Margaret noted briefly in her post on St. Patrick's Day rescheduling last week that this is also Shamrock Shake time. Finding it is an altogether different matter. more ›

Now this brings back some memories. We've always had this fascination with old movie houses. It probably started with Sunday family days at the Will Rogers Theatre at 5641 W. Belmont in the mid-70's. It was the perfect capper to a day in Belmont Central. Mom would take us shopping for clothes at Goldblatt's — those stores were actually respectable then — or Jack Robbins, maybe have some lunch under the Golden Arches. Then we'd stop at a Rexall Drug store, buy candy and pop (movie theater concessions were always expensive), sneak it inside, and watch cartoons followed by a Disney movie, or maybe an old Benji flick. more ›

Just in time for the playoffs, no less. Using actual lettuce to spell out the words "fresh salads," a billboard near Clark and Addison has been transformed into an ad for McDonald's premium salads. The ad was created by Leo Burnett and follows their successful "sundial" ad campaign, which used the Golden Arches logo to cast a shadow over various breakfast items. The ad company worked with a horticulturalist on this billboard, which is capable of allowing the lettuce to grow from small sprouts to verdant foliage, and presumably to be safe from pecking by birds, squirrels, and Cubs fans who might mistake the ad for another patch of green on which to micturate. more ›

With all the commentary from Elizabeth's Uncle Julio's post still fresh in mind, we gleaned this little tidbit from today's Sun-Times. Zagat released the results of its first-ever fast food survey. Using the same three criteria that they use for every other restaurant they rate (food, service, and atmosphere) Panera Bread came out on top as the best overall fast food chain. Raters praised the quality of Panera's "fresh-baked breads" and "top-notch sandwiches." Wendy's was... more ›

OK, so our football team can't defend short passes in the flat and said team's quarterback likes to force passes into double coverage and trips over his own feet. We still brew killer coffee. We already know that, as far as coffee is concerned, Chicago (via Intelligentsia and Metropolis) has it hands down over Seattle. However, when experts prefer McDonald's coffee over Starbucks, that's rubbing salt into an open wound. But it's true. According to... more ›

"Your Friday Food Buffet" is a new feature where we combine business-related news concerning food and drink with tastings and fixed-price dinners happening around town this weekend. Pretty cut-and-dried, don'cha think? Anyway, we hope you like it. Starbucks finally drops act, admits inspiration for business model: After test-marketing in Chicago and other markets throughout the country, Starbucks rolled out their breakfast sandwiches and drive-thru service in Boston and select Los Angeles locations. No information... more ›

The business sections of today's dog trainers have some short but sweet tidbits related to Hamburger U: - A large order of McDonald's french fries contain one-third more trans fat (that's the tasty goodness that clogs your arteries) than what is actually listed on McDonald's brochures and website. How did the folks at the Golden Arches find out? By testing their own fries. - Spurred by sales of premium chicken sandwiches and gift cards redemptions,... more ›

In case some readers think that we fine folks at Chicagoist have been going overboard with the Macy Field's coverage the past two days, for your perusal today here is a gaggle of news from Hamburger U that has nothing to do with the nutritional quality of its food or its CEO suddenly dropping dead: - Helping those affected by Hurricane Katrina will take years. The possibility of Rita hitting the Gulf Coast would... more ›

While Chicagoist misses the boxes they used to come in, Oak Brook-based McDonald's is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Happy Meals this summer. more ›