City Cast Chicago
🍣 Sushi and sandwiches in Chicago
June 18, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
Cannonball! After a 55% surge in lifeguard applications, Chicago’s public pools are back for real. All 50 city pools will be open seven days a week starting Saturday. Thank you to all the righteous teens who signed up to keep swimmers safe 🙏 🙏
Now, let’s dive into some (mostly food) news.
What Chicago's Talking About
Immigration a Major Theme at James Beard Awards
The Oscars of the food world took place in Chicago Monday night, and two West Loop spots took home top honors: Kumiko and Oriole. In her speech, Kumiko’s owner called to support immigrants in the industry. The friend who accepted the award on behalf of Oriole’s chef had a simpler, expletive-filled message for ICE. [Block Club]
- Related: Here’s how Chicago is handling ICE. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Ald. Jim Gardiner Cleared of Ethics Charge
After four years of investigations and $20,000 in levied fines, the Chicago Board of Ethics cleared 45th Ward Ald. Jim Gardiner. Gardiner was accused of using city resources to write bogus citations against a politically active constituent. Meanwhile, ethics board chair William Conlon announced his retirement. [Tribune 🔒]
- Related: Jim Gardiner is no stranger to scandal. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Pope House Remains in Limbo
The village of Dolton previously expressed plans to take ownership of Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home, possibly through eminent domain. Now, an employee from the disgraced former mayor’s administration is suing to prevent that. Lavell Redmond, who was a building code enforcer, is pursuing a wrongful termination settlement with Dolton and says the village can’t afford to take on the pope house expenses. [Crain’s 🔒]
- Related: The pope’s path from Dolton to the Vatican. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
Power Ranking Chicago Sandwiches
Chicago has put its spin on so many iconic foods. In today’s episode, alongside Axios’ Monica Eng, we’re focusing on the sandwiches. Specifically, we’re ranking the top eight iconic sandwiches. Sweetsteak? Jibarito? Italian beef? Which one is No. 1? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
What To Do
Wednesday, June 18
- 🎤 Louder than a Mom | Martyrs' | North Center
- 📖 Sidekicks reading | The Whistler | Logan Square
- 🍿 “Black Panther” | Eckhart Park | West Town
- 💨 Mauricio López F.: Wind Reenactment: Reencarnación del viento | Comfort Station | Logan Square
- 🦔 “Sonic 3″ | Kedvale Park | Humboldt Park
- 📚 Summer Poetry Gathering | Haymarket House | Buena Park
- 🏳️🌈 Pride at the Park | Sox Park | Bridgeport
- 🚴🏻 Bike Sox | Queen’s Landing | Grant Park
- 🍹 Punch Making Class Experience | Punch House | Pilsen
- 🎆 Chicago Riverwalk Bar Crawl & Fireworks Show | Riverwalk
- 👠 The Emancipation Ball 2025 | Rockwell on the River | Avondale
Wednesday, June 19
- Juneteenth Celebration 🎉 DuSable Museum | 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Free
- Juneteenth Skate or Bowl Celebration 🛼 Auburn Gresham | 5–8 p.m. | $20
- Cookout Comedy Show 😆 North Center | 7–9 p.m. | $12
📝 On the topic of food journalism … this free day camp is an awesome opportunity for kids. Know any fourth, fifth, or sixth graders with an annoyingly refined palette and penchant for the written word? Tell them to apply to “Eat Your Words” ASAP!
We’re off tomorrow in honor of Juneteenth, but you can expect a special edition newsletter Friday. Also on Friday: I hear Flora Gallery in Bridgeport is the place to be — interior designer Nicole Parisian makes her painting debut. Hit it on the Third Friday art walk 💐
Free · Daily