For the last few months, Chicago has seen its food landscape swarmed with outsiders. Groups of people have flocked to the city to decide once and for all who ranks higher, who is the finest overall, who is the best in the class, and just exactly who reigns supreme in certain fields of culinary excellence. I'm not talking about the Michelin Guide, though - everyone else in town can field that one. more ›

The saga of Mr. Beef's recent misfortunes continues today as co-owner Joseph Zucchero testifies before Congress regarding his recent struggles with Midwest Bank, which holds the lien on the River North institution, has cut off Zucchero's line of credit, and threatens to foreclose on the restaurant. This despite Midwest Bank recently being the recipient of $85 million in TARP funds from the Treasury Department. From the Tribune's "Swamp" Washington Bureau blog more ›