Essential Cajun Restaurant Maple Tree Inn Went Up in Flames This Morning

— On the heels of the news about one beloved four-decade-old Chicagoland restaurant’s impending closure, another is closed now — but ownership vows that it’s temporary. Maple Tree Inn, an essential suburban and cajun restaurant in Blue Island, suffered an early morning fire that also damaged a second-floor apartment where the co-owner’s family lived, WGN reports. Thankfully no one was hurt and crews are working on a ruptured gas line. Ownership released a statement saying they are “devastated emotionally” and “Maple Tree Inn has had multiple, successful chapters and there will be many more.” They vow to rebuild, so stay tuned for updates.

— The full 2018 lineup for Chicago Gourmet is out, which features an opening act with Rick Bayless and Diana Davila, live bands on the great lawn, and cooking demos with Stephanie Izard, Joe Flamm, and many more on September 26 and September 27. Tickets for the annual extravaganza, which many believe is Chicago’s top food festival, are available here. These opening events happen before the regular weekend festival dates on September 29 and 30. Check it out the weekend lineup here.

— The owners of popular food truck the Pierogi Wagon have placed an ad on Craigslist to sell their licensed truck and entire business. They told the Reader that the buyer has to keep running it as is and that they’re moving out of state. Their brick-and-mortar restaurant Lucy’s will stay in business too.

— Merchant, the new restaurant and bar in the former Dunlay’s space in Logan Square, kicks off weekend brunch service tomorrow. “Huevos Benedicto” (masa griddle cake, chorizo, choice of egg for $12) highlights the menu, a rep says.

— And finally, in the latest Superman comic released this week, Clark Kent flies to Chicago and finds himself outside of a famous North Side hot dog spot. The final page of Action Comics No. 1002 shows Supes tracking down Lois Lane at Superdawg. Artist Patrick Gleason drew the famous giant paper mâché hot dogs that stand on the drive-in’s roof in a panel. Lane isn’t in a car, instead she’s walking out of the restaurant with a bag complaining about the pickles in her order. For those interested in accuracy note that Lane is walking away with a bag — Superdawg serves its food in cardboard boxes. Regardless, it’s still a solid wink for the 70-year-old Chicago icon. Lane probably couldn’t find a good hot dog in Metropolis.