How Much Should You Tip? And Other 2025 Chicago Restaurant Trends

Chicago is known for its robust food and restaurant scene, but what should we expect this year? Chicago Tribune food critic Louisa Chu tells host Jacoby Cochran which restaurant industry trends and stories she’s looking out for.  Tell us what you LOVE about Chicago. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Jan. 22 episode: Babbel – Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Introducing How People Treat You Differently After Weight Loss | The Oprah Podcast from The Oprah Podcast.Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast In this episode of The Oprah Podcast, Oprah continues her conversation with Dr. Ania Jastreboff, an endocrinologist and associate professor at the Yale School of Medicine, about the anti-obesity GLP-1 medications that are changing the world of weight loss. Oprah and Dr. Ania talk about what happens to a person’s mental health, body image and how the world treats them after losing a significant amount of weight. Joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Rachel Goldman, assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Oprah and Dr. Ania speak to people using the GLP-1 medications like long-time Harpo producer, Brian Piotrowicz, who reveals how people treat him differently now that he’s lost a significant amount of weight in a short period of time. Several other guests from across the country also share how their lives have changed after GLP-1 weight loss including a woman who lost over 160 pounds. Finally, we will get an update from several guests that appeared on the ABC Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution including high school student Maggie who lost over 100 pounds. For more information on Dr. Rachel Goldman Follow Dr. Rachel on InstagramFollow Michaela on TikTok Follow Michaela on Instagram Follow Anna on Instagram Follow Jewell on TikTok Follow Jewell on Instagram Follow Jewell on YouTube Follow Marissa on Instagram Follow Marissa on TikTok Follow Oprah’s Producer Brian on Instagram Watch Part 1 Here.SUPPORT THE SHOW Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@Oprah Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social:InstagramFacebookTikTokListen to the full podcast: SpotifyApple Podcasts#oprahsbookclub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Reports emerged over the weekend that the Trump administration’s plan to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history could begin as soon as Tuesday in Chicago. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea talk about how the news is playing out in the city. Plus, we’re unpacking the hemp debate in Illinois and taking a cold weather quiz! Know Your Rights (Immigration Enforcement) The 2025 Chicago International Puppet Festival Tell us what you love about Chicago Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Jan. 21 episode: Babbel — Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

City Council voted Wednesday not to alter Chicago’s sanctuary city ordinance to allow Chicago police to work with federal immigration officials. We break down what happened with Block Club Chicago’s Francia Garcia Hernandez and Michael Liptrot. Plus, we discuss what’s next for CTA after Dorval Carter’s exit, the future of Acero schools, and three very different animal stories in Chicago this week! Good News: McCormick Place Are Saving Bird Lives, Cops Rescue Coyote From Humboldt Park Aldi, Brookfield Zoo expecting Dolphin Calf Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

When most of us picture Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we imagine him on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial or leading the march across Edmund Pettus bridge. But King’s impact was felt in Chicago too. He moved to North Lawndale with his family in 1966 (the area has since become the Dr. King Legacy Apartments), and he worked with the Chicago Freedom Movement, raising awareness of dangerous living conditions, housing segregation and discrimination faced by Black Chicagoans. Historian Tammy Gibson spoke with executive producer Simone Alicea last year about King’s Chicago legacy.  Tell us something you LOVE about Chicago. Click here and follow the steps on the Instagram post to enter to win a Year’s Worth of City Cast Chicago’s Favorite Restaurants. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Reservations are already going fast for Chicago Restaurant Week Jan. 24-Feb. 9. Nearly 500 of the city’s restaurants are offering $30 brunch and lunch specials and $45 or $60 dinner specials. It can be a great deal, but how do you know if you’re getting your money’s worth? Chicago social media creator Paige Serena did the math in a series on TikTok. She tells host Jacoby Cochran which deals to check out and where you might be better off ordering from the regular menu. Good News: Grown Folks Stories Click here and follow the steps on the Instagram post to enter to win a Year’s Worth of City Cast Chicago’s Favorite Restaurants. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

CTA President Dorval Carter announced Monday he will retire at the end of the month and take a job leading a West Side hospital. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea break down Carter’s tumultuous last few years and what it means for the city to be without permanent leaders in transit, public housing, and schools. Plus, City Council debates speed limit changes, and how would you spend $500,000 in your ward? Good News: Jazz x Gumbo at Dorian’s Click here and follow the steps on the Instagram post to enter to win a Year’s Worth of City Cast Chicago’s Favorite Restaurants. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Political power struggles are constantly in Chicago’s news headlines, whether the mayor and governor are butting heads, the City Council is fighting, or a big union is flexing its influence. But who are the most powerful people in Chicago and who just ends up getting a lot of air time? The Tribune’s A.D. Quig and WCIU TV host Brandon Pope tell host Jacoby Cochran who they think are Chicago’s biggest power players. Good News: Individual Artists Grant Program Click here and follow the steps on the Instagram post to enter to win a Year’s Worth of City Cast Chicago’s Favorite Restaurants. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Starting Tuesday, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan took the stand in his own corruption trial. Madigan is accused of bribery, racketeering, and various other charges. We ask Axios Chicago’s Justin Kaufmann and the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan what we’ve learned from Madigan’s testimony so far. Plus, we discuss a growing rift between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker, South Side developments we’re watching in 2025, and the Kennedy express lanes reopening next week.     Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

It’s a new year and the City Cast Chicago team is here with a new game — a Chicago-inspired version of “Would You Rather?” Host Jacoby Cochran, executive producer Simone Alicea, and producer Michelle Navarro are debating tough questions like: Would you rather see a championship or new ownership in pro sports this year? Suffer CTA crowds or Lolla crowds? Eat giardiniera or mild sauce forever? Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about our sponsors: Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE