Wrigleyville Hot Dog Icon Catches Fire, More on Topolo’s Beard Win, More Intel

—One of the most popular hot dog stands on the North Side, which is also one of Eater Chicago’s recommended restaurants near Wrigley Field, is shuttered — at least temporarily. Byron’s Hot Dogs’ location at 1017 W. Irving Park Road suffered a “small” fire, according to a Facebook post, and is now “closed for repairs until further notice.” Customers can get their fix at its sister restaurant at 1701 W. Lawrence Ave. for now, as there’s no word on when it might reopen.

—Rick Bayless is still basking in the afterglow of Topolobampo’s surprising Outstanding Restaurant win at the 2017 James Beard Awards on Monday night. Bayless told the Tribune that he’s honored to still get the highest level of restaurant recognition in America after his landmark fine-dining Mexican restaurant has been open for nearly three decades, which he describes as “like a great big hug.” And Eater National isn’t the only one who thought that Topolo’s win was a major surprise, as Bayless said that “I wasn't even thinking we would be a contender."

—Those who miss the popular naanwiches from Matt Maroni’s defunct Gaztro-Wagon are in luck — they’re now available again from his new virtual restaurant ChurriNaan, the Trib reports, which launched yesterday. The “restaurant,” which joins the delivery-only trend via Grubhub or Door Dash, is run out of Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro’s kitchen in North Center. Check out the full menu or more details here.

—One of the year’s highest-anticipated restaurant, Zoe Schor’s Split-Rail in West Town, is getting closer. The former Ada Street chef has put together her team — getting the band back together from her former stomping grounds — announcing Mickey Knutson (sous chef), Brenna Washow (beverage manager), and Michelle Szot (general manager). All three worked with Schor at Ada Street. The continuity of familiarity of the team could bode well for the restaurant’s success, as Sarah Grueneberg cited similar continuity and familiarity of her Monteverde team — which all came over from Spiaggia — as a major reason for her Beard Award win on Monday night. It’s slated to open in early June.

—The reborn Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, which reopened in early February in the South Loop following a two-year hiatus after burning in an ironic fire, restarts weekday lunch service tomorrow. Check out the full menu here.

—And finally, major chefs from around the country, who were in town for the Beard Awards, ate at Roister, Dove’s Luncheonette, Momotaro, Oriole, and others. Check out the full story on Tasting Table for more.