This pop-up shop on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile opened last December thanks to a grant from the COVID-19 Recovery Program and World Business Chicago.
The Chicago Food Stop, housed in what used to be a Best Buy space, features vendors like Brown Sugar Bakery, Imani’s Originals, Fat Milk, and Kikwetu Coffee and is staffed by youth from Evanston’s Youth Job Center.
Lem’s Ribs
Lem’s Bar-B-Q is an iconic South Side institution. Serving lunch, dinner, and breakfast alike – bring cash because this restaurant only accepts cash payments! A must for Chicago barbecue enthusiasts!
A handful of South Side African American pitmasters still operate aquarium-style smokers using wood as fuel, producing Delta-style dishes such as ribs, rib tips, hot links, and sausage, pulled pork wrapped in newspaper with sweet red sauce served alongside fries – most can also sell them to go.
Many of the city’s finest ribs are prepared by slow smoking for a succulent and flavorful bite, then spice-rubbed and drizzled with homemade sauce before being served alongside fresh-cut fries.
Lem’s offers deliciously succulent, mouthwatering rib tips. This small family-owned smoke shack on 75th Street has become a neighborhood favorite and often fills capacity with customers. Alongside their legendary rib tips, Lem’s also serves a selection of other meats and sides such as mac and cheese and coleslaw – and their famous Lem’s Bar-B-Q sauce, which can be purchased online.
88 Marketplace
The Chicago Food Stop is an interactive retail experience showcasing local foods and culture. Situated on the first floor of 875 North Michigan Avenue and opened as part of Chicago’s COVID-19 recovery program, World Business Chicago manages it with hosting from the Mag Mile Association. Over 160 products from small batch brands as well as established ones can be found within its walls, along with an exhibit on its food history, a photo gallery display, and food demonstrations taking place daily at this pop-up retail experience.
At 88 Marketplace, their food should not be missed! Offering an impressive variety of Asian cuisine that’s sure to please, their helpful staff provides suggestions when visitors are uncertain about what they should order. Plus, this marketplace makes an excellent place for buying gifts for foodies in your life, from exotic snacks and condiments.
Apart from delicious food, this store also sells an assortment of items. They carry traditional Chinese utensils, kitchenware, and products from their region – ideal for gift-giving! In addition, they sell tea that makes excellent presents.
88 Marketplace has a fantastic selection of premium sauces and vinegars that would make great presents for foodies. Choose from black garlic soy sauce to yuzu vinegar in various sizes; purchase as an individual item or set!
Portillo’s
Portillo’s restaurant chain provides delicious Chicago-style food at reasonable prices, such as hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, burgers, and more. Plus, they serve an assortment of sweet desserts and sides! For added convenience, they also provide takeout and catering services!
Portillo’s executive team has prioritized expanding to new stores near Chicago to attract customers from surrounding cities and states and increase revenues. While their expansion strategy may be risky for their investors, Portillo faces plenty of fast-casual competition, making it even more difficult.
Chopped Salad is one of the most beloved menu items. This colorful selection combines romaine and iceberg lettuce, pasta, diced chicken, bacon, tomatoes, green onions, Gorgonzola cheese, and Portillo’s house dressing into an irresistibly refreshing and delectable masterpiece that you can finish your meal off with by enjoying a slice of homemade chocolate cake – the cherry on top!
Portillo offers more than delicious menu items – they also provide specials and discounts throughout the year! Join their email club to make the most of your experience at Portillo’s: they will send an offer on your birthday (up to three of your children’s) and earn free meals by visiting during your birth month!
Diva’s Ice Cream
Chicago is an incredible metropolis that embodies both glamour and globalization while remaining homegrown with neighborhood taquerias and hot dog stands that remain beloved fixtures in local neighborhoods. While this massive metropolis features Michelin-rated restaurants and James Beard Foundation honorees, its foodies remain just as passionate about their neighborhood greasy spoons or deep-dish pizza joints – this truly is one city that knows its stuff about food!
Diva’s Ice Cream is a nostalgic neighborhood spot with an exquisite menu of frozen treats, from orange sherbet and vanilla fudge through strawberry and chocolate to their classic hot fudge banana sundae in an old-timey tulip bowl! A must-visit if visiting Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.
The Chicago Food Stop on the Magnificent Mile showcases 40 food vendors and businesses throughout Chicago. Funded through a grant from the COVID-19 recovery program and operated by World Business Chicago, this pop-up will run until March 2023.
The Chicago Food Stop is open and accessible daily, giving visitors access to local chefs, small-batch companies, and emerging brands offering food and products for sale. In addition, this venue hosts numerous culinary-related events and activities, providing these businesses with an invaluable platform from which they can showcase their offerings to a larger audience.