Ahmed Ali Akbar

Ahmed Ali Akbar is a former food reporter at the Chicago Tribune.

Kevin Silverman sharpens knives at Northside Cutlery, Dec. 14, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Are your kitchen knives dull? Northside Cutlery, run by a former chef, can fix that

March 31, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Northside Cutlery has quietly become a hospitality industry hotspot, becoming the go-to place for chefs to get their knives sharpened.

Critics Choice winners are, clockwise from top left, the lobster salad at John’s Food & Wine, chef-owners Oliver Poilevey, Marcos Ascensio and Antonio Incandela of Mariscos San Pedro, chef/owner Maya-Camille Broussard of Justice of the Pies, the ample offerings at Sanders BBQ Supply Co. and executive pastry chef and partner Leigh Omilinsky of Daisies. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Critic’s Choice Food Awards winners: 9 outstanding Chicago restaurants, bakeries and more

March 26, 2025 at 11:05 a.m.

This year's winners have each built a wondrous world and exceeded expectations, representing our taste at this moment in time and beyond.

Local Chicago chefs Zubair Mohajir, left, and Bailey Sullivan, center, are photographed with Anya El-Wattar, of Birch & Rye, during the filming for "Top Chef." (David Moir/Bravo)

These 3 Chicago chefs compete on the new season of ‘Top Chef’

March 12, 2025 at 11:16 a.m.

New for the winner this year, alongside a $250,000 cash prize, is the opportunity to present at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago on June 16.

Co-owner Audrey Borden delivers a coffee flight for customers at Coffee Shop of the Year October Cafe in Chicago on Feb. 22, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Readers’ Choice Food Awards winners: 10 restaurants, bars, bakeries and more that impressed Chicago in 2024

March 5, 2025 at 11:03 a.m.

After thousands of votes, here are the 10 winning restaurants, bars and more in the 13th edition of the Tribune Readers' Choice Food Awards.

Actor Saagar Shaikh, left, eats dinner with "Deli Boys" creator and Executive Producer Abdullah Saeed, center, and co-star Asif Ali at Ali's Nihari & BBQ in the West Ridge neighborhood on March 31, 2024. (Talia Sprague/for the Chicago Tribune)

‘Deli Boys’ on Devon Avenue: How Ali’s Nihari became a favorite spot for actors on the Hulu show

February 26, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

While Hulu’s “Deli Boys” was filming in Chicago, some stars of the show became regulars at Ali’s Nihari on Devon Avenue.

Marvin and Dawn Lewis, shown Feb. 13, 2025, own D’s Roti & Trini Cuisine on East 79th Street in Chicago. The couple opened the restaurant in 2023. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Black Restaurant Week marks 10 years of celebrating Black-owned businesses

February 17, 2025 at 5:30 a.m.

For restaurateurs, Chicago Black Restaurant Week is another opportunity to tell their story and connect with other Black-owned businesses.

Sajdah Wendy Muhammad gives a tour of the home being restored as the Elijah Muhammad House Museum in the Kenwood neighborhood, during a Chicago Black Muslim History Tour on Dec. 6, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Telling their own story: South Side bus tour delves into Chicago’s key role in America’s Black Muslim history

February 9, 2025 at 9:24 a.m.

The driving force for the tour is the idea that Black Americans and Muslims must unapologetically tell their own story, something their ancestors couldn't do.

James Martinez, center left, holds the championship trophy as competitors Jose Dominguez, center, and Jacob Tranaude smile for cameras at the conclusion of the Marvel vs. Capcom 2 video game tournament during Frosty Faustings XVII at the Westin Chicago Lombard on Jan. 24, 2025. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

You wanna fight? Video game competitions, once the stuff of arcades, now fill hotel convention centers

January 31, 2025 at 3:16 p.m.

This last weekend's Frosty Faustings FFXVII in Lombard was part of a thriving subculture, with gamers coming from all over the country to compete.

Clockwise from top left: quesabirrias, al pastor and steak tacos, birria pizza, birria fries, carne asada nachos and carne asada fries from Tacotlan. (Tacotlan)

6 Chicago Restaurant Week 2025 menus we can’t wait to try

January 22, 2025 at 11:03 a.m.

This year's 17-day event will see more than 470 restaurants from around town participating, from award-winning institutions to newly opened spots to local favorites.

The OG tamago egg salad sandwich, from left, the KFC sandwich with double-fried halal chicken thighs and the matcha strawberry sandwich from Sando Street on Jan. 9, 2025, in Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Reviews: Perilla Steakhouse, Sando Street and Santa Masa Tamaleria

January 13, 2025 at 2:52 p.m.

As we dive into 2025, the Tribune food team offers looks at three notable restaurants that opened in 2024.

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