😋 5 new restaurants to try

Like spring flowers, new restaurants are popping up all over Chicago. Here’s a few that caught our eye — including two basement cocktail lounges and a whole food hall.

Schneider Deli in Lincoln Park

You might recognize Schneider Deli as the picturesque, old-fashioned eatery attached to Ohio House Motel. Now, a second location has opened in Lincoln Park. I’m visiting soon to try the giardinera-Russian-dressed reuben and will report back 🫡

Txa Txa Cafe in Logan Square

An offshoot of Txa Txa Club, which hosts private supper clubs, this all-day cafe is open to all. It offers coffee, cocktails, and light bites, including a popular breakfast sandwich.

• What about you? What’s your favorite breakfast sandwich? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Indgō Mrktō in Pilsen

Indgō Mrktō is a new food hall and event space in Pilsen featuring four restaurant concepts: a coffee shop, a multicultural seafood spot, a street food bistro, and a late-night cocktail bar. They’re all by the same chef. And there’s a chilaquiles torta on premises 👀

Kitty’s Cosmopolitan Club in River North

Crying Tiger has been generating buzz since it opened in the fall — now there’s a swanky cocktail bar in the basement: Kitty’s. The addition marks another step in Lettuce Entertain You’s foothold on Dearborn and Hubbard.

• Related: Lettuce history is Chicago history. [City Cast Chicago 💻]

Chubby Skewers in Chinatown

Unsurprisingly, the food at Chubby Skewers comes on a stick. From the folks behind Chubby Cattle, it’s another cook-it-yourself spot.

Coming soon: Culebra in Logan Square

A new bar with Puerto Rican and Caribbean cuisine opens underneath Lonesome Rose April 14. Mark your calendars!

Top Cop Defends CPD

Facing jeers at a special meeting, Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling defended his department’s response throughout aggressive federal immigration raids. As the police oversight board pressed him, Snelling said the Welcoming City ordinance wasn’t written with operations of this scale in mind. [WTTW]

• Wait: Was CPD actually helping ICE? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

CHA Leadership Battle and American Airlines … Buses?

Chicago’s Housing Authority board recently voted to appoint a new CEO, but Mayor Brandon Johnson may legally challenge this decision. Meanwhile, American Airlines is offering bus — yes, bus — connections from regional airports to O'Hare. All that and more on today’s podcast. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

New Vintage Shop in Logan Square

A new vintage shop has opened in Logan Square — and it’s open late! Well, till 10 p.m. on weekends. I’ll take it. (Chicago needs more night shopping!) From the folks behind Bodega Vintage in Wicker Park, Nonstop Vintage curates “Euro Y2K” pieces. [Block Club]

• Hey fashionistas: Check out our vintage and thrift guide! [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

City Employees Owe City Over $19 million

Chicagoans who work for the city or sister agencies collectively owe millions in unpaid tickets, water bills, and other violations. Among them: an assistant to Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) who is pushing the mayor to sell the city’s debt and a man who was ticketed while in prison. [Sun-Times]