Openings
Open now: October seems like a good month to eat pierogi, right? You can now consume the Pierogi Wagon food truck’s versions of the hefty dumpling in a covered, stationary space called Polak Eatery (1043 N. California Ave., Humboldt Park, 312-291-1902)—there’s also kielbasa, eggs, and coffee to boot.
Morsels
In case you’ve forgotten, this is your regularly scheduled reminder that Hot Doug’s (3324 N. California Ave., Avondale) is closing Friday. (You didn’t forget.)
As you can see above, things are pretty bleak right now, new-restaurant-wise. Worse, there are more shutterings to report this week: Just a few months after settling in, Laughing Bird (4514 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Square) is done. The building it occupies has been sold. Chrissy Camba’s (Bar Pastoral) homage to her family’s Filipino cooking was unsteady from the start, garnering mixed reviews from critics (including our own Jeff Ruby) in its five months on the scene.
Also boarding up: Savoia T’Go (402 W. Lincoln Highway, Chicago Heights), an eight-decade Italian food stalwart. You have until 7 p.m. tonight to load up on scratch-made pastas and sauces, Italian beef, and roast chicken.
After so much depressing news, you probably need a meal. Could be a good time to swing by Lockwood (Palmer House, 17 E. Monroe St., Loop, 312-917-3404 ), which has a new chef. Mathew Wiltzius, formerly of the Waldorf Astoria, is helming the kitchen now and has spruced up the menu for fall—look for an heirloom carrot salad, grilled ribeye, and beef tartare.