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The Times, They Are A Changin'
The HVAC system at 816 W. Armitage fired up like a jet injecting a loud whoosh into the air. You might recognize that address as the townhouse that held the original Charlie Trotter’s restaurant.
I was recording this podcast with Trotter’s son Dylan Trotter on the second floor. I was willing to accept the background noise because I didn’t want to disturb what was a mesmerizing conversation for any Chicago restaurant history lover.
Dylan, noticed immediately, stood up, walked over to the thermostat, shut off the AC and then returned to his seat and kept talking.
That may not seem like that big of a deal, but I’ve recorded thousands of interviews as journalist, and no one is ever paying attention to distracting background noises and they certainly aren’t fixing the issue.
But, that Dylan did, well, it’s hard not to read it as a reflection of the DNA he shares with his notoriously detail-oriented and fastidious father Charlie.
Dylan, has been quietly working in restaurant kitchens like the defunct GT Fish and the defunct A10 in Hyde Park, as well as mixing salads “15 feet in the air” table side at BOA steakhouse in West Hollywood over the last decade.
Post-pandemic, he came back to Chicago, where he’s been quietly celebrating his father’s legacy and preserving his memory. He hasn’t done a lot of press, but while talking to him for research about a piece on the Next restaurant Charlie Trotter tribute menu, I asked him if he’d want to do a podcast.
He graciously said yes. I’m so glad he did. He told so many great stories including how he’d play chess with his dad mid-service or how Charlie would run over to Chicago's Oz Park in his suit in the afternoon for a little one-on-one basketball with Dylan.
Dylan certainly talked about his dad as the famous chef, but it was these beautiful moments about Charlie the man he shared that I will really cherish. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.
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If you stumbled upon this podcast on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts, visit thehunger.substack.com to subscribe to have these podcasts delivered to your inbox along with weekly food news, reviews, and writing.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thehunger.substack.com/subscribe
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By Michael NagrantThe HVAC system at 816 W. Armitage fired up like a jet injecting a loud whoosh into the air. You might recognize that address as the townhouse that held the original Charlie Trotter’s restaurant.
I was recording this podcast with Trotter’s son Dylan Trotter on the second floor. I was willing to accept the background noise because I didn’t want to disturb what was a mesmerizing conversation for any Chicago restaurant history lover.
Dylan, noticed immediately, stood up, walked over to the thermostat, shut off the AC and then returned to his seat and kept talking.
That may not seem like that big of a deal, but I’ve recorded thousands of interviews as journalist, and no one is ever paying attention to distracting background noises and they certainly aren’t fixing the issue.
But, that Dylan did, well, it’s hard not to read it as a reflection of the DNA he shares with his notoriously detail-oriented and fastidious father Charlie.
Dylan, has been quietly working in restaurant kitchens like the defunct GT Fish and the defunct A10 in Hyde Park, as well as mixing salads “15 feet in the air” table side at BOA steakhouse in West Hollywood over the last decade.
Post-pandemic, he came back to Chicago, where he’s been quietly celebrating his father’s legacy and preserving his memory. He hasn’t done a lot of press, but while talking to him for research about a piece on the Next restaurant Charlie Trotter tribute menu, I asked him if he’d want to do a podcast.
He graciously said yes. I’m so glad he did. He told so many great stories including how he’d play chess with his dad mid-service or how Charlie would run over to Chicago's Oz Park in his suit in the afternoon for a little one-on-one basketball with Dylan.
Dylan certainly talked about his dad as the famous chef, but it was these beautiful moments about Charlie the man he shared that I will really cherish. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.
__
If you stumbled upon this podcast on iTunes or Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts, visit thehunger.substack.com to subscribe to have these podcasts delivered to your inbox along with weekly food news, reviews, and writing.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thehunger.substack.com/subscribe