Our blog is filled with fun stories and little-known facts about special places.

• Culture

Meet Jane Byrne, Chicago’s First Female Mayor

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re pleased to feature Jane Byrne, who served as Chicago’s 50th mayor from 1979-1983. By Dave Lifton (@daveeatschicago) From 1837 until 1979, 49 men had served as the mayor of Chicago. Then came Jane Byrne, who broke through the glass ceiling that led her to the fifth floor of […]

March 23, 2023

• Celebration

Chicago Gets a Second St. Patrick’s Day in 2023!

What’s more fun than celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago? Being able to celebrate it twice! By Dave Lifton (@daveeatschicago) The Chicago area has traditionally held its parades on the Saturday before March 17th, which, in 2023, was March 11th. That means that St. Patrick’s Day proper falls on a Friday, giving Chicagoans who don’t […]

March 16, 2023

• Culture

Meet Jane Addams, a Pioneer for Social Change

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re pleased to feature Jane Addams, who founded Hull-House and became a noted advocate for peace, social reform, and women’s suffrage. By Dave Lifton (@daveeatschicago) Chicago’s rapid growth from a swampy Midwestern outpost into a major global city could not have been possible without the vast number of immigrants […]

March 9, 2023

• Culture

Meet Muddy Waters: King of the Chicago Blues

In support of Black History Month, we’re pleased to feature Muddy Waters, one of the greatest blues musicians ever to come out of Chicago, and an important figure in the development of rock n’ roll.  By Dave Lifton (@daveeatschicago) During the Great Migration, Black blues musicians who moved to Chicago had to adjust to their […]

February 27, 2023

• Culture

Meet Dr. Mae Jemison: The First Black Woman in Space

In support of Black History Month, we’re pleased to feature Dr. Mae Jemison, a Chicago native who made history by becoming the first Black woman to travel in space. By Dave Lifton (@daveeatschicago) In the early days of the U.S. space program, an archetype emerged for the people NASA chose to serve as test pilots, […]

February 24, 2023

• Culture

Meet Harold Washington, Chicago’s First Black Mayor

In support of Black History Month, we’re pleased to feature Harold Washington, who served as Chicago’s 51st mayor from 1983-1987. By Dave Lifton (@daveeatschicago) On April 12th, 1983, Harold Lee Washington overcame all odds to become the first Black mayor of Chicago. It was a deserved, albeit hard-earned victory for the former lawyer and congressman […]

February 21, 2023