DINING WITH MS. X

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Chick'nCone Seeks National Expansion Through One-of-a-Kind Franchising

Chick'nCone, the fast-craft restaurant concept famous for serving crispy, hand-cut chicken tenders in a freshly made waffle cone, is looking to capitalize on the growth it experienced throughout the course of the pandemic as it expands into new markets throughout the country. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the brand has grown from four open locations to 24.

It now believes that the timing is ripe to start actively looking for experienced entrepreneurs to join its family-driven brand and show the world what makes Chick'nCone #socluckingood. Today, Chick'nCone has 24 locations open and operating throughout the United States, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, with plans to have 50 locations open by the end of 2022.

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Wine Clubs at Restaurants Remain Viable

Restaurant wine clubs, the result of pandemic-era innovation, have grown in popularity among diners and restaurant owners looking for new ways to stay in contact with their customers. The restaurant King in New York City launched a wine club that delivers monthly three-bottle boxes nationally, while the platform Table22 has helped restaurants across the country set up their own wine

New Opportunities with Ghost Kitchens

Virtual restaurants and ghost kitchens are creating opportunities for established brands to enter new markets and for celebrities to attach their names to new concepts.

Quickserve chain Arctic Circle is gaining a presence in Arizona with ghost kitchen partner Kitchen United, Legal Sea Foods is growing into two new markets and actor/comedian Cheech Marin has teamed with chef Zach Neil to launch Muncheechos, a delivery-only concept open

DINING WITH MS. X

JANUARY 2022

BARNES & NOBLE CAFÉ, 5405 Touhy Ave., SKOKIE, Ill.; 847-329-8460. After shopping in the book store, I headed over to the café for a beverage and some treats. They have plenty of seating. They offer coffee, tea, cold and specialty drinks, along with sandwiches and desserts as well. My ultimate favorite treat from here is their Sweet Street chewy marshmallow bar. It’s always so fresh, gooey and delicious. And,to go with it, I get a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream. CHICAGO STADIUM CLUB ON THE 200 LEVEL OF THE UNITED CENTER, 1901 W. Madison St., CHICAGO; 312-455-2582. This is an exclusive restaurant for 200-level season ticket holders. A huge thanks to one of my family members, who invited me to dinner and the Blackhawks hockey game. What a great experience! Dinner before the game was amazing. The dining room was lovely and the atmosphere and service were spot on. The menu offered was a full buffet. So many choices, fresh salads, charcuterie and a carving station of fresh meats. There was a big dessert selection, too. DEAR FRANKS, 5699 W. Touhy Ave., NILES, Ill.; 847-647-9099. Located in a very busy strip mall, Dear Franks is so bright and clean, and they have plenty of seating. They offer all the fast food favorites including Italian beef, gyros, burgers, hot dogs, Polish, salads and more. They have daily specials, too. I have tried their cheddar burger; a Polish sausage with the works; and their grilled pork chop sandwich. The pork chop comes on an onion roll with barbecue sauce and grilled onions, and I switch the barbecue to mustard. For my sides, I get fries and onion rings. They have a great staff offering friendly service. RUTH’S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE, 933 Skokie Blvd., NORTHBROOK, Ill.; 847-498-6889. This is a fi ne dining experience. They are known for their steaks that are seasoned perfectly, cooked to perfection and served to you sizzling on a hot plate. I usually order the New York strip, but this time we shared the 40-oz. porterhouse for two. The presentation of the steak was beautiful, and it was sliced for you. Between the two of us we couldn’t fi nish it, even though it was so good! For a starter I ordered the steakhouse salad and for my sides, the potatoes au gratin and Brussels sprouts. I recommend making a reservation. TAQUERIA ATOTONILCO, 1649 W. 47th St., CHICAGO; 773-248-5870. When I’m visiting Swap-O-Rama on South Ashland Avenue, I love to stop by Taqueria Atotonilco for a spicy, fl avorful Mexican breakfast. This is a neighborhood favorite! Try the huevos a la Mexicana made with fresh jalapeño peppers or the chilaquiles, chips with chorizo and eggs topped with a red, ranchero-style sauce. Both entrees come with rice and beans and choice of tortilla. I like the corn tortilla. And I get a cup of their Mexican coffee. They have a full menu and numerous locations. TRASPASADA RESTAURANT, 3605 N. Ashland Ave., CHICAGO; 773982-8700. You know that commercial in which a snowman is transformed into a kid by eating Campbell’s Soup? That’s how it felt to eat Traspasada’s fi deo soup on a recent snowy, bone-chilling afternoon. The tomato and chicken broth with fi deo noodles is the perfect comfort food. Instead of red salsa you might see at other Mexican restaurants, here you’ll fi nd a black bean salsa that’s easy to fi ll up on. Be sure to save room for their cheesy chicken enchiladas. WHOLE FOODS MARKET, 6009 N. Broadway Ave., CHICAGO; 773506-7600. This a full-service grocery store, plus you will fi nd a big selection of organic and gluten-free products here. They have plenty of healthy snacks, too. Their prepared foods section is so tempting. I picked up some of their classic chicken salad, a chicken jalapeño quesadilla, some smoked mozzarella pasta salad and a vegan ultra green spanakopita. Every one of those items was so good. And, to keep it a little healthy, I picked up a bottle of Suja Organic celery juice.