SAVOR with Andrew

If you have watched reality TV or have been to a fair number of restaurants, chances are that you know who Gordon Ramsay is. Gordon Ramsay Burger. Photo by Andrew Davis To say that the British chef has an empire is almost an understatement. Ramsay has been behind two dozen TV series (including the U.S. version of Hell’s Kitchen, which began in 2005 and still runs), and owns or has owned almost 100 culinary spots worldwide. Restaurant-wise, I had only been to Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash Father’s Day (Sunday, June 21) is, obviously, all about dads and father figures. Let’s see what some area restaurants are offering to honor those hard-working and loving people: —On Sunday, June 21, 3-7 p.m., Oak Park spot Amerikas is offering its new Sunday “Tacos & Music” afternoon. Treat Dad to street-style tacos (carne asada or vegan), churros, margaritas, agua frescas and live music in an atmosphere that feels energetic, casual and community-driven.

—And I quote: “Dinners are defined as the ultimate act of communion.”—Thomas Carlyle Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash —Honey business: As Chicago commemorates Juneteenth,Honey Pot Performance (HPP) is inviting residents to revisit the legacy of Fifth City–a Black-led movement that transformed Chicago’s West Side through community organizing, economic development and neighborhood investment from the 1960s through the 1990s. On Friday, June 19, at First Church of the Brethren, 425 S.

On June 4 at Big Star’s Wicker Park location, Chef Sebastian White’s The Evolved Network (TEN)—a nonprofit that equips Chicago-area youth in systemically oppressed communities with transformative healing, life skills, and support via the power of the farm-to-table experience—and Prairie Grass Cafe Chef Sarah Stegner announced the launch of Placemats with Purpose: A Young Chef’s Journal. Chefs Sarah Stegner and Sebastian White at the Big Star luncheon.

Being ensconced in Chicago near the lake, many people (myself included) tend to stay in our lane—and in our area. However, I also believe in the phrase “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” and I suspect I’m not the only one. The suburbs have many gems just waiting to be discovered—especially in the culinary world.

—And I quote—“The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning."—Soccer/football great Pele Photo by Jannes Glas on Unsplash —Buy design: Fulton Market Design Days will return June 8-10, bringing together more than 80 leading brands, immersive pop-ups and a neighborhood-wide celebration. Design Days will run throughout Fulton Market from Halsted Street to May Street, with the main welcome center at Morgan Street and Fulton.

ALSO: Smyth and Verzênay bakery receive huge honors, and Guzman y Gomez's employees fight back —And I quote: ”Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.”—Maya Angelou Photo by Todd Cravens on Unsplash —Porch song trilogy: The Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce invites residents and visitors to celebrate summer with the return of the stroll-worthy Porchfest in Lake View and Roscoe Village—two neighborhood music festivals transforming front porches into intimate live music stages...

ALSO: Donut sandwiches, $5 smashburgers and events to get you moving (Legal note: No part of the column may be reproduced without the author’s written permission.) —Dance fever: See Chicago Dance announced the full lineup for the 13th Annual Chicago Dance Month, returning May 30–June 27 with expanded free, family-friendly programming across the city during the organization’s 20th anniversary year. Chicago Dance Crash performs at Chicago Dance Month 2025.

While Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) certainly has a somber connection—honoring those who died in service—it’s also often considered the unofficial start of summer. Here are what some spots are offering during that time: Photo by Chad Madden on Unsplash —Join RPM Seafood this Memorial Day at the Fourth Annual Seafood Boil.

—GIVEAWAY!: There’s now another giveaway—this time, for a Stanley Cup! All you have to do to qualify is to be a paying subscriber (for less than $5/month) to either SAVOR for Andrew (future3733.substack.com) or the pop-culture column Pop-Eds (Andrew449.substack.com). The deadline is Friday, May 22, at 5 p.m. Good luck! —Sweet(water) dreams: Read a FREE review of my visit to the Loop spot Sweetwater Tavern & Grille at SAVOR with Andrew.