City Cast Chicago
🍔 The best things we ate this year 🍔
November 19, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
Hey fellow film dorks! It’s been 50 years since Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel first bickered on public airwaves. To honor the anniversary, the Cultural Center is playing some of their “hidden gem” movies throughout the month.
Tonight’s (free) showing is “Drugstore Cowboy,” starring my personal favorite actor Matt Dillon 👀
Now, on to more events — and news — and the holiday train!
What's CITY Talking About
The Holiday Train (and Bus) Schedule Is Here!
The Allstate CTA Holiday Fleet is back for its 34th year of twinkling lights and Santa photo-ops. The first holiday bus takes off Nov. 25 — the No. 56 Milwaukee route — while the first holiday ‘L’ cars depart Nov. 28 on the Green and Orange Lines. See the full schedule. [CTA]
Meet the 'Chicagoans of the Year'
Chicago magazine’s latest issue highlights the “Chicagoans of the Year.” Among them: Da Pope Leo XIV (of course), the Leo High School boys' choir, river guide Doug McConnell, and immigration attorney Maureen Graves. [Chicago]
What's Happening With the North Park Encampments?
The city razed homeless encampments in Legion Park in September, but people remain living there while on affordable housing waitlists. Mayor Brandon Johnson says he hopes to move them indoors by early 2026, but advocates for the unhoused oppose clearing out Legion Park. [Block Club]
The Best Things We Ate in 2025
Chicago is always a food city, but dining out in 2025 was extra special. The Infatuation’s Adrian Kane joins today’s podcast to discuss her favorite meal of the year, the best new restaurants, and predictions for Chicago dining in the coming year. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
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What To Do
Wednesday, Nov. 19
- 🎤 The Not That Late Show | Lincoln Lodge | Logan Square
- ⁉️ Music Trivia | Empty Bottle | Ukrainian Village
- 📖 “Watching the Detective” Book Launch Party | The Whistler | Logan Square
- 💸 Free admission: Chicago History Museum | Lincoln Park
- 🎤 Comedy Open Mic | Cole’s | Logan Square
- 🎭 ”Taming of the Shrew” | Court Theatre | Hyde Park
- 🎥 Siskel & Ebert at 50: "Drugstore Cowboy" | Chicago Cultural Center | Loop
Thursday, Nov. 20
- 🎤 The Moth Mainstage | The Auditorium | Loop
- 📖 One Book, One Chicago: Xochitl Gonzalez Talk | Harold Washington Library | Loop
- 🎭 "Elizabeth I: In Her Own Words" | Newberry Library | Near North Side
- 🏳️🌈 “Angry F*gs” | Lifeline Theatre | Rogers Park
- 🎤 Open Mic | Crib Comedy Playspace | East Garfield Park
- 💿 Prosperity Room | The Whistler | Logan Square
- 🏳️⚧️ 321 Plays for Trans Futures | Fine Arts Building | Loop
- 🤣 Bits and Bobs | The Playground Theater | Ravenswood
- 👸 "Slavic American Princess" | The Den Theatre | Wicker Park
- 🎷 Cyrus Chestnut Trio | Jazz Showcase | South Loop
- 🦃 Chefsgiving 2025: A Charity Dinner Event | Venteux Brasserie | Loop
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🍻 Also, good news for those of you who miss the Green Post. Cheers!
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