News Chicago

404 Burgers, a smashburger and barbecue spot at 1020 W. Belmont Ave. in Lakeview, serves two signature smashburgers: one topped with American cheese, grilled onions, house sauce and pickles, and another with mushroom sauce and cheddar, available in single, double and triple patty builds. The menu also includes a jalapeño …

Strength101 Gym runs a storefront strength-training studio at 3430 W Diversey Ave in Logan Square, teaching barbell and strength fundamentals through small-group classes and personal training. The gym’s stated approach favors clear instruction and simple progressions over high-intensity burnout workouts, with a focus on building members’ confidence in the basics …

The Blackhawks Ice Center at 1801 W. Jackson Blvd., the Chicago Blackhawks’ training and public skating facility on the Near West Side, reopened in March 2026 after an expansion that added two new rinks, the 2,000-seat USG Arena, and two public dining venues: Raise the Cup Café and Rocky’s Table …

Nurturing Niche Lincoln Park, a Reggio Emilia-inspired nursery and preschool, operates at 2907 N. Halsted St. in the Lincoln Park/Lakeview East area. It’s one of three Chicago campuses run by Nurturing Niche, which also has a location in Humboldt Park and a Nido infant program in Logan Square. The Halsted …

Signal Records’ Wicker Park location, at 1343 N. Ashland Ave., stocks used vinyl across jazz, soul, punk, electronic, house and techno, along with a smaller selection of new releases, cassettes and CDs. The Ashland Avenue shop is one of two Chicago locations; the original store operates at 3156 W. Diversey …

Regions Wine Cellar, a wine shop and bar at 2505 N. Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Park, sells bottles to go alongside wine by the glass and light bites. The shop describes its focus as a mix of natural, low-intervention producers and classic regional selections, aimed at newcomers and longtime collectors …

RYUU Asian BBQ Sushi & Thai serves tabletop Korean and Japanese barbecue at 2766 N Milwaukee Ave in Logan Square. Every table is built around a circular, Japanese-style smokeless grill, letting diners cook their own meats on the spot. The menu runs from Korean chicken wings and Laotian curry noodles …

Pazza Pizza operates at 1543 N Sedgwick St in Old Town, serving hand-stretched, thin-crust pizza by the slice or whole pie alongside wings, garlic knots, calzones and salads. The Sedgwick address is the original of the pizzeria’s two current Chicago locations, the other on Taylor Street in Little Italy. The …

Falcon Training Facility, a boutique personal-training gym at 2831 N. Clark St. in Lake View, pairs certified trainers with clients for one-on-one coaching, offers a general gym membership, and sells day, week and month gym passes. The space, outfitted with Arsenal Strength equipment, also rents hours to independent personal trainers …

Ella Elli, a wine bar and restaurant at 1349 W Cornelia Ave in Lakeview’s Southport Corridor, pairs seasonal, locally sourced dishes with an extensive wine list, seasonal cocktails and coffee and aperitifs. The restaurant is part of Chicago’s 4 Star Restaurant Group. The dinner menu runs from charcuterie and housemade …

Crosby’s Kitchen has served the Southport Corridor in Lakeview since 2012, offering a Midwestern-influenced menu centered on rotisserie and comfort food from its dining room at 3455 N. Southport Ave. The restaurant is part of 4 Star Restaurant Group, which also operates several other Lakeview and Roscoe Village spots. The …

Cache 310 is a cocktail lounge tucked into the base of the office tower at 310 S Canal St in the West Loop, across from Union Station. The space is styled as a hidden retreat, with low lighting and lounge seating built around a central bar. The concept draws on …

The People’s Cafe is open on Belmont Avenue in Avondale, serving coffee, pastries and empanadas from the storefront that previously housed Cultura Cafe. The cafe is a partnership between building owner Mary Sommers and Dominique Betancourt of Zemi Coffee Cart, whose family has roots in Puerto Rican coffee farming; co-operators …

Tacotlán Express, a carryout counter at 4349 W. Fullerton Ave. in Hermosa, serves the birria and quesabirria tacos that built the Tacotlán name a few blocks away at 4312 W. Fullerton Ave. The menu includes birria tacos, quesadillas and birria ramen, plus tortas filled with al pastor, chicken, chorizo, carne …

Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria serves fully plant-based Mexican food at 1165 W 18th Street in Pilsen, one of three Chicago locations for the taqueria alongside restaurants in River North and Andersonville. The menu builds classic tacos around plant-based proteins, including soy al pastor, crispy soy chorizo and potato, mushroom chimichurri with …