South Side Institution Bridgeport Bakery to Close After at Least 47 Years

Bridgeport Bakery to close after selling paczki for at least 47 years

A legendary South Side bakery is sadly closing for good at the end of the month. Bridgeport Bakery, known for at least 47 years for its paczki, maple bacon doughnuts, wedding cakes, and more, will close at 2907 S. Archer Avenue on October 31, ownership announced on Facebook yesterday, and Block Club and the Tribune report that owner Ron Pavelka is retiring. It has been open for 47 years, according to ownership and Block Club, but the Tribune reports it has actually been open for 78 years. It will be missed by many, regardless of how long it has been in business for.

A new restaurant will soon open inside Eataly Chicago

Eataly Chicago will open a new restaurant on November 1 where diners can create their own dishes from the market counters, Block Club reports. The 96-seat Osteria Del Mercato, which will also have a set menu, will replace Il Pesce, Le Verdure and La Piazza inside the Italian superstore and food hall.

Battle over Chicago’s food truck laws could head to the U.S. Supreme Court

The battle over Chicago’s restrictive food truck laws continues to rage — all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Attorneys for the owner of the Cupcakes for Courage truck, who has fought rulings for seven years, filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to review the Chicago law that requires trucks to install GPS tracking devices, the Tribune reports. Back in May the Illinois Supreme Court upheld that provision and the one barring trucks from parking within 200 feet of restaurants. The U.S. Supreme Court could take months to decide whether to take the case, according to the report.

Jean Banchet Awards accepting nominees for 2020

And finally, nomination ballots are now open through October 20 for all 15 categories of the 2020 Jean Banchet Awards, the preeminent restaurant and chef awards in Chicago. The winners will be announced at an event on January 19.