A new pickup-only Portillo's restaurant opened in Rosemont, IL, at 10290 W. Higgins Road, offering a fast food experience with Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches.

Attagirl, a new Chicago eatery in Logan Square, offers dishes reminiscent of the now-closed Cafe Marie-Jeanne. Chef Bunny collaborates with Matt Sussman in crafting a menu including favorites like oysters and duck frites.

Bonyeon, Chicago's new 12-seat restaurant, offers a unique all-beef omakase experience, combining Korean and Japanese culinary arts, and features rare beef cuts.

Goose Island Beer Co. closed its original Clybourn brewpub after 35 years, planning relocation next to The Salt Shed music venue in Chicago. This follows a trend of microbrewery closures in Illinois.

Mee Mah, a beloved Chinese American restaurant in Chicago, has closed after over 40 years. The Wongs' family-owned establishment was known for its egg rolls and retro ambiance.

CosMc's, a new McDonald's beverage-focused spinoff in Bolingbrook, Illinois, saw two-hour drive-thru lines on its opening day with a menu offering drinks and less meat-heavy food options.

Portillo's opens its second drive-thru only location in Rosemont on December 12, offering their full menu for quick pick-up without indoor seating. The new venue replaces the former Pine Grove restaurant and is expected to boost the local economy.

The Palmer House in Chicago is famed for creating the first brownie 130 years ago, a dessert now featured in 21.35% of restaurants worldwide. The original recipe remains available at the hotel and for home bakers.

Korean-inspired egg sandwich chain Egg Tuck opens its first Chicago location, with plans for two more, bringing a fusion of American and Korean street food to the local breakfast scene.

Chicago celebrates Hanukkah with traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot, offered by historic delis and modern bakeries, showcasing the city's rich culinary heritage.

The 2023 Eater Awards celebrated top Chicago dining, crowning Daisies as Restaurant of the Year and chefs from Thattu as Chefs of the Year, while Time Out Chicago also honored local eateries like Oriole and Kasama.

McDonalds aims to hit 50,000 locations globally by 2027, expanding its menu and tech.

Iconic Veseckys Bakery closes, ending a 100 year legacy of cherished Eastern European pastries.