Dennis Watkins is an award-winning, third-generation magician and mind-reader, with a one-of-a-kind venue located at 50 W. Randolph called The Magic Parlour.

From the comforts of Petterino’s in The Loop, Watkins joins host Steve Dale on the Booth 46 podcast to talk about his career, his inspiration, and much more.

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 16 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• Magician Dennis Watkins and host Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Magician Dennis Watkins and host Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Magician Dennis Watkins and host Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Magician Dennis Watkins and host Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Magician Dennis Watkins and host Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Magician Dennis Watkins and host Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Steve Dale and his favorite drink at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Dennis Watkins and The Magic Parlour, outside of Petterino’s on Randolph. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

The Joffrey Ballet was founded in 1956, and has become one of the world’s premier dance companies over the past 70 years. For the past 30 years, it has called Chicago home.

From the heart of Chicago at Petterino’s, WGN Radio’s Steve Dale talked to Joffrey Ballet President/CEO Greg Cameron about its history, how it came to Chicago, being a lifelong Chicagoan, how the city has embraced the Joffrey Ballet, and how they are celebrating 70 years of advancing dance through artistic excellence, innovation and arts education.

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 15 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• Joffrey Ballet President/CEO Greg Cameron in Booth 46 at Petterino’s with host Steve Dale. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Joffrey Ballet President/CEO Greg Cameron in Booth 46 at Petterino’s with host Steve Dale. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Joffrey Ballet President/CEO Greg Cameron in Booth 46 at Petterino’s with host Steve Dale. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Joffrey Ballet President/CEO Greg Cameron in Booth 46 at Petterino’s with host Steve Dale. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Joffrey Ballet President/CEO Greg Cameron in Booth 46 at Petterino’s with host Steve Dale. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Joffrey Ballet President/CEO Greg Cameron in Booth 46 at Petterino’s with host Steve Dale. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Joffrey Ballet President/CEO Greg Cameron in Booth 46 at Petterino’s with host Steve Dale. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Learn more about the Joffrey Ballet and purchase tickets at Joffrey.org. Follow them on both Facebook and Instagram.

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

Albert Friedman returns to the Booth 46 Podcast, after being a guest on our debut episode, and brought with him Bernard Cherkasov from the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. While the museum in Skokie is closed for renovations, the Holocaust Museum presents ‘Experience360’, which is now open at 360 N. State Street.

From the actual Booth 46 at Petterino’s, Bernard and Albert talk to host Steve Dale about the world’s 3rd largest Holocaust Museum, its purpose, Bernard’s story, and how Experience360 provides a panoramic view through history and truth, inviting visitors of all backgrounds to witness stories of survival, ask questions, and reflect on the past in ways that inspire empathy, respect, and hope. Listen for that and more below:

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 14 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• Albert Friedman from Petterino’s and Friedman Properties, Bernard Cherkasov from Illinois Holocaust Museum and Steve Dale from WGN Radio in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Albert Friedman from Petterino’s and Friedman Properties, Bernard Cherkasov from Illinois Holocaust Museum and Steve Dale from WGN Radio in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Albert Friedman from Petterino’s and Friedman Properties, Bernard Cherkasov from Illinois Holocaust Museum and Steve Dale from WGN Radio in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Albert Friedman from Petterino’s and Friedman Properties, Bernard Cherkasov from Illinois Holocaust Museum and Steve Dale from WGN Radio in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

You’ll also see Mr. Friedman appear in our January 2026 Your Hometown video tour of Chicago’s Loop, and can hear his recent visit with John Williams on the Noon Business Lunch.

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

Forgiveness. Empathy. Compassion. Kindness. That’s what F.E.C.K. stands for in the title of Chaz Ebert’s new book, ‘It’s Time To Give A FECK.‘ (available to order on Amazon).

While Chaz is excited about the book’s success so far, she wants people to take those principles to heart and practice them. She joined Steve Dale on the latest episode of Booth 46, recorded live at Petterino’s in the heart of downtown Chicago, to discuss the book, her late husband and legendary film critic Roger Ebert, the movies they loved, and so much more.

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 13 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• Chaz Ebert and Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Chaz Ebert and Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Chaz Ebert and Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Chaz Ebert and Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Chaz Ebert with Steve Dale and her new book, “It’s Time To Give a FECK.” at Petterino’s in Chicago. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

Mark and Anne Burnell have been making music and performing together in Chicago for more than 30 years. From the heart of Chicago at Petterino’s, they joined Steve Dale on the Booth 46 podcast to talk about their legendary careers, how they met, and oh yeah…Mark playing his keyboard while having brain surgery. You should just hit play on this episode already and hear them tell the story.

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 12 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• Musicians Mark and Anne Burnell with Steve Dale at Petterino’s in Chicago, on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Musicians Mark and Anne Burnell with Steve Dale at Petterino’s in Chicago, on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Musicians Mark and Anne Burnell with Steve Dale at Petterino’s in Chicago, on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Musicians Mark and Anne Burnell with Steve Dale at Petterino’s in Chicago, on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Musicians Mark and Anne Burnell with Steve Dale at Petterino’s in Chicago, on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Musicians Mark and Anne Burnell with Steve Dale at Petterino’s in Chicago, on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Musicians Mark and Anne Burnell with Steve Dale at Petterino’s in Chicago, on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Learn more about Mark and Anne, and listen to their music, at burnellmusic.com. You can follow Mark on Instagram at markburnell88 and Anne at anneburnell.

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

Set in a hidden library speakeasy at The Lion Theatre, in the heart of the Chicago Loop (182 N. Wabash Ave.), five Shakespeare-loving actors meet to perform one of their favorite shows…and one of them takes several shots right off the top.

From Petterino’s in Chicago, Steve Dale is joined by actors Mo Reilly and Benjamin Jenkins on the Booth 46 Podcast to talk about ‘Drunk Shakespeare’. They talk about how the show is performed (from their own memory), their improv and Shakespearean backgrounds, the Chicago audience, making Shakespeare relevant to today and accessible to all, and much more.

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

When you hear “Chicago”, what comes to mind first?

From the heart of Chicago at Petterino’s, Steve Dale is joined by World Business Chicago President/CEO Philip B. Clement and Choose Chicago President/CEO Kristen Reynolds on the Booth 46 Podcast. While both organizations are different and serve separate purposes, they both represent Chicago and show those outside the city, state and country what makes it one of the greatest places in the world. Listen to the podcast to learn more about World Business Chicago and Choose Chicago, what Philip and Kristen love about the city they promote, and much more!

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 10 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• Choose Chicago President/CEO Kristen Reynolds and World Business Chicago President/CEO Philip B. Clement with Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Julia McGuire / WGN Radio
• Choose Chicago President/CEO Kristen Reynolds and World Business Chicago President/CEO Philip B. Clement with Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Julia McGuire / WGN Radio
• Choose Chicago President/CEO Kristen Reynolds and World Business Chicago President/CEO Philip B. Clement with Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Julia McGuire / WGN Radio
• Choose Chicago President/CEO Kristen Reynolds and World Business Chicago President/CEO Philip B. Clement with Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Julia McGuire / WGN Radio
• Choose Chicago President/CEO Kristen Reynolds and World Business Chicago President/CEO Philip B. Clement with Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Julia McGuire / WGN Radio

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

Does Santa Claus use GPS? What has Scrooge learned from the three ghosts? Who would win in a fight between the two?

These are actual questions that are asked and answered on the latest episode of The Booth 46 Podcast, as Steve Dale is visited (and joined) by actor Chiké Johnson and theatre writer/reviewer Alan Bresloff for a fun conversation at Petterino’s. Chiké plays Ebenezer Scrooge, not just on this podcast but also at The Goodman Theatre in this year’s production of A Christmas Carol. And on his best behavior, Al is dressed as Santa Claus, but you can also read his work on AroundTheTownChicago.com.

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 9 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• Here comes Santa Claus…Photo by Julia McGuire / WGN Radio
• Steve Dale, in a Santa and Scrooge Sandwich. Photo by Julia McGuire / WGN Radio
• Joining Steve Dale in Booth 46, Chiké Johnson (Scrooge) and Al Bresloff (Santa). Photo by Julia McGuire / WGN Radio
• Joining Steve Dale in Booth 46, Chiké Johnson (Scrooge) and Al Bresloff (Santa). Photo by Julia McGuire / WGN Radio
• Joining Steve Dale in Booth 46, Chiké Johnson (Scrooge) and Al Bresloff (Santa). Photo by Julia McGuire / WGN Radio
• Joining Steve Dale in Booth 46, Chiké Johnson (Scrooge) and Al Bresloff (Santa). Photo by Julia McGuire / WGN Radio

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

*cue the Johnny Carson theme*

WGN Radio’s David Plier isn’t just a host at our station but also the President and CEO of the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago. David joined Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast, from the heart of Chicago at Petterino’s, to talk about the re-opening of the museum, which is featuring the history of late night television and an incredible Johnny Carson exhibit.

Steve and David are also joined in the booth by award-winning TV and stage actor, Francis “Fran” Guinan. Fran recently starred in the Goodman Theatre‘s production of ‘Ashland Avenue’ with Jenna Fischer. Listen to the full episode below:

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 8 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• WGN Radio’s David Plier and actor Francis Guinan with Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterion’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• WGN Radio’s David Plier and actor Francis Guinan with Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterion’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• WGN Radio’s David Plier and actor Francis Guinan with Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterion’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• WGN Radio’s David Plier and actor Francis Guinan with Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterion’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• WGN Radio’s David Plier and actor Francis Guinan with Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterion’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• WGN Radio’s David Plier and actor Francis Guinan with Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterion’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.

The Chicago International Film Festival, presented by non-profit 501(c)(3) organization Cinema/Chicago, is back for its 61st year!

In collaboration with Petterino’s, Steve Dale is joined by CIFF Programmer Sam Flancher and directors Sven Bresser (REEDLAND) and James Choi (Before the Call) on the Booth 46 Podcast to talk about the acclaimed festival, which will feature movies of all from around the world. They also talk about the films that influence their work, the state of the industry, big budget studio films vs. independent films, and much more!

The festival goes until Sunday, October 26th. While you listen to the episode, go to ChicagoFilmFestival.com to see what’s screening and where!

As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 7 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• Steve Dale with Chicago International Film Festival progammer Sam Flancher and directors James Choi and Sven Bresser at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Director Sven Bresser on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The group answering Steve Dale’s question about their favorite films. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Director James Choi educating Steve Dale on the genre of Yacht Rock. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• CIFF Programmer Sam Flancher on the Booth 46 Podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• In the booth at Petterino’s with Steve Dale and engineer Dan Long. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Steve Dale got some great movie recommendations from this conversation. That’s for sure. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook and Instagram for more from the actual Booth 46.