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Willis Tower Getting 1st Pop-Up, Sheerin's Late-Night Ramen at Trinity, More

Plus, Tribune hires Louisa Chu, many freebies at Loews Hotel, and much more.

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Ashok Selvam is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.

The Willis Tower is receiving a food upgrade as Q-BBQ will host the skyscraper's first pop-up, according to the Tribune. Follow your nose to the southwest corner of the lobby from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. between February 22 and 26 to find pulled pork, brisket chicken and more.

—Keeping up with the late-night ramen game is a theme in Chicago. Now Mike Sheerin (Packed) is offering "Midnight Ramen" for four nights at Trinity Bar in Lincoln Park, starting on Saturday. A limited supply of 75 bowls each night will go on sale at 10 p.m. on the specified night. They're selling tickets onsite with a max of two per person for $15 each. Saturday's ramen features barbecue broth and braised bacon, for example. All come with soft-cooked egg and housemade noodles.

—Longtime Chicago food writer Louisa Chu started this week as a reporter for the Tribune, presumably picking up some of the slack after Kevin Pang's departure in November. But that's not all, as Chu also returns to the world of podcasts with WBEZ reporter Monica Eng, as the two have launched "Chewing," a new podcast that should sate fans of the duo's former endeavor, "Chewing the Fat" that WBEZ canned last year

—Wicker Park's Sweet Cakes Bakery closed on Monday. as reported by Wicker Park/Bucktown Insider's Guide. The bakery moved two years ago to its current location. This ends an eight-year total run.

—Celebrating their first birthday, the Loews Chicago Hotel is giving away a host of freebies on Thursday, according to Chicagoist. It starts at 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Starbucks at 444 N. Michigan Ave., where they'll give away free coffee. Then from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. the Doughnut Vault truck will give away sweet treats. The truck from Big Star will give away tacos from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The hotel lobby bar also has a champagne toast at 5:30 p.m.

—Early-bird tickets for Chowdah Fest are onsale through Feb. 29. This year's event, which takes place March 7 at the Columbia Yacht Club ship, will be judged by Doug Sohn (Hot Doug's), "Windy City Live's" Ji Suk Yi and chef Rick Tramonto. Early-bird tix cost $40, and after Feb. 29 the price jumps to $50.

—A new week-long event hoping to provide food to charity groups and reduce wasted restaurant food launches on Monday. Chicago Restaurant Giving Week's lasts through Feb. 28, and the organization's officials said $1 provides three to five meals for the needy. They're offering donors free food for $5 donations. DNAinfo reported restaurants including Lou Malnati's, Parson's Chicken & Fish, Doughnut Vault and Hannah's Bretzel are participating. They want to connect restaurants with nonprofits by picking up food and delivering meals.

Trinity Bar

2721 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614 (773) 880-9293 Visit Website

Columbia Yacht Club

111 North Lake Shore Drive, , IL 60601 (312) 938-3625 Visit Website

Loews Chicago

, Chicago, IL

Sweet Cakes Bakery

1223 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642 (773) 772-5771 Visit Website