NYC’s Bareburger Sets Chicago Opening Date, Lou Malnati’s Reveals Expansion Plans, More Intel

—Can a new entrant from NYC compete for the title of Chicago’s best burger? Bareburger, the New York-based chain, will give it a shot starting Oct. 3, as that’s when its first Chicago restaurant will open at 3357 N. Lincoln Ave. in Lakeview, the Tribune reports. Known in the northeast and internationally for eco-friendly restaurants that serve a variety of burgers that include elk, boar, and duck, Bareburger is planning three more Chicago outposts in addition to the first that’s finally opening in less than two weeks after being in the works for well over two years.

—After expanding to Arizona earlier this year, deep-dish icon Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria is planning more locations outside Chicago. Buoyed by the addition of a new minority stakeholder, co-owner Marc Malnati revealed to Crain’s that he’s hoping to open new pizza restaurants in "three additional metro areas in the next 10 to 12 years" plus locations in Northwest Indiana, Southeast Wisconsin, and a delivery- and take-out-only spot in suburban Flossmoor. Selling part of the company to Byron Trott will not change how the restaurants are run and who runs them, and Malnati says that the move doesn’t "accelerate our growth plan."

—Legendary blues club Kingston Mines will get much larger. DNAinfo reports that the club, which opened in 1968, is building an addition that will add 150 seats to the space, plus a new bar and renovated bathrooms. Construction has yet to begin and there’s no word when it will be finished.

—College students at DePaul and Northwestern who ordered pizza last night via UberEats got a surprise when Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler delivered their food. Check out a photo below.

Courtesy of UberEats

—Another shutter to sadly report: Shiso, a Japanese restaurant at 449 W. North Ave. in Old Town, will hold its last service on Sunday after eight years in business. Ownership says on a Facebook post that their lease is ending and to visit their sister restaurant Polygon Cafe in Andersonville. The closing adds to an increasingly sparse strip that may become even more sparse if Marcello’s Father & Son sells their plaza two blocks away.

—Band of Bohemia, the "culinary brewpub" from two Alinea vets in Ravenswood, is now distributing beer to retailers. The current offering is 22-ounce bottles of Noble Raven Ale and "Nicolette" Golden Lemongrass Belgian Ale. Check your local beer seller to see if they stock them.

—Speaking of beer, the annual Goose Island 312 Urban Block Party happens tonight and tomorrow starting at 5 p.m., where all beers, including Goose Island specialty brews, are just $3 and admission is free (though there’s a $10 suggested donation). There’s also a plethora of live music on two stages outside the Goose Island Taproom at 1800 W. Fulton St.

—Luella’s Southern Kitchen has discontinued breakfast service, according to a Facebook post, which also says that "we also will take what we thought worked for breakfast and improve our brunch offering with the next menu change."

—And finally, with the mob scenes and Jollibee and Seafood City, Filipino food is obviously hot in Chicago right now. And on Oct. 2 you can try a variety of Filipino restaurants in one place for just $20 at the Kultura Festival, where Kristine Subido of Pecking Order Catering; Chrissy Camba of Maddy’s Dumpling House; Bjorn DelaCruz of Manila Social Club in NYC; and more will gather at Emporium Logan Square and Surf next door. Click here for tickets and more info.