This city is at no loss for South American steakhouses. From smaller, long-running establishments like Tango Sur to newer downtown concepts like Brazzaz, there's a choice for any taste. One of our favorites for ordering a sizzling plate of churrasco or some steaming and fluffy empanadas is the Six Corners location of Las Tablas. In fifteen years Jorge and Soraya Suarez have managed to take Las Tablas from a small storefront in North Center to two large dining rooms in the city. more ›

The jibarito is a cross-cultural gem with a very American story. It was invented in Chicago (circa 1993) at Humboldt Park’s Borinquen Restaurant, a tricked-out plantain sandwich inspired by Puerto Rican culture and named after its peasant class, then embraced across strata at local Cuban, Mexican, and South American joints. more ›

Or, in honor of the start of holiday shopping season, we should probably christen this week's installment the "Black Friday Buffet". Anyway, let's get to it. West Lakeview Liquors weekly tastings will focus on Christmas ales (tonight) and whiskies (tomorrow). The French Wine Society is sponsoring a wine and cheese tasting at Taste Food & Wine in Rogers Park from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Cost is $30 for Wine Society members; $35 all others ChicaGourmets and... more ›

And the hits just keep on coming for Rod Blagojevich. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops elected a new president today, and it's Chicago's own Cardinal Francis George. But it's not all good news today for George: the Sun-Times got a copy of a letter he sent, in which he says new legislation that allows sex-abuse victims to sue perpetrators even after the criminal statute of limitations has expired, is "about money." Police are... more ›

We hate to admit it, but the décor at this popular Colombian eatery tucked in Albany Park is a little bit on the tacky side. Paper mobiles hanging from the ceiling and mismatched wall art that’s a little outdated give the “no frills” description a new meaning. more ›

As the winter has stretched on, and on, and ... on, we've been searching for dining options that make us think of warmer days. Setting up a lawn chair in the apartment and drinking pina coladas doesn't quite count. So when a friend of Chicagoist suggested getting dinner at Costa Rican restaurant Irazu, we jumped at the chance. And we are very glad we did. more ›

The folks over at U.S. Soccer House, in the Prairie Avenue Historical District, have announced their intentions to submit a bid for the 2018 World Cup. The United States hosted a successful World Cup in 1994, which included games at Soldier Field. The World Cup took place last summer in Germany and will next be played in South Africa in 2010. The 2014 World Cup is expected to go to a South American country, though... more ›

Today is the last day of the work week, which means it's time for your weekly Friday Food Buffet. Not hungry? Too bad, because a healthy diet can help you avoid getting that nasty cold that we (and everyone we know) has. An Interesting Local Amateur Chef: We met Jason VonGerichten at a Ghetto Gourmet event this week. He cooked the main course for the evening, a delicious Asian-South American inspired platter that included both... more ›

On Milwaukee Avenue, in the heart of Wicker Park, is Rodan -– a restaurant/lounge whose reputation far exceeds the actual experience. According to our server (who did a bang-up job taking care of the diners as the only one working) explained, the name Rodan comes from a 1950s Godzilla movie. Rodan was a winged monster who was both a friend and enemy to Godzilla. These opposites were present in the restaurant Rodan as well.... more ›

SFist commeters pose for before and aftershocks when the mayor commemorates a 1906 earthquake...at 4:30 in the morning. A hot tip on the Chronicle vending machines comes in and the SFist war correspondent risks life and limb to post this dispatch from the frontlines. Houstonist announces their new Cops spinoff "World's Funniest Tazer Videos" and the possible cancellation of their pervs' "World's Grossest Bathroom Videos" and PBS trains cams on cows at, uhg, Mootube. Also,... more ›

We know there are still a few people in Wicker Park who won’t accept that the neighborhood is completely and totally gentrified by now, so we’re here to tell you about another raze and another batch of identical condos that are inevitably going up to convince you. While the former New Light Missionary Baptist Church at the corner of Potomac and Leavitt is water-damaged, renovated far from historical status and might remind passers-by of a... more ›

It’s no secret that sometimes Chicagoist likes to cut loose and dance up a storm. But finding a nightspot where we can unleash our dance moves is tricky. We just can’t deal with the club scene: cover charges, high-priced drinks, the flashy outfits – no thanks. So, what are we to do? Why, create our own dance floor, of course. Rodan (1530 N Milwaukee) has been a longtime spot on Chicagoist's barhopping circuit, but we... more ›

Chicagoist has learned that the ostrich that was on the loose for the past week in the south suburbs is actually a South American rhea and that it's name was No Neck. We say was because yesterday the bird was captured but then it died. more ›

The College Board released its report today on national and statewide trends in SAT scores. The national average is the same as last year: 1026. Verbal scores are up one point to 508 and math scores are down one point to 518. Illinois�s average, though reported here as being the same, actually appears to be 1182, with 585 on verbal and 597 on math. You can read the whole Illinois report in this .pdf, or trust us that that�s what�s on page 12. Actually, the report is pretty interesting and worth flipping through�the information is broken down in lots of different ways, and it�s kind of cool. Nerd alert. more ›

Four Chicagoans, Carmen Hernandez, Efrain Rendon, Joanne Rendon, and Henry Bolivar Rendon-Arizaga, have been charged in an alleged scheme to smuggle Ecuadorian kids into the US with fraudulent passports. Parents here obtained authentic passports in the names of their real children and photos of the children to be smuggled. For doing this they were paid $300/smuggled kid. more ›

A bizarre, but important South Side natural landmark crashed to the ground on Saturday, the giant Ash full of South American Monk Parakeets in Harold Washington Park. Animal Control, Chicago Police, and Park District employees rushed to save the birds' nests, placing them in near-by trees. The tree was one of two that dozens of parakeets took over in the late 70's. The first tree, on 54th street, was taken down by ComEd in 1997.... more ›