The Dog Days of Summer are Here but Your Plans are Just Heating Up with These Upcoming Happenings

BIG STAR SATURDAY MARKET SERIES FEATURING ANKER AND THE VIOLET HOUR

• DATE: July 28 / August 11
• LOCATION: Big Star Wicker Park parking lot (1531 N. Damen Ave.)
• TIME: 12-4 PM
• DETAILS: Summer is kicking into high gear and so is Big Star’s Saturday Market Series with two more installments. Anker takes over Big Star’s lot on July 28th with One Tail at a Time, a local rescue organization, for a mini adopt-a-thon and pop-up ice cream shop with freshly-made frozen treats from The Publican Pastry Chef Erika Chan. On August 11th, The Violet Hour will partner with The Drinking Fountain, a non-profit focused on raising money for clean water initiatives, to bring the speakeasy across the street with a special “botanical bar.” The market will feature DIY bitters kits, goods from Pilsen apothecary, Shadow Emporium, and a spirit-free punch featuring VH+, The Violet Hour’s speciality cocktail mixer. 

QUIOTE BURRITO BATTLE SERIES FEATURING NICO OSTERIA, BLACKBIRD, AND BIG STAR

• DATE: August 8 / August 22
• LOCATION: Quiote (2456 N. California Ave.)
• TIME: 6-9 PM
• PRICE: $20 (includes half of each team's burrito, a choice of: tall boy Modelo, house punch, or rosè. $5 of the $20 will go to the charity for the evening)
• DETAILS:  Dueling guest chefs “battle” for burrito supremacy in this reoccurring patio series where a portion of ticket sales benefits the evening's designated charity. On August 8th, watch two of One Off Hospitality’s finest chef de cuisines, Ryan Pfeiffer of Blackbird and Bill Montagne of Nico Osteria, go head to head as they put their burrito making skills to the test. On August 22nd, Big Star gets in on the action with Chef de Cuisine Julie Warpinski bringing her taco expertise to the competition as she faces off against Boka Catering.

BUILDING A BETTER FOOD SYSTEM W/ GREG WADE OF PUBLICAN QUALITY BREAD

• DATE: August 10
• LOCATION: The Publican (837 West Fulton Market)
• TIME: 8:30-10 AM
• PRICE/TICKET LINK: $15 / Available soon at: http://www.ctfoodbowl.com/events/?tribe_paged=1&tribe_event_display=list&eventDisplay=list&event_categories=panels-talks 
• DETAILS: Head to The Publican bright and early for a pre-work breakfast mixer featuring a gourmet Toast Bar and caffeinated beverages from Sparrow Coffee as you engage with members of the Artisan Grain Collaborative. In this exclusive panel, two-time James Beard nominee for Outstanding Baker Greg Wade of Publican Quality Bread moderates a discussion with bakers, farmers, millers, and other pivotal leaders in the field of artisanal breadmaking as they take a closer look at where our food is sourced and how we can improve our food systems for the common good. $5 of each ticket sold will be donated to the Spence Farm Foundation.

BIG STAR BBQ WITH LUDLOW LIQUORS

• DATE: August 12
• LOCATION: Big Star Wicker Park parking lot (1531 N. Damen Ave.)
• TIME: 5-9 PM
• DETAILS: Big Star and Chef de Cuisine Julie Warpinski team up with Avondale’s new neighborhood tavern, Ludlow Liquors, to throw a collaborative grill-out hosted at the Wicker Park honky tonk. Featuring food and drink specials from both concepts as well as blue collar-inspired bites from Old Habits, Ludlow Liquors’ permanent food installation, guests will also be able to jam out to live music courtesy of a band and DJ spinning records. 

BBQ & BREAKS AT DOVE’S LUNCHEONETTE

• DATE: August 12
• LOCATION: Dove’s Luncheonette (1545 N. Damen Ave.)
• TIME: 4 PM-close
• DETAILS: Bust a beat and enjoy some classic Texas-style BBQ at the latest installment of Dove’s new monthly series. Drawing inspiration from the German and Czech settlers who brought the tradition of smoking and slow cooking meats to Central Texas, the menu will feature dishes like brisket and pork spare ribs, dry rubbed and served with sauce on the side, as well as potato salad, coleslaw, Mexican rice and green beans. Guests will also be able to imbibe with whiskey and mezcal old fashions and other drink specials while they jam to a curated soundtrack of breakbeat music. 

GREAT CHEFS EVENT CHICAGO BENEFITTING ALEX’S LEMONADE STAND

• DATE: August 13
• LOCATION: Revel Fulton Market (1215 W. Fulton Market)
• TIME: 6:30-10 PM
• PRICE/TICKET LINK: $195 / https://www.alexslemonade.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=235 
• DETAILS: One Off Hospitality group’s Executive Chef/Partner Paul Kahan and Partner Donnie Madia Gianfrancisco, along with Chef Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia, host an exclusive culinary event that brings together over 30 superstar chefs from across the country to share their one-of-a-kind dishes. Featuring delicious food, drinks, and a silent auction, a portion of the event’s proceeds will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting childhood cancer.