Crying Tiger is Lettuce Entertain You’s newest restaurant, located in River North in the old Hub 51 space. Chef Thai Dang describes it as a celebration of Southeast Asian culinary traditions and cuisine, and brought some of his favorite dishes for Kevin Powell and Michael Piff to try at WGN Radio. On the latest episode of the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast, Kevin and Michael talk to Chef Thai about bringing Crying Tiger to life, working with Lettuce Entertain You, being a part of the Chicago culinary community, his love for cooking and what inspired him to make it his profession, and much more!

As mentioned in the podcast, check out the food items that Chef Thai brought and describes to Kevin and Michael below. Yes, it’s as good as it looks!

• Chef Thai Dang with Chicago’s Very Own Eats hosts Kevin Powell and Michael Piff. Photo by Julia McGuire / WGN Radio
• Prawn Toast Youtiao from Crying Tiger. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Crispy Hong Kong Pork Belly from Crying Tiger. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Crying Tiger Nam Tok Salad (with Wagyu beef). Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Chargrilled Sugarcane Beef Bo La Lot wrapped in Betel Leaves. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Chef Thai Dang holding the Crying Tiger Dessert (wait, there’s more). Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• A 3D printed mold, created by Lettuce Pastry Chef Juan Gutierrez, winner of Netflix’s “School of Chocolate”. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Crying Tiger is located at 51 W. Hubbard Street at the corner of Dearborn in River North and is open Sunday – Thursday from 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM and Friday and Saturday from 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM for dinner service. Reservations are available on OpenTable and on the LettuceEats app. For more information, follow Crying Tiger on Instagram or visit www.cryingtiger.com.

Stay updated on 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.

Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steaks & Stone Crab is a staple to the Chicago and River North food scene, and they have been for 25 years. It’s a testament to their culinary excellence, warm hospitality and the family traditions that they have become a part of for so many Chicagoans.

To celebrate 25 years in River North, Joe’s Chicago invites Chicago food lovers to their 25th Anniversary Reception on Saturday, October 18, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Tickets are still available on Joes.Net/Chicago. And from October 20th to October 31st, Joe’s is offering a four-course 25th anniversary menu, featuring a range of Joe’s signatures for $125 per person, plus tax. Associate Partner Rose Waldmeier and Chef Partner Justin Diglia from Joe’s and Lettuce Entertain You joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast to talk about the history of Joe’s, how it has evolved over the last 25 years, how they are celebrating their anniversary, what they recommend trying when you visit for the first time, fun facts about the restaurant, and much more.

And, as mentioned on the podcast, Kevin and Michael were treated to items from the anniversary menu. See the photos below, get hungry, and make plans to visit ASAP.

• The Anniversary Signature Menu spread that Joe’s Chicago graciously brought to WGN Radio. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Steak is in the name at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steaks and Stone Crab and it is delicious. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• One of the fantastic salads at Joe’s. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Michael Piff had heard about the chicken at Joe’s Chicago. Now he knows how good it is. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• More of the Joe’s spread, including stone crab, grilled tomatoes and hashbrowns. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Stone crab from Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steaks and Stone Crab. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The fantastic hashbrowns from Joe’s Chicago. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Alaskan Red King Crab from Joe’s Chicago. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Joe’s Famous Grilled Tomatoes. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The dessert end of the Joe’s spread. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• There is always room for THIS. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Peanut butter mousse in an Oreo crust *Homer Simpson noises* Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The famous Joe’s Key Lime Pie. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab Chef Partner Justin Diglia and Associate Partner Rose Waldmeier. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio

Stay updated on 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.

Host of WGN Radio podcast “Chicago’s Very Own Eats” Michael Piff joins Bob Sirott to talk about the United Center’s new menu items for Blackhawks and Bulls events and the prices for the items. Some of the new food options include Centennial 6 Stack Burgers, Mozzarella Pucks, Rotating “Chapter” themed Jumbo Hot Dog Series, and more.

See everything Michael talks about and more from his United Center Media Day photo gallery!

With the inaugural Chicago Area’s Best Burgers Tournament behind us, Kevin Powell and Michael Piff talk to co-sponsor/Puckered Pickle Company owner Chuck Newman on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast. Chuck talks to Kevin and Michael about the story of his company, the process of diving into the pickle business, all the products that Puckered Pickle offers (including relish, giardiniera and muffaletta), where you can find them, and recipes to try! They also discuss the “moment” that pickles are having in the Chicago food world (like pickles on a pizza?!)

Listen to the latest episode of Chicago’s Very Own Eats below:

Follow Puckered Pickle Company on Facebook and Instagram.

Stay updated on 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.

On the heels of the inaugural Chicago Area’s Best Burgers Tournament, tourney participant and northwest suburban, award-winning favorite Chicago Culinary Kitchen wanted to show Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast hosts Kevin Powell and Michael Piff how good their burgers really were.

“Special Operations” Manager Jay Goldberg joined Kevin and Michael for a very fun conversation, and discussed what “CCK” is all about, how much fun he and his team have coming up with their weekly specials, staying authentic and promoting their menu on social media, being a part of the Bears fans’ gameday tradition from the Arena Club Tailgates, bringing CCK to the people with their food truck, collaborations with other local restaurants and breweries (like Uncle Jerry’s and Roaring Table), upcoming events (like Bangin’ BBQ and Bargains in Wauconda), catering your Thanksgiving, and so much more. Listen to the full episode below:

We also appreciate Jay for bringing some of CCK’s famous BBQ and the aforementioned burgers. See for yourself in the photo gallery below:

• The award-winning bbq from Chicago Culinary Kitchen. Photo by Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• Jay Goldberg with his CCK burgers. Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The CCK “Oklahoma Onion Burger”. Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The “Steakhouse Smashburger”, egg upfront. Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• The other side you needed to see of the Steakhouse Burger from CCk, with their famous steakhouse bacon. Michael Piff / WGN Radio
• CCK’s Jay Goldberg with Chicago’s Very Own Eats hosts Kevin Powell and Michael Piff.

Follow Chicago Culinary Kitchen on Facebook and Instagram.

Stay updated on 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.

After 4 weeks of voting on 64 local burger businesses, the inaugural Chicago Area’s Best Burgers Tournament, sponsored by Turano Baking Company and The Puckered Pickle Company, has its champion.

The announcement was made on The John Williams Show, as Chicago’s Very Own Eats co-host and WGN Radio bracketologist Michael Piff joined John to call the winner live. Listen to hear the announcement below:

Congrats to Nick’s Tavern of Lemont for winning the championship and taking home the Chicago Area’s Best Burgers Tournament crown!

We thank both Nick’s and Smash’D, as well as their communities, for making this championship week so fun to follow. We also thank the rest of our field of 64 Chicago area burger places for being good sports and helping us with promoting local businesses.

Hear more about the tournament 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.

Host of WGN Radio podcast “Chicago’s Very Own Eats,” Michael Piff, joins Bob Sirott to talk about the final four contenders in the Chicago Area’s Best Burger Tournament, sponsored by Turano Baking Company and Puckered Pickle Co. He discusses how he monitors the incoming votes, how each of the burger places are spreading the word to their fans, and the current standings.

With the Chicago Area’s Best Burgers Tournament, sponsored by Turano Baking Company and The Puckered Pickle Company, and football season both underway, WGN Radio sports correspondent and Dan Patrick Show executive producer Paul Pabst joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff for a very fun episode of Chicago’s Very Own Eats.

As deep into sports Paul might be, he was clearly much more invested in the ‘Best Burgers Tournament’, giving Kevin and Michael his analysis and favorites in the 64-burger place bracket. They also talked about what makes a great burger and clear signs you’re in the right place for them. And as college football and the NFL kickoff their seasons, they talk about what they’re eating on gameday and where to go to enjoy sports. Listen below and don’t forget to vote for your favorite burger places in the Chicago Area’s Best Burgers Tournament!

Follow Paul Pabst on Twitter/X and Instagram. And TUNE IN to hear him weekly on The John Landecker Show!

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.

What better way to celebrate National Burger Day than announcing our new Chicago’s Very Own Eats Podcast tournament!

The Chicago Area’s Best Burgers Tournament, sponsored by Turano Baking Company and Puckered Pickle Co., will launch on Thursday, September 4th. Kevin Powell and Michael Piff discussed all the details on a brand new CVOE episode. Listen below:

Voting will take place on the tournament voting page (click here), starting at 10 AM on Sept. 4th. You’ll find it on the WGNRadio.com homepage, the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast page, and WGN Radio’s Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages.

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.

Billy Zurekait first joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast in February of 2023, and now has been on 5 more times since then with their latest episode.

As he raises awareness and funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Billy has grown from a home chef to an in-demand collaborator with famous Chicago restaurants and pop-ups across the city. His “Tripping Billy Chicago Tour” has made 20 stops, bringing his signature toppings of shishito pepper cream sauce sauce, corn, pickled jalapenos, scallions and mix of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses and serves them as pizzas, sandwiches, knishes and even a glizzy! Billy revels on the podcast where he’ll be taking his talents next. Hint: There are locations in Highwood and Lakeview. Listen below:

Billy also talks about his new podcast, ‘Over The Line’ with cohost Chef Dan Jacobs, his team-up with Lula Cafe, his pop-ups with Bang Bang Pie in Logan Square, what he has cooking for this coming season of “Chicago Squares” pizzas, and oh-so-much more. Follow Billy on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. And plan on seeing him September 7th as the featured chef at Sportman’s Sunday BBQ.

Stay updated on 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.