🤤 Afro fusion, saucy tacos, and fresh juice!

El Grito is Back

After canceling last year over fears of immigration raids, El Grito is coming back to Grant Park in September. Organizers say the hiatus was the right call, and now they’re excited to return. Tickets to the Mexican cultural celebration start at $10. [ABC 7]

Street Vendors Still Under Pressure

Chicago street vendors are facing increased police enforcement with an uptick in fines, confiscations, and arrests in recent months. Immigrant families and advocates argue the city needs to do more to create sustainable pathways for vendors. [Tribune 🔒]

• Last year: Street vendors endured “Midway Blitz.” [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

It’s About More Than a Name

As discussion continues over renaming Cesar Chavez Multicultural Academic Center in Back of the Yards, members of Increase the Peace, a local violence prevention group, say they don’t want to idolize a single person. Meanwhile, an eighth grader likes the name Demeter. [WBEZ]

NASCAR Returning?

There’s no street race this year, but NASCAR is shopping the idea of returning to Grant Park in 2027. At least it probably won’t be over Fourth of July weekend. [Block Club]

The Greyhound Station, Lesbian Businesses, and Summer Movies

Mayor Brandon Johnson has presented an ordinance to purchase the downtown bus terminal for $19 million. Its future has been in limbo for a while now. We discuss the deets on today’s podcast, plus Chicagoland’s growing lesbian business directory, and the Movies in the Park summer schedule. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Apothecary in Lakeview

With its lush art deco interior, this cocktail lounge doesn’t exactly resemble an apothecary. However, the menu is divided into remedies, prescriptions, etc. My advice is skip the food but take your medicine: I enjoyed the cachaca-based Oi Lindo and Tuck Me In, a springy vodka drink.

• Straight down Halsted: Beaumont’s is open, resurrecting the name of the bar that stood there for 40-plus years. Now, it’s a large tavern restaurant with an upstairs steakhouse.

The Origin in Bucktown

For about a year, I’ve passed this expansive Bucktown space and wondered when Origin would finally open. Well it’s here! The Afro-fusion restaurant offers red stew, jollof rice, red snapper, and more — I can’t wait to try. Also (very) exciting: It’s open late.

3 Spots in Portage Park

Portage Park is becoming a food destination, and three new spots are adding to the hype:

• Quesabirria Jalisco Tacos 2 brings the sauciness from its beloved Pilsen spot up north. Follow along and stay sharp: hours vary and food sells out!
• Brennan’s Gourmet Burger Shack operates inside of Emerald Isle with a big mission: “to ruin all other burgers for people.” I admire the confidence.
• Tropical Bites Flavor House is a Colombian restaurant specializing in ajiaco, arepas, empanadas, patacones, and fresh juices.

K and Jay’s Soul Food in Roseland

Following a soft opening, the ribbon-cutting for K and Jay’s is Saturday. The Black Foodies recommend the salmon-cream cheese egg rolls, wings, catfish, and turkey chop. Stay tuned for official hours and note that it’s take-out only.