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— After causing a Twitter meltdown upon asking for Chicago restaurant and pizza recommendations, Roger Federer — perhaps the best tennis player ever — chowed down on Chicago deep-dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s in the South Loop earlier this week with fellow legends John McEnroe, Rod Laver, and current star Nick Kyrgios. And it appears that they loved it, as Federer and Kyrgios even took pies to go, a rep says. Check out a video below of the crew eating with approval, although the always-outspoken McEnroe tells the Australian Laver that “you can’t cut pizza...that’s against the rules.” The quartet is in town this week for the Laver Cup at the United Center.
— The Chicago location of New York-based Bareburger has been closed for a while and there’s no official word when it’ll reopen. After rumors spread that the restaurant at 3357 N. Lincoln Avenue might be closed for good, a rep writes that “We had some trouble with the plumbing in our kitchen this past January and although we fixed it, the issue was only relieved temporarily. After having a few too many leaks in the beginning week of March, the landlord and Bareburger Chi ownership decided to properly fix this problem since it affects the vacant building next door as well! Will keep you looped in! We’ll be back!” Stay tuned.
— Popular sophisticated north suburban restaurant Milwalky Trace will close later this spring to reconcept into a barbecue restaurant. Its replacement Oscar Lee’s Barbecue will serve Libertyville folks smoked Texas-style ‘que including brisket, ribs, and pulled pork in a family-friendly atmosphere with a full bar. Milwalky Trace will stay open “for a few more weeks” before the reconcept and ownership hopes to reopen it in a new location.
— Eater 38 and Michelin-starred chef-driven brewpub restaurant Band of Bohemia has unveiled a new private dining room. The space, which “pays homage to Band of Bohemia’s gypsy namesake,” seats 48 people and three prix fixe food options ($75, $95, and $125 per person) and four different bar options are available there.
— In more pizza news, popular North Side spot Pizzeria Aroma will move to a larger location nearby this fall. Ownership will vacate the space at 1125 W. Berwyn Avenue they’ve called home for nearly 20 years in order to take over the former La Fonda Latino Grill space at 5350 N. Broadway Street on October 1, which is around three times larger and has a patio, Edgeville Buzz reports. They hope to open the new spot by the end of the year.
— And finally, the owner of one of Chicago’s favorite fried chicken spots has suddenly passed away. Mother Cluckers Kitchen owner Richard Schweigel was 56 and his memorial services are today. His Sauganash and recently-opened suburban Palatine restaurants, which are among Eater Chicago’s essentials for fried chicken sandwiches and chicken and waffles, live on.