Spaces into Memorable Experiences

Sweeping Optimism Regarding Supply Chain

Though supply chain disruptions persist, only 44% of food retailers and 32% of suppliers believe such disruptions will negatively impact business the remainder of 2023 – down from 70% and 83%, respectively, from 2022, according to The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2023 report from FMI –The Food Industry Association. “The positive news is the industry is signaling its expectation that supply chain disruptions will continue to lessen as we move through 2023,” said FMI President and CEO Leslie Sarasin. – Supermarket News

Legal Seafoods Opens First Chicago Location

After more than 70 years as a New England institution, Legal Sea Foods is making its way west with a restaurant in Chicago. The outpost on the Chicago River will be Legal’s first outside of the East Coast in the brand’s long history. It’s scheduled to open later this year or early next.

It’s part of a plan by owner PPX Hospitality to grow the 25-unit casualdining brand beyond its New England roots after acquiring it in 2020. The brand’s commitment to fresh, local seafood and strict quality standards have helped it become an icon on the Eastern seaboard. And though Chicago is a new market, it already has relations there: The new location is next door to Smith & Wollensky, another brand under the PPX umbrella.

– Restaurant Business

Kraft Heinz to Build Illinois’ Largest Automated Facility

An automated center to move consumer packaged goods is planned by Kraft Heinz in DeKalb, IL. The company plans to invest more than $400 million in the 775,000-square-foot facility, one of the largest of its kind in North America.

– The Construction Broadsheet

North America’s Premier Culinary Academy for Pizza and Italian Cuisine

Commercial Product R & D

Pizzaioli Certification

Traditional and Gluten-Free Recipe Development

Equipment Consulting and Sales

Professional Seminars and Group Training

Corporate Team Building

1970 University Lane, Lisle, IL 630-395-9958

PizzaCulinaryAcademy.com

81 Restaurants Sold to High Bluff Capital Partners

High Bluff Capital Partners has bought 81 Hardee’s restaurants from Summit Restaurant Group in a bankruptcy auction. High Bluff, which acquired Taco Del Mar, Quiznos, Church’s Texas Chicken and other brands as part of Rego Restaurant Group, will emerge from the auctionas a major franchisee for CKE. The sale impacts the bulk of Summit’s 108 operating Hardee’s locations. Summit filed for Chapter 11 protections in May, following a period of insufficient foot traffic and high costs.

– Restaurant Dive

Yorktown Center Announces New Restaurant Concepts

Yorktown Center, the 1.2 million square-foot shopping center with more than 150 specialty stores and 15 restaurants and eateries located in the heart of Chicago’s western suburbs, announces today the addition of three new food concepts coming to the retail, dining, fitness, and entertainment complex. Local favorite craft burger and sandwich shop Empire Burgers & Brews and a newto-market taco and tequila eatery, Ancho & Agave will both open in 2024, adding two unique flavors to Yorktown Center’s vibrant dining scene.

Empire Burgers & Brew plans to open in spring of next year. The craft burger shop is the latest from Empire Restaurant Group, a growing familyowned, Chicago suburb-based operation offering a variety of stylish, relaxed, and inviting options. Empire Burgers + Brew is the group’s flagship concept, with its first location opening in Naperville in 2016. Empire Burgers + Brew’s second location at Yorktown Center will reflect a similar, industrialmodern design with a retractable roof deck that can be enjoyed all year long.

Taco joint Ancho & Agave plans to open at Yorktown Center in mid-to-late summer 2024. Born out of a flavor-obsessed craving for fresh, delicious

Mexican food with a side of fun and with the motto of “tacos, amigos and tequila,” the brand currently has locations in Bloomington, Illinois and Middleton, Wisconsin, with an Omaha, Nebraska restaurant opening in summer 2023. Yorktown Center’s Ancho & Agave will be the concept’s fourth location.

And finally, Mochii Donut opened in August, 2023. Mochi donuts are a hybrid between a cake donut and chewy mochi, which is a Japanese rice cake made from polished sticky rice. The new shop will offer Mochi Donuts, Mochi Ice Cream, Mochi Balls, Korean Corn Dogs, Boba Drinks and Bubble Waffle with ice cream.

“Adding new food concepts like Empire Burgers & Brews and Ancho & Agave, along with Mochii Donut, further evolve our mission to ensure the viability of the shopping center and enhance the local community for generations to come,” says Josh Dean, Yorktown Center’s general manager.

The new dining establishments are part of the new development recently announced at the property which includes new luxury multi-family buildings, a park area that will be used as a communal outdoor environment and new outward facing retail offerings.

DINING WITH September 2023

1913 RESTAURANT • 123 E Main Street

ROSELLE, IL 630-582-3050

Housed in an early 20th century main street storefront, this is a contemporary restaurant and bar that serves American cuisine such as tapas, pizza, pasta, and seafood with a focus on fresh fish and quality steaks. I had the Prime Ribeye which was served with the chef’s blend of mushrooms and duck fat roasted potatoes. The food was tasty and the atmosphere was casual and classy.

DELI 4 YOU MARKET • 8526 W. Golf Rd. NILES. IL 847-398-0210. This is a family-owned European store. It’s their newest location and fifth store, which is gorgeous and immaculately clean. What stands out here is their deli section. The case is loaded with meats, cheeses, sausages and more. The selection is massive. They also have homemade soups. I took home a bowl of Cucumber Pickle soup. The aisles are filled with interesting and unique items including a big selection of cookies, chocolates and chips. I picked up some Przysnaki Chips & Lays Chips with Paprika. From the bakery I picked up some fresh pastries and a few apricot Kolachky cookies.

FABULOUS FREDDIES ITALIAN EATERY • 701 W. 31st CHICAGO, IL 312-808-0147. Family-owned & operated since 1980, this is an old-school, quick-service Italian restaurant in the Bridgeport neighborhood. Everything is homemade. You’ll see all kinds of people eating there including city workers and neighborhood folks. Their meatball sandwich with red sauce and giardiniera is amazing! They also have Italian ice. The menu includes pasta dishes, pizza, sandwiches, salads, subs, and some yummy desserts.

FRANKSVILLE • 3550 N. Harlem Ave. CHICAGO, IL 773-237-5848

Their sign will definitely get your attention when you’re driving by; it’s so cute. They have been around forever, serving all the fast food favorites including burgers, chicken, gyros, ribs, tacos and hot dogs. I tried one of their Vienna Beef dogs with cheese and the works—mustard, onion, relish, tomato and pickle. It was a great hot dog with the melty cheese, and the condiments were so fresh. Plus, I got an order of cole slaw and some fries which were served hot. They have very friendly staff in the drive-thru.

KUNG FU TEA • 610 Milwaukee Ave. #15O, GLENVIEW, IL 847-376-8994. This tea shop offers made-to-order tea, milk and fruit-based beverages. Pick your beverage of choice and customize it to your liking. You can add a topping which includes beans, bubbles, jelly, pudding, and tapioca to name a few. I ordered a Milk Tea. My flavor was strawberry with no toppings. It was sweet and refreshing. They have a nice seating area if you want to enjoy your drink in the shop.

TACO MORO • 1415 W. Irving Park Rd. CHICAGO, IL 773-360-860-8022. One of my friends brought me lunch from here numerous times. The menu includes bowls, burritos, quesadillas, tacos, tostadas, and nachos. My favorite thing is the steak taco with onions and cilantro topped with a slice of avocado. They give you plenty of meat. I’ve tried their mild and hot sauce—both are very tasty. They also offer fresh slices of jalapeño. Their guacamole and salsa are very good along with the chips. For dessert they have churros.