This is more than just a steak sandwich

it's part of Chicago's fabric

Hello, everyone!

Before we dig into a few sandwiches, just some light housekeeping: I’m taking next week off for a few reasons: First, it’s Labor Day, and second of all, I’ll be recovering from cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery is a common procedure, so my recovery time should be pretty quick. I just want to minimize staring at a screen so my poor eye (which has been through a lot, including perpetual needles) catches a bit of a break. Hopefully after I wake up after being under, my skull will have been outfitted with a laser that can cut through steel.

Here’s some new(ish) Substack newsletters you should read in the meantime:

Three of my fellow food writer colleagues, all of whom are better writers than I could dream of being (no, seriously) now have their own Substack newsletters that deserve your attention.

• American Weekender: Amy Cavanaugh is currently the dining editor at Chicago Magazine, which full disclosure, I’ve written for previously a few times. She and her partner Kenney Marlatt take frequent trips across the country, and their new newsletter American Weekender is a travel guide for those who thrive off of road trips. This newsletter’s great for people who need to get the fuck out of dodge and prefer small town destinations—but just a heads up, Party Cut people, it’s paid only. $7/month or $75 per year.

• Little Stories: I can’t say enough good things about Maggie Hennessy’s writing. Her freelance career has landed her in publications like Bon Appétit and The New York Times (I feel so small!), and I’ve read her work for a very long time. She’s moved back to Chicago after some time in the Southwest, so you can expect to see her name pop back up in local publications. Maggie’s started her own newsletter called Little Stories, which are little bits and pieces of life that, in her own words, “will brighten your life like little fireflies at sunset, make you sit up and pay attention for those small joys, and — when you need it — make you feel a little less alone.” Her newsletter is brand spankin’ new, but don’t let that stop you from signing up for it.

• The Move, by Danny Palumbo: Danny’s awesome. He’s a contributor at The Takeout, which is where I work full time, and I’ve also read his stuff for many years. While he’s primarily based in Los Angeles, he’s done a lot of traveling recently, which means he’s gotten to try a bunch of cool shit along the way, which makes his newsletter broadly appealing. Danny and I have the same sort of cheaper-food-makes-us-happier mentality, but his newsletter also features pasta recipes, which happen to be his specialty.

Oh yeah, and if you haven’t upgraded mine yet, now’s the time. Every other edition’s behind a paywall, but an upgrade means you have access to all the previous issues. You know, in case you miss me for a week.

Okay, housekeeping’s over, thanks for reading, and sign up for those newsletters. Now let’s hop over to the Northwest side and get some sandwiches from a place that couldn’t represent Chicago better.