Portillo's tapped Brett Patterson, the former Miller’s Ale House CEO, to run operations and reboot the chain’s growth plans.

Lizzano Focacceria is opening at 1607 Chicago Ave in downtown Evanston in early April, bringing focaccia sandwiches and spritzes to the block.

West Loop favorite Tempesta Market is opening a Rosemont deli this summer, joining an Eggsperience Café in a village-owned Higgins Road development near O’Hare. Renovations and tenant work are due to start soon.

Johnny's Dirty Soda and Snacks opened on Belmont, bringing Utah‑style syrup-and-cream sodas to Lakeview with a wall of imported snacks and $4.50–$5.50 mixes. Early tasters note some combinations are very sweet.

Kilwins will open a new shop at Burr Ridge Village Center this spring, bringing ice cream, fudge and other sweets to 745 Village Center Drive.

Burl, the new wood‑fired spot from Tom and Rachel Carlin, has opened on Prairie Avenue with farmer‑driven, Midwestern‑leaning plates and Great Lakes fish. Hours, menu highlights and booking info inside.

A new slice stall from the Table, Donkey & Stick team opened in Sterling Food Hall, serving New York‑style slices, grandma squares and whole pies for delivery.

Chef Zubair Mohajir will leave Coach House on Feb. 19 to open a chef‑run Lincoln Park restaurant this spring with East Asian and southern Spanish influences.

7 Brew plans a drive‑thru at Belvidere West Commons on Route 120; construction could begin this spring with a summer/fall 2026 opening.

A Paris-inspired cocktail lounge, CachE9 310, opens in the West Loop on Feb. 14 with velvet drapes, secret backrooms and a short small-plates menu. Expect classic-forward cocktails and intimate seating.

Nearly $700,000 in grants will help 15 local farms and food businesses scale production and sell to schools, hospitals and meal programs across Metro Chicago.

A new acai cafe is coming to downtown Skokie — owner Amy Feldman secured a small TIF grant and hopes to open in May.

Cleo's Southern Cuisine has opened at 2826 N. Lincoln Ave in Lakeview, bringing its fried catfish, The Ten and a 24‑karat muffin to the North Side.