entertain You) restaurants forever because they have the best hospitality and we can count on the experience to be unique, the food to be excellent, and the service to be top-notch. Two of my favorite restaurants in Chicago (and Lettuce restaurants as well) are Sushi-san <\/strong>and Tre Dita<\/strong>! Before my last headline show in Chicago, my touring crew and family all ate together at Sushi-san. Everyone from my 7-year-old niece to my restaurant industry uncle loved it. Last time I was in Chicago, I went to Tre Dita with my brother and sister-in-law because my sister-in-law had it on her wishlist since it opened. It was probably the best service I have ever had and the most delicious food I\u2019ve ever had the privilege of eating.\u201d<\/p>\n Sushi-san, 63 W. Grand Ave., 312-828-0575 and 1950 N. Halsted St., 773-389-7101, sushisanrestaurant.com<\/a><\/p>\n Tre Dita<\/a>, 401 E. Wacker Drive, 312-725-1724, treditarestaurant.com<\/a><\/p>\n Camper Van Beethoven<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>3:25 p.m. Sept. 19 at Riot Fest<\/p>\n Where they\u2019re eating: <\/b>\u201cThe corned beef and pastrami sandwiches at Manny\u2019s Cafeteria & Delicatessen<\/strong> are always delicious and the potato pancakes and matzo ball soup are also spot-on. Kuma\u2019s Corner<\/strong> on West Belmont serves up some great and inventive burgers, all named after heavy metal bands, which is blaring out of the speakers at ungodly volumes. If we\u2019re in the right frame of mind, it\u2019s a fun place. Right across the street from Kuma\u2019s is a great little bar, DMen Tap<\/strong>, that has a kitchen that serves some wicked d\u00f6ner kebabs and currywurst. The music has always been great when we\u2019re there, and the pinball in the back room is a blast.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Manny\u2019s Cafeteria & Delicatessen, 1141 S. Jefferson St., mannysdeli.com<\/a><\/p>\n Kuma\u2019s Corner, 2900 W. Belmont Ave., 773-604-8769, kumascorner.com<\/a><\/p>\n DMen Tap, 2849 W. Belmont Ave., 773-961-8757, dmentap.com<\/a><\/p>\n Wild Rivers<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>11 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Lollapalooza after-show<\/a> at Lincoln Hall and 3 p.m. Aug. 3 at Lollapalooza<\/p>\n Where they\u2019re eating: <\/b>Devan Glover: \u201cMy (favorite) spot is Chicago Diner<\/strong>. I\u2019m obsessed. I started going here when I was a vegetarian, but even now that I\u2019m not, it\u2019s still my mandatory pit stop in Chicago. The seitan wings are amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n Khalid Yassein: \u201cViaggio<\/strong> is the perfect spot for either an anniversary dinner or if you\u2019ve just watched a marathon of \u2018The Godfather\u2019 movies. Classic Italian flavors, delicious gigantic meatballs, and old-school classy vibes makes this one of our favorite Chicago destinations.\u201d<\/p>\n The Chicago Diner, 3411 N. Halsted St., 773-935-6696 and 2333 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-252-3211 ext. 1, veggiediner.com<\/a><\/p>\n Viaggio, 1027 W. Madison St., 312-829-3333, viaggiochicago.com<\/a><\/p>\n Girl Tones<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>1 p.m. July 31 at Lollapalooza<\/p>\n Where they\u2019re eating: <\/b>\u201cWe\u2019ve only been to Chicago a few times, so we are constantly exploring and trying new places. One of our new favorites is a bar called Fat Cat<\/strong>. After we played at the Riviera, we snuck out of the venue to get a quick bite and drinks while Silversun Pickups was playing. The glowing sign immediately drew us in like a moth to a flame. It was fate!\u201d<\/p>\n Fat Cat, 4840 N. Broadway, 773-506-3100, fatcatbar.com<\/a><\/p>\n Katseye<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>3:15 p.m. Aug. 3 at Lollapalooza<\/p>\n Where they\u2019re eating: <\/b>\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to be in Chicago for the first time! It\u2019s a true food city and we\u2019re unapologetic foodies. Avec<\/strong> is at the top of our list to try. The Chicagoans on our team rave about its cozy, welcoming vibe, and the unforgettable blend of Mediterranean and Midwestern flavors. We have to try those chorizo-stuffed dates and experience the magic of sharing plates in that warm, wood-lined space. If you know Katseye, you know food is our love language.\u201d<\/p>\n Avec, 615 W. Randolph St., 312-377-2002, and 141 W. Erie Street, 312-736-1778, avecrestaurant.com<\/a><\/p>\n Gigi Perez<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>11 p.m. July 31 at the Lollapalooza after-show<\/a> at Bottom Lounge (sold out) and 2:45 p.m. Aug. 1 at Lollapalooza<\/p>\n Where she\u2019s eating: <\/b>\u201cMy favorite place to eat in Chicago is Giordano\u2019s<\/strong>. It\u2019s one of the last restaurants my family went to with my sister Celene and holds great memories. Also, when you get the pizza slices, the cheese just keeps going and is delicious!\u201d<\/p>\n Giordano\u2019s, multiple locations, giordanos.com<\/a><\/p>\n Kaskade<\/a><\/p>\n Playing: <\/b>9:15 p.m. Aug. 29 at North Coast<\/p>\n Where he\u2019s eating: <\/b>\u201cWhen you need that famous Chi-Town deep dish experience, it\u2019s Pequod\u2019s<\/strong> all the way. The way they caramelize that crust makes it worth every minute of those brutal wait times. Yes, I wait. I\u2019m playing North Coast on Aug. 29 and should probably get my tour manager in that line now. Then there\u2019s Devil Dawgs<\/strong> on State. \u2026 Maybe (it\u2019s) not \u201cthe best\u201d hot dog in Chicago (I know these are fighting words), but I usually stay right near here and literally walk out of my hotel and grab one the second I get to town. Look, there aren\u2019t a lot of good hot dogs around the world, and this dog is solid. Sometimes convenience trumps all, you know? When you only get a Chicago dog a few times a year, it\u2019s like drinking water after being in the desert for months.\u201d<\/p>\n Pequod\u2019s Pizza, 2207 N. Clybourn Ave., 773-327-1512 and 8520 Fernald Ave., Morton Grove, 847-470-9161, pequodspizza.com\/chicago<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Clockwise](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CTC-Aba_Restaurant_James22_183338869.jpg\")
Quinn Sharp, clockwise from bottom left, Nehal Sheth, Lenel Sheth and Danielle Lichman dine at Aba on Aug. 14, 2018. (Terrence Antonio James\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"Patrons](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CTC-pajama_brunch_10_188197665.jpg\")
Patrons dine at Kitsch’n on Roscoe, Jan. 1, 2013, in Chicago. (John J. Kim\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"Patrick](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CTC-L-FOOD-FESTIVALS-AVEC-16_231746732.jpg\")
Patrick Boos, of Glenview, laughs with his cousin Mary Kerrigan as they dine at Avec, July 25, 2025, in Chicago’s West Loop. (Dominic Di Palermo\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"Customers](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CTC-L-festivals-diner33_231815248.jpg\")
Customers dine during lunch time at The Chicago Diner in Chicago\u2019s Lakeview neighborhood, July 24, 2025. (Antonio Perez\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"Diners](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CTC-food-0330-review-lula-cafe-21_179495083.jpg\")
Diners eat at the bar at Lula Cafe in 2016, in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. (John J. Kim\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"Zombie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ctc-dining-0828-drinks-theatrical09_183382283.jpg\")
Zombie Punch, a popular multiperson drink at Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago. (Jessica Tezak\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"Chutoro](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CTC-omakase-sushi-san021_182088311.jpg\")
Chutoro Tataki at Omakase Room at Sushi-san in Chicago, on Aug. 25, 2022. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"People](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ctc-dining-worth-the-wait005_181827379.jpg\")
People wait in line at Kuma’s Corner on Nov. 7, 2014. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"Andre](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CTC-ATPLAY-ARMOUR_189482671.jpg\")
Andre Arguijo, left, Kelly Beeman, center, and Ben Lamers spend an evening at Fat Cat in 2007. (Jasmin Shah\/for the Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"Chorizo-stuffed](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CTC-L-FOOD-FESTIVALS-AVEC-123_231746730.jpg\")
Chorizo-stuffed and bacon wrapped dates served with bread at Avec in Chicago’s West Loop. (Dominic Di Palermo\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"Giordano's](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ctc-biz-giordanos-jmp_ctmain-0611-sr_181855093.jpg\")
Giordano’s in Lakeview in 2011. (Brian Cassella\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ctc-Choice_Pequods_James11_176725521.jpg\")
The pepperoni and sausage pizza at Pequod’s. (Terrence Antonio James\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n