Parson’s Getting Bigger, Q-BBQ Nixes Grand Expansion Plans, More Intel

—There’s going to be more space for chooglin’ in the future at Parson’s Chicken & Fish in Logan Square. Land & Sea Dept. is planning to expand its popular patio-driven chicken, fish, negroni slushie, ping-pong, and ice-skating hotspot on Armitage Avenue, as they’ve filed a building permit to add another bar, interior and exterior seating, and a new kitchen. A rep confirms "that there is an expansion in the works" but doesn’t have details on it or its timing yet, so stay tuned.

—Apparently investors in Q-BBQ aren’t up for a massive plan for 200 new restaurants, as director of operations Michael LaPidus is out just more than two weeks after announcing his ambitious goal. In a post to the restaurant chain’s Facebook page titled "To all my raving fans...", LaPidus writes that "the investor group disagrees with this vision for growth" and that "I will no longer be leading Q." You can still visit its locations in suburban La Grange, Oak Park, Naperville, and Schererville, Ind., however.

—After conceding that it was out of money in late September, Metal Haven Grill, the reborn metal-themed restaurant/record store hybrid in Logan Square, is officially throwing in the towel. Ownership is tentatively calling New Year’s Eve its last night in business, according to a Facebook post, and is selling records at bargain-basement rates. Check out the revealing announcement here.

—Four Pilsen restaurants on one street were sadly burglarized in one night late Monday/early Tuesday, DNAinfo and ABC7 report. From east to west, the victims were Dia De Los Tamales, Cafe Jumping Bean, Memo's Hot Dogs, and Pilsen Breakfast and Grill. Stay safe out there, restaurant owners.

—Justin Aprahamian, the co-founder of Like Minds Brewing, the acclaimed Milwaukee-based chef-driven brewpub with a Chicago location, is exiting the company, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal reports.

—And finally, you’ll be able watch five local tykes cook on a national TV show and be judged by shouty chef/personality Gordon Ramsay this winter, as five Chicago kids are among the contestants on Season 5 of "MasterChef Junior," according to an announcement first reported by the Tribune, beginning Feb. 9 on Fox.