Forest Park Review 101922

Cr ystal Car Wash expansion decision delayed by commission

Residents raise concerns about tra c, noise levels

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The Forest Park Planning & Zoning Commission decided to hold of f voting on whether to recommend the site plan approval and conditional use request for the Crystal Car Wash expansion, finding that there were too many lingering concerns about traffic and noise impact.

Crystal Car Wash, 901 S. Harlem Ave., previously purchased and demolished a vacant home across the street, at 7201 Lexington St., in order to build a 14-stall self-serve automobile vacuum facility. Many residential neighbors previously expressed concerns about the impact of noisy vacuums, with many arguing that the existing car wash was noisy enough, and having it expand would only make things worse. The commission was originally scheduled to consider the matter on May 16, but the owners asked for a continuance to give them more time to eng age neighbors

See CAR WASH on page 10

Jerry Vainisi remembered for community contributions

Family intends to keep Forest

helped cor rect some blighted locations. They personally usinesses and buildings so vitalized and repurposed.”

tts said, Vainisi “was always ready and willing” to talk to new business owners and see if he could help them get of f the ground.

inisi’s volunteerism, noting his involvement with Sarah’s Inn, a domestic violence victim services organization, as an example. And he said ed with Christ the King Jesuit Colle ge Prep high school in Chicago’s Austin comBlvd., giving students there an n at the bank.

inisi “would be greatly missed,” and that his commitment to public service had been an asset to the bank and the community it serves.

eat community servant and someone who advised and helped and worked with all of the neighbors and businesses, and all the public officials in Forest Park and Oak Park rest,” he said. “Those communities will miss his presence.”

inisi’s longtime friend and a mer District 91 superintendent, worked 12 years. When initially hone, he asked for some time to that would do his friend justice. The response he ultimately gave touched on both the personal and the professional.

JERRY VAINISI

ry’s [passing] is a tremendous loss Park community and to the bank,” Jones said. “He was very supporte of the business community and an effective leader. him respected and admired him. d interacting with bank customers. Jerry was ry loyal friend. Jerry’s professional skills served him well throughout many careers. He was a generous and caring individual and will be

Bank stands out as an increasing rarity in chains buy up family-owned eve a community bank is a vital asset to a community like Forest Park, since community banks are more in tune with “the opportunity and the risk” inherent in running a small business and understand the community’s particular needs.

It’s not just about crime reports and board meetings. We also need inspiring, funny, heartwarming and, at times, heartbreaking stories about our friends, neighbors and children. Perhaps now, more than ever.

Madison Street corridor and attracting businesses such as the originally Oak Park-based Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore, 7419 Madison St.

“He helped with the community revitalization 20 years ago, when he created, with a number of other institutional people in Forest Park, the Main Street Development Group,” he said. “Through that group, [he]

“The banker who is running, and working for, a small community bank has a better understanding of the needs that the borrowers and depositors have,” he said.

“I think it’s critical for the [welfare] of Forest Park as a community to have a successful Forest Park Bank.”

Watts said Vainisi’s family has no intention to sell.

“The Vainisi family is committed to their father’s mission, and I don’t anticipate any changes to operations or the ownership,” he said.

Commissioner Maxham’s campaign kickoff postponed after death in family

Maxham’s father taken to the hospital a er fainting at start of event

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The kick-off and fundraiser for village commissioner Maria Maxham’s election campaign was postponed Wednesday evening after her fa ther collapsed and was taken to the hospital. He died overnight.

Maxham texted the Review Thursday morning, writing that he died unexpectedly. She did not share any further details.

The campaign kick-off was to take place on Oct. 12 at Shanahan’s bar, 7353 Madison St., at 6:30 p.m. By the time the Review arrived to cover the event shortly before start time, Maxham’s father had already taken away in an ambulance. Firefighters returned to the scene to say that he was in stable condition.

Maxham’s campaign supporters announced the event’s cancellation on social media, and several stayed behind to let

any latecomers know what happened.

Incumbent mayor Rory Hoskins attended the event, as did Proviso Township High School District 209 Board of Education member Claudia Medina. Commissioner Joe Byrnes arrived after the medical emergency.

This would be Maxham’s first election campaign. She was serving as the Review’s editor when Hoskins appointed her to the village council on July 14, 2021, to fill a vacancy created when commissioner Dan Novak moved out of the village. Maxham was the only commissioner to show up to Hoskins’ May 25 campaign kickoff.

Medina initially told the Review that the event will be rescheduled for Oct. 22. In a subsequent interview, she said that, while Maxham is interested in rescheduling the event, nothing fir m has been decided at this time

OB ITUAR Y

Lloyd Tieu, 77 Lived the American Dream

Lloyd Khoanh Tieu, 77, died peacefully at home the morning of Sept. 20, 2022. Bor n on Oct. 26, 1945, he and his wife immigrated to America from post-war Vietnam 40 years ago. Their life journey together was the epitome of the American Dream; they worked hard, bought a home in Forest Park, and raised three successful children.

He was a kind and funny man who filled his world with laughter. He was also known to carry a tune and croon a bit. This is a talent that seems to have skipped a generation, but maybe there’s hope his genes have been passed to his grandchildren.

Lloyd is survived by his wife, Lisa; his two sons, James and Michael (Katie); his daughter, Kim, and two adorable grandchildren, Dylan and Connor.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more important.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours. Immediate availability in our Memory Care Assisted Living Small House

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

99% OF OUR CALEDONIA STAFF IS VACCINATED

MARIA MAXHAM

Nor th water tower to get same village logo as south tower

Village council appreciated consistenc y in design

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Forest Park’s village administrator felt the decision on what kind of village lo go should be painted on the nor th water tower tank, 7435 Franklin St., was so impor tant that he brought it to the full village council on Oct. 11.

But the decision was ultimately a nobrainer for the village council. When asked to choose whether the village name and lo go should be ar ranged horizontally, the way it is on the south water tower, or vertically, the commissioners unanimous-

ly chose the for mer They said that they wanted the design to be consistent between the two water towers, with some also adding that they thought the horizontal design looked better.

The village uses the two water towers to maintain water pressure in case of emergency. Forest Park also has two water tanks – one under the Mohr Community Center playg round and one under the Hannah Avenue pump station.

In 2021, the village contracted Tecorp, Inc to rehab the south water tower at a cost of $674,200. As part of that, the contractor re painted the tower, which, aside from the aesthetics, will protect it from corrosion for an estimated 15-25 years.

With the new coat of paint, the tower needed a new lo go – and the village council chose the horizontal lo go identical to the one used on the Forest Park website and of ficial village documents The only dif fer-

ence is that the lo go used slightly dif ferent shades of blue and yellow to account for the realities of painting a metal structure outdoors.

This year, the village approved a similar rehab of the nor th water tower. Before the new coat of paint, it had “Forest Park” written on it in simple green letters. The water tank is taller and more cylindrical in shape than the south tower’s more round water tank.

Moses Amidei, village administrator, told the council that the water tank’s dimensions would allow them to put on a vertical version of the village lo go, with the “Forest” on top, the village streetscape in the middle and “Park” below it. The village administrator said he had no preference, but he wanted to run it by the commissioners

“Because it’s the decision we’d have to live with for the next 20 years, I don’t want

to make the choice, or for [Director of Public Works] Sal [Stella] to make the choice,” Amidei said.

Commissioner Ryan Nero set the tone for the ensuing discussion, saying that he favored the horizontal lo go because it would make the design consistent between the two water towers

“I would be in favor of the consistent lo go re presenting the Village of Forest Park on the nor th and south sides,” he said.

Commissioner Jessica Voogd said she not only appreciated the consistency but thought the horizonal lo go was more “aesthetically pleasing.” Commissioner Maria Maxham said that, while it was “a tough choice,” she ultimately ag reed with Nero, while Commissioner Joe Byr nes simply said he ag reed with his colleagues.

“Moses – you have a direction,” said Mayor Rory Hoskins.

Hawk Auto buys long-vacant neighboring dealership site Plans for property unclear at this point

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

An LLC associated with the owner of Hawk Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Forest Park, 7911 Roosevelt Rd., bought the neighboring one-time Jer ry Gleason Chevrolet site, 7901 Roosevelt, which has sat largely unused for over a decade

According to county property records, the sale took place Aug. 25. That is when Tri-State Land Par tners, an LLC associated with Hawk owner Joe Crane, took out a $7.18 million mor tg age from Ally Bank. The LLC also paid of f a $40,242 lien the Village of Forest Park had on the proper ty The village placed the lien on the site on June 3, 2016 due to unpaid water bills by the site’s previous owner, the Gleason

family

It isn’t currently clear what Crane plans to do with the site. When reached by e-mail, he told the Review that he was traveling, and wouldn’t be able to do an interview until after this issue’s print deadline. The Review reached out to Forest Park Village Administrator Moses Amidei, who asked that it contact Crane first.

The dealership at the nor thwest cor ner of Roosevelt Road and Desplaines Avenue wraps around the east and nor th sides of the cur rent Hawk dealership. The purchase expands its footprint by nearly two thirds.

The dealership star ted as Gleason Chevrolet. The late Jer ry Gleason owned it for decades before selling it to Auto Nation group However, the land that the dealership was sitting on remained in the Gleason family

In 2007, Cur rie Motors bought the Chevy dealership, but it moved the operations to 8401 Roosevelt Rd., where it previously had

a Chrysler dealership. That move came after Cur rie was unable to get a rent reduction from Gleason’s ste pdaughter, Maureen Joyce. While Cur rie toyed with moving back to the site in 2017, nothing ultimately came of it.

Hawk in Forest Park is part of Hawk Auto, which also includes multiple dealerships in Joliet and St. Charles, and a single dealership in Oak Lawn. Crane also co-owns the Golf Mill Ford dealership in nor thwest suburban Niles

BIG WEEK

The Journey Of The Universe

Monday, Oc t. 24, 1:15-2:15 p.m., Nineteenth Centur y Charitable Association

The lm The Journey of the Universe reviews the development of life on Ear th and the place of mankind in the community of life. Bridget Sperduto, M.Ed., executive direc tor of The Well Spirituality Center, will be our guide. Voluntar y suggested donation from nonmembers: $15. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park

Music Rich & Strange

turday, Oc t. 22, 7:30 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church unday, Oc t. 23, 4 p.m., First United Church of Oak Park oices celebrates the music of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and inzi. $20 (18 and under are free). oicesmusicrichandstrange.bpt.me/ 611 Randolph, Oak Park and 848 Lake St., Oak Park.

Author Discussion & Signing With Michael Frutig

S unday, Oc t. 23, 2-3 p.m., Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore

Tenth Annual Forest Park Casket Races

Saturday, Oc t. 22, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., in the street

Self-explanator y ... and who hasn’t wanted to put wheels on a pinebox? Form your team and star t training now for your chance to win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place, or the most frightfully funny, or creepiest ‘casket’. More info at visitoakpark.com. Beloit Ave., south of Madison St.

C21 Women’s Ensemble

S unday, Oc t. 23, 3 p.m., Columbus Park Refector y

An Oak Park-based group dedicated to the music of empowerment, presents “Women in Constellation” a feminist choral experience a rming the energy that connects women worldwide. Pre -concer t discussion, 2 p.m. Concer t at 3 p.m. For tickets, visit c21womensensemble.com. Jackson Boulevard between Austin and Central.

Michael Frutig’s book, Lincoln & Chicago, explores the relationship between President Abraham Lincoln and the Windy City. 7419 Madison St., Forest Park.

Make Your O wn Mythical Beast Drawing Program

Monday, Oc t. 24, 4-5 p.m., Twisted Cookie

Fangs, claws, feathers and scales! Get crafty and show us your take on mythical creatures while eating delicious cookies! Paper, crayons, and other materials will be provided. Designed for ages 11-13. Masking procedures will be followed - please bring a mask in case this rule is enforced. 7401 Madison St., Forest Park.

Man allegedly threatens Submarine Tender customers with gun

A man alle gedly flashed a gun and threatened customers of the Submarine Tender restaurant, 200 Desplaines Ave., on Oct. 16 at around 9:43 p.m.

Forest Park police received a call claiming that the alle ged offender harassed customers and pointed his gun at another customer. By the time the responding officers arrived, the man had left, and the witnesses said he was seen running into an apar tment building on the same block.

While trying to enter the building, officers spotted a man matching the alle ged offender’s description enter the common area on the other side of the front door. The man refused to open the front door and fled deeper into the building.

The officers tracked the suspect to an apar tment unit. The tenant only opened the door after the alle ged offender left, saying that the man pleaded with him not to open the door because the police officers would beat him up.

Working with the Oak Park and River Forest police departments, the officers searched the building, eventually finding the alle ged offender in the back of the build-

ing. He didn’t have a gun on him, and the police couldn’t find the gun on the property.

The Submarine Tender staf f declined to sign a complaint against the alle ged offender. The alle ged offender was charged with refusing to comply with police officer’s orders.

Multi-vehicle accident involving drunk driver

A 34-year-old Chicago man caused a three-car accident after driving north in the southbound lane at 531 S. Harlem Ave.

The accident took place Oct. 14 at 9:57 p.m. According to witness accounts from the other two drivers, the alle ged offender drove his blue 2011 Ford Escape turned onto Harlem Avenue from Jackson Boulevard and crashed the two vehicles heading south. The alle ged of fender re por tedly hit the blue 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe first, then a white 2016 Dodge. The Ford ended up on the west sidewalk with “heavy” damage on the driver’s side, while the Hyundai and the Dodge were in the southbound lane, with lighter

damage on their respective drivers’ sides.

When asked about the accident, the Ford driver insisted that he was driving southbound. The officers smelled alcohol on his breath and noticed that his eyes were glassy and bloodshot. He ag reed to take the sobriety test at first, but then changed his mind.

The alle ged offender was placed into custody due to suspicion of driving under influence. A breathalyzer test showed the alcohol level of .196, well above the .08 legal limit.

He was charged with driving under the influence and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Recovery of stolen vehicle

Forest Park police were able to recover a silver 2013 Hyundai Elantra that was stolen a few hours earlier from a municipal parking lot.

The victim said that, on Oct. 9 at 4 p.m., his wife parked the Hyundai at a village municipal parking lot. He still had the car key, and there was shattered glass at the parking spot.

On Oct. 10 at around 1:19 a.m., a police

officer on routine patrol noticed the stolen vehicle and a black 2021 Acura sedan heading east on Adams Street before turning north on Thomas Avenue. The Hyundai was missing its rear lights. The office pulled the Hyundai over, and the driver and the passenger ran out of the car, heading west in the nearby alley. The Acura took the alley in the opposite direction.

Another officer intercepted the Acura as it traveled west on Adams Street. The driver and the passenger said they were coming from a party and denied knowing anyone in the stolen Hyundai. The officer let them go and ke pt an eye on them. The Acura didn’t pick the suspects, and it was last seen heading east on Eisenhower Expressway.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, Oct. 10-16, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

Compiled by Igor Studenkov

Metra proposes ditching popular $100 Super Saver pass

Proposed budget would lower regular pass prices

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Metra’s proposed budget for next year calls for doing away with the popular $100 Super Saver system-wide monthly pass while lowering the price of the re gular, zone-based monthly passes

The move would save money for commuters closer to downtown Chicago, but it would re present a fare hike for commuters in farther-flung Cook County suburbs and the collar counties.

Metra monthly passes have traditionally been zonebased, with prices increasing the fur ther one gets from downtown Chicago. The Super Saver Pass, which was introduced in June, is good for the entire system.

It is cheaper than monthly passes for most of the system, so the pass ef fectively displaced the traditional monthly passes. However, it was always described as a pilot – first for three months, then for the rest of the year.

In its 2023 preliminary budget, Metra described the proposed lower re gular monthly pass prices as the way to better match the post-pandemic commuting patter ns With federal stimulus funds supporting all public transit slated to run out next year, Metra is looking for a way to increase revenue while still of fering riders a better deal than they had pre-Super Saver.

Approval of this aspect of the budget is by no means a sure thing. During the Oct. 12 meeting of the Metra board of directors, several directors argued that shifting to a more zone-based approach was a ste p backwards, especially given the Super Saver’s popularity. The board will vote to approve the budget at its Nov. 11 meeting, but the budget can be changed until then.

During the pandemic, the commuters shifted away from monthly passes, because it became less cost ef fective with fewer people coming into the of fice five days a week.

According to Metra’s Se ptember 2022 ridership repor t, in June only 14 percent of all riders used monthly passes, while 27 percent bought day passes.

Since then, the share of riders who use monthly passes has been going up every month, reaching 33 percent in September, while the percentage that used day passes dropped slightly. The re port attributed the uptick in monthly pass usage to the Super Saver pass

The new monthly pass prices would re present a price decrease for monthly pass users locally.

Riders boarding trains in Oak Park and River Forest, as well as Chicago’s Galewood and Nor th Austin neighborhoods will be able to travel downtown for $68

a month.

While Metra riders historically tended to use monthly passes to commute downtown, they are just as useful for reverse commuters. For example, riders going from East Garfield Park to River Forest will be able to make the trip for $64 a month.

Riders would still be able to pay an extra $30 to buy a Re gional Connect Pass, which would tur n it into a monthly pass for CTA el trains as well as CTA and Pace buses

The budget also proposes doing away with a $10 Day Pass, which works system-wide, and a $6 Day Pass that works for up to three fare zones They were introduced in June 2020 and the star t of 2022, respectively.

The $6 day pass is cheaper than the costs of two-way tickets between downtown Chicago and any station in this newspaper’s coverage area. The $10 day pass re presents a smaller savings for Brookfield, Riverside, Bellwood, Berkeley, Maywood and Melrose Park riders, because two one-way tickets for those stations cost $11, but it is a better value for riders further away.

Those passes would be re placed with an equivalent of a Round Trip Plus pass, a daily pass that works within the specific fare zones and is wor th the equivalent of two one-way tickets. While this won’t save commuters money, it provides greater convenience.

The Round Trip Plus pass was introduced in Se ptember 2020, but it was discontinued at the star t of 2022 in favor of the $6 Day Pass. The Round Trip Plus pass’ usage increased over time, but it consistently trailed the $10 Day Pass.

The proposed budget described all those changes as a way to encourage more riders to use monthly passes

While Metra budgets in recent years tended to pass with few changes, the proposal got the pushback from directors re presenting the collar countries. Director Ste phen Palmer, who re presents west suburban Cook County, said that speaking to riders illustrated just how popular the Super Saver pass has been.

While he said he was concer ned about the budget once the federal stimulus funds run out, he believed that kee ping the pass had merit. He and several other directors also said that riders prefer red a simple fare structure, and zone-based passes inherently complicated it

In a press release issued following the Oct. 12 meeting, Metra described the proposal as just “one proposal” on the table.

“Metra may also consider a fare proposal reflective of comments from board members indicating a desire for a more simplified and consolidated fare structure, potentially consisting of retaining the existing $100 Super Saver Monthly Pass, the existing $6 and $10 day passes, or some combination of those and similar products,” it stated.

Replica gun in Forest Park Walmar t sets o active shooter rumors

Two teens cited for breach of peace

By MICHAEL ROMAIN and IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporters

Two male juveniles were apprehended on the early after noon of Oct. 16 after a gun-shaped lighter in their possession set of f speculation on social media that there may have been an active shooter event at the Forest Park Walmar t, 1300 Desplaines Ave.

“It was just a re plica gun. No one was shot,” Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins told the Review after it initially reached out for comment.

Hoskins said Forest Park police infor med him at around 12:53 p.m. on Sunday that they had received a call from Walmar t’s loss prevention de par tment, which detects shoplifting at the store.

A witness who was in the area shor tly after police arrived at Walmar t said she saw people run into the pa rking lot.

Living Fresh Market, which is located nearby in Forest Park Plaza, locked its doors and barred patrons from entering as a precaution, the witness said.

According to the of ficial police re port of the incident and an inter nal memo shared with the Review, the store’s loss prevention of ficer spotted a 15-year-old boy and his 12-year-old cousin riding around on scooters, and the 15-year-old showed what looked like a gun and shoved it in his pants The loss prevention of ficer called the police at around 11:57 a.m., showing them the surveillance footage of the incident when they ar rived.

The of ficers were able to locate the two teens The of ficers approached the teens with weapons drawn and took them into custody without any issue. It was only then that the of ficers saw the object was a gun re plica lighter

The two teens it tur ned out were in the store with their grandmother, who is their le g al guardian. The 15-year-old said his cousin gave him the lighter after realizing that he forgot to leave it in the car.

The two were issued local ordinance citations for Disorderly Conduct-Breach of Peace and Disorderly ConductUnreasonable or Of fensive Act and released into their grandmother’s custody.

CAR WASH Residents object

from page 1

During an Oct. 17 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, co-owner Neil Rembos said it would put in a noise-reducing fence on the nor th and west sides of the Lexington Street property and make it as high as the village re gulations would allow. The new vacuums would have holsters designed to reduce the amount of noise, and Rembos said he ag reed to make some modifications to reduce noise in the existing facility, including re placing the existing vacuum no zzles with a less noisy design and adding sound absor ption systems at the car wash tunnel exit. But many residents in attendance expressed concer ns about traf fic and wanted a second opinion on whether the proposed noise abatement would be ef fective.

Crystal Car Wash plans to operate the vacuum facility between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. The Forest Park municipal code doesn’t allow businesses to make noise that “disturb[s] the peace” between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., so they must get special permission, including the approval of the site plan. The Planning & Zoning Commission can either recommend approval or denial, but the village council has the ultimate say over whether this goes forward.

Rembos said he personally checked the new vacuums at the factory where they are being produced and had them tested at the car wash in front of Steve Glinke, the village’s head of building, planning and zoning.

In addition to the aforementioned noise reduction measures, Crystal Car Wash ag reed to install additional security camer-

as on the west sides of the two lots and put in a camera with license plate reading and vehicle identification equipment on top of the 13-foot pole at the nor theast cor ner of Lexington lot. Rembos said this was done after discussions with Forest Park Police Chief Ken Gross, and that it would help address public safety issues on that section of Harlem Avenue

Several times throughout the meeting, he said that Crystal Car Wash didn’t have to take many of those ste ps, but they ag reed to because they wanted to be good neighbors.

“This is something we want to do voluntarily, because we met with the group [of neighbors], we’re happy with the ag reement that we made,” Rembos said. “This is our best ef fort to meet everyone’s needs.”

Planning commissioners Ker ri McBride and Kevin Hibbits expressed concer ns about the noise, with Hibbits noting that he personally drove around the area, and

vacuum sounds were the one constant. They also wondered about the traf fic study of the potential impact of the expansion. Glinke responded that it wasn’t something the village asked Crystal Car Wash to do because the village didn’t believe it was necessary

Commissioner Ryan Russ said he would like to see more detailed information on how much noise is already there, to get a better idea of how much noise the fencing and other measures would reduce During the public comment period, several neighbors, including the family of Crystal Car Wash’s original owner, spoke in favor of the project.

“Crystal Car Wash, they’re great neighbors,” said resident Debbie James. “We’ re [not too bothered] by the noise, and I endorse improvement and enhancement, so I’m for the expansion.”

“I live right next door,” said Cecilia Grayson, daughter of the Crystal Car Wash

founder “It doesn’t bother me, and I enjoy them, I really do I enjoy having them as neighbors.”

But many neighbors that came in argued that Rembos’ plans don’t go far enough, especially when it comes to addressing traf fic Architect Jason Sippel said that he would like to see an acoustic engineer study the noise-reduction measures.

Mark Denny was among several neighbors who called for a traf fic study.

“I think it’s disingenuous to suggest there wouldn’t be additional traf fic -- otherwise, they wouldn’t be investing in this business,” he said.

Catherine He garty said that, while the car wash has been there for decades, the vacuums are a relatively recent addition, and it didn’t use to attract as much traffic as it does now. She said she was willing to give the noise-reduction measures a chance, but wondered if it was possible to put in “something like a cul-de-sac” on Lexington to reduce the traf fic impact.

Brandon Prosek argued the village should have been more hands-on with addressing the issue, comparing the current situation with two kids being left alone in the room by their mother He said he suppor ted “a cul-de-sac or a median” to calm traf fic.

“I would ask that you provide the solution that is safer for the neighborhood,” Prosek said.

In the end, the commission voted to continue the matter to its next meeting to give the village and Crystal Car Wash time to study the acoustics, the ef fectiveness of the sound wall and wall height, the traf fic and the possibility of adding a cul-de-sac at Lexington. They are expected to discuss the progress during the Nov. 21 meeting, but Glinke noted that the actual studies may take longer

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Cr ystal Car Wash on Harlem Avenue in Forest Park.

Casket Races prove Forest Park still kicking

Defending champs from park district choose Golden Ghouls theme

By JAMIE O’TOOLE Contributing Reporter

On Oct. 22, 17 teams will compete in the Chamber of Commerce’s 10th annual Casket Race with the chance to win the most ‘frighteningly funny’ or ‘creepiest’ casket theme. Not to mention the possibility of actually winning the race.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. and run to 2:30 p.m., animating a community of over 13,000 people in a town of 800,000 people who are six feet under.

At 10:30 a.m. the parade of caskets will begin. The Chamber of Commerce Casket Race Committee and radio personality MC Bonnie Greene will judge the casket decor at the race.

“We look at all the teams and how they’re creatively dressed and their casket, and we

look for the creepiest casket and then the funniest,” said Laurie Kokenes, executive director of the chamber.

Runners will begin the race at 11 a.m. on Beloit Avenue just south of Madison Street. Each team will have the chance to run twice, Kokenes said. Runners will push their casket vehicle along a 585-foot course that begins on Adams Street and ends at the alley south of Madison, she said.

Kokenes said the goal is for participants to reach their best time within two tries, and the runners with the quickest time will win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place, awarded with a trophy. There will also be a trophy awarded to the last and slowest team, named the “Dead Last’ trophy.

“[Dead Last] is what [some] want to win, because they really don’t want to run or perhaps can’t run,” Kokenes said.

Many residents along the racecourse have outdoor viewing parties, Kokenes said, so the chamber will also award the best “house party.”

Kokenes thought of the idea for a casket race a few years before the Chamber of

Commerce’s 100th anni and the anniversary celebration presented the opportunity to commemorate Forest history of multiple cemeteries during Halloween time. The ratio of residents under and above ground is 50 to 1, kenes said.

“There’s more dead people than alive in Forest it kind of ties the Halloween theme, the fall theme in the little unique information Forest Park in there, Jackie Iovinelli, director of the Park District of Forest Park

The park district team took 1st place in the 2021 race. Their casket theme this year is inspired by the district’s recent purchase of the old The Pines restaurant property on Harrison Street and playing on the park district’s “inside joke” of Shady Pines from the Golden Girls.

“This year…we are going with Golden Ghouls,” Iovinelli said.

In between the race there will be a kids and pets costume parade, and following the race will be a chance to Trick or Treat on Madison St. and support local businesses from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

If you’ re interested in participating, call the Chamber of Commerce at 708-366-2543 to check availability and re gister.

Prov iso Math and Science Academy

Dead Teams Running

The 2022 Casket Race Competitors

Forest Park Public Works

Team members:

Joe Decosola, Dylan Ryan, Paul Richards, Steve Knysch, Paul Richards, Evan Braniff

Years in the Casket Races: Two

Casket Theme: Public Works Pick-Up Truck

Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket:

We built it from scratch with no experience. It has flashing lights like a real Public Works truck

Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races: The community coming together for a fun event

Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot: Fiore/Cactus Grill toss up

Post-race victory celebration: Pizza Party!

Team Doss

Team members:

Jack Doss, Fred Calvert, Brady Ryan, Danny Bockavich, Emily Strharsky.

Years in the Casket Races: One

Casket Theme: Register to vote!!

Golden Ghouls

Park District of Forest Park

Team members: Ryan Vilanova, Andre Steward, Micah O’Neal, AJ Jamison, Molly Allen (in the casket)

Years in the Casket Races: Eight

Casket Theme:

Shady “Pines” – Golden Girls

Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket: We are calling it shady pines because of the purchase of the Harrison street Property, The Pines business.

Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races: We enjoy the team building amongst our staff.

Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot: Duck Fat or O’Sullivan’s Post-race victory celebration: Possibly one of the above choices.

The Running Jakes

Team members: Mark Hanson, Kyle Casey, Sam Klegon, Luis Anaya, Javonte Keys, Lauren Macaulay Years in the Casket Races: Two

Casket Theme: Jake from State Farm

Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket: We almost killed one of our team members last year. We will be ready to run this year. Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races: The crowds and energy. Seeing all the kids.

Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot: Subtender and O’Sullivan’s Post-race victory celebration: Coors Light and a champaign shower

Hurry, Hurry Hippos

Team members: Ginger Bencola, Kelly Bencola, Christy Cutts, Marie MacBain, Emily Wolfkiel, and Jeff Sandler

Years in the Casket Races: Five

Casket Theme: Hurry, Hurry Hippos

Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket: Our casket is cursed... every year we have spray glue injuries during our prep days!

Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket:

The awareness of registering to vote with a spooky twist!

Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races: We love seeing all the families out enjoying a community event! Also, some of the best parties along the street.

Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot: The Golden Steer, Goldyburgers.

Post-race victory celebration: An afternoon in the beer garden at Goldyburgers!

Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races:

The Casket Race is a full-year event for our team: recovery from the previous year, off-season brainstorming, getting the casket detailed and decorated, and training the next generation of casket racers. We also love the energy of the crowd, especially when they start chanting for us. It gives us the competitive edge.

Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot: Mexican Republic

Post-race victory celebration: After we give all of our kids rides in the casket, we’ll add our trophy to our collection and start planning for next year!

boutyourTeamand/or

Bulldog Bootcamp and Crossfit

Team members: Michael Brown, Patrick Moreno, Stacie Kern, Brian Mullaghy, Amber Kardosh-Driver

Years in the Casket Races:

First year

Casket Theme: Dead Bulldog

The Dead Last

TheDeadLast

Team members:

Ian Pfaff, Dave Ksander, Todd Beyer, Mike Ewing, Matt Penetti

Years in the Casket Races:

Two

Casket Theme:

Franken-Stein: A machine that uses Frankenstein’s blood to power the engine and serve delicious drinks.

Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket:

Well… We’re gonna make it look like our casket is actually powered by Frankenstein’s blood and that we drink it too (In a G-rated family-friendly kind of way)

Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races: Everything about it is the best! Just the fact that FP does it is one of the main reasons why we love Forest Park so much. It’s a fun, unique and a great time to let grown-ups have a good time.

Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot:

It’s a toss-up - Louie’s for Breakfast, Mexican Republic for Dinner - Goldyburger’s for everything else

Post-race victory celebration:

We’re having a big BBQ in our backyard a block away from the race. Everyone’s invited! 418 Thomas.

ed! 418 T

Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket: Our Dead Bulldog Skeleton Hood Ornament!

Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races: It’s a great way to get outside with the community, and great entertainment for the kids.

Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot: Exit Strategy

Post-race victory celebration: A round of beers at Exit Strategy!

Other Teams

Othe

Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor

Drew Depriest/Cub Scouts

Forest Park Schools D91

Guaranteed Rate/Jeremy Rose

Kristen Lyons

Midnight Misfits (police dept)

Oak Park Runners Club

Riveredge Hospital

Triton College

Venture Paving Group

Commissioner Ryan Nero Commissioner Joe ByrnesCommissioner Jessica Voogd Commissioner Maria Maxham

Commissioner Ryan Nero Commissioner Joe ByrnesCommissioner Jessica Voogd Commissioner Maria Maxham

Attitudes about Halloween depend on how you look at it

for fun!” The Park’s executive director, Jackie Iovinelli, said, “We enjoy seeing the expression on the faces of the children as they see the decorations We have also noticed families taking family photos in the pumpkin patches.”

OB ITU ARIES

Dale Petersohn, 70 Singer, songwriter, guitarist

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

When we look at Halloween through the eyes of children, we see one more oppor tunity to pretend, to make believe, to dress up as Har ry Potter or a ghost or a Ghostbuster or a superhero or a pumpkin.

If you ask kids why they love dressing up, they will respond, “Because it’s fun, duh.”

If you ask psycholo gists why kids make believe, those online answer along the lines of what Dr. Sandra Waite-Stupiansky wrote: “When children dress up as par t of their pretend play, they re present themselves as someone else — a mother, a monster, a dinosaur It’s an impor tant par t of their development of ‘transfor ming’ one thing into another In this case, they are transfor ming themselves into another role.”

According to the online site Investopedia, Americans this year will spend $3.6 billion on costumes for Halloween. That’s in addition to $3.1 billion on candy and $3.4 billion on decorations

And apparently, kids are not the only Forest Park residents who enjoy making believe. If you watch the casket races this Saturday, you’ ll see some of the team members costumed like their children and having fun doing it.

All of this is not lost on the business community. Viewed through the eyes of a business owner, Halloween is an oppor tunity to make money Right by the checkout lanes at Ed’s Way, for example, there’s a table heaped with Three Musketeers, M&Ms and other bitesized candies.

Outside the building that houses Forest Foot Care and the Foundry/FP strollers on Madison Street, you’ ll encounter two 15-foot-high skeletons and a 6-foot-tall Frankenstein. The Chamber of Commerce runs the casket races and events like the St. Patrick’s Day Parade par tly to take advantage of the spirit of the various holidays to attract foot traf fic to Forest Park’s main business strip.

But along with making money, part of their motivation is contributing to the spirit of community. When asked why village hall has five witches sponsored by the Ar ts Alliance outside the building, Village Administrator Moses Amidei said, “Our seasonal events and traditions are something that we all look forward to throughout the year … continuing and building upon our strong sense of community pride. That is our collective responsibility.”

The tag line for park communications is “Take time

The primary concer n of Police Chief Ken Gross is, of course, public safety, but he also sees Halloween as a chance to have fun. “It is a day of potential hijinks,” he acknowledged, “but it’s a fun day for children and those enjoying a costume party or two. The police depar tment hopes that it is a safe and enjoyable day for everyone celebrating.”

Forest Park’s two Lutheran pastors, however, viewed Halloween through more critical eyes. Rev. David Mercurio, pastor of St. Paul Thai Lutheran Church, said, “When I was a kid, neighborhood children would dress up as scarecrows, car toon characters and an occasional hobo. In the decades since, Halloween fell of f the rails. Today we have a culture that celebrates death and all things demonic Kids dress up as hideous blood-soaked murderers.”

The pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Rev. Leonard Payton, was also critical, ag reeing that some costumes have become “tasteless or even objectionable,” but his main problem with Halloween celebrations nowadays is that they trivialize the demonic and death.

“Our culture car toonizes death at Halloween,” Payton said. “Otherwise, it tries to deny its existence. There is some denial that a cosmic, pitched battle is going on here between life and the inevitable consequences of sin in our bodies But when we cordon ourselves of f from the reality of death, we also ne glect the resur rection. We live as if this life is all there is, and in so doing, dig and scratch for present comforts and diversions, always finding that they are not enough. Small wonder we live with an e pidemic of de pression and despair.”

Rev. Payton added that for Lutherans and many other Protestant denominations, Oct. 31 is Reformation Day.

“On that day in 1517,” he explained, “Mar tin Luther posted a notice for a debate on the practices of indulgences For some amount of money, the Pope would sell you remission from some sins, an indulgence. Well, that humble monk posted a notice that set of f a firestor m because it cut of f the cash flow right at the ankles The pushback was swift and fierce.”

And speaking of cash flow, “Taxes might seem quite cer tain here in Illinois, and especially in Cook County But that’s not quite true Death is so much more cer tain than taxes. Indeed, it is the one thing in the whole universe that is cer tain. Death has a 100% record against us It is, quite simply, the greatest power we know in the universe. And yet, one man did break the power of death. This should be of interest to everyone. His name is Jesus.”

Dale F. Petersohn, 70, of Forest Park, died peacefully on Oct. 8, 2022. His passion was music An excellent songwriter, guitarist and singer, he recorded and perfor med his original music throughout Chicagoland, as well as Nashville during his time living there. He worked at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago as a books and media buyer and sales associate for the music store, and also ran the Songwriters Circle until rheumatoid arthritis disabled him.

Dale was the son of the late Franklin and Delores (Przeracki) Petersohn and the brother of the late Suzanne Petersohn. He is survived by his cousins and friends, and his caregiver, Juwana. His cousins extend their sincere gratitude to “J” for her care and compassion toward not only Dale, but Sue as well before her passing last year

Visitation and service were held on Oct. 14 at Zimmer manHar nett Funeral Home, 7319 W. Madison St., Forest Park, followed by inter ment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside Memorials are appreciated to: Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60625, oldtownschool.org and Rheumatoid Ar thritis Foundation, 8815 Conroy Winder mere Road, Suite 309, Orlando FL 32835, https:// www.helpfightra.org.

Belinda Scollard, 68

Forest Park Building D epar tment employee

Belinda Denise Scollard (nee Vossel), 68, a longtime Forest Park resident, died on Oct. 1, 2022, sur rounded by loved ones. Bor n on Se pt. 29, 1954 to parents Alice and Edward Vossel Jr., she touched many lives while working in the Forest Park Building Depar tment for more than 25 years. She made friends wherever she went, and proudly proclaimed, “I’m mar ried to an Irishman.”

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Daniel Scollard Jr. Belinda was the mother of Daniel (Rebekah) and Patrick (Anna Falbo); the sister of twin brother Paul Vossel and brothers Dale and Dennis Vossel; the sister-in-law of Edmond (Debra) Scollard; grandmother of Kal, Ava, Hannah and MJ Scollard; aunt of eight nieces and ne phews; and not to be forgotten, Carol (Rich) Benanti.

Visitation was held on Oct. 7 at Zimmer man-Har nett Funeral Home in Forest Park, with St. Ber nardine Catholic Church on Oct. 8, followed by inter ment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery

And the holiday doesn’t look the same to everyone

Inva sion of the Scarec rows

It was a bumper crop of scarecrows this year as nearly 75 scenes have been set up throughout Forest Park Inspired by literature, film, spor ts, ar tists, Halloween, and local history, the scarecrows help to fund two local nonprofits — Forest Park Historical Society and the Ar ts Alliance. Everyone is encouraged to get out and view the creativity of neighbors and vote for the scarecrow display by award category: Forest Park Pride, Most Historic, Most Ar tistic, and the overall People’s Choice, at forestparkhistory.org.

Shown here (clockwise from top le ): “It’s a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” 1508 Marengo; “Dia de Los Muertos,” 819 Circle; “ e Nightmare Before Christmas,” 908 Lathrop; “Scarecrow Diva,” 1132 Dunlop; and “Party Pete,” 1532 Marengo

PHOTO S BY JILL WAGNER/Photographer

OPINION

OUR VIEW

Vainisi’s legacy in Forest Park

We mour n the death of Jer ry Vainisi, the owner, leader and force behind Forest Park Bank. Sure, he had other successes on his extended resume. Being the GM for the Bears when they won the Super Bowl in the 1980s will get the headlines on his Oct. 4 death at age 80.

But our headline is his 23 years at the helm of our local bank.

When he purchased the bank in 1999 it was not unusual to have an independent local bank on the main commercial strip. And truthfully Forest Park National, as it was then known, was sor t of a faceless entity, not a driving force in the life of this village

Vainisi changed that dramatically. This quickly became Forest Park’s bank – with some impor tant reach into River Forest and Oak Park. What does that actually mean? Vainisi suppor ted colleagues like Ar t Jones, Don Of fer mann, his son Jack Vainisi and current president Dan Watts in focusing intently on the renaissance of Madison Street. This was investing in the purchase of troubled but notable buildings on a declining main street, finding and suppor ting entrepreneurs in opening retail and restaurants in those buildings

It is the sor t of work that only a deter mined locally and independently owned community bank can do, wants to do, has the vision to do Watts, in remembering Vainisi, told our Igor Studenkov, “The banker who is running, and working for, a small community bank has a better understanding of the needs that the bor rowers and de positors have. I think it is critical for the [welfare] of Forest Park as a community to have a successful Forest Park Bank.”

This bank is one of Forest Park’s key assets and it puts our village at a competitive advantage over towns served only by the re gional and national banks which lack local decision-making and connection.

That is why is it such good news to hear Watts say that Jer ry Vainisi’s heirs have no intention of selling of f this bank.

It is his le gacy to this village and it is a vital one.

Drive a Hawk? We’re in

One of the gaping holes on Roosevelt Road and in Forest Park’s economic engine has been the long vacant, or severely under utilized, car dealership at Desplaines Avenue

Built decades back by Jer ry Gleason to house his Chevy dealership, it later became an AutoNation dealer. Until it wasn’t

For well more than a decade, the large parcel has sat vacant. Sometimes it was used to store overflow vehicles from other nearby auto dealers. Clearly it was under perfor ming and looked dark and discouraging.

Now we are re porting that an affiliate of the adjacent Hawk Auto has purchased the site We hope to re port soon on its specific plans to reinvigorate the cor ner, give it life and generate needed sales tax revenues for the village

The art of mending conversations

Maybe, like me are in need of refresher course in “making con tion.” There are more and more times when I am finding myself around real, li people. And maybe a con that “goes south” becomes something that you review in y over and over, as you try to figure out how you contributed to the exchange that didn’t flow just right. Met a new neighbor, she was lovely, and I thought we were having a perfectly fun conversation. Then it tur ned, ending with me agitated and confused, and I might have yelled something like, “You don’t know who you are talking to,” which is embar rassing and silly when I think about it.

WAGNER

I’ve reviewed our exchange using the tips available in a quick Google search, and wonder how to mend it:

1. Ask questions (shows you’ re paying attention and interested)

Where did you move from? Welcome to the quiet side of town; it is a secret and just a lovely place to come home to. Do you like it here? We have lots of goldfinches, possum, skunk and occasionally deer over here; have you had any wildlife visitors to your new yard?

2. Avoid controversial topics (know your audience — there are lots of landmines here)

Yes, I am familiar with the architect that built your previous home in Oak Park and actually was one of the House Captains of that walk the year your house was on the house walk; it was beautiful. Politely chose not to mention that E.E. Rober ts is the architect whose craft is under the addition at Field Stevenson, and only some of the architecture can be seen from Ferdinand. Identify that she likely does not know how the grade centers work, therefore she may not be ready for the Shark theme song from Field Stevenson.

e our chilwn and successful; ou dethe pride you’ re onderful.

nodding too avoid ersial compliments or a beautiful home rific neighborhood. Yes, that fence you put up really frames the property, and will create privacy from people waiting for the bus in the mor ning. Politely choose not to mention any of the critical remarks about Oak Park that disparage the people and village. Laser in on the positive and the here and now.

6. Don’t come on too strong

Shucks. It was the casual, unsolicited, disparaging remarks about Proviso high schools that caught me off guard, like what she was saying was as easy and bree zy. This was the tipper.

7. Ask for advice or recommendations

Advice and recommendations were offered, and you know what, I didn’ t ask. But she is not an anomaly, she will find her tribe in Forest Park Robert Frost said it well, “Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,” and likely she will be gracious when the sidewalks are plowed at her cor ner lot; she will be tickled and every week when she puts out her garbage and yard waste without stickers, and when her tax bill ar rives, she will delight.

When the comforting sounds of a back yard par ty is humming, or children cruise by on their bikes or the mor ning jo ggers pass by her window, she will feel right at home. As she really gets to know her new community, she will appreciate the authenticity and charm.

But when it comes to her new township, Proviso, good fences make good neighbors

The mending is on hold

Tales of school days and tombstones

Last weekend was busy for me. On Friday night, I celebrated my bir thday by dining at The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant with two of my high school classmates. I brought along a copy of the Review that mentions the restaurant. They treated us like royalty

When it was time to relocate, we met at O’Sullivan’s for more drinks. They enjoyed the festive atmosphere. One of them said if he lived in Forest Park, he’d be there every night. I saw them again on Saturday, when we celebrated our 50th High School reunion at St. Ignatius Colle ge Prep.

When we ar rived, a student gave us a very complete tour of the school. We were seeing many of the rooms for the first time. The school is like an ar t museum now. Back when we attended, it was generally considered a dump.

After the reunion Mass, we got reacquainted during the cocktail hour and dinner. One of my classmates spent the first 37 years of his life living in Forest Park. We had a great time reminiscing about the village. When I gave him our previous address on Beloit, he cor rectly identified our across-the-street neighbor. With other

In the photo: Behind signs, le : unknow n. Right: Louis Nichols. First row (L to R): Charles Hund, Vic Trapanese, Buck O’Brien, Frank Golden, Ed Murrey, J. Murrey. Rear (L to R): Bud Leninger, George Leninger, unknown, Tom Rock, Boe Bourbeau, Everett Mack, John Kaufeldt, Paul Sansone, Frank Winkler, Bud Bourbeau Jill Wagner

friends, our common bond was running for the cross country team. The reunion rekindled many friendships We’re still hanging out after half a century

I was scheduled to perfor m at Forest Home Cemetery the next day. I was understandably nervous because I hadn’t memorized my par t. I was wearing a vintage costume and would por tray River Forest attor ney elix Grif fen. My co-star, Sean Bar nard, was playing architect William Drummond. Our common bond was that we both love River Forest.

This was the 31st Annual Tale of the Tombstones and the theme was “Designing Community.” Over 200 people braved the chilly weather to take the tour. The only bad part about acting was that we missed the perfor mances of the other actors. They por trayed Oak Park pioneer Betty Kettlestrings, a milliner named F lora Gill, and a community org anizer named Lenin Pelle g rino, among others.

My role required me to play an old man, which was quite a stretch. I carried a cane, so the audience could suspend their disbelief. I planned to base my perfor mance on Hedly Lamar, the crooked lawyer from the film Blazing Saddles

Sean played Drummond in a more straightforward manner. Sean is a “young whippersnapper” of 35. Our script contained long speeches by both of us. So we decided to inter rupt each other to create a more natural exchange. We had good chemistry and our banter caused audiences to laugh at the right times. I chose to play it like Hedly because River Forest did snatch a little land from Forest Park.

Grif fen describes how the “leading families” of wester n River Forest heard that the easter n section, which included Forest Park, was going to incorporate as the Village of Harlem. As Grif fen, I complained that the easter n section was populated by Ger man immigrants, who drank beer They patronized taver ns whereas Grif fen was a staunch champion of Temperance.

To keep the taver ns out of River Forest, Grif fen persuaded a Chicago judge to allow River Forest to incorporate one day before the Village of Harlem incorporated.

Forest Park became his “Rock Ridge” because this maneuver allowed River Forest to snatch the north side of Madison Street from Lathrop to Thatcher.

I really enjoy the Tale of the Tombstones tours. The only thing missing is more involvement by the Forest Park Historical Society. It would be great to see more Forest Parkers playing characters. The cemetery, after all, is in the part of “Rock Ridge” we still own.

REVIEW

Repor ter Igor Studenkov

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Michael Romain

Senior Editor Bob Uphues

Digital Publishing & Technology Manager

Briana Higgins

Contributing Repor ters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Li a

Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice

Big Week Editor James Porter

Staff Photographers Alex Rogals, Shanel Romain

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

S ales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck, Kamil Brady

Business & Development Manager

Mary Ellen Nelligan

Donor Relations Manager/Food Editor Melissa Elsmo

Development & Sales Coordinator

Stacy Coleman

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Board of Directors

Chair Judy Gre n

Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

HOW TO REACH US

ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-366-0600 ■ FAX 708-467-9066

EMAIL forestpark@wjinc.com

CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com

ONLINE ForestParkReview.com

Postmaster: Please send address changes to:

Forest Park Review,141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No 0205-160)

In- county subscriptions: $30 per year

$44 for two years, $60 for three years

Out- of-county subscriptions: $38 per year

This photo was taken at one of the sideshows at the Forest Park Amusement Park, circa 1919. The amusement park, located at the wester n cor ner of Har rison and Desplaines, featured rides, g ames, shows and even a swimming pool.

Growing Community Media

HELP WANTED

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class.

Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

To perform various network/system administration, computer support, and operational activities for the Village including computer system setup, configuration, and testing.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential duties and responsibilities

1. Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs and culture.

2. Configure, test, and deploy network systems, such as, firewalls, routers, switches, wireless equipment, network servers and storage arrays.

3. Configure, test, and deploy system servers, such as, file, print, Internet, e-mail, database, and application servers.

4. Configure, test, and monitor server and end-user systems for security, such as, user accounts, login scripts, file access privileges, and group policy management.

5. Configure, test, and deploy end-user systems, such as, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and software.

6. Test, configure, deploy, and support security systems, such as, facility access system, video & audio system.

7. Monitor and auditing of networks, systems, and user activities to ensure security and efficiency of systems. Create scripts and reports of detail activities for regular review.

8. Perform and participate in disaster recovery activities, such as, backup procedures, data recovery, and system recovery planning.

9. Assist end-users with computer problems or queries. Troubleshoot systems as needed and meet with users to analyze specific system needs.

10. Ensure the uniformity, reliability and security of system resources including network, hardware,

software and other forms of systems and data.

11. Prepare, create and update user/technical procedure documentations and provide computer training.

12. Assemble, test, and install network, telecommunication and data equipment and cabling.

13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions.

Other important responsibilities and duties

1. Train users in the area of existing, new or modified computer systems and procedures.

2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports.

3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies.

4. Operate, administer and manage the Village and Public Safety computer systems, including E-911 center, in-vehicle computer systems.

5. Prepare clear and logical reports and program documentation of procedures, processes, and configurations.

6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner.

7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Principals and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis.

Hardware and software configuration of. computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing environment of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, iOS/Android.

Network protocols, security, configuration and administration, including firewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology. Cabling and wiring, including CAT5/6, fiber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down.

Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, analog, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant.

Principles and methods of computer programming, coding and testing, including power shell, command scripting, macros, and

VB scripts. Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment. Technical writing, office productivity tools and database packages.

Ability to:

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following:

- Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time

- Operating assigned equipment

- Lift 50 pounds of equipment, supplies, and materials without assistance

- Working in and around computer equipped vehicles

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

- Making observations

- Communicating with others

- Reading and writing

- Operating assigned equipment and vehicles

Maintain mental capacity allowing for effective interaction and communication with others. Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance. Work overtime as operations require.

Experience and Training

Guidelines

Experience: Three years of network/system administration in the public or private sector, maintaining a minimum of 75 Client Workstation computers. AND Training: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field. Certifications in Microsoft Server Administration, Networking, Applications and Cisco Networking.

Possession of a valid Illinois Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Vaccination against COVID-19 strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work in a computer environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; continuous exposure to computer screens; work in and around computerized vehicles outdoor and garage facility; lifting heavy equipment, communication cabling and wiring into walls and ceilings.

The Bookkeeper plays a key role in contributing to the Congregation’s mission through the smooth and effective accounting of Unity Temple’s financial ledgers and is responsible for journal entries and balance sheets. Working with the Director of Finance & Administration, the Bookkeeper will prepare statements, investigate and clear discrepancies, compile reports and analyses of accounts and update congregational pledge data.

Core Competencies

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation is looking for a part time Office Assistant. The Office Assistant plays a key role in contributing to the Congregation’s mission through the smooth and effective running of Unity Temple’s administrative and office needs. Working with the Director of Finance & Administration, sitting at the front desk and welcoming visitors, managing the congregational calendar, ensuring the procurement of supplies and supporting the rental program of our historic and culturally renowned buildings is the focus for this position.

Core Competencies

-Organization and Planning: Organizes people, funding, materials, and support to accomplish multiple, concurrent goals and activities.

-Vision and Purpose: Commitment to and knowledge of Unitarian Universalist Principles and values (see Support for the Mission and Values of the Congregation below) -Trust and Integrity: Is widely trusted to keep confidences, admit errors, and adhere to a transparent set of personal and professional values that are congruent with the ministry of the congregation.

Proficiencies: Google Workspace, specifically Google Drive, organizational skills with a strong detail orientation, ability to communicate with a variety of different people, familiarity with CRM software is a plus (UTUUC uses Realm).

You can find more information about the position at https://unitytemple. org/job-postings/. To apply, send a cover letter and résumé to jobs@ unitytemple.org indicating “Office Assistant” in the subject line.

BOOKKEEPER

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation is looking for a part time Bookkeeper.

Hours: 15 hours/week Sept –December 2022, then 10 hours/week as of 1/1/2023

- Accounting principles

- Bookkeeping procedures

- Vision and Purpose: Commitment to and knowledge of Unitarian Universalist Principles and values

(see Support for the Mission and Values of the Congregation below)

-Trust and Integrity: Is widely trusted to keep confidences, admit errors, and adhere to a transparent set of personal and professional values that are congruent with the ministry of the congregation.

Proficiencies: Quickbooks Online (certification is a plus but not required), Google Workspace (specifically Google Drive), organizational skills with a strong detail orientation, ability to communicate with a variety of different people, familiarity with CRM software is a plus.

You can find more information about the position at https://unitytemple. org/job-postings/. To apply, send a cover letter and résumé to jobs@unitytemple.org indicating “Bookkeeper” in the subject line.

NURSERY SUPERVISOR AND CHILDCARE COORDINATOR

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation is looking for a warm, welcoming and experienced Nursery Supervisor and Childcare Coordinator to work with the youngest among us on Sunday mornings in the nursery as well as coordinate babysitting for

congregational events outside of Sunday mornings. This is one job with two different roles. As Nursery Supervisor, this person will provide a compassionate and consistent presence in caring for our babies and toddlers during the Sunday morning worship service times, supervise, train and schedule other nursery staff, maintain the nursery as a safe and clean environment, welcome and orient new families to the nursery, and build relationships with and communicate effectively with parents. The nursery hours are Sundays from 9:30–11:30am, and approximately one hour outside of Sunday morning worship service.

You can find more information about the position at https://unitytemple. org/job -postings/. To apply, send a cover letter and résumé to jobs@ unitytemple.org indicating “Nursery Supervisor / Childcare Coordinator” in the subject line.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

United Methodist Church of Oak Park Oak Park, Illinois

Job Description: Administrative

Assistant The Administrative Assistant is a critical role to the life of First United Methodist Church. The ideal candidate is experienced in providing support in all phases of administration, financial, worship and communication for the Pastor and church. This position requires someone who can work in an independent environment, is organized and has strong written and verbal communication skills. Essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Administration

-Provide administrative support to the Pastor and church volunteers responsible for committee and church programs

-Ensure worship bulletins and related documents are prepared weekly for Sunday services

Custom Frame Company

Clean,

-Oversee and maintain church files and records and assist in producing the annual statistical report required by the church conference

Finance

-Under the direction of the Finance Committee and in coordination with the accountant, oversee account payables and account receivables

-Manage and record all account and expense-related actions into Quickbooks

-Ensure receipt of approved payment requests for all invoices

Communication

-Generate and distribute as required all forms of communication on behalf of the Pastor and its members

-Maintain church calendar

General Office Duties

-Oversee the operation of all church office equipment and arrange for repairs as required

-Maintain and order office supplies as needed and order other supplies subject to the approval of the Pastor and Trustees.

Qualifications

-Extensive knowledge with basic computer operations and administration software, such as: email management, file management, Microsoft Office Suite and Google applications; experience with Quickbooks is helpful

-Demonstrate the ability to adapt to a dynamic working environment

-Confidentiality is a must BA or BS degree preferred. We also require Covid vaccination. The candidate must agree to completing a background check before hire.

The hourly salary is between $20 and $24 an hour.

Hours are part tine 20 hours a week

–10:30 AM to 2:30 PM

There is holiday pay and earned vacation and sick pay

Respond to LKMasters47@gmail. com

Manufacturing

Top rated firm, Alpina Manufacturing LLC, founded in 1992, locally owned beautiful campus in Galewood, near Mars candy, 3 blocks north of Oak Park. We build and sell display framing systems to customers nationwide including Wal-Mart, Verizon, Circle K, Hospitals, CTA. Apply in person M-F 8am to 4pm • Alpina • 6460 W Cortland St Chicago, IL 60707 www.fastchangeframes.com

River Forest Public Schools

River Forest School District 90 is seeking On-Call Substitute Teachers and Teacher Aides, $130-$150 per day!

FLEXIBLE Schedule between the hours of 7:50a - 3:20pm

Work one day a week or up to 5 days a week, half days or full days

Responsibilities:

The On-Call Substitute will work in place of the individual he/she will be temporarily replacing during the scheduled day. This individual may also be asked to perform other duties as required in relation to the substituting assignment.

Qualifications:

One of the following licenses:

• Professional Educator License (PEL)

• Substitute Teaching License (Bachelor’s degree required; beginning January 2023 enrolled in an IL approved educator program & have completed 90

semesters hours of coursework)

• Short-term Substitute License (Associate’s degree or at least 60 college credit hours)

• Educator License with Stipulations

• Paraprofessional License (Associate’s degree required)

• Short-term Paraprofessional License (High School Diploma w/3 years to work towards obtaining Paraprofessional license.)

Apply online at: www.district90.org/about/employment

HELP WANTED

PART-TIME ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER

Call contracter for more info.

708-738-3848

YOGA SIX FITNESS SALES ASSOCIATE

If you are passionate about health and fitness, enjoy connecting with people and thrive in an environment that encourages you to exceed personal and team goals - this is the role for you! Our ideal candidate brings at least a year of sales experience along with a good understanding of prospecting leads through telemarketing, phone sales, and member referrals. If you are interested in starting or growing your sales career in the dynamic fitness industry, apply today!

Fitness Sales Associate duties include working closely with current and potential customers to recommend classes and membership options based on their wellness goals, answer their questions about the studio and help resolve customer concerns.

The Fitness Sales Associate is responsible for appointment booking and ensuring first time visitors to studio have an overwhelmingly positive experience. The successful Sales associate will stay up-to-date with sales promotions, maintain the studio’s visual appearance in high standards, and strive to exceed individual and studio sales goals.

Responsibilities

-Customer experience: welcome visitors and members to the studio, answer phones and assist customers at the front desk with various administrative tasks. Handle member issues professionally and objectively, seeking to resolve them through exceptional customer service. Build productive trust relationships with customers.

-Sales: Support the sales process by contacting sales prospects via telephone and text messaging, setting up appointments, and reviewing membership options with new visitors to the studio. Assess customers needs and provide assistance and information on studio features, class offerings and membership options. Meet and exceed weekly and monthly sales goals established by the General Manager

-Prospecting: support in and out of studio events to generate new sales prospects (health fairs, community events, marathons, etc.) Support studio marketing and social media activities.

-Member engagement: Conduct studio tours with new prospects to build rapport to facilitate sales; set new members up for success, support members with class selection and participate/lead member appreciation events

-Operations: Maintain a high degree of cleanliness and studio presentation for current and potential customers. Assist in maintaining a safe environment for all.

-Self Management: Assumes responsibility for developing selling skills, reviewing training materials and participating in staff meetings to support achievement of personal and studio goals. “Go the extra mile” to drive sales and deliver exceptional customer service

-Other duties as assigned

Skills

- Proven work experience as a Retail Sales associate, Sales representative or similar role (i.e. Orangetheory fitness, Gym or health club front desk, Gap, Victoria’s

Secret)

-Basic understanding of sales principles and customer service practices

-Proficiency in English

-Excellent phone skills

-Solid communication and interpersonal skills

-A friendly and energetic personality with customer service focus

-Ability to perform under pressure and address complaints in a timely manner

-Availability to work flexible shifts

-BS degree in Marketing or related field would be a plus https://yogasixoakpark.applytojob. com/apply/8VFe6DzMAT/FitnessSales-Associate

GRANTS COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Grants Coordinator in the Development Customer Service Department. This position assists the Village’s Grant Supervisor in developing, coordinating, and administering various grants programs for the Village of Oak Park. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator in the Health Department/ Village Manager’s Office. This position will coordinate disaster response, crisis management and medical countermeasure dispensing/ distribution activities for the Village of Oak Park, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies, hazardous materials spills, biological releases) or disasters. This single class position is also responsible for the complex administrative duties required for state, federal and local response processes and grant management. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/ jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. First review of applications will be August 5, 2022.

FIRE INSPECTOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Fire Inspector Part-Time in the Fire Department. This serves the public through enforcement of Village fire & life safety codes and ordinances; through inspections of residential, commercial and industrial properties; and provides consultation and information to residents, architects, attorneys, fire services personnel and builders regarding laws, rules, regulations and policies relating to fire and life safety. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/jobs

YARD SALE

Oak Park

MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE

900 NORTH GROVE BLOCK

SATURDAY OCT 22

9AM-3PM

Furniture, baby gear, kids’ toys, clothes, and much more!

Forest Park BIG DOWNSIZER GARAGE SALE

505 ELGIN AVE

SATURDAY OCT 22

9:30AM-3PM

Come see great finds from our attic and storage space (just cleared out!). We have collectibles, antiques, housewares, furniture, gadgets and home improvement items, Speedotron and Norman photographic lighting equipment… something for everyone! No early birds. The door will open promptly at 9:30 am.

HELP WANTED

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Parking Enforcement Officer in the Police Department Field Services Division. This position will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in the enforcement of Village parking regulations; and to provide general information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

Customer Success Director sought by RELAYR Inc in Chicago, IL. to ensure the successful long-term partnership with our customer(s), encompassing the achievement of identified and agreed outcomes for the partnership and the individual organizations within it. Up to 25% domestic travel required to visit clients on-site. Telecommuting permitted. Apply at jobpostingtoday.com Ref# 66649.

CLASSICS WANTED

CLASSICS

$$

STUDIOS, 1, 2

Best Selection & Service

SUBURBAN RENTALS 708-38 6-7 355

WOODWORK

Public Notice

Notice of Public Meeting Concerning Riverside School District 96 Proposed eLearning Plan

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Riverside School District 96 Board of Education will hold a public hearing at the beginning of its regularly scheduled Board meeting at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, to be held in the Learning Resource Center (LRC) at Hauser Jr. High School located at 65 Woodside Rd., Riverside, IL 60546.

The purpose of said hearing will be to receive public comment on the proposed eLearning plan, which, if approved, will permit students’instruction to be received while students are not physically present in lieu of the district’s scheduled emergency days. This program is allowed under Public Act 101-0012. Notification of this hearing is provided to families and is posted in the newspaper more than 10 days prior to the scheduled Public Hearing.

Published in RB Landmark October 19, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board Of Education of the Oak Park and River Forest High School, Consolidated High School District 200, Cook County, Illinois, 201 North Scoville Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302, that the District will be applying for the following Application:

Waiver or Modification of the Illinois School Code Section 27-24 (105 ILCS 5/27- 24.3). We are re-applying for this waiver to allow 18 hours of practice driving in a simulator system in lieu of 3 hours of instruction in a dual controlled car. This request is based upon fulfilling the intent of the Driver Education Mandate in a safer, efficient and innovative way for our student drivers, as well as improving student performance.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a public hearing on said waiver application will be held within the Business Section of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education beginning approximately at 7:30 p.m. (immediately following the closed session) on Thursday, November 17, 2022 in the Board Room, Room 2163 at Oak Park and River Forest High School.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 26, 2022

Public Notice

ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDDING Request of bids for the Custodial Services at 12 Park District Facilities.

Owner: Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St, Oak Park, IL 60302

The Park District of Oak Park seeks bids related to the Custodial Services for 12 park district facilities. The Park District of Oak Park will receive individual sealed Bids until 10:00 a.m. (Central Standard Time) on Friday, November 18 th, 2022 at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, Illinois. There are two opportunities to attend the prebid walk thru that is mandatory for all new bidders. They will be held on November 3rd & 4th, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. (CST) at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302. The bidding documents and requirements will be available on the Demand Star’s website as of 5:00pm Friday, October 14th, 2022. Copies of the bidding specifications are available via the Demand Star website at: https://www.demandstar. com/app/buyers/bids/404620/details

For additional information, contact Nelson Acevedo at nelson.acevedo@pdop.org or (708) 725-2053. Only the bids prepared in compliance with the bidding documents will be considered. This project must adhere to the Prevailing Wage Act of 2022. The Park District of Oak Park encourages minority and women owned business firms to submit bids for this project.

Park District of Oak Park

By: Chris Wollmuth, Secretary Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St. Oak Park, IL 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y22009744 on October 12, 2022 Under the Assumed Business Name of INTENTIONALBREATH with the business located at: 1414 BONNIE BRAE, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: MARY LISA WAHLFELDT1414 BONNIE BRAE, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 26, November 2, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES

LAW OFFICES OF MALIKA T. ASSAR, P.C. Attorney for Petitioner 420 West Huron Street, 1st Floor Chicago, IL 60654

LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of RAMIA SALEH KASSIM, Petitioner and MAHDI AHMED MOHAMMED GHALEB, Respondent, Case No. 2022D007467.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your Appearance to said Petition and Response electronically to said Petition with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before November 18, 2022, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

Iris Y. Martinez, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 26, November 2, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the allocation of SHANNON JEAN FITCH, Petitioner and JOHN EASDALE BARCLAY, IV, Respondent, Case No. 2022D008089.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Temporary and Permanent Sole Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, Child Support, and Contribution to Child-Related Expenses; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J.Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before November 18, 2022, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Temporary and Permanent Sole Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, Child Support, and Contribution to Child-Related Expenses entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 26, November 2, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed proposals from qualified contractors for Dumping of Excavated Material at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 for the following:

Village of Oak Park Dumping of Excavated Material

Project Number: 23-100W

Proposal documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at https://www.oak-park. us/your-government/budgetpurchasing/requests-proposals

For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed proposals at the Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, for the following: 22-10 Sewer Cleaning and Inspection. In general, the contract will require the following work: light cleaning of sewer segments to be inspected, inspecting sewer segments by means of closed-circuit television (CCTV), and providing reports of CCTV inspections at locations shown, and all appurtenant work thereto. All CCTV inspections shall be performed in accordance with NASSCO’s pipeline assessment certification program (PACP) standards.

Proposal forms may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/bid. For questions, please call or email Elaine Avgoustakis, (708) 3585726, eavgoustakis@oak-park.us

The work to be performed pursuant to this Proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK

Bill McKenna Village Engineer

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified vendors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 for the following:

Village of Oak Park Water and Sewer Repair Parts and Materials - 2023 Bid Number: 23-101

Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at https://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/budget-purchasing/ requests-proposals. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 2022

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law.

All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777.

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHAN-

CERY DIVISION

ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; Plaintiff,

vs.

KATHRYN CASSIDY AKA KATHRYN

J. CASIDY AKA

KATHRYN J. CASSIDY AKA KATIE

CASSIDY; KATHRYN

CASSIDY AKA KATHRYN J. CASI-

DY AKA KATHYRN J.

CASSIDY AKA KATHIE CASSIDY AS TRUSTEE UNDER THE KATIE CASSIDY LIVING TRUST DATED

SEPTEMBER 1, 2006, AS LIVING

TRUST; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; MAJESTIC CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; Defendants, 22 CH 1952

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate:

Unit 428-2-E in the Majestic Condominiums as delineated on a survey of the following real estate:

P.I.N. 16-07-419-029-1011.

Commonly known as 428 South Euclid Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g) (4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 22-004739

F2

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com

I3204933

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHAN-

CERY DIVISION CITIMORTGAGE, INC.;

Plaintiff, vs. ALAN F. SEGAL; KATHLEEN W. SEGAL; VILLAGE OF OAK PARK; PARK ERIE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION;

Defendants,

21 CH 6085

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, November 7, 2022 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate:

P.I.N. 16-07-206-019-1009.

Commonly known as 304 NORTH OAK PARK AVE., UNIT 2, OAK PARK, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g)

(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium

Property Act

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Mr. Ira T. Nevel at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 3571125. 21-02147 ADC INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com

I3203916

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Plaintiff, -v.RASHINDA PLUMP, WAVERLY CLARK, JR, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, WAVERLY CLARK, JR., INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATOR Defendants

12 CH 25204 1187 SOUTH HIGHLAND PARK

OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 11, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 14, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1187 SOUTH HIGHLAND PARK, OAK PARK, IL 60304

Property Index No. 16-17-325-0470000

The real estate is improved with a one story, two unit brick building with no garage. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)

(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC

One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088

E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com

Attorney File No. 20-05419IL_615363

Attorney ARDC No. 61256

Attorney Code. 61256

Case Number: 12 CH 25204

TJSC#: 42-3533

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 12 CH 25204 I3204043

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Plaintiff, -v.HENRY K. CUSHING, MARY KAY O’GRADY, MARGUERITE HOLD-

ING, THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK

Defendants 2022 CH 02884 115 S RIDGELAND AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 18, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 18, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 115 S RIDGELAND AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-07-405-0180000

The real estate is improved with a residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit,

Starting a New Business?

the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-02626

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2022 CH 02884

TJSC#: 42-2725

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2022 CH 02884 I3204837

Kris Sagan Linda Rooney Kyra Pych

Jane McClelland

Patti Sprafka-Wagner Harry Walsh

Erika Villegas, Managing Broker/Owner Mike Becker Laurie Christofano Marion Digre Morgan Digre Leticia Cruz

Sponsored

Celebrating our 18th year on Madison Street

Celebrating our 18th year on Madison Street

Direct online ordering is available

Direct online ordering is available

Sunday brunch (10am-2pm)

Sunday brunch (10am-2pm)

Catering (please give 48 hours notice)

Catering (please give 48 hours notice)

Private parties on our 2nd floor (bridal, wedding, and baby showers, birthdays, meetings)

Private parties on our 2nd floor (bridal, wedding, and baby showers, birthdays, meetings)

2nd floor outdoor patio dining (subject to private party schedule)

2nd floor outdoor patio dining (subject to private party schedule)

7427 Madison Street www.caffedeluca.com 708-366-9200

7427 Madison Street

www.caffedeluca.com 708-366-9200

Mama DeLuca

Mama DeLuca

Welcome to our table--

Born in 2018 and served fresh by Growing Community Media, Eats gives you a weekly taste of everything diningrelated in Oak Park and its surrounding Berwyn, Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Riverside, Brookfield, Proviso Township and Elmwood Park are home to a rich collection of established and emerging eateries. Known for serving up healthy portions of food and restaurant news, Eats exists to connect you to the people and stories behind the dishes you love to eat.

The majority of all Eats content is editorial in nature, but once a year our dedicated advertising department gives local restaurants the opportunity to join in this gorgeous celebration of the eateries that keep us coming back for more. Our designers are responsible for making the

Eats Dining Guide look good enough to eat. This publication is the result of layers of local talent, and I am proud to call the people behind it my colleagues.

All of us at Growing Community Media are exceptionally grateful for the support Byline Bank has shown to local restaurants and the commitment they have made to help us tell their important stories through the Eats brand — this special section would not have been possible without their support. We are grateful that Alberto Paracchini, CEO of Byline Bank, and Susie Goldschmidt, Oak Park and River Forest Market President for Byline Bank, recognize that local businesses and restaurants form the backbone of communities.

No matter where you look, you’ll find inspirational stories in our multiple Eats communities, but at the heart of it all there are countless crave-worthy dishes we love to celebrate. We’ve shared Persimmon Kitchen’s love of Ssamjang, lined up for a

slice of olive oil cake from Broken Tart, and slurped one of the first bowls of noodles at Kyuramen. We are counting the days until Chubby’s Char House opens in Forest Park and look forward to Takeout 25’s next Taste the Town and event, all while celebrating the enduring legacy of places like Cucina Paradiso and Khyber Pass. Stay up to date: Use the QR code to sign up for my weekly newsletter

Enjoy this celebration of all things Eats! Happy reading and eating,

Eats Editor/Individual Donor Manager Melissa Elsmo

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Designer Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey

Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck

S ales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan

Sales & Digital Development Manager Stacy Coleman

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Publisher Dan Haley

HOW TO REACH US 141 S. Oak Park Ave. Oak Pak, IL 60302 Phone 708 524 8300 Fax 708 467 9066 by Growing Community Media NFP. © 2022 Growing Community Media NFP.

MELISSA ELSMO

Sweet sisterhood at the heart of Broken Tart

Sisters, Krissy and Katie Mack, are raising their families in Oak Park and have made their brick-andmortar bakery dreams come true in the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District. Broken Tart brings “undone” cakes, classic cookies and a sense of whimsy to 1108 Chicago Avenue.

Settling in Oak Park allowed Krissy, a celebrated pastry chef, to dive into businesses with her media-savvy sister, Katie. Both sisters have sons who are two and six years old. Katie is a Lincoln mom, Krissy is a Hatch mom — and both half expected to find a line of first graders out the door on opening day

“We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders,” said Katie Mack. “We grew up disagreeing with each other, but we’ve learned to move through issues quickly Now we are a motivating force for each

other and looking forward to nurturing what we have here.”

The sisters “called in every favor” they could to complete the gut rehab that transformed a former coin laundromat into a space worthy of the vibrant cakes and array of sweet and savory treats Broken Tart is known for making.

Broken Tart

1108 Chicago Ave, Oak Park (708) 434-5682

www.brokentart.com

Broken Tart customers can collaborate on the creation of elaborate “undone” layer cakes with interest and contrast coming om unique combinations of avor, crunch and cream. The one-of-a-kind cakes, often topped with fresh flowers and a pile of marshmallowy meringue, are connected by a sense of whimsy and offered on an in-house sweetness scale.

Though the sisters will willingly create special occasion cakes for bakery goers, they are clear Broken Tart will be an approachable eatery where people can enjoy delicious things on an everyday basis from breakfast through lunch.

Cookies with crisp edges and gooey centers join olive oil cake with orange glaze, “kale salad” scones and cinnamon coffee cake on a rotating and evolving daily menu. The bakery is set to launch a thoughtful lunch menu with offerings like loaded vegan focaccia, broccoli salad with Aleppo pepper and house pickled chilis, and seasonal panzanella with peaches, tomatoes, and feta. Parisian ham on baguette, baked falafel sandwiches, and lunch boxes for kids will also be available.

Abundance is a theme at the bakery where the coffee program will share equal billing with the baked goods. Coffee aficionados should expect the shop to offer coffee from Big Shoulders and Ruby Roasters.

“We love Oak Park and this supportive community of people,” said Katie “We are raising our families here. We’ve both put down roots. Why wouldn’t we want to grow a business here? We are both all in.”

Katie and Krissy Mack and a cake from Broken Tart

Melissa Elsmo PROVIDED

Adonut is a glorious thing and Poke Burrito, 1025 Lake St., Oak Park, is adding some of the fried golden rings to their repertoire. According to owner Jimmy Chen, adding subtly sweet and thoughtfully decorated mochi donuts feels like the perfect novelty addition to Poke Burrito’s colorful menu of poke bowls, sushi burritos, maki rolls and boba teas.

Mochi donuts, also known as pon de ring, were first popularized by Mister Donut shops in Japan. The dough, made with sweet rice flour, is shaped into eightball rings before being fried, glazed and decorated. Mochi donuts are lighter and chewier than their American counterparts and come in flavors like berry, cookies and cream, ube, and matcha.

“They are a completely different kind of

donut and gaining in popularity every year,” said Chen. “We went on a mochi donut tour, and I thought they were something unique in that Asian-fusion style we are known for.”

Chen spent several months perfecting his version of mochi donuts; they will be made in Poke Burrito’s central kitchen located in suburban Geneva and delivered to the Oak Park location daily

For six years, Chen and his dedicated staff have been bringing fresh poke bowls to life at the Downtown Oak Park shop. They are known for consistent food quality, thoughtful service and a genuine commitment to the community In fact, Chen is regarded as a source of positivity in the village and sees the value in supporting other restaurants, businesses, and

Poke Burrito to enter the donut game

organizations in Oak Park and beyond. Chen was born to hardworking parents in Fujian, China on the southeast coast of the country. They tasked him early in life with whipping up simple dishes for himself. Chen recollects scrambling eggs with tomato for himself as a boy and developing a deep appreciation for fresh seafood thanks to Fujian’s proximity to the ocean. Chen emigrated to the United States with his family when he was 13. He spent 20 years working as a sushi and teppen chef at his family’s restaurant on Chicago’s north shore before opening his first Poke Burrito in North Center Chicago Today Poke Burrito has 10 locations in Chicagoland and Oak Park is Chen’s busiest store.

”This is a journey I have always been on,”

said Chen. “I have always wanted to be a restaurateur I am always asking myself how I can make my restaurant the best in their class — I only compete against my own standards.”

Chen is clear he would not be where he is today without his devoted staff. His employees are part of a profit-sharing model because Chen knows they are the reason for the success of Poke Burrito And now they are set to bring trendy mochi donuts to town!

Poke Burrito

1025 Lake St., Oak Park (708) 573-3668

pokeburritochicago.com

Celebrating Kribi Co ee’s hyperlocal roasting revolution

Since opening in January 2019, Jacques Shalo has been working diligently to carve out a unique identity for his independent coffee roastery in the congested and competitive coffee shop business. Shalo credits Kribi’ Coffee’s “four tenets,” freshness, method, sourcing, and giving back, for the br quick rise in popularity.

Kribi Coffee is located at 7324 W. St., Forest Park and just opened their second location. The opening of Kribi’ sibling spot was plagued by delays, but eager coffee lovers and commuters can grab a cup of joe from Kribi’s location at Cross Function Flexible Workspace at the Boulevard Arcade building, 1033 South Blvd., from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily Regular hours begin Oct. 30.

“My wife Cindy was driving down South Boulevard and saw the available café space,” said Shalo, owner of Kribi Coffee. “It seemed like a great opportunity for

Kribi Coffee

the palm of their hand.

Kribi to enter Oak Park.”

Kribi’s Cross Function location is open to the public and capitalizes on all the recognizable design elements popularized at the Forest Park location. The colorful palette, conceptualized by Shalo’s

son Jeremiah, is a nod to the family’s ameroonian heritage and regional coffee cing practices.

Kribi Coffee sources historically significant fees with a growing focus on beans own in Cameroon. In addition to sourcing with regional specificity in mind, Kribi is dedicated to putting more money into the pockets of coffee farmers by disrupting the value chain of coffee and donates to local social justice causes.

Kribi Coffee now has an app available for download via the Apple Store and Google Play. The easy-to-use app allows users to earn rewards, skip the line and order air roasted coffee for nationwide delivery from

Use the app or visit in person to order up a seasonal Pumpkin Patch Latte or any of Kribi’s specialty creations. La Catrina features indulgent Omanhene chocolate chai, a dash of spicy cayenne and a sprinkle of warming cinnamon. Everyday delights include classic cappuccinos, lattes, blended drinks and teas.

Looking for more than a beverage? Kribi has got you covered. Menu items include French-style croissants sourced from Bonjour Bakery located in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood as well as an array of breakfast sandwiches and grab and go lunch items. Expect a selection of dishes like Southwestern veggie bowls, chicken wraps, and vegan quinoa salads.

Shalo’s devotion to his coffee revolution has made an indelible mark on Forest Park — the Oak Park location was worth the wait. We can’t wait to see the next phase of Kribi’s evolution.

acques Shalo stands outside Kribi Forest Park location.

Melissa Elsmo

Gather together at Anfora Wine Merchants

Anfora Wine Merchants, 128 S. Marion St., is a combination retail shop and wine education center, named after a two-handled terracotta vessel used in Ancient Rome to store or transport wine. Since opening two years ago, the Pleasant District destination has become a regional wine destination and captured national attention because of some press from the James Beard award winning drinks publication, Punch.

“Our approach to wine at Anfora is not how a standard sommelier would approach it,” said Adrian Weisell, co-owner of Anfora Wine Merchants “Wine is about more than taste to us. We look at wine drinking through a cultural and historical lens.”

The Marion Street shop honors old world traditions and celebrates Italian wines. A

welcoming retail space engages customers upon entry, floral murals cover walls and terracotta pendant fixtures hang from the ceiling. Wooden shelves house bottles of wine and a set of double doors give way to a tasting room with a counter suitable for hosting small classes.

Anfora’s knowledgeable staff strive to make the shop a festive gathering space where people come to select a bottle to open at home or enjoy a bottle of wine on the patio with friends. Anfora has a limited number of wines available by the glass, but Weisell is quick to point out the entire shop is available to be enjoyed for a very modest corkage fee. Anfora is building a deeper sense of community through its wine club and classes as well.

The close bond between Anfora and Carnivore, the artisan butcher shop located around the corner at 1042 Pleasant St is one of the best kept secrets in Oak Park. Earlier in the spring Anfora partnered with Chef Brad Knaub of Carnivore to curate a onenight-only, Sicilian-inspired meal driven by the high-quality wines crafted by visionary winemaker, Frank Cornelissen.

Anfora Wine Merchants

128 S Marion St, Oak Park (708) 613-5388

www.anforawinemerchants.com

The regional wine exploration featured a four-course dinner and a tasting of seven wines from the superior cluster of Cornelissen vineyards nestled in the northern valley of Mount Etna. More special collaborations between the Pleasant District powerhouses are planned through the fall and winter

Added bonus: the entire Carnivore menu is also available to Anfora patrons daily

Anfora Wine Merchants is a social destination where people embrace the thoughtful approach the entire staff takes to curate a wine tasting experience no matter if it is a private event or casual outing with friends.

Anfora Wine Merchants is destination for wine lovers in Oak Park, River Forest and beyond.

Lights Ca me ra EAT :

What Food Movie are you?

We can’t resist a good food themed film! Complete this crave-worthy quiz and add up the numbers of each of your answers. Then go to pages 48-49 to find out what food movie you are. We’ll give you some local dinner suggestions, too!

– Goldfinger

- Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Go to breakfast food?

1. Scrambled eggs and toast from George’s

2. Thebistro omelette from Hemmingway’s

3. A veggie breakfast wrap from Al’s Grill

4. A waffle flight from Chicago Waffles

5. Avocado toast from Citrine

6. An egg sandwich to-go from Kribi Coffee

7. A bloody mary from Poor Phil’s

Tell me what are you drinking.

1. Limoncello from Cucina Paradiso

2. Just a water bottle, thanks.

3. An ice-cold lager Kinslahger

4. Homemade hot chocolate from Twisted Cookie

5. The Immune Boosting Juice Shot from Sugar Beet

6. A cucumber Mojito from LaVergne’s Tavern

What’s on your pie?

1. Black olives, artichoke, cured ham and porcini mushrooms

2. Eggplant, summer squash, onion and garlic

3. Pepperoni, red peppers and jalapenos

4. A cookie pizza topped with fresh fruit and chocolate sauce

5. Fresh Mozzarella, basil and tomato

6. Brisket, barbecue sauce and crunchy onions

7. Chicken, peanut sauce and scallions

7. A wine flight from Cooper ’s Hawk

-

Pick a pairing:

1. Olive oil and ice cream

2. Sancerre and sole meuniere

3. Fresh mango and chili powder

4. Chocolate and peanut butter Fried dumplings and Champagne

Grilled cheese and tomato soup

lot of wine and a little cheese e elves try to stick to the four main food oups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.”

- Elf (2003)

OK, now pick a sweet treat: Chicago pot hole gelato from Croissant bread pudding from bag of Lilly’s Chilis from

5. Matcha pudding with red bean from Kyuramen

6. Beignets from Nola Louisiana Kitchen

7. Babygold coffee from Babygold Barbecue

- Big Night (1996)

You’re home alone. What are you ordering for dinner?

1. Joe’s Mama’s Meatballs from Victory

2. Linguine and Shrimp Fra Diavolo from Il Viccolo

3. Braised beef nachos from Maya del Sol

4. I’m just gonna GoPuff an assortment of candy

5. Too many maki rolls from Sushi Junki

6. A Cuban sandwich from Café Cubano

7. A burger with Brie cheese, bacon, caramelized onions from Duckfat Tavern

“If my boy says he can eat 50 eggs, he can eat 50 eggs.”

“I’m in love. I’m having a relationship with my pizza.”

- Eat Pray Love (2010)

“A martini. Shak not stirred.”

(1964)

“Jenny and me was lik peas and carrots.”

Forrest Gump (1994)

“Sometimes spaghetti likes to be alone.”

We’re giving these films (and you) two yums up!

“Is butter a carb?”

– Mean Girls (2004)

Let’s indulge:

1. Caesar salad, fettuccine alfredo and a glass of Chianti for the win!

2. I want a baguette with brie and butter. And a glass of Champagne.

3. Gather the family for some whole roasted branzino, crispy octopus and cauliflower.

4. Give me a birthday cake milkshake!

5. Waygu beef cheeks, matsutake mushrooms, o-toro—oishii!

6. A molten lava cake!!!!

7. A second glass of wine, please.

“Anyone can cook.”

- Ratatouille (2007)

Describe your kitchen skills.

1. I am a serious cook -- to eat good food is to be close to God.

2. There is an artist living inside of me and my cooking skills are underrated.

3. You’ll find me whipping up tacos, ice cream sundaes, and chili because I love toppings!

4. I am all over the place, but I can rank every dish I’ve made from least to most scrumdiddlyumptious.

5. I repeat the same recipe over and over and see myself improving little by little.

6. I may not do everything great in my life, but I’m a good cook and want to share my skills.

7. Ummm…cook? No, I’ll go out, but if anyone orders merlot I am leaving. See the answers on page 48!

Keeping a legacy alive at La Maison de Bonbon

Chicagoland has a historical fondness for sweet confections, and a sliver of that history is housed at La Maison de Bonbon, 7353 Madison St Forest Park.

In between the 1920 arrival of Fannie May and the first batch of Frango Mints crafted at Marshall Field’s in 1929, La Maison de Bonbon made its debut on Chicago’s competitive candy scene in 1921. More than a century later the jewel-box sized shop maintains a century long chocolatemaking legacy in the diminutive storefront capable of holding just a few shoppers at a time.

“Granddaughters come in today because their grandmothers bought our chocolates for them when they were little girls,” said Esthela Gonzalez, manager of La Maison de Bonbon. “The chocolates we make are a family tradition for our customers more than anything else. Especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

Artisan chocolatiers first came to Madison Street when the Stejr family made their way from Germany to Forest Park and opened Stejr’s Candy Kitchen. The family began making French Crèmes and other bonbons before they transitioned the business to the Jerome family who continued selling the popular chocolates.

La Maison de Bonbon

he business continued to change hands, but every owner continued the tradition of selling the indulgent artisan chocolates. im Shanahan bought the business in the early 1990s and created a dedicated storefront for La Maison de Bonbon. He now has more than 30 years of experience turning out the popular chocolate-meetscaramel confections with 100 years of history in every bite.

In addition to the silky-smooth Original French Crèmes, La Maison de Bonbon also offers chocolate dipped French Crèmes, salted caramels and nut-covered English toffee. The English toffee comes in both milk and dark chocolate varieties.

The key to La Maison de Bonbon’s quality

craftsmanship is small batch production. In fact, chocolatiers in the Madison Street kitchens still rely on a 100-year-old copper pot to make their chocolate treats. The pot was passed down from one owner to the next to ensure the La Maison de Bonbon tradition would endure from one generation to the next.

As far as Laurie Kokenes, executive director of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce and Development, is concerned, chocolate is “one of the essential food groups.” She admits to personally indulging in La Maison de Bonbon’s Original French Crèmes for nearly half a century and appreciates they have been sold from the same location since 1921.

“Longtime traditions are part of Forest Park’s history. They tell a story and remind us of what shaped our community and help us feel that we are part of something unique,” said Kokenes.

Khyber Pass: Lake Street mainstay for 27 years

Lovers of dainty potato and pea samosas, orange-hued chicken tikk masala, and fluffy garlic naan bread have trusted Khyber Pass, 1031 Lake St., to satisfy their cravings for more than a quarter of a century

“I always believed I would make it because I gave it my all,” said owner Malik Jawid with just a hint of pride. “I had a passion for the business and knew good food and good service could get me through anything.”

Jawid emigrated from Punjab, Pakistan to Chicago in 1987 where he immediately found a job as busboy at Viceroy of India in East Rogers Park. Though the restaurant is now permanently closed, Jawid worked his way up from busboy to manager and learned the ins-andouts of the restaurant business. He never worked in the kitchen but has a deep appreciation for nuanced Indian dishes and the Pakistani fare of his homeland.

In the mid-90’s, a case of wanderlust brought Jawid on an accidental trip to Oak Park. He liked the cosmopolitan feel of the village and discovered a culinary gap in his serendipitously discovered community — Oak Park needed an Indian restaurant. In 1995 Jawid opened Khyber Pass, named for a mountain pass linking Pakistan to

Khyber Pass

1031 Lake St (708) 445-9032

khyberpassoakpark.com

Afghanistan and central Asia, and began serving reliable meat based and vegetarian Indian fare with notable Pakistani influences.

Khyber Pass employs two chefs; one has been with the restaurant for 20 years and the other for 12. The consistency of their house-made dishes is unwavering. Over the years their cuisine has evolved to include more vegetarian dishes to keep up with local and national trends, but Jawid is clear that 70% of orders include rich and creamy chicken tikka masala. The perennially popular

yogurt-marinated curried chicken dish is complemented by lamb dishes like karahi gosht featuring braised meat in spiced gravy with peppers, tomatoes and onion. An assortment of Pakistani rice dishes called biryani also feature prominently on the Khyber Pass menu.

Over the years, Jawid has both expanded and collapsed his restaurant’s square footage, but loyal customers have helped Khyber Pass endure for 25 (plus two) years. The owner reflected on the joy he felt upon earning the coveted “four fork” rating from the Chicago Tribune and grappling with a line of customers snaking around the block. He remembers the uneasy feeling he had as a Muslim restaurant owner in the wake of the Sept. 11 attack but cherishes the memory of the Oak Park community rallying around him during those uncertain times. But without hesitation, Jawid named the generations of customers as his biggest source of pride.

A bountiful meal from Khyber Pass.

Melissa Elsmo

Chocolates from La Maison de Bonbon.

Melissa Elsmo

Oh my God, N Rebozo spic

Since opening New Rebozo in 1991, chef and owner, Francisco Lopez, known to all as Chef Paco, was a mainstay on the Oak Park culinary scene. Now, with a slightly updated name, Lopez has become a culinary standout in Forest Park. After moving his staff, art collection and repertory of 26 moles just a half-mile west on Madison Street, N Rebozo, 7403 Madison St., Forest Park opened in spring of 2022.

“Oh my God, Oak Park opened up to me and gave me the opportunity to make my dreams come true,” said Chef Paco. “I am a little sad because I love Oak Park. But I am super excited about being in Forest Park, too.”

Chef Paco had a career in banking in Mexico before coming to the United States. He was in the states to learn English and took over El Rebozo in 1991. Language, though, wasn’t his only barrier. The first-time restaurant owner didn’t know how to cook.

N Rebozo

7403 Madison St., Forest Park (708) 445-0370

newrebozos.com

With the help of his wife, Chef Paco added mole poblano to the menu, but beyond offering the first of what would become many future moles, N Rebozo’s early dishes focused on classic homestyle fare like tacos and burritos. Eight years into the endeavor, however, Chef Paco began to think there could be value in adding a fine dining twist to his restaurant.

Chef Paco struggled in his academic classes at the now defunct Illinois Institute of Art, but his chef-instructors saw his potential and encouraged him to fight through his language barrier because he was a “good example” to the younger aspiring chefs in the program.

Co ee and much more at Wise Cup

WISE CUP, in Downtown Oak Park, 1018 Lake St, offers an array of traditional coffee drinks, pastries, muffins and breads (baked goods provided by Reuter’s Bakery) as well as an enticing selection of Indian dishes including flavorful samosas and yogurtbased mango lassis. Wise Cup also makes its own authentic Masala Chai blend, which is brewed fresh per customer, or available in bags for home brewing.

Coffee drinks at Wise Cup are made with Sputnik Coffee roasted in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood and the list of favorites is long. On a recent visit to the bustling café, we enjoyed a bit of spice—we sipped their perennially popular Mayan Mocha boasting dark chocolate and espresso with a dash of cinnamon and cayenne pepper We paired the luscious drink with a handmade samosa filled with potatoes and peas. It was a perfect lunch

Wise Cup

1018 Lake St, Oak Park wise-cup.business.site

(708) 628-3707

unique in our Oak Park community! Wise Cup is owned by Naveen and Shivangi Khetarpal, who opened the coffee shop six years ago In 2020, they began hosing pop-up meals featuring regional Indian fare. The pop-ups were a hit and the Khetarpals have since continued the program on the first Saturday of every month. Customers can pre-order off a menu of Indian street food dishes for carryout. The menu changes from month-to-month, rotating among different regional Indian cuisines. Past menus have included Pav bhaji, a popular vegan stew of assorted vegetables and Indian spices

“Oh my god, my customers would help me with the grammar in my papers and help me understand dif Paco “They would come for dinner and stay late to help me learn. I worked har still took me four years to program. I could not have done it without them.”

Now, more than three decades into his restaurant adventur perseverance has helped tr Rebozo into a local His elevated cuisine focuses on r specialties and artful plating.

According to Chef ownership comes with “the good and the bad,” but his kitchen philosophy doubles as a philosophy for life.

“Spicy, sweet, need them all, in a dish and in life,

from Mumbai, and summer specials like samosa chaat with stewed chickpeas topped with a golden samosa, chutney, yogurt, onions, and tomatoes. Creative lentil flights and garlic naan satisfy curious diners, while Wise Cup’s roti tacos bring a taste of Calcutta to Lake Street.

To get more information on the popups, call the shop or follow Wise Cup on Facebook and Instagram to learn how to place an order “We have repeat customers who have been very satisfied,” said Naveen, adding that they frequently sell out.

Alex Rogals

A mocha and samosa at Wise Cup

Melissa Elsmo

Win $250 while dining locally!

#Takeout 25

We have some amazing local food, but our restaurants are still facing challenges and need our support. Post pictures of your favorite eateries on the Takeout 25 Oak Park Facebook Group and introduce them to our friends and neighbors.

Between October 1st and November 30th, the post in this group that gets the most likes will receive a dinner for two (up to $250)! This is open to all community members with the exception of Takeout 25 admin and restaurant owners.

Eat, click and share and ask your local friends and family to do the same.

And a reminder for new members to keep your posts and comments in this group positive. #takeout25 • #saveourrestaurants • #contest

Eat Click and Share:

SCAN to Join Us!

takeout25.org

at Cucina Paradiso, and now those children are adults, bringing their own kids.

“They’re beyond customers,” said Gambino, “They’re family “Our staff recognizes the regulars. We know what they want to eat, what they drink and where

their favorite table is.”

Gambino has made his restaurant an integral part of the Oak Park community from the start. Through hosting local

ts and events and fering the kind of food that keeps customers returning again and again. Gambino notes that the emphasis at adiso has always been on fresh, he menu evolves slightly every few weeks and food selections rotate

adiso keeps its tables full by striking a balance between old favorites and innovative new dishes. Core dishes like customer favorite Rigatoni Bolognese and the Chicken Pistachio have been on the menu from the start and Gambino works to introduce new, contemporary dishes to reflect seasonality and their customer’s evolving palates as well. Expect to find dishes like pumpkin ravioli with brown

butter white wine sauce, and crisp sage as well as orecchiette Calabrese with chiles, sausage, and pesto to turn up on the Chef ’s Specials menu. These attractive specials join Cucina Paradiso’s timeless repertoire of classic creations like shells country style, chicken pistachio, and San Gennaro pizza. Raising a glass in a celebratory birthday toast at Cucina Paradiso is an easy task. The well-stocked bar boasts a cocktail list brimming with drinks like a blackberry old fashioned, Sazerac and the Hemingway District Daiquiri. A wide array of martinis including classic gin and vodka offerings as well as innovative creations like the Firefly made with sweet tea vodka, lemonade, black tea, and fresh lemon juice.

As Gambino looks ahead, he promises Cucina will continue to evolve, looking towards restaurant updates and menu changes in the future, but one thing will never change: Cucina Paradiso will always be the hometown favorite for authentic Italian food.

Anthony Gambino

Enjoy the sweet side of life at Candycopia

Two teenagers were seated on a bench in Downtown Oak Park. One held up a strip of sugar-coated, rainbow-hued gummy candy while the other manipulated a gummy shark in front of it as if it was swimming through a colorful ocean.

“Look at us we’re making a scene,” said one of the teens with a laugh. Obviously, the duo had been shopping at Candycopia — the welcoming Oak Park candy shop that is redefining teens making a scene.

Located in the historic Medical Arts building, Candycopia was brought to life by Oak Park residents, Patrick and Alycia Mason, along with their school aged daughters Addison and Campbell, earlier this summer Candycopia eagerly welcomes all people into the large retail space boasting vintage vibes and a festive teal, violet and magenta color palate. The product of a patchwork of

Candycopia

717 Lake St Oak Park 708-434-5251

candycopia.com

community members, local designers and contractors, the Masons are proud to say Candycopia is a “100% Oak Park effort.”

Built in shelving filled with retro candies like Abba Zaba bars, wax bottles, Necco Wafers, and Clove chewing gum beckons visitors to make their way deeper into the cheery shop After customers feel those throwback vibes, Candycopia revels in its mission to highlight harder to find makers of small-batch caramels, marshmallows, toffee and chocolate. Their goal is to make lesser-known small batch producers, like Lily’s Chilies, XO Marshmallows and Dallas Caramel Company, household names in Oak Park.

A candy-focused ice cream menu elevates the in-store experience with employees offering sundaes topped with cotton candy, caramel corn and Pop Rocks among other sugary options. A bar boasting 100 gallonsized apothecary jars filled with gummy candies sold by the pound is a delightfully fun addition to the shop.

Candycopia is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop is conveniently located across the hall from a dentist’s office. Sweet dreams do come true!

Candycopia employee, Marin Balaz, praised Candycopia’s hiring process while doling out custom combinations of gummy candy

The Cordial Inn will always be The Cordial Inn

When veteran bar owner Joe Kenny went in search of an establishment to purchase, he knew what he was looking for and The Cordial Inn, 9207 31st St., Brookfield, proved to be the perfect fit. After months of negotiation, Kenny and his business partner, Ronnie Milchhoefer, took over ownership of the long-standing neighborhood bar on Aug. 1.

Kenny spent months visiting The Cordial Inn in advance of the purchase — he was attracted to the robust number of regular customers and longtime loyal staf members. He qualified it as a place that catered to people from all walks of life where anyone could feel comfortable.

Kenny brings 25 years of experience to the new endeavor including 22 years owning and operating Finley Dunne’s in Chicago Milchhoefer was the proprietor of R Place in Forest Park for 16 years before selling the building and closing the bar in January 2020. Though both men left the business

behind, they missed the people who made up their regular clientele and the sense of community that came along with owning a bar Looking to re-enter the hospitality industry, the two teamed up to purchase The Cordial Inn from the Volpe family who had owned the watering hole since at

least 1965. In the 1940’s The dial Inn was owned by ank Kvasnicka before being sold to the Volpe family his is a legacy business that had been owned by one family for a long time,” said Kenny “They were no longer living in the area and our ownership will allow new local families to oversee the business and honor what they built.”

enny, who oversees operations, resides in La Grange Park and his children attended Riverside Brookfield High School while Milchhoefer, who oversees the physical plant, is raising a family in North Riverside. Their proximity means both are capable of being on-site in minutes though Kenny has been working at the bar from open-toclose since the sale went through. You can

even find him behind the bar grilling up Cordial Inn’s beloved cheeseburgers and backing up veteran bartender, Nancy Barry, who has been behind the bar, pouring drinks and grilling burgers for 29 years.

“People were really afraid we’d turn this into some kind of lounge,” said Kenny “But we are never going to be a place that has bottle service; we are a shot and a beer kind of place and always will be. The Cordial Inn will always be The Cordial Inn.”

The Cordial Inn is open from Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Stop by to see that nothing has changed.

A Cordial Inn burger.

Melissa Elsmo

Melissa Elsmo

Sweetgreen arrives in Oak Park

Sweetgreen is a mission-driven restaurant brand serving healthy food at scale. Every day, across nearly 200 restaurants, Sweetgreen team members create plant-forward seasonal, and earth-friendly meals from fresh ingredients that prioritize organic, regenerative, and local sourcing.

Sweetgreen aims to empower our customers, team members and partners to be a positive force on the food system. That ’s why we’ve built a transparent supply network, cook from scratch, and are building a community of people who believe in the power of real food.

Sweetgreen was founded in 2007 in a 560-square-foot restaurant in Washington, DC by three college students who were simply looking for a healthier way to eat.At the time, they found that there were only two dining options: food that was slow, expensive, and fresh, or meals that were fast, cheap, and unhealthy. They saw an opportunity to create a business in which quality was never sacrificed for convenience.

Sweetgreen’s strong food ethos and investment in local communities have enabled the company to grow into a national brand.

Harnessing the power of technology to enhance the customer experience, sweetgreen launched a mobile app in 2015 that enables customers to order ahead of time, select dietary restrictions,

share nutritional info to Apple’s health app, and pay for their meals. In 2020, the brand added order status tracking and push notifications in real time, allowing the customers to know when their order is received or ready Sweetgreen also

has its own delivery service that can be accessed through the app.

Often when opening locations in a new city, sweetgreen partners with local chefs and restaurants on time-limited menu items. These collaborations have included chef duo Jon and Vinny in Los Angeles, Nancy Silverton, Chris Shepherd in Houston and more. In February 2020, sweetgreen partnered with David Chang to launch the Tingly Sweet Potato and Kelp Bowl. The collaboration brought attention to ocean acidification and its effects on marine life through the use of sustainable kelp.

After sweetgreen’s successful firstever partnership with national athlete ambassador Naomi Osaka in 2022, the brand, together with Osaka, partnered this year with athlete, entrepreneur and advocate Devin Booker to launch our new “Create Your Own” campaign that highlights the most ordered item on the Sweetgreen menu: the custom bowl.

Sweetgreen is located at 1143 Lake Street in Oak Park. Check out the menu at sweetgreen.com. Follow sweetgreen on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @ sweetgreen.

YOU are the Little Gem!

Imagine you are in Paris or London on a chilly Autumn day where leaves of burnt orange, bright yellow and green are swirling and dancing through the crisp clear air. There’s a rosy warm glow in your cheeks with the newness of fall and a day of bustling vigor!

As the holidays approach you are filled with a magic of readiness and potential in this place so far away and yet so familiar…You walk through the park and around the corner and right there before you nestled on the street of Marion, framed in rich dark oak, you see flickering shimmers of amber and gold through the tall, wide windowed facade of The Little Gem Cafe.

This Stylish Little Restaurant is Intimate, Elegant, Romantic and Warm with a Friendly Welcoming Feel.

A Relaxed Fine Dining Experience.

Casual or Smart - All Feel At Ease. Regional Cuisine with Seasonal Specials for Lunch, Brunch and Dinner.

It’s The Little Gem ~ Reservations Recommended - Walkins are always Welcome. We look forward to serving you!

Lots of people have asked how we came up with the name The Little Gem ....everyone thinks its because of the lighting that saturates the gold ornate ceiling and bounces off the mirrors, the bar and candlelit tables or maybe because of the overall cuteness of the space? the exposed brick, mahogany bar, solid wood tables and cherry wood chairs. However .... As we Celebrate our 8th Anniversary we think it’s time to spill the beans .... it’s YOU! You are The Little Gem.

Introducing ENCORE!

Now we bring you another great restaurant with live jazz and country blues, a new music venue for dinner and drinks right next door.

ENCORE! by Little Gem. Cosy, cheerful and warm where the music comes from the heart and the hearth right in front of an antique oak fireplace. Here are two beautiful bars to choose

from with Speciality Bourbon Collections that also feature Fine Wines, Craft Beers and Cocktails.

Encore hosts Chicago Jazz + Blues for your listening and dancing pleasure. Catering and Private Parties are Available.

The Little Gem Cafe

189 N. Marion, Oak Park

Building a beer community at Exit Strategy Brewing Co.

Exit Strategy Brewing

Madison St., is the only brewery in Forest Park and their portfolio of both approachable and inventive ales have kept beer drinkers coming back for more than seven years. This pool of regulars, lovingly referred to as the “Exit St family,” have become the lifeblood of co-owners Katherine and Chris Valleau as they continue to build the brewery of their dreams.

“When our regulars interact with time visitors and speak about us with pride it really does warm my hear Katherine Valleau. “I wake up every day thinking about how I can make this place better for them.”

Exit Strategy focuses predominantly on an all-ale portfolio of beers. The stylistic choice is as much passion driven as it is space conscious. With just four fermenters in the microbrewery every second counts with 16 taps at the front of the house. Ales ferment at a higher temperature and only take 2-3

Exit Strategy Brewing Co.

7700 Madison St., Forest Park (708) 689-8771

exitstrategybrewing.com

ewer-husband is “at the

e brew it and we serve it,” said alleau “Our beer travels 500 feet from the brewery to the taps. You can’t get more hyperlocal than that.”

malt, wheat and barley It is an ideal brew for folks who don’t consider themselves beer lovers.

weeks from brew day to tap Exit Strategy might turn out a longer fermenting lager a couple of times a year when time permits, but the brewing schedule is serious business for the couple turned business partners. Valleau proudly declared her

tegy serves 8-12 flagship beers including the Exit Strategy American Pale where hops are front and center A nuanced combination of hop varietals balanced with malt minimizes bitterness. The resulting beer boasts flavors of citrus, grapefruit, and pine.Another perennially popular offering at the Forest Park brewery is Persephone, a refreshing pomegranate wheat ale known for balancing tart fruit,

The brewery’s restaurant menu, served Wednesday through Saturday, is designed to play a supporting role to their arsenal of craft brews and aims to feature beer as an ingredient in every dish. The seasonally rotating, beer-driven offerings include pairing suggestions. Valleau suggests enjoying the Scaramouch Bohemian Pilsner with a garlic oiled and salted pretzel with pub mustard and beer infused queso Korean Q-tine comprised of seasoned hand cut fries, spicy BBQ sauce, fried cauliflower and kimchi calls for a pint of the brewery’s double IPA, Judgmental Dick.

The husband-and-wife team behind Exit Strategy set out to create a place where they would want to hang out. Today the brewery exists as a comfortable gathering place where all are welcome, and patrons can get a proper beer and some quality grub Cheers to that!

Katherine Valleau

Alex Rogals

mmm...

Melissa’s Memorable Meals

Brisket Sandwich from Babygold Barbecue, Berwyn:

Basking in the sun at the American Musical Festival set the scene perfectly to enjoy this solid Barbecue offering. Great bark, smokey flavor, pickles and just a smidgen of sauce made this handheld sandwich the ideal summer meal.

Hummus from Petra Falafel, Forest Park:

We could eat this hummus all day every day. This small, but mighty eatery knows what they are doing from their schwarma wraps spiked with pickles to this smooth, creamy and deceptively complex chickpea dip. We love it with falafel or pita!

Beef Pho from Na Siam, Oak Park:

After a pandemic pause, this spot in the North Avenue District is back to serving Beef Pho brimming with Vietnamese rice noodles and topped with sliced meat, bean sprouts, fried garlic and scallions in a rich homemade broth. They offer five noodle soups to warm you up this winter.

The Ruth Bader Gins-burg

Made by Forest Park cookbook author Dave Hudson. This is the drink he crafted to represent September 2020 in “A Year of Magical Drinking: Cocktails in the Time of Covid.” According to Hudson, the addition of Aperol, an Italian aperitif, is a subtle nod to Ginsburg’s longtime friendship with fellow Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Curry Basil Puffs from Habrae, Forest Park:

This standout Thai spot in Forest Park is known for serving up complex dishes with bold flavor. These little basil chicken puffs are as decadent as they are flavorful.

Award winning and Voted best Middle Eastern restaurant in west suburbs. We are open for business and continue to take orders for pick up and delivery. We are taking steps to follow the latest CDC guidance to help minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus for our staff and guests. 1030

Award winning cuisine! Voted best Middle Eastern restaurant in western suburbs.

848-7734

pm

Dine-In, Takeout and Delivery

11:00 am – 9 pm

JerusalemCafe-OakPark.com

JerusalemCafe-OakPark.com

Addis Café blending old and new on Oak Park Ave.

In 2016, Kalkidan Tesfaye offered her homemade scones to the owner of the coffee shop on the east side of Oak Park Avenue and he responded by offering her the entire storefront. Figuring fate had intervened, Tesfaye accepted the offer and opened Addis Café. She called the space home for six years before the chef-owner and her coowner-husband, Michael Kumela, moved their café across the street to a bright and cheery new home at 801 Van Buren St

Tesfaye wasn’t looking for a new space, but project managers with The Community Builders who oversaw the construction of “The 801” at the corner of Oak Park and Van Buren, encouraged her to move into the retail storefront on the lower level of the building offering high quality, yet affordable apartments.

“They would keep asking ‘what is it going to take to get you in here?’” said Tesfaye. “They offered to build a full kitchen to my specifications and that was

too good to pass up.”

The capable cook likes the freedom a full kitchen offers her bourgeoning business. Prior to relocating to Oak Park and opening Addis Café, Tesfaye and her brother spent 11 years operating, Addis Restaurant, an Ethiopian eatery located in Berkeley, California. A native of Addis, Ethiopia, Tesfaye has periodically hosted pop-up dinners featuring her vegan Ethiopian fare. After each successful pop-up calls for her to begin serving regular dinners have grown louder.

The new space is equipped with a professional ventilation system and industrial cooking appliances allowing Tesfaye to expand her café menu to include Ethiopian dinner offerings. The chef indicated she is going to take some time to “introduce herself

to the new space,” but expects dinner service to commence soon.

In the meantime Tesfaye is serving up the pour over coffee, elaborate waffle creations and berry jam and cream-filled scones customers have come to love. The light-filled space with generous outdoor seating has become a celebration of the old meeting the new that the community had hoped it would be.

“Coffee in Ethiopia is meant to be shared — one pot would serve many people so friends, neighbors and sometimes even strangers would share a pot,” said Tesfaye. “My customers have spent time getting to know my customs and they have become like a family to me. ”

Kalkidan Tesfaye

“Our bankers came to us and said here’s how we can help.”

For more than 100 years, we’ve been helping Chicagoland non-profits like Beyond Hunger write their stories.

Every business has a story. We can help you write yours.

–Michele Zurakowski, Executive Director, Beyond Hunger

In the f s Pizza and Pasta

To fold or not to fold? It is debatable whether extra-large slices of New York style pizza should be folded in half before eating. Some folks do it to avoid the dreaded “flop,” while others collapse the crust to keep the cheese from sliding off in a gooey avalanche. Anti-folders keep their meal a two-handed affair likely preferring to double the number of bites it takes to finish their coveted slice. No matter how you prefer to eat your pie, Betty’s Pizza and Pasta, 1003 South Blvd., Oak Park, brings a taste of the Big Apple to the Pleasant District.

Brought to life by Wil and Justine Greenwald, Rob Guenthner and Katie Ashton and Pete and Fran Lisnic coowners of Kettlestrings Tavern, 800 S. Oak Park Ave., and Kettlestrings Grove, 105 S. Marion St., Betty’s Pizza and Pasta completes the Kettlestrings’ trifecta. Betty’s fun and unfussy vibe is meant to reflect the pizza joint co-owner Rob Guenthner remembers frequenting as

a child. Expect traditional red and white checkered tablecloths and traditional red cups to evoke a throwback vibe. While the restaurant’s name pays homage to the founding British matriarch of Oak Park, Betty Kettlestrings, the menu at the South Boulevard establishment is decidedly Italian-American. Dan Swartz,

operations director, and consulting chef, Tanya Baker worked to develop Betty’s pizza recipe and broader menu from the ground up. The pizzas, available in the traditional 18inch size, are pie cut into eight generously sized slices. The bottom of the crust is crispy while the top remains fluffy and soft. A regular pie features whole milk mozzarella and up to two toppings — if you order pepperoni expect it will be properly cupped. Toppings are thoughtfully distributed across the pie and leftovers reheat beautifully in a hot oven. A quartet of specialty pizzas like Buffalo chicken, are also on the menu. Guenthner is pleasantly

surprised at the popularity of Betty’s garlic and zucchini pie—the white pizza features herb butter, sliced summer squash, mozzarella, parmesan, and fresh thyme.

In addition to pizza, Betty’s offers appetizers like meatballs, mozzarella sticks, garlic knots. The menu features four pasta dishes including wild mushroom fettuccine with garlic cream sauce as well as salads in small and large sizes. The arugula and quinoa salad with apples, blue cheese and bacon is also proving a popular choice.

Owners are keenly aware there has been pent up demand for New York Style pizza in the community and look forward to giving everyone an opportunity to give Betty’s pizza a try

Pepperoni and sausage pizza from Betty’s in Oak Park

Melissa Elsmo

Wolf it down at Okami Sushi

Tom Uiprapassorn, chef and co-owner of Okami Sushi, 6818 W. North Ave., Chicago, combines his love for Japanese anime and architectural sushi at his restaurant nestled in the North Avenue District. In Japanese, Okami can mean “Great God” or “wolf,” but owners of the sushi centric restaurant bearing the name took inspiration from Ōkami Amaterasu — a white wolf goddess character at the center of a video game launched in 2006. Born in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Uiprapassorn earned his degree in architecture prior to emigrating to the United States and settling in Chicago with his sister, Wow Morales. Though excited to be in the States, he was not passionate about pursuing a career in architecture — after his arrival he went looking for “any job” to make ends meet. He spent his first years in the city working at a small-scale sushi bar with a lean, but dedicated staff. In time, Uiprapassorn partnered up with his

Okami

6818 W. North Ave., Chicago (773) 417-8560

okamichicago.com

sister and brother-in-law, Moses Morales, to bring Okami Sushi to life.

Uiprapassorn enjoys tossing ideas around with his chef-friends who work at Momotaro, but also relies heavily on his own imagination to keep dishes coming out of Okami’s open kitchen. Okami welcomes guests to experience Uiprapassorn’s creative take on sushi and ramen. The Chin ramen is a rich and memorable combination of pork bone broth, thin ramen noodles and garlic oil crowned with crispy chicken karaage, bamboo shoots, kizami seaweed, chili threads and a softboiled egg. Warming Yuma udon boasts a clear chicken soup broth with thick noodles topped with marinated shiitake mushrooms

with tempura fried shrimp, oyster, scallop and kanikama. Both offerings are hearty, complex and well executed.

Folks looking to embrace the energy of free-style Japanese cooking will do well to order some of Okami’s signature maki rolls or chef ’s selection of sushi. The Princess “Monoke” Roll gives a nod to another character in Japanese anime and features shrimp tempura, BBQ eel, avocado, cucumber topped with seared

super white tuna, honey mayo, unagi sauce and crispy shallots. The Davy Jones roll, topped with fried beet, is stuffed with octopus, cilantro, and jalapeno before being deep fried. Traditional maki rolls and nigiri are also available.

Uiprapassorn feels at home in his restaurant kitchen and wants to invite everyone to pay them a visit in the North Avenue District.

The Princess “Monoke” Roll as served at Okami Sushi

Melissa Elsmo

mmm...

Melissa’s Memorable Meals

Jimmy’s Creation from Poke Burrito, Oak Park:

This colorful tuna and salmon poke bowl is the brainchild of Jimmy Chen, the mastermind behind the Lake Street restaurant. Ingredients including avocado, pineapple, cucumber, and edamame come together in perfect harmony on a bed of brown rice.

Chili Crisp Biscuit and Kale Salad Scones from Broken Tart, Oak Park:

Basically everything Krissy and Katie Mack are turning out at their Chicago Avenue bakery is completely sublime, but we are over the moon for kale salad scones and smitten with the chili crisp biscuit.

This Bountiful Meal from Khyber Pass, Oak Park:

Malik Jawid celebrated a major anniversary this year and learning more about the beginnings of this Downtown Oak Park mainstay makes every meal eaten at Khyber Pass even a little more delicious.

This Taste the Town Bite:

When Takeout 25 throws a party no-one leaves hungry and their first in-person fundraiser to support local restaurants was no exception. Multiple eateries put up delicious dishes and this surf and turf cup from the chefs at Babygold was unforgettable!

Chopped Chicken Liver from Fritzi’s Delicatessen, Oak Park:

Some things are worth the wait and the roasted chicken livers chopped with hard cooked eggs, caramelized onions, and schmaltz was a delightful introduction to this Oak Park newcomer.

Give thanks for Spilt Milk

Since opening in 2018, Meg and Molly Svec, sisters and co-owners of Spilt Milk Pastry, 811 South Blvd., have navigated the bakery business with grace and humility. Their increased kitchen capacity has afforded the delightful duo noteworthy opportunities to explore the savory side of life while staying true to their sweet traditions.

The Svec sisters work tirelessly to ensure the quality of their pastries, cookies, breads and biscuits remain unwavering in their quality and flavor — the dynamic duo is already preparing for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday Pre-orders for holiday pies are being taken now

Heirloom Apple Pie is sure to be among Spilt Milk’s best sellers on their 2022 Thanksgiving menu. In 2018, former Chicago Tribune dining critic, Phil Vettel, called this pie “a work of art.” It features a timeless mixture of several rotating varieties of heirloom apples, baked in an all-butter

Spilt Milk

811 South Blvd, Oak Park (708) 613-4403

spiltmilkpastry.com

double pie crust.

Georgia Pecan pie joins traditional pumpkin, apple cranberry, and pumpkin pecan praline to round out Spilt Milk’s Thanksgiving pie selections. Homemade whipped cream in classic vanilla and chai vanilla varieties can be added to any order as well.

In addition, the pie shop will offer savory quiches, pumpkin bread with maple glaze, banana bread, “Bake At Home” buttermilk biscuits, wine, and more. Meg and Molly are encouraging interested customers to order early for the best selection. They will sell out and typically reach production capacity around Halloween.

The cheery bakery now serves wines by

the glass and recently launched a grab-andgo lunch program featuring sandwiches, snack trays, quiche and puddings. Their chef-driven Friday night dinners have been gaining in popularity as well. Meals, available for pre-order on their website, serve four and are prepared by Spilt Milk newcomer, Michael Forman.

Chef Foreman’s menu offerings have included roasted chicken, fresh squash and

WE

roasted rosemary potatoes as well as baked sausage manicotti featuring house made Slagel Farms pork sausage in a homemade tomato sauce with fennel & herbs.

The savory meal program is a bourgeoning part of the business that brings a genuine sweetness to every endeavor Oh! And don’t forget, Spilt Milk’s pre-orders for the Christmas season will be available starting Black Friday, Friday, Nov 25.

FAMILY-NIGHT, DATE-NIGHT, LUNCH, HOLIDAY PARTIES, OR ALL YOUR VICTORY FAVORITES FOR AT-HOME CELEBRATIONS!

FULL CATERED MEALS • SEAFOOD TOWERS HORS D’OEUVRE EXPERIENCES • PARTY PLATTERS

FULL CATERED MEALS • SEAFOOD TOWERS HORS D’OEUVRE EXPERIENCES • PARTY PLATTERS

Sunday - Thursday 4p - 10p

Sunday - Thursday 4p - 10p

Friday & Saturday Noon - 11p

Friday & Saturday Noon - 11p

Tina Harle’s photo of Spilt Milk’s pumpkin pie. Spilt Milk

Visiting Berwyn,

you will find that the township has 4 distinct districts where much of the everyday buzz and bites are centered. There is Cermak Road, often heralded as the Main Street of Berwyn, where you can not only spend the day running errands, but catch a break and have some amazing tacos or desserts as you recharge. Then, formerly known as 12th street there is Roosevelt Road, a hotspot for entertainment — but most importantly, the variety of food available down a single corridor makes planning for dinner with friends or family a breeze. Next there is Ogden Avenue, famously a part of old Route 66, where among all the automotive businesses you can find smokey meats and other great eats. Last but not least is the Depot District. This district is home to vibrant pubs, lounges, and family restaurants that often come together to support the many events hosted in the Depot. Let the smell of amazing foods guide you across Berwyn on your next visit!

Curb a craving on Cermak

There is a restaurant suited to curb just about any craving on Cermak Road in Berwyn. It is easy to show some love to the array of restaurants scattered throughout “The Corridor.” No matter if you are hungry for a savory supper or a sweet treat.

Zacatacos

Zacatacos prides itself for serving up their famous charbroiled skirt steak tacos as well as El Pastor tacos with pineapple, onions and cilantro. The famous salsa roja serves up a non-traditional papa taco that flies low under the radar on a menu boasting many traditional Mexican favorites. An indulgent bite, the papa taco is filled with fluffy mashed potatoes before being deep fried to a crisp golden brown. Topped with lettuce, tomato and cheese, the crave-worthy parcel is like eating a comforting hug.

Las Islas

Folks looking for a seafood fix should swing by Las Islas. The restaurant was once part of a larger restaurant group, but the now independent establishment takes pride in their approach to seafood preparation. Guest should enjoy a refreshing michelada alongside tilapia ceviche and serrano chili salsa. The spicy tomato juice-based beer cocktail spiked with lime and rimmed with tamarind paste is Las Islas’ signature drink.

Anthony’s Pizza

People might not realize Anthony’s Pizza serves an Italian beef sandwich that is one of the best things on their timeless menu. This no-frills joint simmers seasoned, thinly sliced roast beef in jus, or gravy, before piling it high on an Italian roll stuffed with sweet green peppers. Though Anthony’s has been slinging pizza slices since 1986, their beef sandwich recipe goes back as far as the sandwich does in Chicago history. Purists will appreciate Anthony’s classic take on this iconic and slightly messy sandwich.

Zacotacos

Las Islas

Anthyony’s Pizza

Anthony’s Pizza

6237 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-1100

• anthonyspizzaplace.com

Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza

7122 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5293

• blazepizza.com

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar #330

7130 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-2319

• buffalowildwings.com

Burger King #5984

2147 S Oak Park Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 788-3253

Canton 8 Sport Bar & Grill

6312 Cermak Rd, Berwyn

Chipotle Mexican Grill

7140 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 303-5049

• chipotle.com

Domino’s Pizza

6613 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-4949

• diminos.com

Overseas China Restaurant

Overseas China Restaurant has been churning out classic Chinese dishes for 20 years in Berwyn. The restaurant’s unassuming exterior gives way to a surprisingly modern interior where friendly service is a hallmark of the diminutive establishment. Overseas China offers a wide array of Cantonese and Szechuan dishes -- for less than $11 hungry diners can enjoy the generously sized Overseas China Special Platter featuring shrimp, chicken, BBQ pork and an array of vegetables in a garlicy brown sauce.

La Michoacana Classic

ou can snag some Dorilocos, Taki con queso, or chicharrón preparado for a creative and crunchy snack at La Michoacana Classic on Cermak, but local dessert lovers head to this bright and cheery shop to satiate their sweet tooth. An assortment of cream and water popsicles in flavors including Fruit chocolate Abuelita, and Tamarind join a wide array of traditional ice cream offerings available by the scoop or as part of sundaes like this beast of a banana split.

The Cermak District

El Nuevo Vallarta Sports Bar and Grill

6801 W Cermak Rd Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5929

• elnuevovallarta.com

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

7150 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-9940

Flight 22 Wine Bar

6518 Cermak Rd, Berwyn

(708) 956-7648

• flight22winebar.com

Guadalajara Grill & Bar

6814 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 788-2600

Happy & Healthy NutritionHerbalife

6628 Cermak Rd

(708) 473-4492

• genesis7.goherbalife.com

Home Run Inn Pizzeria 6825 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-8877

• homeruninnpizza.com

Jelly Jam Pancake House 6300 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-9840

• facebook.com/jellyjam02

Jimmy John’s 7028 W Cermak Rd Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 788-7800

• jimmyjohns.com

KFC/A&W #Y313102

6200 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-4012

La Lupita Restaurant 6539 W Cermak Rd #1 Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 788-8226

• lalupitaberwyn.com

La Michoacana Classic 6533 W Cermak Rd, Berwyn (708) 637-4075

• lamichoacanapremium.com

La Parra Restaurant - Bar 6710 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5339

• laparrarestaurantandbar.com

Las Islas Bar and Grill II 6516 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 795-1300

Las Quecas Berwyn

6311 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 956-7371

• orderlasquecas.com

LongHorn Steakhouse

7115 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-6350

• longhornsteakhouse.com

Los Tarritos Restaurante

6241 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5842

• facebook.com/lostarrito

McDonald’s #2546

(Cermak and Ridgeland)

6401 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-3002

• mcdonalds.com

McDonald’s #6928

7181 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-9716

• mcdonalds.com

Old Fashioned Candies

6210 Cermak Rd, Berwyn (708) 788-6669

• oldfashionedcandiesinc.com

Overseas China Restaurant 6846 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-5447

• overseaschinaberwyn.com

Panera Bread 7050 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

• panerabread.com

Popeye’s Chicken

6935-43 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-2737

• popeyes.com

Tony’s Fresh Market 7111 W Cermak Rd Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 683-4072

• tonysfreshmarket.com

Vesecky’s Bakery 6634 Cermak Rd, Berwyn (708) 788-4144

Waldo Cooney’s Pizza 6733 W Cermak Rd Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-7997

• waldocooneyspizza.com

Wanda’s Chinese Kitchen 6301 W Cermak Rd, Unit D Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 788-2868

• wandaschinesekitchen.com

Zacatacos - Cermak 6212 W Cermak Rd Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-8460

• zacatacos.com

EATS presented by

Divine dining in the Depot District

The Depot District, with its downtown vibe, boasts a bevy of noteworthy independent restaurants and bars that are all easily accessible by foot, car, bike, or from one of the three Metra stops and many bus routes.

La Malquerida Latin Fusion

Expect complex flavors and attention to detail at La Malquerida Latin Fusion. This Depot District destination creates an inspired array of cultural Latin dishes and uses many cooking techniques. The unique blend of flavors can be evidenced in their artfully plated Sopesitos appetizer boasting a trio of bite sized corn sopes with black beans, chicken tinga, sour cream, and queso fresco We also crave the homestyle Cochinita Pibil — the Yucatan Style braised pork is wrapped in banana leaves and served with cilantro rice, black beans, pickled onions, and habanero sauce.

Lavergne’s Tavern

Known for serving up some serious burgers, street food inspired tacos and even a mighty fine brunch, Depot District fans know Lavergne’s Tavern serves up decadent Chicago-style eggrolls. People should believe the hype behind the Italian beef eggrolls — the appetizer has a near cult-like following for good reason. Brimming with beef, giardiniera, and cheese, these crispy rolls are sliced on an extreme bias and served with au jus for dipping. Grab a napkin and indulge!

Flapjack Brewery

Flapjack Brewery is known for turning out practically perfect wood-fired pizzas to pair with their small batch beers. Paul and James Macchione grew up in Berwyn and now own Flapjack Brewery where they keep eight beers on tap to pair with their tavern style and Neopolitian pies. Check out the four-cheese arugula topped with smoked scamorza, fresh mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, shaved Parmesan, fresh garlic, wild arugula, olive Oil, and fresh lemon juice

Connie’s Family Restaurant & Cocktails

3271 S Harlem Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-3447

• conniesberwyn.com

D’Cache Latin Cafe

3244 S Oak Park Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5008

• dcachelatincafe.com

Familia Fresh Market & Danesi Café

3308 S Oak Park Ave Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 956-7026

• familiafreshmarket.com

Flapjack Brewery

6833 W Stanley Ave Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 637-4030

• flapjackbrewery.com

Gaia Ristorante Italiano

6822 Windsor Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-4238

• gaiaitaliano.com

The Garage Smokehouse & Bar 3202 S Grove Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 956-7274

• facebook.com/Thegarageberwyn

La Borra del Café Berwyn 6801 W Stanley Ave

(224) 580-0965

• laborra.us

La Malquerida Latin Fusion 6906 W Windsor Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 956-7219

• lamalqueridaberwyn.com

Lavergne’s Tavern 6546 Windsor Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402 708-956-7405

• lavergnes.com

MediaNoche Berwyn Cafe 6836 Windsor Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 317-5093

• medianochecafe.com

N-Joy II Asian Cuisine 7140 W Windsor Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-5310

• njoy2.com

Perception Lounge 6814 W Windsor Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-2484

• facebook.com/PerceptionLounge

Tastee Corner Cafe

3207 S Oak Park Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-1173

• yelp.com/biz/tastee-corner-cafeberwyn-2

Taz Deli 6932 W Windsor

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 956-7583

The Depot District

Autre Monde Cafe & Spirits

6727 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 775-8122

• autremondecafe.net

Babygold Barbecue

6613 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 637-4364

• babygoldbbq.com

Berwyn’s Culver ’s

6943 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 788-8000

• culvers.com

Big Guys Sausage Stand

7021 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5213

• bigguyssausage.com

Take a ride on Roosevelt

Roosevelt Road has earned its reputation as an entertainment hub in Berwyn. Drawing visitors and locals a like, this walkable block showcases the true spirit of the community.

Autre Monde

Autre Monde opened more than a decade ago to immediate accolades including a notable three-star rating from the Chicago Tribune. Chef Pancake earned a coveted Jean Banchet nomination for Chef of the Year in 2013 and the restaurant has achieved Green Seal Certification. The restaurant recovered from a significant fire in 2012, hosted a James Beard Foundation dinner in 2015, and has executed myriad pop-up events over the years including an elaborate ode to the foodie film “Big Night.” Expect their rotating menu of Mediterranean inspired dishes to make any meal memorable.

Babygold Barbecue

Music lovers have no trouble making their way to FitzGerald’s nightclub in Berwyn, but now food lovers have a big reason to visit the Berwyn hot spot. Babygold Barbecue has made Berwyn-style barbecue like brisket, turkey and even cauliflower synonymous with the FitzGerald’s experience. Babygold also offers a noteworthy weekend brunch with hearty main dishes like this All-American Breakfast featuring two gorgeous sunnyside up eggs, crispy breakfast potatoes, and smoked brisket.

Bodhi Thai Bistro

6211 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-9250

• mybodhithai.com

Buona Catering 6833 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-2333

• buona.com

Buona Restaurant 6745 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-2555

• buona.com

Burger King #213

6701 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-4144

Di Nico’s Pizza

6627 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-9900

• dinicospizza.com

J Wok See Thru Chinese Kitchen

6641 W Roosevelt Rd Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 788-3888

• j-wok.com

McDonald’s #2543 7135 W Roosevelt Rd Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-1555

Monse’s Tapas Bar

6609 Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 317-5204

• monsestapasbar.com

Sushi Junki 6639 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 788-3888

• sushijunki.com

Taco Yo Inc. 6629 W Roosevelt Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-2300

• ordertacoyo.com

Tasty House Restaurant

7101 W Roosevelt Rd, Unit A Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 788-1800

• tastyhouseberwyn.com

Turano Baking Company

6501 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn (708) 788-5320

• turano.com

Wing Boss 6625 W Roosevelt Rd Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 637-4424

• thewingboss.com

Memorable meals on the rest of the map:

Just because a restaurant falls outside of a named district in Berwyn doesn’t mean they don’t have memorable menu items to keep you coming back again and again. You’ll discover a world of delicious things to eat on 26th Street, Ogden, Harlem and all the streets in between!

Neveria Naranja Dulce

Visit Neveria Naranja Dulce for an authentic Mexican ice cream shop experience in Berwyn. Co-owner Angelica Chavez and her family traveled back to Jalisco to perfect their artisan ice cream making techniques. The sweet side of the menu features fruit-forward paletas (popsicles) and classic favorites like hot chocolate ice cream made from Abuelita chocolate. Adventurous sorbet lovers should check out a mangonada. This sweet and sour dessert treat is made from mango sorbet, Tajín, and piquant chamoy Fresh mango and a tamarind coated straw finish this memorable Berwyn dessert.

Juice Vibe Bar

Feel the good vibes at Juice Vibe Bar Berwyn. Owner Annabelle Martinez grew up in the Berwyn-Cicero area and transformed a former medical office into an inviting space where she introduced her arsenal of dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free juices and smoothie bowls to healthconscious customers. The smoothie bowls served at Juice Vibe Bar are all named after famous Latina artists like Selena and Frida Kahlo. The Jenni bowl, named after musician Jenni Rivera, features a robust combination of almond milk, spirulina, blueberries, banana, granola, oats, chia seeds and Amaranthus.

Tacos y Salsa

Ms. Laura Guerrero, mother of six and owner of Tacos y Salsa honors her ancestors by preparing her family’s traditional home-style recipes, including an array of soups and stews. All her soups fly out of the restaurant when the weather turns chilly, but we simply adore the Caldo de Cameron. Made fresh every daily, a single bowl of this deceptively complex and highly satisfying soup includes a dozen shrimp Special spices like bay leaves and oregano help elevate the warming tomato-based soup, while a garnish tray filled with onion, cilantro, avocado and lime allow diners to customize their meal.

Anthony’s Pizza

6237 W Cermak Rd

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-1100

• anthonyspizzaplace.com

Avito Caffe

6510 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

• avitofilm.com/caffe

Baby BBQ Fire

6715 26th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 637-4236

Benny’s Pizza

6806 26th St, Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-1771

• bennyspizzaberwyn.com

Berwyn Tap Room

6330 16th St, Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5067

• www.facebook.com/ berwyntaproom

Betty’s Bistro

6969 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5577

Big Mama’s Kitchen ToGo

6920 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 303-0050

• bigmamastogo.com

Bob’s Belgian Hot Chocolate

6412 W 27th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(630) 430-4730

• bobsbelgianhotchocolate.com

Cake Bros Bakery

6737 W 26th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-2504

• cakebros.com

Cien 100% Naturalisimo

2709 S Ridgeland Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5679

• 100naturalisimo.com

Los Corrales

Discover a street food staple at Los Corrales. Any proper Mexican food exploration would be incomplete without a taste of tacos al pastor. Inspired by the spit-roasted shawarma dishes that influenced Mexican cuisine in the early 1900s, “the shepherd’s taco” is a delicious blending of Mexican and Lebanese culinary traditions. Charred bits are the best part of the flavorful marinated orange-hued pork that stars in Los Corrales tacos al pastor

Misc. Districts

Cigars and Stripes BBQ Lounge

6715 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-1043

• stripesbbq.com

Crepas Culichi

2713 S Ridgeland Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 637-4998

• crepas-culichi.com

Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins

- Harlem

2945 S Harlem Ave

(708) 749-0689

Berwyn, IL 60402

Harlem Ave Lounge

3701 S Harlem Ave

(708) 484-3610

• harlemavenuelounge.com

Berwyn, IL 60402

Jelly Jam Restaurant and Pancake House

3205 S Harlem Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 777-1967

Juice Vibe Bar

2137 Oak Park Ave,

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 232-3385

• juicevibebar.com

Junior ’s Bar and Grill

7011 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-9465

La Flor de Michoacan

6316 W 26th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 317-5052

La Michoacana & More

2707 S Ridgeland Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 477-8117

• lamichoacanamenu.com

Las Delicias De Michoacan

6807 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-5357

Lalo’s Restaurant 3011 S Harlem Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-9311

• lalos.com

Little Caesar ’s 6801 W Ogden Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-4174

Little Fenix Restaurants Inc. 3250 S Grove Ave Berwyn, IL 60402

(312) 735-3763

• littlefenix.com

Los Corrales Taqueria & Restaurant

6713 W 26th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-9063

• loscorralesberwyn.com

Lucky Dog III 7151 W 16th St Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-0330

McDonald’s #6808

7031 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-8047

• mcdonalds.com

Mr. Submarine

6341 W 26th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 795-9633

Mr Submarine

7103 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-2911

My Uncle’s Place

2615 S Ridgeland Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(239) 777-5382

Neveria Naranja Dulce, Inc

6252 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 714-0074

Nicco’s Bar and Grill

6300 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 670-2042

Nonno’s Pizza

6969 W Ogden Ave

Unit D

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 788-1100

• nonnospizza.com

Novi’s Beef

6746 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-0895

• novisbeeftogo.com

Nuevo Poncitlan Inc.

6322 W 26th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-5944

• nuevoponcitlan.com

Paisans Pizzeria & Bar

6226 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-5325

• paisanspizza.com

Parrilla Express 6401 W 34th St

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 637-4799

• parrillaexpress.com

Skyview Restaurant 6334 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 795-0088

Slice Factory 6900 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 788-1700

• theslicefactory.com/berwyn

Subway Store # 27939

6919 W Ogden Ave

Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 749-9302

Taco Bell #2433 6956 W Ogden Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-4747

Tacos Y Salsa 6346 W 26th St Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-3581

• tacosysalsarestaurant.com

Tamales Ogden 6333 W Ogden Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 795-6859

Taqueria El Meson Express 6831 W Ogden Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-1470

• elmesonexpress.com

Tastee Freeze 6621 W 26th St Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 749-7377

Viva la Frida 7117 Ogden Ave, Berwyn IL 60402 (708) 788-4333

• palaceregency.com White Castle 7155 W Ogden Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 795-6811

Wok N Roll Express 6969 W Ogden Ave, Unit C Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 788-0088

• woknrollberwyn.com

Zacatacos - Harlem 3837 S Harlem Ave Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 484-1300

• zacatacos.com

atacos com

Sips and Sweets gaining ground thanks to community support

Krista Brazel, owner of Sips & Sweets Café, 1 Riverside Rd., Riverside, opened her bakery and coffee house nearly a year ago Brazel lost her job due to the pandemic in 2020 and in the face of considerable uncertainty, she harnessed her entrepreneurial spirit and formulated plans to start her own businesses.

Brazel sold hot chocolate bombs and cinnamon rolls out of her car to 2,000 loyal Facebook followers before finding her way to a brick storefront in the center of the quaint village. The prospect of heavy foot traffic and convenient placement next to the downtown train station drew the Westchester resident to Riverside where she fell in love with the town’s charm and authentic sense of community. Brazel proudly set up shop in the circa 1870 Arcade Building. The oldest commercial building

in Riverside is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“This is a place where kids go after school, a place where moms and dads spend their mornings,” said Brazel. “We are proud to be a part of the community.”

Sips and Sweets Cafe

1 Riverside Rd, Riverside (708) 853-9782

sipsandsweetscafe.net

When guests walk through the doors of Sips and Sweets, they can expect an assortment of fromscratch treats ranging from cookies and cupcakes to toaster-inspired pastries. Coffee drinks, quick breads, breakfast sandwiches, and specialty sandwiches round out the menu. Expect the sandwiches to be named after local streets. “The Parkway” features turkey and Swiss while “The Forest” is a vegetarian offering brimming with avocado A weekly rotation of soups, including chicken noodle, broccoli cheddar and chili offer a fine way to warm up on a cold day.

The shop’s flagship cinnamon rolls are

also a customer favorite. The indulgent and labor-intensive rolls are topped with a mouth-watering buttercream and best served warm. Sips and Sweets is packaging “take and warm” and “take and bake” cinnamon rolls for holiday pre-order Brazel is promising to add to the bounty of your Thanksgiving feast by offering house-made honey crisp apple pies and chocolate bourbon pies (made with Quincy Street Distillery bourbon) as part of their holiday menu.

In addition to satisfying your holiday dessert needs, Sips and Sweets has launched a Friday dinner program designed to rescue busy families at the end of a hectic work week. Expect menu selections to include Bohemian pork, potato dumplings and sweet and sour cabbage, chicken teriyaki with rice and sautéed peppers, and linguine Bolognese with garlic bread. Sips and Sweets Friday dinners can be pre-ordered and picked up hot on Friday evenings.

Cinnamon rolls are synonymous with Sips and Sweets — owner Krista Brazel has been perfecting the decadent recipe for years.

Melissa Elsmo

mmm...

Melissa’s Memorable Meals

Branzino at Amerikas, Oak Park:

This whole fish, with crispy soy-glazed skin, is served on a bed of rosy-hued fried basmati rice spiked with garlic, scallion, cabbage and tomato. Spicy serrano chili salsa adds an option to heat things up. Delicate herb and radish salad adds visual intrigue to the rich and satisfying dish.

Dumpling appetizers at a GCM event, Oak Park:

Dumplings in any form are a delight, but these little treasures were extra special because they were made with love for friends and supporters of Growing Community Media.

Pina Colada Matcha from Brewpoint Craft, Oak Park:

This is a summer specialty and is one refreshing beverage — matcha has magical “pick you up” properties and when you mix it up with luscious oat milk and pineapple juice it’s like a vacation in cup.

A double smash burger from Circle Tavern, Elmwood Park:

Served tavern style, this unassuming burger ticks all the boxes when it comes to a griddled indulgence. Don’t underestimate this offering — Circle Tavern burgers are among the best around.

Pasta tossed with Capuliato at the Carnivore/Anfora Etna Wine Dinner, Oak Park:

This one-time-only event was a celebration of big bold wines from the mountains of Italy. The meal, designed by Chef Brad Knaub, was intended to let the wines shine — he succeeded; the pairings were perfect, but this bowl of pasta tossed with a traditional Sicilian condiment based on dried tomatoes was more than memorable.

Instant grati cation in Elmwood Park

The Polaroid camera sold out in a buying frenzy following a single in store demonstration in 1948. Some eateries in Elmwood Park have been serving up timeless fare for longer than the camera has been on the market. These recognizable photos cultivate a swift sense of nostalgia just like so

Circle Tavern: Whether ordering a single, double, triple or mammoth quad burger, fans of the smash will be pleasantly surprised that Circle Tavern, 18 Conti Parkway, is putting up a practically perfect version of this simple burger style.

many of the dishes served inside the colorful collection of eateries that lure customers with a diversity of cuisines, ample parking, and an honest sense of camaraderie. The Village of Elmwood Park tirelessly supports the restaurants lined up on North Avenue and throughout the village—that ongoing

Alpine Food Shop:

commitment is one of the reasons why many Restaurant Row establishments have endured for decades. So whether you “say cheese” or “hold the cheese” there is classic dish worthy of capturing in Elmwood Park!

“It ’s not just a sub—it ’s an Alpine.” Few places have a truer tag line than Alpine Food Shop, 7538 W North Ave.--the popular sandwich shop has been a part of the neighborhood since 1955.

Massa Café Italiano: Angelo and Giovanna Lollino craft a variety of authentic Italian dishes at Massa, 7434 W North Ave. Their award-winning gelato and fresh sorbettos are made fresh daily using time-honored Italian techniques.

Eggsperience: Nothing beats a breakfast joint to bring out those retro vibes.

Eggsperience, 16 Conti Pkwy., has a perfect mix of old school classics and innovative fare to curb your cravings!

Johnnie’s Beef: Folks lined up for this instant camera just like they queue up for a Johnnie’s beef sandwich A counterservice force of nature, Johnnie’s Beef, 7500 W North Ave., first started serving their sandwiches in 1961.

Armand’s Pizza: Armand’s pizza, 7650 W North Ave., has been serving up pies and sliced for more than 60 years. Their signature pizza, featuring artichoke, fontinella, and roasted peppers puts a full color twist on toppings.

Burger Moovment:

This quick-service establishment, 7512 W North Ave., flips every patty to order using locally sourced bakery buns, 100-percent Angus beef and locally grown produce. They also fry up a Banh Mi inspired chicken sandwich if you are looking to put some cluck in your moo!

Alpine Food Shop

Johnnie’s Beef

Massa Cafe Italiano

Burger Moovement

Ar mand’s Pizza

Circle Tavern

Spizzico: For twentyfive years the Spizzirri family has been offering baked clams and crispy calamari to set the stage for an array of entrees including pastas, sandwiches and pizza at Spizzico, 7446 W. North Ave.

Gringo and Blondie: An assortment of tacos, cemitas, and burritos await at Gringo and Blondie, 7514 W. North Ave. The Mexican street-food spot also serves up photo-worthy pozole!

Café Cubano: For 20 years, Mayra and Javier Fernandez Jr. have been honoring Javier Fernandez Sr by bringing authentic Cuban fare to Restaurant Row. Located at 7426 W. North Ave., Café Cubano uses nostalgia and comfort as key ingredients in every dish—including lechon, oxtails, jibaritos and empanadas.

New Star: A mainstay on North Ave., New Star, 7444 W. North Ave., had been serving up Cantonese cuisine since 1954, but Jinny Zhao’s ownership has brought fresh life to the restaurant row and their classic eggrolls!

Russell’s Barbecue: Tradition is alive and well at 1621 N Thatcher Ave. The original meat sandwiches, slab ribs and bone-in chicken continue to be slow roasted and served just as they were in 1930. The tender and simply seasoned meats are all designed to be doused with Russell’s barbecue sauce.

Jim and Pete’s: Since 1941 this Restaurant Row outlier has, has been serving up old world favorites with a modern twist. The well-appointed restaurant, 7806 W North Ave., is known for serving up a reliable arsenal of traditional Italian dishes and specialty menu items like giant housemade rigatoni with pinenuts, spinach and ricotta.

Old Word Pizza: In 1963 the Bambini family opened their first restaurant and nurtured a loyal customer base. Though ownership of Old World Pizza, 7230 W North Ave., has changed hands several times, the same collection of century old recipes make is easy to savor a slice of history.

Inari: Sara Kate, owner of Inari Sushi, 7428 W. North Ave., takes a “sushi first” approach to turn out a creative assortment of maki, nigiri and poke. Bento boxes, ramen and kitchen entrees complement an array of cocktails and sake options.

Gringo & Blondie

Spizzico

Cafe Cubano

Jim & Pete’s Inari

Russell’s Barbecue

Old World Pizza

Elmwood Park has a long standing reputation for being home to outstanding restaurants. As a Village we are proud to share this reputation and work hard to promote it.

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Melissa’s Memorable Meals

The Italian at Mercato di Fiore:

Alpine

7538 W North Ave

Armand’s Pizzeria

7650 W North Ave

Ashleys Café & Tap

7500 W Grand Ave

Bon Vivant Juice & Smoothie Bar

7334 W. Diversey Ave

Burger King

1750 Harlem Ave

Burger Moovement

7512 W North Ave

Café Cubano

7426 W North Ave

Caputo’s Fresh Markets

2400 N Harlem Ave

Circle Tavern 18 Conti Pkwy

Culvers

7542 W Grand Ave

Donny G’s

7308 W North Ave

Celtic Corner

Circle Tavern

Dugout

George’s

Dunkin Donuts 7201 W. Grand Ave

Eggsperience 16 Conti Pkwy

Great American Bagel 7230 W North Ave

Gringo & Blondie 7514 W North Ave

Happy Wok 1742 N Harlem Ave

Inari 7428 W North Ave

Jim & Pete’s 7806 W North Ave

Jimmy John’s 1702 N Harlem Ave

Johnnie’s 7500 W North Ave

Massa Café 7434 W North Ave

McDonalds 7217 W Grand Ave

New Star Restaurant 7444 W North Ave

RESTAURANTS BARS

Green Star Hunters On The Rocks

Phil’s Sports Bar

Old World 7230 W North Ave

Panera 7400 North Ave

Russell’s Barbecue 1621 Thatcher Ave

Spizzico& Senor Jefe 7446 W North Ave

Subway 2836 N. Harlem Ave 7230 W. North Ave

Tacos 2 Go 7530 W. Grand Ave

The Barre Studio & Café

12 W. Conti Parkway

Tony D’s 7725 W Belmont Ave

Trattoria Peppino’s 7440 W North Ave

Union Tap 7707 Westwood #1A

Wing Stop 1740 N Harlem Ave

Tiny Tap Union Tap

This Chicago style sandwich, filled with mortadella, capicola and salami, gets a hyperlocal and noteworthy twist, with the addition of Honey G, a craft giardiniera developed by Jeff Mauro, River Forest resident and Food Network star.

Fatty Hamachi at Okami, Chicago:

This North Avenue District sushi and ramen shop, flies low under the radar, but their rolls and noodles are topflight. Chef Uiprapassorn surprised us with this fatty Hamachi bite on a recent visit and we clamor for more!

A lovely latte and a Croissant from

Whirlwind, Oak Park:

Simple is sometimes best. This super flakey croissant from Publican Quality Bread paired perfectly with a frothy, artistically adorned latte made with locally roasted Whirlwind coffee.

This jam and cream-filled scone from Addis Café, Oak Park:

A cup of Ethiopian coffee needs a companion and the entire menu at Addis Café is appealing, but this berry filled breakfast was as cozy and comforting as it can get.

Cocktails for Two at Kettlestrings

Grove, Oak Park:

Behold the Euclid Treasure and the Oak Park 75 — two lovely libations to enjoy at the end of a busy week. Drinkers should expect to find an array of chef driven dishes to enjoy between sips. We love the olives!

Next Level Hibachi Dinners at New Star

More than 30 years ago, Jinny Zhao took her first job at a Chinese restaurant. Eventually she bought the place and grew the staff from five to more than 150 before retiring. Thankfully, retirement did not stick for the dedicated restaurateur — Elmwood Park and surrounding communities have benefitted ever since.

Zhao left her leisurely lifestyle behind in favor of purchasing New Star in 2015. The veteran restaurant owner immediately turned her attention to updating the Elmwood Park mainstay After all, New Star had been serving up traditional Cantonese cuisine since 1954. While Zhao is proud to carry on the New Star traditions started by the Moy family decades ago, she eagerly expanded the cuisines available at the North Avenue establishment bringing both Thai and

Japanese dishes to the menu.

In 2017, Zhao turned her attention to the banquet room in the back of the restaurant. The outdated space was underutilized, and Zhao had a vision to bring entertaining

hibachi dinners to New Star. Today the fiery meals are drawing customers by the hundreds seven days a week. On busy nights the room welcomes more than 300 hungry hibachi fans.

“I am always improving my restaurant,” said Zhao “There was no hibachi in the area, and I thought offering the meals would be attractive to younger people and bring a new generation to New Star.”

Every table features a trained hibachi chef who puts on a show while deftly cooking dinner

Flaming onion volcanos and fried rice beating hearts enchant guests while tossing delicate eggs and flipping full bowls of fried rice draw applause from onlookers. Every hibachi meal at New Star comes with a soup and salad and sides including a vegetable medley, chicken fried

rice and soft long noodles. Zhao points out the teriyaki steak is the most popular protein selection among patrons because of the fresh meat and skilled preparation.

Note that lines to enjoy a hibachi dinner at New Star are often long; guests have been known to wait more than two hours for a table. To minimize wait times Zhao suggests calling to see if reservations are available on the evening you are hoping to dine and always advises arriving for an early dinner is the single best way to dine without a wait.

Zhao’s respect for both tradition and innovation are a key reason New Star remains a destination for both special occasions and everyday fare in Elmwood Park.

New Star

7444 W. North Ave. Elmwood Park (708) 453-8242

newstarelmwoodpark.com

La Lupita celebrates a mother’s touch in every dish

For 17 years La Lupita has been a celebration of the hard work and grit it takes to succeed in the restaurant industry.

“The restaurant is named after my mother, Lupita Figueroa, and you can still find her in the kitchen,” said Salvador “Sal” Figueroa, the manager “Our dishes are all homemade with her recipes, her seasonings, and her special touch.”

The origin-story of the Cermak Road mainstay takes us far from the Berwyn thoroughfare. Though Sal is American born he and his family returned to Cuernavaca in Morelos, Mexico when he was just two years old.

As a boy, Sal watched his mother set up a dining table in their front yard.

Friends and strangers would take a seat and Lupita would bring out an array of homemade dishes like pozole blanco and

a deep dark mole with origins in her hometown located in the Guerrero region of Mexico The money she earned helped the family, but more importantly she was honing the recipes that would eventually form the spine of La Lupita’s menu.

In 1992 the Figueroa family returned to the United States and settled in Chicago While Lupita took factory jobs, she proved to be an insatiable cook and began offering her culinary services to local businesses and neighbors.

Sal would come home to find strangers eating in their apartment kitchen. Before long Lupita’s casual cooking turned into a vibrant catering business.

Then, in 2004 Sal drove past a vacant restaurant on Cermak Road. More kitchen than dining room, the diminutive space held just four tables and offered the perfect steppingstone for Lupita to take her culinary career to the next level. Thanks to her loyal customer base the transition to restaurant ownership went smoothly for the scrappy cook.

“Looking back, now I can see my mother is a true example of an entrepreneur,” said Sal proudly “She passed along that mindset to all three of her children.”

Today La Lupita is going strong and keeps home-style Mexican food front and center on Cermak. The restaurant continues to offer Lupita’s complex mole and three variations of pozole daily.

Jinny Zhao, owner of New Star, smiles proudly in her state-ofthe-art hibachi room in Elmwood Park.

A collage of the warming dishes, including mole, pozole and menudo, offered at La Lupita on Cermak Road in Berwyn.

Melissa Elsmo

Melissa Elsmo

Inari is on a (Maki) Roll on Restaurant Row

When served in Japan, sushi is a celebration of simplicity and freshness while in America extravagant maki rolls tend to dominate menus. Building on a traditional trio of ingredients including seaweed, seasoned rice and fresh fish these rolls create opportunities for creative chefs to distinguish themselves from the multitude of spots serving up sushi in the states.

Inari Sushi and Sake Lounge, 7428 W. North Ave., keeps with tradition by offering straightforward sashimi, nigiri and maki rolls that honor owner Sara Kate’s career long devotion to sourcing quality ingredients, but their specialty rolls have evolved well beyond the typical California roll. Consider Inari’s Flaming Dragon Roll — this baked inside-out roll is stuffed with shrimp tempura, scallions and sweet spicy mayo before being topped with fresh salmon, super white tuna, black and red tobiko, scallions and sesame

Inari Sushi

7428 W North Ave, Elmwood Park (708) 583-2300

inarisushielmwoodpark.com

seeds. The offering is literally set on fire before landing on a customer ’s table. The showy offering is a favorite among Inari’s regular customers.

Folks looking for a different type of heat will appreciate the Diablo Roll filled with spicy tuna, avocado, cucumber, cilantro and fresh jalapeno. This spicy offering, garnished with tempura crunch, spicy mayo and sweet soy, is sure to please hot heads everywhere.

The creativity continues with Inari’s alphabetically inclined S.T.A.Y Rolling Roll featuring letter focused ingredients:

salmon, tuna, avocado, and yellow tail. The offering is a delicious spelling lesson. The festive X’mas Specialty Roll lets a well-known color palate drive the dish. Look for ruby-hued tuna, snow crab and tobiko to join green-hued cucumber and avocado in this ode to a festive time of year. The memorable roll is meant to be enjoyed all year long.

Precede any Inari maki roll offering with a piping hot bowl of housemade miso soup or an innovative appetizer offering. A healthy summer roll, found among Inari’s rotating menu of daily specials, appeals to health-conscious visitors. In lieu of nori and rice this maki-inspired starter is wrapped in carved cucumber and sweet sauce. Inari’s spicy tuna ravioli boasts an especially memorable presentation with tuna and crab meat mixed with ponzu sauce hidden behind scales of thinly sliced avocado.

Though rooted in Japanese tradition, Inari’s offerings celebrate the best side of American sushi cuisine while remaining both elevated and refined. The decade old sushi lounge offers deceptively complex, chef driven creations with customer comfort in mind — a noteworthy combination on North Avenue.

The flaming dragon specialty roll at Inari Sushi.

Melissa Elsmo

Flaming Dragon

Spicy garlic miso ramen

Ma, Marco A. Hernandez, Sara Kate, Sophie Bebis

Carnitas Don Alfredo: Make

arnitas Don Alfredo, at the corner of Lake Street and First Avenue, is one of three local outposts of this Mexican restaurant group Attached to a gas station, this small to-go restaurant specializes in carnitas, pork slow-cooked in its own fat. This is also the way French duck confit is prepared: simmered in fat, the meat becomes richer, more tender, lush and delicious.

At Carnitas Don Alfredo, the nice lady behind the counter asked, “Would you like the meat with or without fat and skin?” She added, wincing, “Without is less greasy.” When asked “Which one do you like,” she replied, “I like it with fat and skin,” so we bought a pound of carnitas with and a pound of carnitas without fat and skin, just to compare the two. A pound of carnitas is priced very reasonably

Carnitas Don Alfredo advertises carnitas

“estilo Michoacan,” in the style of the Mexican state of Michoacan, which is where carnitas were thought to have originated (sometime after the sixteenth century invasion of the Spanish, who brought pigs to the New World). The carnitas at Don Alfredo are chopped into small pieces to make it easier to use in tacos.

We’ve enjoyed carnitas at a number of places in Mexico and in Chicago’s largely Hispanic Pilsen area, many times at the legendary Carnitas Uruapan. Never before have I been asked if I wanted carnitas with skin and fat: traditionally, carnitas just come that way. At Carnitas Don Alfredo they

Brad Knaub of Carnivore likes a blend of both styles of carnitas, saying, “The mix is the truth. Also, handmade tortillas. I buy for my staff anytime I’m nearby.” If you’re a little hesitant about the greasy version, you might consider getting a mix.”

more flavorful than just the chopped meat. With your order, you’ll be asked if you want red (chili arbol) or green (tomatillo) salsa with your carnitas. Both are made in-house, and they are fantastic: you want both.

– David Hammond

mmm...

Melissa’s Memorable Meals

The Tijuana Dog from Cigars and Stripes, Berwyn:

The Tijuana dog features a smoked, bacon-wrapped, allbeef hot dog served on a flour tortilla topped with cheese, onions, pico de gallo and a grilled serrano pepper to put some spice in your life. What may seem like a mishmash of ingredients comes together in a bold and harmonious bite.

Betty White’s favorite meal from Mickey’s Gyros and Beef, Oak Park:

Earlier this year GCM and the business community honored what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday in epic style. Mickey’s served up a plain hot dog, French fries and a Coke worthy of our favorite Golden Girl!

A Ropa Vieja Sandwich from Cubanito Express, Riverside:

Looking for more than your average grab-and-go establishment? In a twist on a Cuban tradition, Cubanito Express serves up a pressed Ropa Vieja sandwich featuring shredded beef in creole tomato sauce, house made black beans and sweet plantains.

Pizza in a bag from Bertolli’s, River Forest:

Frank Bertolli grew up in the pizza business and River Forest is better for it. Their classic pies are thin crust pizza lover’s dream. Ripping open the bag is just as good as opening a present — a gift with ooey gooey cheese!

An outlier taco from Beach Ave. BBQ, Brookfield:

Known for slinging Wagyu brisket and whole hog pulled pork, Beach Ave. BBQ also has a notable special menu including unexpected things like this mighty good fried fish taco on a hand-made tortilla!

Try a new restaurant this week!

Sugarbeet Co-op a grocery for the community

Independent grocery store, Sugar Beet Food Co-op is embedded in the community and dedicated to providing a one-of-a-kind shopping experience in Oak Park. The small, but mighty store is community-owned in the truest sense of word. The ownership model gives invested shoppers the opportunity to be actively involved in co-op governance, but Sugar Beet, 812 Madison St., Oak Park, is open to the general public.

“People still worry if they walk in the door they will get kicked out,” said Lissa Dysart, Sugar Beet’s marketing manager. “But the number one thing people need to know is that you do not need to be a member to shop here.”

Though it can be difficult to decipher what is going on behind the tinted window of the historic building housing the co-op, shoppers should expect Sugar Beet to be a welcoming and fun place to shop. The colorful produce section is 99% organic

Sugar Beet Food Co-op

yellow beans, and beet bunches for Sugar Beet.

and relies largely on locally sourced fruits and vegetables to stock the department. Spur Farms, owned by Veronica Cibotaru of Oak Park’s Delia’s Kitchen, is among the produce purveyors for the co-op Of course, available produce rotates with the seasons, but Cibotaru grows items like cucamelons, ground cherries, eggplant, green and

Sugar Beet’s café is also a celebration of all things local. They offer sweet treats from Chicago-based, Latina-owned, You’re a ookie — makers of vegan, nut-free and gluten-free items. The dough is offered for sale in the co-op’s freezer section for a takeand-bake option, but freshly baked cookies are also available in the in-house café. Other pastries are sourced from Holcomb Hollow, West Town Bakery, Mindful Bakery, and Silverland Bakery. The café proudly serves freshly brewed hyperlocal Whirlwind coffee, nitro cold brew, healing turmeric lattes, and fruit smoothies with optional nutritional add-ins.

Though unassuming compared to larger grocery stores, Sugar Beet has a robust prepared foods section. There are not traditional service counters, but all the sandwiches, soups and salads are made fresh, on-site daily by a team of 40 employees. Peek into the upright case and discover the famous “VLT” sandwich made with veggie bacon from Chicago-based Upton’s Naturals and Mighty Vine tomatoes. A rotating menu of soups include gluten free varieties like Chicken Tortilla, Ginger Carrot, Quinoa & Sweet Potato Chili. This month Sugar Beet will debut a reflowed shop they have designed with guidance from National Co-op Grocers whose mission is to optimize operational and marketing resources, and strengthen purchasing power for grocery co-ops across the nation. A reception and new owner drive is planned for October 22. Plan to pop by — after all the co-op is owned by the community and open to everybody!

Mia Herrod, of Oak Park, grabs some groceries at the Sugar Beet Co-op.

Alex Rogals

Grape leaves of oak park

Moroccan Restaurant · Tagines

The Answers:

If you scored 8-13 you are BIG NIGHT (1996):

You are uncompromising in your desire for perfection and prize authenticity above all else. Behind your retro-cool exterior you have exacting standards, but your friends and family are in awe of your skills and talent. People may not understand your point of view all the time, but when you let your guard down you can be completely warm and loveable. Have dinner at Tre Sorelle or Rustico before streaming Big Night on Netflix..

If you scored 14-19 you are RATATOUILLE (2007):

You are an idealist with genuine entrepreneurial spirit. You see potential in everyone and believe passion, tenacity and dedication will make your dreams come true. You value partnership and believe everyone (including you) has greatness inside them. Order ratatouille from Hemmingway’s Bistro and some strawberry cheesecake from Schweet before streaming the movie on Disney+.

are TORTILLA SOUP (2001):

Family connection is at the heart of everything you do Some may say you are a bit of a worrywart, but you know how to manage all the different personalities in your life. You

respect tradition but have a modern flair and sincere zest for life. You use all your senses to bring love, laughter and respect to your life and the lives of others. Get some fare from Taco Mucho, Mexican Republic, or Margaritas before streaming the film acock.

If you scored 2732 you are WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE CTORY (1971):

Despite some hardship, you find a ally enjoy the sweet side of life. You are humble, optimistic, honest and caretaking of those around you. Though you may doubt yourself from time-totime, you believe your imagination and creative side will take you far Make a donation to the Community Fridge and gather treats from Oak Park Bakery, Candycopia, Spilt Milk and Happy Apple before watching on HBO Max or Amazon Prime.

If you scored 3337 you are JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI (2011):

You are a music lover with a pristine aesthetic. You take comfort in routine and repetition and your consistency has made you a standout in your field. You don’t claim

to be perfect but focus every day on improving your skills incrementally. Immersing yourself in tasks has helped you earned the respect of your peers. Grab some sushi from Sen, Inari, or Sushi House and watch the documentary on Netflix.

When you feel like you are in a rut, you are inclined to leave the mundane and frustrating behind and embark on an adventure. You can be a little hot headed at times, but your heart is in the right place, and you are willing to work for your ou have a strong desire to make meaningful memories and nurture family connections. Snag some food from Cubanito Express or Media Noche Café, get off Twitter and stream the film on Hulu.

Devoted and intelligent, you are a true friend who likes to express a wide range of emotions. You like wine (like a lot) and will try your best to help those you love navigate life’s challenges. Life has thrown you some curveballs and you know you still have some growing up to do, but you are resilient and willing to help lift others up when life gets them down. Cheers to that! Visit Anfora Wine Merchants before you watch Sideways on HBO Max or Amazon Prime.

See the questions on page page 8

If you scored 38-43 you are CHEF (2004):

If you scored 44-48 you are SIDEWAYS (2004):

#HotMocha AllDay • kribicoffee.com

Enjoy the best sips around in the hottest spot in town, @kribicoffee. The Hot Kribi Mocha is delicious, so stop by the lounge for a taste!

Kribi Coffee

7324 Madison St, Forest Park 1033 South Blvd, Oak Park

#craftbeer • exitstrategybrewing.com

@exitstrategybrewing

Taproom • Brwery • Kitchen

Exit Strategy

7700 Madison, Forest Park

#thelittlegem • thelittlegemcafe.com

Delicious regional and seasonal menu

Serving lunch, brunch and dinner

The Little Gem Cafe 189 N. Marion, Oak Park

#instagood • browncowicecream.com

From deep dish pies for Thanksgiving to a pint flight of holiday flavors - The Brown Cow has you covered for holiday desserts and sweet gifts! We look forward to celebrating with you! Order online today.

The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor & Creamery

7347 Madison, Forest Park

#encorebylittlegem encorelittlegem.com

Dining and Live Music Tuesday thru Saturday from 5pm

Encore! by Little Gem

187 N Marion, Oak Park

#foodfavs #foodcoop #garlicspread #garliclove #yummy sugarbeetcoop.squarespace.com

!! Fav item alert !! Grocery Manager Marcus loves spreading this creamy garlic on veggie burgers, and wants everyone to try out this smooth garlic spread perfect for adding a bit more zing to any meal!

Sugar Beet Co-Op

812 Madison, Oak Park

#broastedchicken • billsfastfood.com

Since 1983 owner Bill Konstantapoulos has cooked at his open kitchen restaurant. It’s proof that he is confident and proud of his staff and the food they serve.

Bill’s Place

1146 Maple Ave, La Grange Park

#yappyhour #dogfriendly • beershophq.com

When Apollo had to choose between sitting like a good boy and running for the rosé, he chose chaos. Other four legged friends are as prim and proper as they come. They have been pouring beer and petting dogs at Beer Shop since 2015.

Beer Shop

1026 North Blvd, Oak Park

#MoroccanFood • grapeleaves.us

Let’s eat grape leaves at Grape Leaves! And falafel and baba ghanoush and hummus, too.

Grape Leaves of Oak Park offers something for everyone.

Grape Leaves

129 S. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park

#hotdog • stripesbbq.com

From the colorful streets of Tijuana, Mexico and fresh off the smoker, the perfect quick bite has arrived! Indulge in an all-beef dog wrapped in bacon and served on a homestyle tortilla.

Cigars and Stripes BBQ Lounge

6715 W. Ogden Ave, Ber wyn

#sushitime • inarisushi.com

Artful plating alert! Check out this pink-hued chef ’s selection of sushi from Inari in Elmwood Park. Talk about a lovely lunch.

Inari Sushi and Sake

7428 W. North Ave, Elmwood Park

#fantasticfungi • caffedeluca.com

Celebrate fall flavors at Caffé De Lucca with a hearty wild mushroom risotto. Shaved Parmesan takes this rich dish to the next level.

Caffé DeLuca

7427 Madison St, Forest Park

#OMG • newrebozos.com

The Cancun Grill from N Rebozo is perfect date night fare. Steak, chicken and shrimp with guajillo peppers, nopales and onions—Omg! A perfect dinner for two.

N Rebozo

7403 Madison St, Forest Park

#mycucina • cucinaoakpark.com

Let’s welcome fall with a Cucina classic. Chicken Pistachio is pan-fried with pistachio breadcrumb crust, red pepper cream balsamic sauce, creamy polenta, grilled asparagus.

Cucina Paradiso

814 North Blvd, Oak Park

Committed to Oak Park and River Forest

To learn more about our commitment to Oak Park and River Forest, visit bylinebank.com/oprf