Wrigleyville’s Acclaimed Detroit-Style Pizza Restaurant Union Full Board to Close After One Year

Acclaimed Detroit-style pizza restaurant and cocktail bar closes after one year in Wrigleyville

Two of the newer additions to the changing Wrigleyville restaurant and bar scene are closing following the end of the Cubs’ season. After chain spot Beerhead Bar & Eatery closed a little more than two weeks ago — lasting one season in the neighborhood — now ownership of acclaimed Detroit-style pizza purveyor Union Full Board and its subterranean cocktail sibling Tinkers To Evers announced on social media that they’re closing at the end of the month after one year on Clark Street, writing that “unfortunately baseball season will not sustain us throughout the year” and “the bar-centric Wrigley neighborhood is just not a good fit for us.” Union’s ownership, which still operates in Evanston, is looking for a different city location to open at.

It’s ‘business as usual’ at Joe Maddon’s restaurant after manager leaves Cubs

Meanwhile, one Wrigleyville restaurant that apparently won’t close soon is the one with departed Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon’s name on it. Less than two weeks after Maddon and the Cubs parted ways, representatives for Maddon’s Post sent out a statement yesterday saying “It’s business as usual and the restaurant and bar will continue to be all that Joe and Chef Tony Mantuano envisioned.” Management has set up a “special mail station” at the restaurant for fans to share Cubs memories with Maddon. The Tribune’s baseball columnist has more.

Florida-based mac and cheese chain plans to open multiple Chicagoland restaurants

Florida fast casual chain I Heart Mac & Cheese is bound for Chicagoland next year with three franchises planning to open in Chicago, Evanston, and Skokie in 2020. Customers can create their own macaroni and cheese combinations with a variety of toppings at the restaurants, as well as customize grilled cheese sandwiches, and salads. “There’s no cooking involved,” according to CEO and chairman Stephen Giordanella, who explained that ingredients are defrosted, portioned, and heated on a conveyor belt-type oven. The exact locations are not yet finalized, but Giordanella said he plans to secure a spot at Woodfield Mall in suburban Schaumburg.

Chicago restaurants to ‘dress up’ as Olive Garden and ‘Tao Song’ for Halloween

And finally, many local restaurants and bars are finalizing their Halloween events this year and two spots announced that they’re planning to “dress up” as other restaurants. St. Lou’s Assembly in the West Loop will become a take on Olive Garden, complete with endless breadsticks, decor including “fake climbing ivy plants,” plenty of Italian red sauce food, and more from October 30 through November 1. And Young American in Logan Square will turn into “everyone’s favorite nightclub-restaurant hybrid, Tao Song,” with “fog, luxury, bottle service and hardbody mentalities with Laotian flair,” as well as Laotian food in both tasting menus and a la carte. Stay tuned for more events in Eater Chicago’s annual roundup.