In collaboration with Petterino’s in downtown Chicago, WGN Radio’s Steve Dale is joined by the Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, for a conversation in their famous Booth 46.

It’s not often that Mayor Johnson gets to do fun interviews, but this is definitely one of them. Mayor Johnson talks about what it’s like being the mayor and representing all 77 of Chicago’s neighborhoods, what sets Chicago apart from everywhere else and why he loves it, how its downtown rivals New York’s and other major cities, how he’s refueled by the people, and much more. Mayor Johnson also has great recommendations for families and people coming to visit. It’s a good opportunity to get to know Chicago’s mayor better so take a listen 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 3 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• A fun conversation with Mayor Brandon Johnson. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Mayor Johnson and Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• You’ll know what Steve said to get this reaction when you take a listen. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Mayor Johnson trying “Broadway in a Bowl” (Petterino’s peppermint ice cream). Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Mayor Johnson’s drink of choice for the episode: Iced Tea. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Steve Dale after hearing about Mayor Johnson’s favorite job (besides being mayor). Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Mayor Brandon Johnson and WGN Radio’s Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’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.

Steve Dale pulls back the curtain with two stars of the hit musical, MJ!

Steve is joined by Chicago’s own Brandon Lee Harris, who steps into the moonwalking shoes of Michael Jackson, and Devin Bowles, who plays Joseph — Michael’s complicated and not-so-likable father. Together, they dig into what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what surprises even the most devoted fans of the King of Pop’s life.

How did Harris, the friendly Chicago kid, land a leading role in a Broadway in Chicago show? And how did Bowles go from sports superfan to showbiz mentor — with a knack for belting the National Anthem at a moment’s notice? In fact, when Steve “dropped the hat” during their chat at Petterino’s and Bowles rose to the challenge right on cue. MJ is at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, August 12–24, 2025. 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 2 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• A pano shot of the entrance to Petterino’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• A view from the engineer’s board during Episode 2’s recording. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• We’ll assume Steve said something funny. . Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Laughter is contagious with this group. . Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The ‘MJ’ cocktail at Petterino’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.

From the heart of Chicago, Albert Friedman and Lou Raizin help Steve Dale kickoff a new WGN Radio podcast called ‘Booth 46’, which will be live from Petterino’s Restaurant twice monthly.

Mr. Friedman, chairman and CEO of Friedman Properties (and the unofficial Mayor of River North), and Mr. Raizin, CEO of Broadway in Chicago, are two of the most influential, behind-the-scenes architects of city planning.  You’ll hear a rare peek behind-the-briefcase, and you’ll be among the first to hear about plans for the downtown Cultural Stadium, which includes how soon you may soon be slammed by poetry in a downtown alley, or how a colossal “Quack-Zilla” may be coming to town. 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 1 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there.

• WGN Radio mics setup in Booth 46 at Petterino’s, pre-show. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• WGN Radio’s Steve Dale, in the middle of the wall of caricatures. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• A cheers to kickoff the podcast. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Steve Dale with Albert Friedman and Lou Raziin on the first episode of ‘Booth 46.’ Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• A candid shot over Mr. Friedman’s shoulder. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• You hear about the peppermint ice cream on the podcast. Now you can see it. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Lou Raizin after signing his picture at Petterino’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.

Petterino’s is not only in the heart of the Loop, it is the heart of the Loop! A modern-day throwback that defines today’s downtown Chicago, iconic Petterino’s is surrounded by theater, culture, and the movers and the shakers of the city. It’s the perfect setting for Booth 46! Recorded live to capture the buzz of the room, each episode will feature the who’s who in Chicago, echoing what Irv Kupcinet once called “the lively art of conversation” from Booth One at the legendary Pump Room. With the feel of live radio, the podcast will highlight the best of what’s happening in and around the Loop—timely, engaging, and full of ideas for experiencing the city. Tune in to see who you’ll hear next from Petterino’s Booth 46!

Steve Dale joined WGN radio in 1997 as host of the multi award-winning Steve Dale’s Pet World.  Steve also served as a host on Sunday afternoons on WGN radio.  His Guests  included a variety of show biz and political luminaries. He’s made national news with guests including Dr. Anthony Fauci, to Dionne Warwick to former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

A one-time entertainment reporter for People magazine and USA Today, and authored a column called “Celebrity Watch” for the Chicago Tribune and he regularly interviewed celebrities coming to Chicago. He was once also a restaurant and feature writer for Crain’s Chicago Business as well as for the Tribune.

A native Chicagoan, Steve’s been civically involved in the City, testifying at City Hall many times on behalf of Companion Animals as the co-Chair of the Committee on Companion Animals and Public Safety (2000-2010), using his WGN Radio platform to advance animal welfare.