with Neal Samors and Eric Bronsky

Podcast courtesy of WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified

We will explore Chicago’s classic restaurants from pre-1900 until the present including classics like Henrici’s, Fritzel’s, Shangri-La, The Bakery, Le Perroquet, The Berghoff, The Pump Room, The Cape Cod Room, The Walnut Room, and Gordon among many others. Then, post-1970, Richard Melman and Lawrence Levy introduced a new type of fun restaurant atmosphere in Chicago restaurants that ranged from R.J. Grunts, D.B. Kaplan, and Fritz That’s It! to Lawrence of Oregano and Jonathan Livingston Seafood. Then there were the more upscale, traditional classic restaurants that included Ambria and Le Francais which preceded Everest, Tru, Trio, and Spiaggia. Chicago has traveled a long road to achieve its status with world-class restaurants that include Charlie Trotter’s, Rick Bayless’ Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, Scott Harris’ Francesca restaurants and Davanti Enoteca, Boka, Perennial, Girl and the Goat, Blackbird, Avec, Hugo’s Frog Bar, and Grant Achatz’ Alinea and Next.

Dr. Samors is a lifelong resident of Chicago who grew up on the city’s Far North Side and developed a passion for the history, neighborhoods and people of Chicago and its surrounding areas. His books reflect a continued commitment to tell the many stories about his hometown from its inception to the present.

Mr. Bronsky, also a native Chicagoan, is a freelance writer, historian, photographer and transit enthusiast.  He has co-authored two award-winning books with Dr. Samors.

Program hosted at Kendall College.