☕ Where to find cheap coffee and cheap beer

Crime on the CTA and Self-Driving Cars

Tension over the CTA continues to grip Chicago following headlines about crime, an increased cop presence, and general complaints about rider experience. We’re breaking all that down on today’s podcast — plus self-driving cars. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

City’s Tourism Plan Would Make Hotel Taxes Highest in Nation

A potential “Tourism Improvement District” could mean hefty hotel costs. City Council is moving ahead with a plan to create the district, which would include parts of at least 14 wards, stretching beyond the Loop into West Loop, Bronzeville and Bridgeport. Within it, an additional fee of 1.5% would increase hotel taxes to 19%. [Block Club]

Do Voters Worry About Housing More Than Crime?

Housing affordability is a major priority for Chicago voters, according to a new poll from Illinois Realtors. The local association said respondents ranked property taxes as their No. 1 concern, followed by crime and gun violence at No. 2, and the cost of housing at No. 3. A similar poll from 2022 had crime at the top. [Crain’s 🔒]

Is Portillo’s Fumbling the (Striped, Greasy) Bag?

Chicagoland Portillo’s are almost always packed. The same cannot be said for locations outside its home state. The chain went public in 2021, expanding to Atlanta, Las Vegas, Dallas, and Houston. However, Texas sales quickly petered out and November earnings showed a far smaller bump than expected. Can a new CEO turn things around? [Chicago magazine]

So many restaurants and bars popped up on our radar over the last month — including two nightlife spots in Avondale, a cheap (finally!) coffee shop in Logan Square, and a longtime favorite’s return in Chatham.

Bar Bambi in West Town

Award-winning bartender and Speed Rack champion Katie Renshaw has opened her own bar — and it’s buzzy. The interior literally glows. The menu, meanwhile, features send-ups of classic cocktails and elevated bar bites. (I’m actually checking Bar Bambi out tonight, so I’ll keep ya posted.)

Belmont Tavern in Avondale

I’m skeptical of dive bar overhauls (lookin’ at you, Small Bar) but Belmont Tavern seems truly laid back. That’s a feat considering I visited on a jam-packed Friday night. And while cutesy, the interior doesn’t feel overly curated. It’s naturally eclectic. Extra points for carrying bison grass vodka!

Oooh Wee! IT IS! Smothered Potatoes Breakfast Bar in Chatham

Oooh Wee! IT IS!, a popular soul food restaurant that closed in 2024, has a soft reopening Saturday in a new Chatham location. Formerly located on 83rd Street, this new spot is in the old Reggio’s Pizza space on Cottage Grove Avenue. Although it has a new focus on breakfast, dinner items will also be available.

Logan Collective in Logan Square

Logan Collective is the neighborhood’s newest coffee shop with home-roasted beans and extremely reasonable prices. $3 for a drip coffee? Hell yeah! With a comfy couch and relaxed vibe, it’s also an excellent spot to write a daily newsletter from … On that note, shout out to barista Keillor.

Retro Pizza in Roscoe Village

Hero’s sub shop was an institution, and seeing the shack sit empty since 2017 hurt my soul. Now, new life has sprung in the form of Retro Pizza. The take-out only shops serves square Roman slices of ‘za plus coffee. Check out Dennis Lee’s review. But avoid visiting on school day afternoons or face the mobs of Lane kids — a Hero’s tradition.

Tune-Up in Avondale

Tune-Up, in a former auto body shop, doesn’t quite live up to the name. Although drink names like Anti-Freeze and Brake Fluid are fun to order, the space, affixed with flittering disco balls and mirrors, leans away from its blue collar roots. However, Tune-Up is bound to turn up — it’s open till 5 a.m. on Saturday nights. Yes, 5 a.m. bars still exist in Chicago.