Chicago newspaperman Rick Kogan plunks down at a barstool at the Billy Goat Tavern and tells the tales of the city landmark, which became a haven for newspaper reporters, policemen, politicians, and anyone else drawn to the hospitality and showmanship of hardworking William “Billy Goat” Sianis and his often antic, uniquely comforting establishment. The story begins in the summer of 1934, when a baby goat fell off a truck and limped into a tavern owned by Greek immigrant William Sianis, and a Chicago icon was born. Later, when he and one of his goats were barred from entering Wrigley Field during the 1945 World Series, the Cubs’ eventual loss to Detroit fueled a legend as enduring as their fans’ “Wait ’til next year” mantra. Kogan writes about some of the regulars, visitors, employees, and luminaries found at the tavern, including columnist Mike Royko and the young stars who immortalized the tavern in the Saturday Night Live "Olympia Diner" skit—John Belushi, Bill Murray, and Don Novello—and discusses Sam Sianis, Billy's nephew and the current owner. Let the Goat In! In the summer of 1934, a baby goat fell off a truck, limped into a tavern owned by Greek immigrant William Sianis, and a Chicago icon was born. The Billy Goat Inn became a haven for newspaper reporters, policemen, politicians, and anyone else drawn to the hospitality and showmanship of hardworking "Billy Goat" Sianis and his often antic, uniquely comforting establishment. But did Billy jinx the Cubs? When he and one of his goats were barred from entering Wrigley Field during the 1945 World Series, the Cubs' eventual loss to Detroit fueled a legend as enduring as their fans' "Wait 'til next year" mantra. Today there are seven Billy Goat Taverns, including one in Washington, D.C., and Billy's nephew, Sam Sianis--a celebrity in his own right--oversees what Illinois Senator Dick Durbin called "a national institution." Rick Kogan's affectionate tale plunks you down at a barstool next to some of the Billy Goat's regulars, visitors, employees, and such luminaries as columnist Mike Royko, and those young stars--John Belushi, Bill Murray, and Don Novello--who immortalized Sam and the tavern in the Saturday Night Live Olympia Diner ("Cheezborger, Cheezborger! No fries . . . chips!") skits. "I remember . . . I miss . . .," someone will say, and names and faces begin to float through the tavern air. . . In these echoes Kogan lets you see and hear why taverns remain essential social focal points and lets you understand what makes a Chicago original.

Offers profiles of one hundred bars in Chicago, including the type of food and drinks served, the kind of music played, and the history of each establishment.

"The Ultimate Guide to Chicago Pizza: A History of Squares & Slices in the Windy City takes on Chicago pizza and its histories, zeroing in on the city proper, legendary places and chef and signature styles"--

From dancing at Hanleys House of Happiness to raising pints at Kellys Pub on St. Patricks Day, the history of the Irish community in Chicago is told through stories of its gathering places. Families are drawn to the pub after Sunday church, in the midst of sporting events, following funerals, and during weddings. In good times and bad, the pub has been a source of comfort, instruction, and joya constant in a changing world. Based on interviews with tavern owners, musicians, bartenders, and scholars, Chicagos Historic Irish Pubs explores the way the Irish pub defines its block, its neighborhood, and its city.

Published two years after their award-winning newspaper series, this is the compelling, day-by-day account of two Sun-Times reporters who infiltrated the small businessman's world to expose corruption within the Chicago government. Zekman and Smith bought The Mirage tavern, then sat back and recorded the parade of city inspectors, liquor vendors, tradesmen, and others with their sticky fingers extended. With evidence in hand, they shut down the bar and wrote a series of articles that have never been matched in intensity and long-term effect. The Mirage became synonymous with Chicago corruption. The journalistic accolades also flowed in, but the Zekman and Smith's bid for the biggest-the Pulitzer Prize-was torpedoed, perhaps by jealous colleagues at another major metropolitan paper. This edition includes a new afterword by the authors.

From the world's largest urinal to the worst drunken story ever told, from the reformed ex-con Big Ol' Pimp to the sink pissing Pudge, Chicago's Best Dive Bars: Drinking and Diving in the Windy City brings you the sights, sounds and smells of over ninety of the city's deliciously divey spots. This essential nightlife guide provides the lowdown on where to find the cheapest drinks, the scariest crowds, the coolest jukeboxes and everything else that makes a dive bar dive. So, if you are sick of the tourist traps and hipster havens listed in those "other" guide books and want to discover "real" drinking Chicago in all its grungy glory, Chicago's Best Dive Bars brings you the whole story, straight, no chaser. Book jacket.

Find your way to the most historic saloons, pubs, and dives of America. These are the watering holes that shaped our nation and created our country. Find the favorite spots of our Founding Fathers, the places where the most well-known celebrities could relax, and the joints that most wouldn’t walk into without a bodyguard. For each bar, you will get a complete history taken directly from the owners and bartenders. You’ll find out what to expect when you go today. You’ll get advice on what drinks and food to order. And we’ll even share insider’s tips so you won’t stand out like a tourist. You’ll also get instant access to brief online documentaries made for each bar so you’ll know before going exactly what to expect, what to order, and who to talk to. Bucket List Bars is the definitive guide to the historic saloons, pubs, and dives of America. Also Included: • QR Code-Linked Documentary Video of Each Bar—A First of its Kind for Guidebooks • QR Code-Linked Videos of Their Signature Drinks So You Know What to Order • Nearby Distractions in the Area To Make Each Visit Complete • Other Notable Bars Nearby To Visit If You Have the Time Featuring: Austin Boston Area Chicago Denver El Paso area Las Vegas Los Angeles New York City Philadelphia San Antonio San Francisco Tucson Area -- This book provides travel-guide like information to business travelers, history buffs and drinking culture enthusiasts. My partner and I have spent the last year traveling the country filming, photographic and documenting almost 50 historic bars from New York to Los Angeles, from 1673 to 1968. We've not only written about these, but also created brief documentaries of each that showcases them in their historic context, provides an assessment of food, drink, decor, etc, and interviews the bartenders and owners. Each chapter will include QR codes linking the reader to these videos that they can watch on their mobile device for free. This will be the first book in a multi-book series based on the same theme.

Winner of the 2018 International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Cookbook Award for "Chefs & Restaurants" category The highly anticipated narrative-rich cookbook by Chicago’s superstar chef, Paul Kahan, whose destination restaurant, The Publican, is known for its incredibly delicious pork- and seafood-centric, beer-friendly cooking. The Publican, often named one of Chicago’s most popular restaurants, conjures a colonial American beer hall with its massive communal tables, high-backed chairs, deep beer list, and Kahan’s hallmark style of crave-worthy heartland cooking that transcends the expected and is eminently cookable. Cheers to The Publican is Paul Kahan’s and Executive Chef Cosmo Goss’s toast to the food they love to make and share, the characters who produce the ingredients that inspire them, and the other cooks they honor. Larded with rich story-telling and featuring more than 150 evocative photographs and 150 recipes for vegetables and salads, fish and seafood, meat, simple charcuterie, and breads and spreads, Cheers to The Publican is sure to be one of the most talked-about and cooked-from cookbooks of the year.

For two generations of Americans, reading Ann Landers's daily column was as important as eating breakfast. For nearly fifty years an entire nation turned to this quick-witted, worldly-wise counselor for advice on everything from dinner etiquette to sex. But who was the woman behind the byline? Iowa-born Eppie Lederer was first hired by the Chicago Sun-Times to take over the daily advice column in 1955 -- and over the next half-century she helped shape the nation's social and sexual landscape. Award-winning journalist Rick Kogan was Ann Landers's last editor and close friend, and he paints a fascinating, full-bodied account of the triumphs, the wisdom, the courage, and the trials of one of the twentieth century's most enduring icons -- including her painful lifelong feud with her identical twin sister, "Dear Abby"; her stubborn refusal to shy away from even the most controversial topics; and the tragic breakup of her own thirty-six-year marriage. Filled with remarkable stories shared by people from all walks of life who were profoundly affected by the good sense and guidance of Ann Landers, America's Mom is a moving tribute to a singular woman who has earned an eternal place in our culture ... and our hearts.

In the 1960s and '70s, class struggle surged in U.S. industrial cities. Many leftists joined these struggles by going to work in the nation's factories; among them was Noel Ignatiev. He labored in different factories during this period, and this memoir came from his experiences as an electrician in the blast furnace division of U.S. Steel Gary Works. His first-hand account reveals the day-to-day workings of white supremacy, patriarchy, and the exploitation of labor. More so, though, we see the seeds of a new society sown in the workers' on-the-job resistance. The stories Noel tells are gripping and humorous--and at times will bring you to tears.