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City Cast Chicago

Sidney Madden

, we asked Axios Chicago reporter Justin Kaufmann to give us some places to check out in the West Loop, where he’s lived for 17 years.

 is one of the best BBQ spots in the city. Get the pulled pork and broccolini side.”


 has a great fountain sculpture, lots of green space, and unreal views of the Sears Tower. Also, check out the Saturday morning farmers market.”


. What more can you ask?”

Also, happy first birthday to Axios Chicago! We are happy to learn with and from you. 

Bartelme Park in West Loop. (Justin Kaufmann / Axios)

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What Chicagoans have been wondering. We break down why things in Chicago are the way they are and how they work.

Chicago, Explained

Kayleigh Padar

Jeff and Amanda Morse combined their love for the mystery and romance genres by creating a bookstore that specializes in both.

 opened at 4105 N. Lincoln Ave. earlier this year

“Since there are so many bookstores in Chicago, we wanted to do something unique,” Jeff said. “It’s worked out really well for us because we get to stock the books that we want to read and focus on the genres that we’re most passionate about.”

Both of the genres feature familiar structures and are known for grabbing readers’ attention.

“They’re books that just keep rolling, you don’t really run into slow spots,” Amanda said. “There’s always something to look forward to, and you know that in the end, you’ll get a resolution in a thriller or you’ll get a happy ending with a romance.

Right now, the shop is full of books that take place during the summer, from beachfront mysteries to romantic road trips.

If you’re looking for a thriller, Jeff recommended 

, a twist-y thriller in which a woman travels to the remote island where her fiancé died in a tragic accident in order to uncover what happened to him.

If romance is more your style, Amanda suggested 

, which came out earlier this year and “had me giggling.” It follows a chronically ill woman who’s about to open a cannabis dispensary when she’s rudely interrupted by her next-door neighbor, a doctor with a lifelong vendetta against weed.

“I love that we specialize in two genres that are really meant to be an escape, they’re just meant to be fun to read,” Jeff said. “There’s no pressure to overthink, but you can still explore so many different topics.”

Jeff and Amanda Morse combined their love for the mystery and romance genres by creating a bookstore that specializes in both. 

Partners In Crime Offers Mystery and Romance Novels

Partners In Crime Offers Beach-Ready Mystery and Romance Novels

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We’re lucky to live in a city with nearly 100 independent bookstores, so I tried to focus on a few spots that specialize in genres that sound best by the lake.

I hope this list will help you find inspiration for your next summer beach read, no matter what you’re in the mood for.

No matter where you’re sitting on the concrete beach, look around, and you’ll see a romance novel in someone’s hands. 

 at 2013 W Roscoe St. is the place to go if you want to find “tales of love and stories that feel like home.”

🌹 The Latina-owned bookstore aims to connect readers with romance novels, merch, and authors.

Are you the kind of person who’s always in the mood to learn something new? For about 30 years, 

 at 1727 E. 87th St. has specialized in Black history and books by African and diaspora authors.

🏛️ The genres range from mystery, esoteric, spiritual, new world order, health, fiction, and much more!

 at 1390 E. Hyde Park Blvd. is filled with books by authors of color and home to a variety of events, including open mics, author talks, book clubs, and trivia nights.

., Call & Response is hosting a book talk and signing with Shirlene Obuobi, author of “Die For Me,” a page-turning, paranormal romance that follows the only Black woman cardiologist at a local hospital and her love story with a mysterious younger man.

 specializes in literacy and resources for children from 6 months to 18 years old. Located at 119 E. 107th St., they aim to inspire young readers to engage with the magic of books and share their own stories through family events, writing workshops, book giveaways, and more.

📚 Since 2018, Burst Into Books has impacted more than 30,000 young readers and distributed over 60,000 free books.

Chicago has nearly 100 independent bookstores, so here are a few spots that specialize in genres that sound best by the lake. 

Bookstores to go to for this Summer

Where to Find Summer Beach Reads

Emily Mack

. Everyone has their go-tos, naturally, but consider hitting some potentially underrated spots this summer.

Solana, on the sixth-floor rooftop of the Robey hotel, technically has the only pool in Wicker Park. It’s not big, but hey, it’s a pool! And the frozen margaritas are solid.

Tucked away in quiet Edgebrook, Whealan is essentially the ultimate splash pad. There’s also a full pool with a slide.

Everyone knows the skyline is better from the South Side, and no beach has a more beautiful view than Rainbow. It’s also arguably the city’s most historic beach, the site of 

Somewhat surprisingly, this beach has a lot of shade! It’s the perfect place to stretch out for the day if you want to alternate between sand and water, reading … or splitting a six-pack.

While not exactly “hidden,” I don’t think all Chicagoans have experienced 

A biased pick, since I’ve been leaping off here my entire life. Bonus: The curve around the sanctuary is a simple meeting point that’s not (usually) too crowded.

Open seven days a week, this pierside restaurant features a different style of music and dancing 

Right along South Shore beach and near the South Shore Cultural Center, this six-acre-plus sanctuary includes dune, wetland, woodland, prairie — and more — types of habitat. Make a day of it!

 — but don’t forget you can also swim at the park’s manmade beach. It’s Chicago’s only inland beach.

Underrated swimming spots in Chicago this Summer.

Swimming Spots in Chicago

Hidden Gem Swimming Spots

Find the best of everything that Chicago has to offer.

Chicago’s Best

Chicago's Best

Chicago is a hot dog town — with very few hot dog carts.

 is licensed to cook hot dogs on a city sidewalk. Within parks, just around nine hot dog carts are licensed citywide. Similar legislation prevents many food trucks from opening … It’s all a far cry from the open-air sausage-slinging that once defined 

But on this National Hot Dog Day, let’s celebrate the hot dog carts feeding Chicago my favorite food, despite the ketchup-colored tape. 

This stand continues the legacy of Kim and Carlo's, a staple during my adolescent trips to Museum Campus. After Kim and Carlo's closed in 2024, its longtime manager opened a Chicago-Style Hot Dog Store with the goal of keeping everything the same — though she’s added jalapeño cheddar franks.

Sonia was the star student of Hot Dog University 

. It’s no wonder why: She previously learned all about the trade at Kim and Carlo’s! Now a master of the craft, Sonia’s opened her own cart, which will remain in Palmisano Park through October.

The proprietors of this lovely parkside cart are, you guessed it, former colleagues of Kim and Carlo’s! Their Chicago dog includes sliced red onion, and multiple flavors of agua fresca are available. "Chicago style is Chicago style, but to stand out, you gotta do something different,” co-owner Lalo said.

Inspired by the neighborhood hot dog vendors of their youth, two cousins opened this Armour Square Park cart in 2019. They also offer food truck-style catering.

at hot dog stands, but Lincoln Dogs is literally run by one. Lincoln enrolled in Hot Dog University when he was just 13. Now 17, he runs a cart near the tennis courts in Oz Park. It’s usually open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons and runs through Labor Day.

With a (seemingly rare) permit from the city to sell ready-made hot dogs, Austin’s Street Wieners operates weekend afternoons on Christiana and Diversey, March through October. It’s affordable, too: $4 hot dogs with many free dog days throughout the season.

I’m unsure what the nondescript white trailer across from 

 is called. But I know all I need: It serves an excellent (at times, lifesaving) beach dog.

You may need to haggle for all the Chicago fixings.

Okay, Relish is technically not a cart. But hey, it’s a seasonal shack and, with locations in the Loop and Streeterville, made for lunchtime crunchtime. It’s pricey — $8 dogs — but what can you expect downtown?

Again, not technically a cart, but functionally … these glorious metal boxes have 

. Coupling streetside vendor aura with the reliability of fixed, year-round locations, this parking lot feast is always a win.

Hot dog carts are rare in Chicago. Consider visiting one this National Hot Dog Day! 

Hot Dog Carts in Chicago

The Hot Dog Cart-icle

It turns out that Chicago has A LOT of ice cream shops. You could spend each of July’s 22 remaining days trying out somewhere new. And honestly, I might.

I even found some vegan options, so there’s really no excuse to sit out of the month’s revelry.

This charming spot at 3739 W. Fullerton Ave. offers a variety of unique frozen treats. All of the ice cream at 

 is handcrafted, but it doesn’t stop there. From paletas and magonadas to smoothies and freshly squeezed juices, you’re sure to find something you like.

🍧 This summer, their five new flavors are: Piña Colada, Coco en Agua, Ferrero, Café de Olla, Pie de Limón, and Strawberry Cheesecake.

 at 8238 S. Racine in 2016 in honor of her grandparents, who ran a food and game room in the neighborhood throughout the 1980s.

Some of the shop’s most popular treats include: ice cream (duh), Italian ice, candies, and fresh chocolates. There’s also a second location in Brainerd at 1308 W. 95th St.

🐝 Did you know that the shop’s mascots, Grandpa Bee and Grandma Bee, represent the family business’ origin story?

Richard’s Super Premium Ice Cream (Pullman)

 at 11033 S. Langley Ave. has brought the city homemade speciality flavors. Seriously, think of any flavor, and they’ve probably already turned it into an ice cream. From Rum Raisin to Sweet Potato Pie to Orange Dream Crush, all of the shop’s flavors share one key ingredient: happiness.

🍌Check out this summer’s special flavor, Original Banana Pudding. They say it “tastes better than the real thing!”

If you and milk don’t really get along, don’t worry! I’ve still found a way for you to celebrate National Ice Cream Month. Well, actually, it’s the owner of 

 at 608 W. 31st St. who deserves the credit.

She learned she’d developed an intolerance to milk while working in her family’s 50-year-old ice cream shop and wasn’t ready to give up her favorite dessert. Thus, Runaway Cow was born. All of the ice cream is made from an oat milk base, which gives it a creamy and rich flavor.

🍦Try a speciality sundae like the Fluffernutter, which is vanilla ice cream topped with marshmallow, peanut butter, nuts, whipped cream, and a cherry on top.

Where to get ice cream in Chicago this Summer

City Cast's Guide To Chicago’s Ice Cream

Your Guide To Chicago’s Ice Cream

 in Ravenswood, I check to see if the giant pink inflatable bear is out on the roof. It turns out I’m not the only one.

“Teachers are always telling me that they’ve got all these kids coming into class and all they want to do is talk about the bear on my roof,” said owner Ted Pirpiris.

Well, I have some intel. They put the bear up on the roof when the wind speed is lower than 15 miles per hour.

And no, the crew of neighborhood teens who work there aren’t climbing onto the roof under the cover of night. Pirpiris confirmed they just flip a few switches in the back, and the bear inflates on its own.

Pirpiris opened the ice cream shop in 2022 in the strip mall his family has owned since 1968. He takes pride in the fact that thousands of kids will remember the shop as their childhood ice cream spot.

The store regularly partners with local elementary schools and sponsors youth sports leagues. Two years ago, Pirpiris even invited a group of about 40 preschoolers to come behind the counter and scoop their own ice cream.

“Seeing all the kids come in is always the best feeling,” Pirpiris said. “It was so funny watching them all pulling on and hanging off the soft serve handles trying to make their own cones.”

Every Teddy's treat comes with the shop's signature Teddy Graham on top. But don't sleep on the soft-serve: It's made with 10% butterfat instead of the 6% industry standard, and Pirpiris swears you can taste the difference.

The fun doesn’t stop in Ravenswood. This year, Teddy’s opened a second location in Lincolnwood at 3910 W. Touhy Ave.

“I love when we get the Greek music jamming at night and see people out on the patio dancing and just loving the vibe,” Pirpiris said. “It’s just a fun, family-friendly place to be.”

Why Kids Love Teddy’s Ice Cream and Its Giant Inflatable Bear

Jacoby Cochran

When “relationship-to-table” restaurant Feld opened in 2024, early reviews had me concerned. Beyond the $225-per-person price tag, early reviewers noted uninspired plating, inconsistent flavors, and under-salted dishes. One such Substack went viral, when the seasoned reviewer called it 

one of the worst fine dining experiences they had in 20 years

Two years, a Michelin star, and a glowing review from friend and Tribune food critic Louisa Chu later, and I was looking forward to finally trying the Ukrainian Village hotspot. Our group arrived at Feld Friday night, right before a massive thunderstorm moved through Chicago. From the moment we walked in, we were completely tucked away from the outside world: no windows to track the traffic, time, or thunder.

The space accommodates just 20 people seated around the prepping station in the middle of the room like a theater in the round. The leather-bound menus, assortment of stunning dishware, and dope music at a reasonable volume all worked well together to create a calm and relaxing environment.

Now to the most important part: the food. I was lulled in with a refreshing round of tea and an opportunity to peruse the drink menu without feeling rushed. Once the glasses were full, the show began.

I had honestly forgotten that Feld features a 30-course tasting menu, some of which included:

Halved cherries with an array of emulsion blends,

And a strawberry-stuffed mussel that stole the show.

The dishes ranged from simply plated to technical masterpieces. And the accompanying stories heightened the entire experience. Cheese from an award-winning farm in Wisconsin, lobster from a stubborn fishing boat in Maine, custom pottery from a Japanese artisan they stumbled upon during a separate farm visit. It sounds pretentious here, but in the moment, each of the seven or so chefs who visited our table throughout the night brought an individual style and energy that felt polished, intentional, and accessible.

I learned this is what “relationship-to-table” means in practice. The most unexpected highlight of the night was the pea flight: pea soup, grilled peas, chilled peas, pea tofu, and pea panna cotta. Sure, I know peas are in season. I go to the farmers market. But it was clear how much the staff appreciated, admired, and relied on their various providers and partners. The menu felt like a dance between the chefs, the vendors, and the available seasonal ingredients!

I absolutely loved 27 of the 30 courses I received. I’d love to tell you what dish to look forward to, but the menu changes weekly, if not daily.

Seeing owner/chef Jake Potashnick visit every table, serving, and even holding the umbrella for us as we exited the restaurant for our Uber was refreshing. I would suggest this restaurant to anyone on the fence: You will not regret the experience.

What it's like to eat at the restaurant Feld.

A review of Feld

Feld Review: Don’t Listen to the Haters

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Chicago Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Ahead of this weekend’s Randolph Street Market, we asked Axios Chicago reporter Justin Kaufmann to give us some places to check out in the West Loop, where he’s lived for 17 years.

Get to Know West Loop with Justin Kaufmann

A cheat sheet for getting beyond your block.

Everything to know about Chicago neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Chicago Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

Every month, we bring you news about the newest 

 … and this month, they’re all cafes!

The world’s largest Hello Kitty Cafe just opened downtown. It’s 8,000 square feet, two stories tall and, you guessed it, pink. Very pink. The space also features a speakeasy-style Bow Room, 

, matcha horchata, affogato, sandwiches, and more to McKinley Park. It’s located on 37th Street between Archer and Leavitt and open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The sibling duo that runs Tawney initially 

 — then out of a car. Now, Tawney is back at its permanent space on Pope John Paul II Drive, following 

. Finally, there’s one in Logan Square, in the former Infuzed Cafe. And good news for night owls, it’s open till 10 p.m.

Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Colectivo has been expanding across Chicago for years. The newest location opened yesterday in the Southport corridor, following delays and a 

Inside luxury furniture store Design Within Reach, California-based Canyon Coffee is operating a pop-up shop through July 26. It also features pastry from Logan Square’s popular 

As if there wasn’t enough to explore inside the Fine Arts Building, Groundswell Coffee Roasters opens there July 20, next to the former Artist’s Cafe storefront. It will serve food from West Loop bakery Good Ambler.

🍽️ More places to sip and dine!

Every month, we bring you the newest restaurant openings across Chicago. This month, they’re all cafes!

Seven new cafes in Chicago

7 — Yes, 7! — New Cafes

Fests, fireworks, food, and freshwater fun — there’s a lot to do in Chicago in July. Here’s a guide to keep it all straight.

Fourth of July is always lit in the city — from lakeside shenanigans to big fireworks shows to, er, less official neighborhood displays. In honor of America’s 250th, Navy Pier is showing its 

. Meanwhile, our City Cast Chicago team talked with those 

Fitzgerald’s 43rd American Music Festival

African/Caribbean International Festival of Life

July is full of fests well beyond the Fourth, too:

 | Blue Island Avenue between Cermak and Wolcott | Pilsen 

 | Wells Street between Ontario and Chicago

 | Cermak between Ashland and Morgan | Pilsen | Free

 | Lincoln Avenue between Altgeld and Fullerton | Lincoln Park

 hot enough to enjoy time out on (or in) the water — that’s no longer the case. Of course, Chicago has no shortage of splashy activities:

I just took a lovely ride on the lake with 

 — shout out to wife-co-captains Gina and Steph ❤️

 as a descendant of Friday Morning Swim Club!

And if you’re not a planner, there are always 

As I write this, I am sitting directly in front of my window unit. And I suggest you do the same. As high temps continue, storms ahead this weekend may help Chicago cool down, but those 

there were gaps in the city’s cooling network

There’s a lot to do in Chicago in July. Here’s a guide to keep it all straight.

Your Guide to July 2026 in Chicago

 in Woodlawn. And while you’re there, take a walk around the neighborhood to see some of our favorite sights. Including, but not limited to, a certain hometown president’s new library.

, we want to highlight other spots to visit while you’re in the area.

If you managed to snag tickets, begin your walk at the Obama Presidential Center. If not, don’t worry — 

Build is the perfect way to start a morning in Woodlawn. In addition to coffee on us, they’ve got a banging breakfast sandwich and 

 about social justice and local politics.

, a community center that’s also home to 

Experimental Station also hosts the 61st Street Farmers Market every Saturday: “

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The Hot Dog Cart-icle

Your Guide To Chicago’s Ice Cream

Why Kids Love Teddy’s Ice Cream and Its Giant Inflatable Bear

Feld Review: Don’t Listen to the Haters