Louisa Kung Liu Chu

Louisa Kung Liu Chu is the two-time James Beard nominated food critic at the Chicago Tribune. Previously she was a chef, a food reporter at WBEZ and a fixer for Anthony Bourdain. Chu is Chinese American, born in Hong Kong, but raised in Chicago, working at her family’s chop suey restaurant.

The Parachute cheeseburger at Parachute HiFi. It gets cut in half, placed cut side down in its own pool of cheese, plus a pour of bordelaise, the classic French red wine sauce typically reserved for steak. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Restaurant review: Parachute HiFi flies high with creative Korean American food and cocktails in Chicago

May 20, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The creative Korean American restaurant and cocktail bar in Avondale retains its original Michelin-starred DNA, but is reimagined.

The Fossilized Humita Bone course with red prawn head, edible dust and empanada on stone, with marrow bone, Argentinian humita, chimichurri sauces and live fire bowl at Alinea on April 23, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Alinea celebrates 20 years of modernist fine dining in Chicago, but our critic says it’s time to let go of the balloon

May 5, 2025 at 6:18 p.m.

Alinea, the modernist tasting-menu restaurant marking a milestone 20th anniversary this week, remains the most important fine dining establishment in Chicago, but it’s not at its best.

The seafood platter at Proxi in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood on April 24, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Restaurant news: Proxi evolves with coastal Asian focus in the West Loop

April 30, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The evolution of Proxi is a culmination of the journeys of executive chef Andrew Zimmerman, managing partner Emmanuel Nony and chef de cuisine Jennifer Kim.

Funeral Potatoes chef Alexis Rice prepares dishes in the kitchen at Moonflower, April 17, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Restaurant review: Funeral Potatoes, magical Midwestern comfort food, at Moonflower cocktail bar in Chicago

April 22, 2025 at 1:06 p.m.

Thoughtful monthly and weekly food specials, and even a whimsical mystery grilled cheese sandwich, heighten the experience.

The smoked beef ribs on April 3, 2025, at M'daKhan, a new-generation Palestinian restaurant in Bridgeview. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Restaurant review: M’daKhan, Middle Eastern food by way of backyard barbecues in Little Palestine near Chicago

April 7, 2025 at 10:32 a.m.

The bestselling smoked beef ribs, a pair piled high on a platter, explores the convergence of culinary cultures.

Customers line up during the lunch rush as others dine in at Kanin, a new Filipino Hawaiian bodega in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood, on March 21, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Restaurant news: Kanin, a Filipino Hawaiian bodega in Ravenswood, opens with lines two blocks long in Chicago

April 3, 2025 at 12:15 p.m.

Plus more openings, closings and pizza news, including tavern and Detroit style, in the city and suburbs.

Critics Choice winners are, clockwise from top left, the lobster salad at John’s Food & Wine, chef-owners Oliver Poilevey, Marcos Ascensio and Antonio Incandela of Mariscos San Pedro, chef/owner Maya-Camille Broussard of Justice of the Pies, the ample offerings at Sanders BBQ Supply Co. and executive pastry chef and partner Leigh Omilinsky of Daisies. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Critic’s Choice Food Awards winners: 9 outstanding Chicago restaurants, bakeries and more

March 26, 2025 at 11:05 a.m.

This year's winners have each built a wondrous world and exceeded expectations, representing our taste at this moment in time and beyond.

That Jerk, a sliced jerk-infused corned beef sandwich on rye bread, at The Corned Beef Hideout in Romeoville on March 7, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Guide: 30 best corned beef sandwiches around Chicago in 2025, featuring That Jerk at The Corned Beef Hideout

March 11, 2025 at 1:29 p.m.

Here are the 30 best corned beef sandwiches offered in and around Chicago.

Co-owner Audrey Borden delivers a coffee flight for customers at Coffee Shop of the Year October Cafe in Chicago on Feb. 22, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Readers’ Choice Food Awards winners: 10 restaurants, bars, bakeries and more that impressed Chicago in 2024

March 5, 2025 at 11:03 a.m.

After thousands of votes, here are the 10 winning restaurants, bars and more in the 13th edition of the Tribune Readers' Choice Food Awards.

The Carnitas Especial meal at Las Carnitas Uruapan on Feb. 18, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Restaurant news: Carnitas Uruapan, Mexican taqueria, opens Little Village flagship after 50 years in Chicago

February 24, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Second generation owner Marcos Carbajal is a James Beard Awards semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur this year.

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