Patio
New cafe and bistro concept serving upscale Mediterranean cuisine in Chicago’s Near South Side/Prairie District. Owner Shaw Farokhi plans a soft opening in mid-June 2026, full cafe opening in July, with the bistro to follow. Menu not yet released. Described as a space for coffee, brunch, cocktails, and late nights.
Sassy Mac Boys
Sassy Mac Boys, a mac and cheese concept that started as a food truck in 2023, is opening a second location inside CherryVale Mall. Owner Donald Czyzyk is targeting a June 20 opening. Menu includes mac and cheese bowls, nachos, and milkshakes. Owner also plans to expand via franchise model throughout Illinois and potentially Chicago […]
Monarch Community Cafe
Community-focused all-day cafe in Rogers Park neighborhood. 3,500 sq ft space offering coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches, salads, yogurt bowls, specialty milkshakes, and a retail market. Open 6am-8pm Mon-Sat. Raised $32,000 via Kickstarter. Owners Josh Marshall (former Intelligentsia Coffee) and Lynn Marshall. Targeting June 15 opening pending final inspections and licensing.
7 Brew
7 Brew drive-thru coffee franchise operated by franchise group Who Brew is under construction in Waukegan, IL near the Green Bay Road intersection. Menu includes hot and cold brew coffees, energy drinks, fizz drinks, teas, lemonades, and shakes. Target opening is end of June or early July 2026. Who Brew also has plans for additional […]
Hummingbird Bowls
Woman-owned fast-casual restaurant focused on healthy food including smoothies, bowls, and light bites. Founded by Amy Feldman, a third-generation Skokie resident with 25+ years in the natural food industry. Features a monthly community menu program where customers submit ideas and 100% of proceeds from winning items go to a selected nonprofit.
Tatsu Ramen House
Tatsu Ramen House, a family-owned ramen restaurant by Mongolian chef Erdane Sainnyambu, is planning a third location in DeKalb, IL — described as ‘sometime next year’ relative to the May 2026 article. The chef is currently in talks with multiple properties and no address has been announced. Existing locations are in Elgin (2490 Bushwood Drive) […]
Vasco’s Peri Peri
New Vasco’s Peri Peri location opening at Wheatland Marketplace shopping center in Naperville, IL. This is the fourth location for the Portuguese-Indian fusion fast-casual chain, personally owned by founder Samir Ajmeri and his wife. Menu features Peri Peri fried chicken, pitas, wraps, bowls, and platters. Owner is targeting a July 2026 debut.
Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken
Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken & Korean Food Restaurant is coming soon to Green Street in Champaign, IL. The international chain will serve Korean fried chicken, bibimbap, bulgogi, and other Korean dishes. No opening date has been announced yet.
Jimmy’s Authentic Chicago Style Food
Chicago-style street food restaurant specializing in Maxwell Street-style Polish sausage, Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, jerk chicken, gyros, burgers, and wings. Open 10am-4am daily with drive-thru only after 10pm. Renovations complete, awaiting final inspection before finishing hiring and opening. Owner Adel Thabet has prior Chicago-style restaurant experience from Mr. J’s on Kishwaukee Street.
Prasino Cafe
Prasino Cafe, a Mediterranean and Greek-inspired restaurant known for salads, bowls, and wraps, has signed a lease for approximately 2,800 sq ft of river-level retail space at the base of Trump International Hotel & Tower. Owner Ted Maglaris cited proximity to river boat tourists and outdoor seating potential as key draws. The restaurant is expected […]