Sweet Baby Ray’s started in Chicago with Duce Raymond’s father, Chef Larry Raymond, and uncle, Dave Raymond – the creators of Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce. Great barbecue sauce is in his blood, and as an accomplished, award-winning chef, Duce is carrying his family’s legacy into a new era with Sweet Baby Ray’s Catering, Duce’s Wild BBQ and True Cuisine.

Duce joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Podcast to talk about his family’s story, the growing popularity of catering barbecue, creating food content, educating aspiring chefs and grillers, and to share some breaking news regarding his new restaurant coming to Wood Dale! Kevin and Michael also get some much-needed tips on barbecue and grilling that you don’t want to miss out on.

Follow Duce Raymond on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Check out his podcast on Apple or wherever you get your podcasts too!

For more on all things Chicago food, subscribe to Chicago’s Very Own Eats on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. All episodes are available on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast page at WGNRadio.com.

In 2014, Anas Masoud had an idea to create a club for Chicago area burger lovers to connect, try and talk about their favorite burgers. As he puts it, “life happened” and the idea was put on the backburner. Fast forward to today, and Nas has brought his Windy City Burger Social Club to life on Instagram, and created his own recipe that has become a viral sensation – which he cooks at his South Loop Market location in Logan Square, and makes at pop-ups all over the Chicago area.

Nas joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast to talk all about his story, reviewing burgers across the area, different places and styles they each love, and much more.

We were also very appreciative of Nas for bringing some of his delicious burgers, cheesesteak sandwiches and chicken wrap sandwiches. Swipe below to see them.

• The famous Windy City Burger Social Club smashburger. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• John Williams getting to try the Windy City Burger Social Club burger and meeting Anas Masoud during a commercial break. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Anas Masoud showing off his Cheesesteak sandwich. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Yes, it’s even better than it looks. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Anas in a “Team Photo” with Chicago’s Very Own Eats hosts Michael Piff and Kevin Powell. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Find each of the South Loop Market locations here. And to see where his next pop-up will be, follow Nas on Instagram at WindyCityBurgerSocialClub!

For more on all things Chicago food, subscribe to Chicago’s Very Own Eats on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. All episodes are available on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast page at WGNRadio.com.

Since 2017, Roaring Table in Lake Zurich has been brewing some of the best beer in the greater Chicagoland area. And in the last year, they have been serving some of the best pizza too.

Founders and husband-wife duo Lane Fearing and Beth May joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats to talk about their story, their roles at the brewery, the Shakespearean inspiration for the name, what sets them apart from other brewers, the several different styles of pizza that they serve, upcoming events, and much more!

Beth and Lane were also generous enough to bring their pizza and beer down for our WGN Radio staff to try. Swipe below to see some of their Chicago tavern, New York and Detroit-style offerings, which we all will be thinking about for a very, very long time.

• Beth May and Lane Fearing from Roaring Table in Lake Zurich, with a lineup of their beer and one of the pizzas they brought to our WGN Radio studio. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Beth May and Lane Fearing, with an incredible selection of their pizzas from Roaring Table in Lake Zurich. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Chicago, New York and Detroit all represented at Roaring Table. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The “Nonna’s Meatball” pizza is special. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• There’s something for everyone at Roaring Table. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• John Williams quickly became a Roaring Table believer after trying it. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Beth and Lane from Roaring Table with Chicago’s Very Own Eats co-hosts Kevin Powell and Michael Piff. (WGN Radio)

Roaring Table is located at 739 West Route 22, Lake Zurich, IL 60047. Learn more and check out their menu at RoaringTable.com. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

For more on all things Chicago food, subscribe to Chicago’s Very Own Eats on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. All episodes are available on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast page at WGNRadio.com.

Our 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness Tournament, sponsored by Chicago Brick Oven, started with 128 pizza places in our “Mom & Pops” bracket. The one to come out on top was Bartolini’s of Midlothian!

A day after winning our month-long tournament, owner Chris Bartolini joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast to talk about what being a part of the tournament was like, talking and reconnecting with other competing pizza owners, the support from longtime customers and the community, his wife’s efforts running their social media, and much more.

And thank you to Chris for bringing some of their award-winning pizza and meatballs for us to try at WGN Radio!

If you haven’t yet, go visit Chris and his team at 3844 West 147th Street, Midlothian, IL. You can learn more about them at Bartolinis.com. They also ship nationwide and to Canada on GOLDBELLY! (Chris has tattoo to show his appreciation). Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to see all the work they put in to promote their matchups in this year’s tournament too!

For more on Chicago Pizza Madness and all things Chicago food, subscribe to Chicago’s Very Own Eats on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. All episodes are available on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast page at WGNRadio.com.

After 4 weeks of voting on 160 Chicago pizza places, 128 Mom & Pops and 32 Local Chains, the polls are closed and we have our 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness Champions.

Chicago’s Very Own Eats co-host and WGN Radio bracketologist Michael Piff joined John Williams and Andy Masur to announce and call the winners. Listen below:

Congrats to Bartolini’s of Midlothian for winning our Mom and Pops Championship, and Rosati’s for winning our Local Chains Championship! We also appreciate Uncle Jerry’s and Antioch Pizza Shop, and the communities that support them, for all of their work, energy and enthusiasm to make the runs that they did in our 2026 Tournament.

And thank you to our sponsor, Chicago Brick Oven, for their support throughout our tournament. For round-by-round results in both “Mom & Pops” and “Local Chains” brackets, go to our main 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness page.

Updated brackets are below:

For more on Chicago Pizza Madness and all things Chicago food, subscribe to Chicago’s Very Own Eats on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. All episodes are available on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast page at WGNRadio.com.

Billy Bricks CEO Ric Gruber has been busy. With seven Billy Bricks Pizza locations and a mobile fleet of pizza and ice cream trucks, he’s bringing his Moo Joe’s ice cream to Evanston in the beloved Parlor on Central (2002 Central Street). Ric joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on Chicago’s Very Own Eats to talk about all the things Billy Bricks and Moo Joe’s have going on, and shares an exclusive announcement regarding the next Moo Joe’s location that will be coming to the Chicagoland area.

As you listen to Ric talk about the delicious Moo Joe’s ice cream, swipe below to see it for your self.

• Billy Bricks CEO Ric Gruber pouring a root beer float with his wide variety of Moo Joe’s ice cream options. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The lineup from Moo Joe’s ice cream. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• That ice cream sandwich was the size of a Chicago softball! Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• If you weren’t already craving ice cream, we bet you are now. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Billy Bricks CEO Ric Gruber with a delicious variety of Moo Joe’s ice cream at WGN Radio. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Kevin and Michael also discuss the latest with Chicago Pizza Madness, sponsored by Chicago Brick Oven.

Stay updated on tournament results and all things Chicago food by subscribing to Chicago’s Very Own Eats on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. All episodes are available on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast page at WGNRadio.com.

Between St. Patrick’s Day, Illinois Primary Election Day, and just being one Chicago’s all-time great places for comfort food, it’s an understatement to say Manny’s Deli is busy. Because of that, Kevin Powell and Michael Piff were glad 4th-generation owner Dan Raskins could make time to join them for the 100th episode of Chicago’s Very Own Eats!

Some of the topics covered in this wide-ranging conversation include…

– how Chicagoans love to get their corned beef from them for St. Paddy’s

– where the tradition on politicians stopping by on election day came from

– how you can find their meats in other restaurants across Chicagoland

– weddings taking place at the restaurant

– some of Dan’s favorite things on the menu

– the growing deli scene in Chicago

– and why Dan embraces collaboration and community over competition

• Chicago’s Very Own Eats Podcast hosts Michael Piff and Kevin Powell with Manny’s Deli owner Dan Raskin. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• 4th-generation owner of Manny’s Deli Dan Raskins on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats Podcast with Kevin Powell and Michael Piff. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• A Manny’s Reuben sandwich, provided by owner Dan Raskin. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

They also discuss the latest with this year’s Chicago Pizza Madness Tournament, as a new round begins for our Mom & Pops Bracket and Local Chains Division. Sponsored by Chicago Brick Oven – the finest U.S. made pizza ovens for your backyard.

Last, but not least, thanks to everyone who has listened to our podcast for the past few years, and for everyone that has joined us as guests! We’re already looking forward to the next 100, but we wouldn’t be able to do this without you all.

Stay updated on tournament results and all things Chicago food by subscribing to Chicago’s Very Own Eats on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. All episodes are available on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast page at WGNRadio.com.

Jarosch Bakery opened in Elk Grove Village in 1959, and has been a staple in the community ever since. In 2024, owners Ken and Kathy Jarosch sold to family-owned Ideal Bakery and still remain very involved with Jarosch’s in its new era. Ideal Bakery president Chris Kowall joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast to talk about the misconceptions that surround Jarosch’s today, the necessity of the new location (111 E. Higgins Rd. in Elk Grove Village) how they’ve kept all the same recipes, techniques and employees from before, and why you should ask for him or one of his family members when you visit.

Chris was also kind enough to bring some amazing treats from both Jarosch and Oak Mill bakeries for our WGN Radio staff to try.

• WGN Radio’s John Williams with Ideal Bakery/Jarosch President Chris Kowal, with a delicious display of sweets. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• A beautiful and tasty spread of sweets from Jarosch’s and Oak Mill bakeries. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio 
• A beautiful and tasty spread of sweets from Jarosch’s and Oak Mill bakeries. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio 
• A beautiful and tasty spread of sweets from Jarosch’s and Oak Mill bakeries. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio 
• A beautiful and tasty spread of sweets from Jarosch’s and Oak Mill bakeries. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio 
• Jarosch Bakery has been “baking memories” since 1959. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Kevin and Michael also discussed the latest with Chicago Pizza Madness, which is currently underway on WGNRadio.com! Sponsored by Chicago Brick Oven – the finest U.S. made pizza ovens for your backyard.

Follow Ideal Bakery on Instagram, as well as Jarosch and Oak Mill Bakery.

Stay updated on tournament results and all things Chicago food by subscribing to Chicago’s Very Own Eats on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. All episodes are available on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast page at WGNRadio.com.

Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast co-host Michael Piff joins Bob Sirott to talk about the 2026 Pizza Madness tournament and how Bob inspired a twist for the local chains competition.

Click here to vote in the Chicago Pizza Madness Tournament 2026 and the Chicago Pizza Madness 2026: Local Chains Division.

Host of WGN Radio podcast “Chicago’s Very Own Eats” Mike Piff joins Wendy Snyder, filling in for Lisa Dent, to talk the 2026 Pizza Bracket. This year, the bracket features more pizza joints than ever before. 128 “Mom and Pop” pizza places will duke it out in their own bracket, separated by region, while 32 of Chicago’s most popular pizza chains compete in another. Keep up with the bracket all month long and support your local pizza spot.