Freshii Waiving Franchise Fee If Cubs Win, ‘Check, Please!’ Premiere, More Intel

—The sweet 16th season of PBS Chicago’s Check, Please! debuts tonight. Tune in at 8 p.m. on WTTW-11 to watch host Catherine De Orio break down restaurants with a cast of characters. This episode will cover Charlatan, Boston Fish Market and Bar Pastoral. They’ve introduced an online component this year in which reviewers chat about their experiences appearing on the show.

—As the Cubs charge into the playoffs, the restaurant world is coming up with gimmicks to capitalize on the bandwagon. Freshii, the healthy fast-food chain, is the latest. They claim they’ll waive their $30,000 franchise fee if the Cubs win their first World Series championship since 1908. Crain’s reported that Freshii will waive their fee and enter into a 10-year agreement, as a prospective franchisee would work with their real estate team on finding a location in Wrigleyville.

—Old Town Social, over on North Avenue, is actually a fun place before the sun sets. For brunch, they’ve unleashed a 99-ingredient Bloody Mary bar. The spread’s highlighted by the restaurant’s renown charcuterie and includes jalapeño bacon, smoked summer sausage and pate de champagne. Maybe Weird Al will do a Jay Z parody.

—Eater 2016 Young Gun Julia Momose has debuted a new cocktail menu over at Annex, GreenRiver’s complementary bar over in Streeterville. TimeOut Chicago has the details on the new drinks for the fall menu.

—Insatiable: The Homaro Cantu Story will make its Chicago public debut on Monday, Oct. 17 as part of the Chicago Film Festival. A second screening will take place on Monday, Oct. 24. The documentary follows the deceased chef with plenty of interview footage of Cantu and his colleagues. The movie first screened in March at SXSW.

—Hot off the success of Andy Ricker’s visit, Land & Sea Dept. is bringing in Brooklyn restaurateur Andrew Tarlow. Tarlow, whose restaurants include Diner, and his chef Ken Wiss will prep a three-course meal on Oct. 21. Get your tickets here.