Food and health podcast by Chicago Tribune food critic Louisa Chu and Axios Chicago reporter Monica Eng.

Episode List

Episode 136: Babes, Pizza and Hot Stuff

Jul 28th, 2025 5:00 AM

This week on Chewing, we talk about babes, pizza, and hot stuff. First, Monica talks to My Pi pizza founder Larry Aronson about his last pizzeria closing in Chicago after 54 years. Then, Professor Steve Balkin talks about the death of Maxwell Street as he makes Monica some homemade matzo brie. Lastly, James Park talks about his cookbook “Chili Crisp: 50+ Recipes to Satisfy Your Spicy, Crunchy, Garlicky Cravings.” chewing.xyz chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast facebook.com/chewingpodcast Insta Louisa Chu @louisachu1 Monica Eng @monicaengreporter   Links: Order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites by Monica Eng and David Hammond   Music: Theme music: “Zhong Nan Hai” by Carsick Cars  Outro music: “15 Minutes Older” by Carsick Cars Segments: “Be Sweet” (Korean Version) by Japanese Breakfast feat. So!YoON!  “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young “Look In My Eyes” by The Chantels “Life is but a Dream” by The Harptones “Hot Sauce” by NCT Dream

Episode 135: International Street Food

Mar 20th, 2025 5:00 AM

This week on Chewing, we talk about international street food. First, Monica talks to Faraz Sardharia about his new restaurant Rickshaw Pakistani & Indian Street Eats, which raises funds for unhoused people in Chicago. Monica also talks to women’s rights advocate Rohini Dey about transforming her pioneering modern Indian restaurant Vermilion into a women-centric “cocktail den” called Sanctuary in River North. Then, Monica talks to Steven Marks, the American who co-founded the Mexican restaurant chain Guzman y Gomez in Australia that’s now invading Chicago’s suburbs. Finally, Louisa talks to India Jenkins, the owner of The Corned Beef Hideout and the creator of spicy jerk corned beef sandwich called That Jerk, but will they eat it?!   chewing.xyz chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast facebook.com/chewingpodcast Insta Louisa Chu @louisachu1 Monica Eng @monicaengreporter   Links: Order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites by Monica Eng and David Hammond   Music: Theme music: “Zhong Nan Hai” by Carsick Cars Outro music: “15 Minutes Older” by Carsick Cars

Episode 134: Joe Yonan, Feld restaurant, canned krill

Dec 30th, 2024 6:00 AM

This week on Chewing, we talk about plants, Feld, and krill. First, Monica talks to Washington Post Food and Dining editor — and bestselling author — Joe Yonan about his new book, "Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking"! Then Louisa talks to the chef and owner of one of the most polarizing new restaurants in Chicago — and former guest of Chewing, Jake Potashnick of Feld. Monica talks to the owner of Fry the Coop about why he only uses beef fat when frying. Lastly, Monica dares Louisa and Iris to taste canned krill — best known as whale food — but will they eat it?! chewing.xyz chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast facebook.com/chewingpodcast Insta Louisa Chu @louisachu1 Monica Eng @monicaengreporter   Links: Order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites by Monica Eng and David Hammond   Music: Theme music: “Zhong Nan Hai” by Carsick Cars Outro music: “15 Minutes Older” by Carsick Cars Segments:  "Garden (Say It like Dat)" by SZA  “Big Cheese” by Nirvana “Spice Up Your Life” by Spice Girls “Shake Hands With Beef” by Primus

Episode 133: Ruth Reichl, Hewn bread, Volition tea, cultivated meat

Oct 21st, 2024 5:00 AM

This week on Chewing, we talk about how sisters are doing it for sustainability! First, Monica talks to legendary author and editor Ruth Reichl about her new documentary film Food and Country. Then, we talked to Hewn Bread founder Ellen King and Volition Tea founder Annie Xiang about their big expansions. Finally, Monica talked to Upside Food COO Amy Chen who offered Monica a taste of their cultivated meat, but did she eat it? Lastly, a new bonus segment with a new jingle!   chewing.xyz chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast facebook.com/chewingpodcast Insta Louisa Chu @louisachu1 Monica Eng @monicaengreporter   Links: Order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites by Monica Eng and David Hammond   Music: Theme music: “Zhong Nan Hai” by Carsick Cars  Outro music: “15 Minutes Older” by Carsick Cars Segments:  “A Better Future” by David Bowie "Bread and Butter" by The Newbeats “Tea For Two (with Choir and Orchestra)” by Doris Day “Cup Of Tea” by Kacey Musgraves “Cells” by They Might Be Giants “Chicken” by Pixies “Le Grand café” by Charles Trenet

Episode 132: George R.R. Martin workshop, Honey Ahmed, Curtis Chin

Sep 16th, 2024 5:00 AM

This week, Monica and Louisa talk Honey and Fun Guys. First, Monica went to the inaugural George R.R. Martin Summer Intensive Writing Workshop, where she made Malaysian rice balls with fellow fellow, Honey Ahmad. Monica also talked to author and filmmaker Curtis Chin about his book “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant.” Finally, Monica talks to Josh Noel about his new book on Malort and dares Louisa and Iris to try fungi yogurt, but will they eat it?   chewing.xyz chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast facebook.com/chewingpodcast Insta Louisa Chu @louisachu1 Monica Eng @monicaengreporter   Links: Order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites by Monica Eng and David Hammond Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant by Curtis Chin Malört: The Redemption of a Revered and Reviled Spirit by Josh Noel   Music: Theme music: “Zhong Nan Hai” by Carsick Cars  Outro music: “15 Minutes Older” by Carsick Cars Segments:  “Janji” by Aziz Harun “Masing Masing” by Ernie Zakri, Ade Govinda “Early in the Morning” by The Gories “Detroit City Blues” by Fats Domino “Crying at Airports” by Whale

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