Eater Chicago’s Most-Read Stories of 2025

As 2025 comes to close, Eater Chicago looks back on the year’s 10 most-read stories. From Michelin Guide announcements to big-name shutters to a surprising Vatican project, these headlines captured the attention of Chicago’s dining scene.

Grant Achatz delivered one of the year’s biggest shocks by announcing Alinea had lost a Michelin star before the official Michelin Guide 2025 reveal. The fine dining institution dedicated to molecular gastronomy had held its three-star status every year since the guide first arrived in Chicago in 2011, making the news a major talking point both locally and nationally. 2025 also marked Alinea’s 20th anniversary, a milestone celebrated with a series of international pop-up residencies.

Aside from Alinea’s downgrade, Feld earning one Michelin star was the other significant headline in this year’s guide. It was a remarkable turnaround for Jake Potashnick’s West Town restaurant, which debuted in 2024 to mixed reactions from critics and diners. Kasama also secured a second star, joining Alinea, Ever, and Oriole. In total, 20 Chicago restaurants were awarded one, two, or three stars.

Seven months after opening, Fire closed its doors. The Alinea Group restaurant offered a tasting experience with a menu built around live-fire cooking. According to CEO Jason Weingarten, increasing rent was the primary factor in the decision. Fire was the replacement for Roister, which ended an eight-year run in 2024.

Beloved late-night haunt Redhot Ranch expanded to the suburbs in 2025 with a Skokie location. Known for its Depression Dogs, smash burgers, fried shrimp, and fresh-cut fries, the restaurant took over a space formerly occupied by That Burger Joint. The opening also introduced an Alaskan cod sandwich to the menu.

It was a big year for Chicago Catholics as a hometown son became America’s first pope — inspiring a flurry of lively Chicago-style rivalry debates and even more pope-themed restaurant specials. But who could have predicted the remarkable Vatican-Chicago food industry collab to come? Celebrity chef Art Smith and local restaurateur Phil Stefani are working with the Vatican to open a restaurant at Borgo Laudato Si’, a former papal estate outside of Rome. The project will debut in spring 2026 and highlight farm-to-table Italian cuisine, with nods to Chicago and Peruvian flavors in honor of Pope Leo XIV’s heritage. The currently unnamed restaurant will be the exclusive dining option on the 135-acre property, and a marketplace is also planned as part of the development.

While the official Michelin Guide winners are revealed at the end of the year, the organization generates buzz prior to that by announcing new additions, which become eligible to receive stars and other honors when the annual awards are announced. The guide was updated in July to include Mirra, Nadu, Taqueria Chingón, Tama, and Oliver’s. Notably, Mirra, Nadu, and Taqueria Chingón went on to earn Bib Gourmand designations.

Chicago barbecue restaurant Smoque found itself in a trademark dispute with Weber Grills, the popular grill manufacturer based in Palatine. Pitmaster and Smoque owner Barry Sorkin called the company out for its new pellet smoker, the Weber Smoque, stating the product could confuse customers. The restaurant, which has long held the trademark for its name, filed a trademark violation complaint with the federal government.

One Off Hospitality’s trailblazing cocktail lounge, the Violet Hour, closed its doors for good in June following an 18-year run. The decision came after the bar was unable to come to an agreement with its landlord over “substantial” repairs necessary for the space. Despite the closure, One Off hinted that this might not be the end of the brand and customers “may see us again somewhere down the line.”

Italian newcomer Dēliz joined Chicago’s crowded steakhouse scene this fall, taking over the former home of Etta in Bucktown. The two-story restaurant offers premium steaks cooked on custom Argentinian-style grills, alongside pastas, a chilled seafood selection, and caviar service. The space offers two different experiences: A traditional dining room on the ground floor and a livelier setting upstairs, complete with sports playing on TVs, upbeat music, and service that extends late into the night.

A new dual-concept Mexican spot brought the flavors of Mexico City to the Loop in May. Part fast-casual taqueria and part full-service restaurant, Momento delivers a variety of tacos, plus seafood staples like spicy tuna tostadas, aguachile, and pescado zarandeado. Ordering hiccups aside, it was a fresh addition to the downtown dining scene.