Your Daily Guide

As the weather warms and the city springs back to life, there are many — many — new restaurants opening across Chicago, including several popular expansions.

Labriola and Pizza Lobo in West Loop

At the new Labriola, I was delighted by the candied-orange cannoli and crunchy thin-crust pizza (though deep dish and “skinny deep dish” are also available). Pizza Lobo, meanwhile, has opened just around the corner. Both spots are third locations for the local chains.

• Another pizza expansion: Following its Berwyn closure, Milly’s Pizza in the Pan is now open in Lakeview. It recently ranked among the best pizzas in the world.

Migos Fine Foods in Bronzeville

Migos Fine Foods, a “halal southern-fried taqueria,” gained a fast following in Portage Park. Now, it’s expanded to Bronzeville, on the ground floor of Northwestern Medicine. Fusion highlights include a lamb cheesesteak torta and chicken pastor tacos.

• Migos is also a favorite of City Cast Chicago Neighbor Katie M.: “Delicious, fresh-made halal food on the Northwest Side. Best biscuit in the city to boot.”

Bad Butter in Bucktown

Like its former location inside the Emily Hotel, Bad Butter’s new standalone spot in Bucktown is hypedup. And yeah, that means long lines. I tried to skip all that by going on my lunch hour, but alas! This bakery is only open till 2 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Good luck!

Fathom in Lakeview

From the owners of lesbian hotspot Dorothy comes Fathom, which aims to be a queer neighborhood dive. According to the Lesbian Bar Project, there are just 36 — yup, you read that right — lesbian bars nationwide. “So when we see a place like Fathom coming to life in our city, it’s something we ought to celebrate,” says City Cast Chicago contributor Anna DeShawn.

Culebra in Logan Square

Replacing Golden Teardrops, a limited-hours bar under Lonesome Rose, Culebra is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. The Puerto Rican and Caribbean cocktail bar maintains the speakeasy atmosphere — and adds a jibarito-hybrid sandwich. Opening night was packed, but I managed to snag two delicious daiquiris.

• Congrats to 28-year-old owner Diego Garcia-Gonzalez, who spent years bartending upstairs. A Logan Square legend!

Landlords Filed More Than 40,000 Evictions Since 2022

More than 40,000 eviction cases were filed between April 2022 — shortly after the state’s eviction moratorium expired — and September 2025. Most were on the South Side, with South Shore hit hardest. However, court records are missing addresses for nearly 10,000 of the filings. [Block Club]

Wait, What IS an Inspector General?

Chicago’s mayor appoints the inspector general … who often ends up launching investigations at odds with said mayor. This makes for an awkward relationship. As Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pick, David Glockner, awaits council approval, look back on the history of the office. [Axios]

Leo High School Principal Wins Golden Apple

Leo High School principal Shaka Rawls was surprised with a prestigious Golden Apple award for his leadership. Under Rawls, seniors at the all-boys Catholic school have a 100% college acceptance rate. The share of freshmen expected to graduate on time is also up. And let’s not forget the Leo choir’s epic run on “America’s Got Talent” last year. Rawls is also a Leo alum. [Sun-Times]

Will Chicago Hospitals Resume Trans Youth Healthcare?

A federal judge overturned the Trump administration’s policy that threatened to cut Medicare and Medicaid funding to hospitals providing gender-affirming care to minors — but advocates say health centers in Illinois have not resumed services for transgender youth. We discuss the latest on today’s podcast. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Surprise ‘Bear’ Prequel Drops on Hulu

A “Bear” prequel episode just dropped on Hulu, set before the events of the series. Called “Gary,” it is, naturally, set in Indiana and follows Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s and Jon Bernthal’s characters. (Sorry, Carmy fans.) Those actors also co-wrote the installment. [Hollywood Reporter]

• I watched: It'll feel nostalgic for anyone who's ever aimlessly driven over the border with friends ... but ... Are we over “The Bear?”