:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47567941/IMG_0243.0.0.JPG)
—Halloween weekend's done and The Wiener's Circle is back to whatever passes as normal for the late-night fast-food spot known for its colorful staff. They pleased fans of the Eddie Murphy classic "Coming to America" by decorating the restaurant as McDowell's, the movie's parody of McDonald's, as first reported by DNAinfo. Wiener's Circle even served the "Big Mick," McDowell's version of the Big Mac (the difference is there's no sesame seeds on the bun). Heck, even Snoop Dogg was impressed.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4221069/mcdow.0.JPG)
[Photo: Ashok Selvam]
—This is just coincidence, on the same day Peet's Coffee & Tea announced its deal to buy Intelligentsia Coffee, a man filed a lawsuit in Cook County circuit court, alleging that a Peet's in suburban Winnetka isn't accurately filling their French press coffee containers. The man claims customers are being short changed and is seeking class-action status, according to the Tribune.
—For the first time, Lou Malnati's is thinking outside of Illinois. They announced they're planning to expand to the Arizona market, bringing Chicago-style, deep-dish pizza to Phoenix. The company hopes they can eventually build 10 restaurants, reports Crain's.
—The General launched weekend brunch service over the weekend. The menu, which can be seen here, features the same Mexican and southern flavors that's made this taqueria popular in Logan Square.
—Wicker Park fancy drink specialists, The Violet Hour, will swap bartenders with its sister bar, The Patterson House from Nashville. Tonight, Patterson House bartender Michael McCollum will man The Violet Hour's marble bar and serve drinks from Nashville. Violet Hour managing partner Eden Laurin and bar manager Patrick Smith will return the favor on Nov. 18 in Tennessee.
—New Belgium Brewing Co.'s traveling tour to raise money for bicycle advocacy found Chicago hospitable, as their tour stop on July 11 here raised $51,141. The nationwide 11-stop tour, Tour de Fat, raised just under $650,000.
