Amy Cavanaugh
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Dining editor @ChicagoMag. Editor of American Weekender, americanweekender.com
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Articles by Amy Cavanaugh
Weekend Getaway: Alabama’s Gulf Coast
A sun-drenched afternoon on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! First, a bit of exciting news — this week, the International Association of Culinary Professionals announced the nominees for their annual food writing awards and American Weekender is a finalist for best dining guides! We are being honored for three of our Field Guides: Charleston, Cleveland, and McMinnville and Oregon Wine Country.
The best hot dogs in Chicago, according to someone who has tried 'em all
If you're looking for the best hot dog in Chicago, you've come to the right place. While I can't tell you how many hot dogs I've eaten in my life, I am sure that number is in the many thousands. After high school, I worked at Nick's Nest, a hot dog stand in my Massachusetts hometown, where I would have one for lunch every day. They're a favorite food to eat while traveling , and I regularly grab them in my daily life as well, because I live in Chicago, where the hot dog is a local staple.
The Best Hot Dogs in Chicago, According to Someone Who Has Tried 'Em All
If you’re looking for the best hot dog in Chicago, you’ve come to the right place. While I can’t tell you how many hot dogs I’ve eaten in my life, I am sure that number is in the many thousands. After high school, I worked at Nick’s Nest, a hot dog stand in my Massachusetts hometown, where I would have one for lunch every day. They’re a favorite food to eat while traveling, and I regularly grab them in my daily life as well, because I live in Chicago, where the hot dog is a local staple.
The Best Hot Dogs in Chicago, According to Someone Who Has Tried 'Em All
7 hours ago Image Credit: David Petrus Ibars/iStock Losing a dog is one of the quietest griefs there is. It’s also one of the heaviest. When a pet dies, owners can feel grief on a par with losing a person, a review of the research found. About two-thirds of U.S. households have a pet. Yet people grieving one are …
Eight Great Kansas City Sandwiches
Bacon Basic Bodega at West Plaza Bodega is one of our favorite breakfast sandwiches in KC. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Is there anything better than a great sandwich? Truly, sandwiches are one of our favorite things to eat, and often it’s the thing that can quickly cut to the heart of a city’s food culture.
Milwaukee’s Purslane Journeys from the Mediterranean to the Midwest
Purslane’s Meze Trio with hummus bi tahini, whipped avocado, muhammara, and pita. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! There are a handful of chefs we’ve followed throughout their careers, from restaurant to restaurant, state to state. Mary Kastman is one. We first dined at Sarma in Somerville, Massachusetts, while she was the sous chef. Next, we ate at the Driftless Café in Viroqua, Wisconsin, while she was the executive chef.
The Classics: Pensacola, Florida
McGuire’s Irish Pub first opened in 1977. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Just a few days ago, Hurricane Isaias hit the Florida panhandle, bringing with it powerful winds and heavy rain, and leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power. In Pensacola, many were fearing the worst, but thankfully the storm passed by causing only minimal damage and allowing the community to quickly pivot to cleanup efforts.
Best West Loop restaurants and bars to go to after the United Center
Photograph: Kevin J. Miyazaki | Au Cheval cheeseburger Photograph: Kevin J. Miyazaki Celebrate a victory or drown your sorrows with a beer or burger at these spots near the United Center. Wednesday October 14 2026 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email WhatsApp Written by: Amy Cavanaugh Advertising Whether your team won or lost, or if you're still on a post-concert high, you'll likely want to head out on the town after leaving the United Center.
The 13 best restaurants near the United Center
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas for Time Out | The Loyalist's cheeseburger Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas for Time Out Pregame with great food and drinks before hitting the stadium. Tuesday October 13 2026 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email WhatsApp Contributors: Amy Cavanaugh, Jeffy Mai & Isaiah Reynolds Advertising Home to the Bulls, Blackhawks and a wide range of shows, the United Center is a popular venue year-round.
Why We Love Fall in Saugatuck, Michigan
Cider doughnuts, winery visits, and seasonal produce abound in the charming Michigan town. Saugatuck Village Hall. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Today we’re sharing some favorite ways to spend time in Saugatuck, Michigan this season. We often visit in September or October — and just had a great trip there last month. It’s quieter this time of year, with smaller crowds but just as much beauty.
Weekend Getaway: Return to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Featuring breakfast favorites, classic lunch spots, fine dining, plus some of the city's unique neighborhood taverns Summer views along the Milwaukee Riverwalk. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Today we’re sharing a big update to our Milwaukee, Wisconsin Field Guide. Milwaukee is a short drive from our home in Chicago, and we are regular visitors.
Charlottesville’s Superlative Ham Biscuit
Welcome to the weekend! Today we’re sharing one of our can’t-miss dishes from the road: The terrific ham biscuits from Charlottesville, Virginia’s Stock Provisions. You may think you have had a ham biscuit, a definitive food stuff of the South and Charlottesville’s signature dish, but this one changes the game. Read about why you need to add it to your eating list. This week’s newsletter was originally going to focus on an Indianapolis restaurant called Magdalena.
Bar Crawl: Nashville, Tennessee
Welcome to the weekend! Today we’re going on a drinking tour of Nashville, Tennessee, a city known for its robust bar culture. There are honky tonks. There are spots built for bachelor and bachelorette parties. There are dives, oyster bars, and cocktail bars. There is even one of our top tropical bars. Our Bar Crawl newsletters highlight some of our favorite bars in a city we love.
8 Great Midwest Bakeries with Martin Sorge
Hoosier Mama Pie Company in Chicago. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Since starting American Weekender, we have seen first-hand how America’s dining scene has evolved. One major takeaway: Our country has seen a massive rise in bakeries. There are reasons for this. A lot of new bakeries are from folks who discovered a love of home baking during the pandemic. They got in a lot of practice, hosted pop-ups when they could, and eventually opened their own brick and mortar spots.
Weekend Getaway: Bloomington, Indiana
Spring on the Indiana University campus. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Today we’re sharing our favorite spots to eat and drink in Bloomington, Indiana, a charming college town in the central part of the state. Home to Indiana University, Bloomington makes for a fine fall weekend getaway, whether you’re an alum or not.
Overnight Stay: Springfield, Illinois
The Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Today we’re off to Springfield, the capital of Illinois. If the city is known for one thing, it’s that Abraham Lincoln lived there from 1837 until 1861, and it’s where you’ll find his tomb, his home, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. If the city is known for another thing, it’s that it’s located along Route 66, which turns 100 this year.
7 Great Regional Specialties in Upstate New York
The World Famous Hot Dogs at Famous Lunch in Troy, New York. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! We love regional food and we are constantly seeking out the dishes that make a place special. Over the years, American Weekender has written about Wisconsin’s Racine kringles; Maine’s lobster rolls; New Orleans po’boys; The Region burgers in Indiana; Connecticut’s New Haven apizza; West Virginia’s pepperoni rolls; and more.
Weekend Getaway: Kansas City
The 3B sandwich at Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! In today’s newsletter, we’re off to Kansas City, where we recently spent a great week exploring. The city is located along the Kansas and Missouri border, so you’ll go back and forth between the two states, and over our visits, we have found a lot to love. There are friendly people, appealing neighborhoods, a free streetcar, great museums, and excellent food and drink.
Nothing Says Summer Like a Grilled Martini
I’m a devoted Martini drinker, but long stretches of 95-degree days this summer had me rethinking my cocktail order. Unless a Martini comes with an icy sidecar (and the AC is blasting), the cocktail gets too warm, too fast. And drinking a strong, boozy cocktail when it’s that hot? Not the best idea. Then I walked into Kansas City’s Varsity Club, a neighborhood basement bar with a ’70s feel, where I spied the Grilled Martini on the menu.
Nothing Says Summer Like a Grilled Martini
Food & Dining 1 hour ago Huli Huli Chicken independent.ie • 1h Place the chicken into a large bowl and add the salt. Rub the salt into the chicken and set aside. In a separate bowl, mix together the pineapple … Lexington (Ky.) 2 hours ago A Lexington historic site is releasing a limited edition bourbon. Here’s why kentucky.com - Janet Patton • 2h Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, is releasing a limited-edition bourbon to celebrate 100 years of preservation.
The Order: The Big Pancake at Middle Child Clubhouse
The Big Pancake at Middle Child Clubhouse is part of this complete breakfast. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Today we’re digging into one of our all-time favorite breakfast dishes: the Big Pancake at Middle Child Clubhouse in Philadelphia. Readers of this newsletter know how much we enjoy Philly’s food scene, and Middle Child Clubhouse is a non-negotiable stop on our trips.
On the Road: Bourbon Trail Pit Stops
Ken-Tex BBQ in Shelbyville, Kentucky. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Kentucky has an outsized influence on American culture. It’s the birthplace of bluegrass music, the host of the Kentucky Derby, and, most importantly, the home of bourbon. Visiting the state’s most celebrated distilleries means setting a course for Kentucky’s rural counties and small towns.
Bar Crawl: Savannah, Georgia
Happy hour at Lone Wolf Lounge in Savannah, Georgia. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Today we’re taking you on a tour of our favorite bars in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah is a place with a ton of history and character, and that extends to its bar scene as well. Today’s Bar Crawl features eight favorites, including elegant restaurant bars, classic beer spots, wine bars, cool cocktail hangouts, dives, and more.
Eight Great 10-Hour Road Trips
Cars cross the Burnside Bridge in Portland, Oregon. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! American Weekender turns 3 today, and we want to thank all of you for your continued support. We’re thrilled that you’ve welcomed us into your inbox every single Friday since we launched in July 2023, and we’ve loved sharing our favorite places to eat and drink around the country.
Weekend Getaway: Brooklyn, New York
Let’s head over to Brooklyn. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! The Fourth of July is here and what’s more American than New York City? We’re coming to you a day early this week ahead of the holiday. On our most recent trips, we’ve been spending more and more time in Brooklyn, so today we’re sharing some of our favorite places in the borough.
Charlie's Taps Fun and Nostalgia in California Wine Country
Charlie’s in St. Helena. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Today we’re chatting with Elliot Bell, chef-owner of the St. Helena restaurant Charlie’s. Dinner here was one of our most memorable meals on our latest trip to California Wine Country — our table was covered with fried chicken with caviar ranch dip, pristine West Coast seafood, great pastas, a nostalgic campfire pie, and terrific martinis and local wines.
Overnight Stay: Midtown Manhattan
The Rhubarb, with roasted rhubarb and almond frangipane at Le Bernardin. (Photo: Amy Cavanaugh) Welcome to the weekend! Figuring out where to eat and drink when visiting New York City can be daunting. Options are endless and there is never enough time to hit up everywhere you want to go. On our last few trips to the city, we have tried to make our visits more manageable by focusing our time in specific neighborhoods and visiting the places that make that particular corner of the city unique.
On The Road: Seafood Shacks of Southern Connecticut
Haring’s Noank. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! As someone who grew up in New England and visited the Connecticut and Maine shores each summer, I don’t believe that it’s truly summer until I’ve had a lobster roll. We have previously shared our Maine seafood shack list, and today we’re here with a companion list for Connecticut. I do love a Maine-style lobster roll (mixed with mayo and served cold), but my first love was Connecticut-style (mixed with butter and served hot).
Weekend Getaway: California Wine Country
Early afternoon at Hamel Family Wines. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! California Wine Country is one of our favorite places for a getaway, and we’ve made many trips to Napa and Sonoma over the years. Northern California is a constant fixture in our travel rotation — in part because Kenney used to live in the Bay Area, but also because this slice of the country is endlessly appealing.
Ricky's Nails the Neighborhood Bar
The Knoxville bar delivers friendly service, fun food, and a menu of drinks that's deceptively complex. Ricky’s is a new neighborhood bar in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! We recently shared our favorite places to eat and drink in Knoxville, Tennessee, and one spot we visited (multiple times!) was Ricky’s. The new watering hole, which opened in January, aspires to be a friendly, welcoming neighborhood bar.
A Guide to Midwestern Burgers
It's all here: Olive burgers, Juicy Lucys, butter burgers, cannibal sandwiches, and more! The olive burger at Miner-Dunn in Highland, Indiana. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! You probably know by now that we love burgers at American Weekender. And while burgers are enjoyable any time of year, summer is truly burger season, whether you’re grilling them yourself or eating one outside on a road trip.
Bar Crawl: San Francisco’s Classic Bars
Tourists ride the cable car past The Buena Vista in San Francisco. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Today we have a new installment in our Bar Crawl series that raises a toast to the classic bars of San Francisco.
The Most Famous Shrimp Cocktail in the World
St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail orders in the pass. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Last week, we shared all our favorite places in Indianapolis, and today we’re digging deeper into one of Indy’s signature dishes: the shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo Steak House. If you order this shrimp cocktail, you won’t forget it — it’s the most intense, horseradish-y, spicy one we’ve ever had and it’s been on the menu at the downtown restaurant since it opened in 1902.
The 28 best restaurants in Chicago right now
Photograph: Courtesy Sandy Noto Photograph: Courtesy Sandy Noto From authentic Italian joints to a Michelin-starred Indian restaurant, these are the essential spots. Friday May 1 2026 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email WhatsApp Contributors: Amy Cavanaugh, Zach Long, Morgan Olsen, Emma Krupp & Jeffy Mai Advertising The best restaurants in Chicago come in all shapes and sizes, from pizza joints and Michelin-starred heavyweights to some of the best cheap eats Chicago has to offer.
Weekend Getaway: Indianapolis, Indiana
The glorious double cheeseburger at The Workingman’s Friend in Indianapolis. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Today we’re off to Indianapolis, which has a food and drink scene that continues to fly under the radar. It’s a place we have been many, many times (in fact, Kenney lived there for four years), and we are overdue in sharing our full list of recommendations with you! If you haven’t been before, add it to your travel list.
Get an Insider’s Look at ‘Eaterland,’ Eater’s Newest Cookbook Original
Eater at Home Get the scoop (or more if you’re hungry) on the storied Wisconsin Supper Club tradition Apr 30, 2026, 3:33 PM UTC If you buy something from a link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. Eater’s newest cookbook is now available. Eater has a new cookbook. Eaterland, Recipes and Stories from Across the United States, debuting April 28.
“Eaterland” Digs into Regional American Food
Seattle’s Pike Place Market is a culinary landmark in the Pacific Northwest. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! This week, I’m sharing some personal news: I helped write a cookbook! Eaterland: Recipes and Stories from Across the United States is the second cookbook published by Eater, and it’s a real kindred spirit to American Weekender. It explores regional favorite dishes across the country through recipes and essays and digs deep into what American food means today.
Overnight Stay: Lexington, Kentucky
Sunset in the Kentucky countryside. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Today we’re off to Lexington, Kentucky, home to horses, rolling bluegrass hills, and the University of Kentucky. It’s where you’ll stay on the Bourbon Trail if you’re visiting the nearby Woodford Reserve Distillery, and where we go to eat grilled country ham and pimento cheese sandwiches, old-school doughnuts, and more. Our Overnight Stay itinerary features picks for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks.
Eight Tips for Working Remote While Traveling
The big chain hotels offer reliable workspaces, like this one at the Marriott hotel in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Today we’re answering a question that we get a lot — how do you manage to visit so many places, eat so many great meals, and work a full-time job? Yes, in addition to producing this newsletter every week, we both have full-time jobs and plenty of other commitments.
Weekend Getaway: Knoxville, Tennessee
A boat glides under the Henley Street Bridge in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! We love a college town and Knoxville, Tennessee is no exception. At the city’s heart you’ll find the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!), but it is also home to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, and is considered the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We came through Knoxville a few years ago on a road trip and had an excellent time.
Portland's Too Soon is Serious Where it Matters
Too Soon in Portland, Oregon. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Today we have a Cover Story on Too Soon, one of our favorite bars in Portland, Oregon. With dialed-in cocktails, a fun Filipino food program, warm service, and a sense of fun, Too Soon is the kind of cocktail bar any city would be lucky to have.
Just Back From: Manhattan
Los Tacos No. 1. (Photo: Amy Cavanaugh) Welcome to the weekend! Today I’m sharing a dispatch from my latest trip to New York, where I went to attend TravMedia’s IMM conference (hello to all the readers I met there!). Since I get to New York a fair amount, lately I’ve started focusing each trip on one borough to cut down on travel time around the city and help streamline my itinerary.
8 Great Spring Getaways
Swan Boats in the Boston Public Garden. (Photo: Amy Cavanaugh) Welcome to the weekend! Even though we’ve been out of college for years, we still like to take an annual spring break (in fact, this newsletter will be arriving in your inbox while we’re on ours! We will have an afternoon cocktail for you.). Our spring travels are rarely as ambitious as our summer trips, but instead tend to be easy getaways with low-key itineraries.
The 13 best bars in River North
Photograph: Courtesy Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants Photograph: Courtesy Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants Home to some of the best Chicago bars, River North is a great neighborhood for drinking. Wednesday March 11 2026 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email WhatsApp Contributors: Amy Cavanaugh, Samantha Nelson, Jeffy Mai & Isaiah Reynolds Advertising River North houses some of the most popular nightlife destinations in Chicago.
Weekend Getaway: Portland, Oregon
Hello, Portland! (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! For today’s newsletter, we’re headed to the great city of Portland, Oregon. Portland’s food scene is one of best in America, and over our visits we have eaten so, so well. From Thai barbecue to Haitian fare, Mexican sandwiches to Indonesian tasting menus, the offerings are deep and rich. Plus, Portland has a top-tier drinking scene (as you know from our Portland Bar Crawl). We’ll dig into it all in today’s Weekend Getaway newsletter.
Eight Great Bars in Cincinnati, Ohio
Let's explore the Queen City's drinking scene, with picks for cocktail spots, breweries, wine bars, and more. The Other Room at Longfellow in Cincinnati. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! One of the best ways to get to know a place is over a round of drinks, and today we’re going to explore Cincinnati, Ohio with a beverage in hand.
Where to Eat and Drink in Sullivan's Island, South Carolina
A beach stroll on Sullivan’s Island. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! If you’re looking for a balmy getaway this season, today’s Overnight Stay newsletter delivers just that. Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms, which are located just north of Charleston, South Carolina, make for an excellent springtime beach escape. For walks on the beach, barbecue lunches, seafood dinners, ice cream, and al fresco cocktails, start making plans now.
Our Favorite New Orleans Po'boys
Creole BBQ Shrimp Po’boy at Parkway Bakery and Tavern. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! Last week’s newsletter featured a full report on our latest trip to New Orleans, with picks for elegant prix fixe menus, Sazeracs, and crawfish soup dumplings. Today’s dispatch, for all readers, digs into some of our favorite po’boys in the Crescent City.
Our Favorite Places to Eat and Drink in New Orleans, Louisiana
Jackson Square at sunrise. (Photo: Kenney Marlatt) Welcome to the weekend! If you’ve been around here for awhile, you know that New Orleans is one of our favorite American destinations. It’s among the cities we have visited the most, and we never fail to have a great time over cocktails in the French Quarter or exploring neighborhoods like the Marigny. Today’s Weekend Getaway newsletter recaps our most recent trip, when we visited for a full week.
25 Best Restaurants in Chicago Right Now
Photograph: Sandy Noto Photograph: Sandy Noto There's no shortage of fantastic food in this city, but these Chicago restaurants make our list of top eats. Monday February 2 2026 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email WhatsApp Contributors: Amy Cavanaugh, Zach Long, Morgan Olsen, Emma Krupp & Jeffy Mai Advertising The best restaurants in Chicago come in all shapes and sizes, from pizza joints and Michelin-starred heavyweights to some of the best cheap eats Chicago has to offer.
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