I worked at Starbucks when I was 18 for like five whole years, so unfortunately I became insane about coffee. My milk, espresso, and ice ratio has to be EXACT or I’m dumping the whole thing and starting over. Dramatic? Maybe. Wrong? No.

ANYWAY I GOT A NINJA ESPRESSO MACHINE ☕️ and I am unwell over it. I get to grind my own beans, pull my own shots, make my latte exactly how I want it, and suddenly I’m back in my barista era but in sweatpants. Absolute game changer. 10/10, she’s my new personality.

Now that I’m caffeinated and crazy…

The Beer Garden at Gallagher Way brings craft brews, football, lawn games, fire pits, s’mores, and pretzel-necklace making to your fall Saturday. Entry is free, or enter to win a tasting pass and go all in on brews and bites.*

JUST ANNOUNCED

• No tricks, no ticket price. 🎃 Jewel-Osco’s FREE FANG-TASTIC Halloween Bash hits Des Plaines October 17–18 with a haunted house, Monster Mash dance party, horror films + more. Enter now to win a $250 Jewel-Osco Gift Card!*

• Something wicked this way brews at Zoo Brews: Howls and Growls, a 21+ Halloween party with craft beer and cider sampling. Get tickets for a scary good time at Lincoln Park Zoo on October 23 and 24. Win a spooky weekend.*

• The Main Squeeze is bringing the funk back to Harris Theater, and this one’s built to get the whole room on its feet. Expect big grooves, serious musicianship, and zero standing still. Enter to win tickets and get in on it.*

• Ten Thousand Hours brings eight world-class acrobats together for a jaw-dropping mix of strength, precision, and artistry. Expect the kind of moves that make you question gravity itself. Enter to win tickets and see it all go down live.*

• Plus other just announced shows from The Roots, Greta Van Fleet, The Red Clay Strays, FLO, Lola Young, Twin Temple, Kashmir, Proleter, Jay Wheeler, Young Dro, Wasia Project, Baby Bugs, Sosmula, Heather Mall, and more!

THE LOCAL’S LIST: A FAMILY RECIPE, A CHICAGO LEGACY

For more than 50 years, Carnitas Uruapan has been more than a restaurant — it’s been home, family, and a piece of Michoacán carried through generations. We sat down with second-generation owner Marcos Carbajal to talk about growing up above the shop, his father’s sacrifices, and what it means to keep that legacy alive.

CURRENT MOOD: THIS CAT 🙀

Your Fall Glow-Up Starts Here

Fall is full of brand new things to do, and this season, add one that makes every other experience better. Imagine exploring a new city like a local, ordering off-menu at that authentic spot nobody else knows about, and actually understanding the conversation happening at the table next to you. That's what a little language can do.

Built by 200+ experts, Babbel guides you from theory to real conversations with just 5 minutes of learning a day. Bite-sized lessons, bingeable podcasts, and some conversation practice in between sidequests — everything you need to make this season more interesting. Start Babbel now and save 55% on a 12-month subscription.*

LOCALS ONLY

• Open House Chicago returns October 17–18 with free access to 200+ sites across 30+ neighborhoods. Step inside iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and spaces you’d normally never see, and spend the weekend exploring the city in a whole new way. Learn more.*

• Got a sketch, prototype, or concept that never made it past the cutting-room floor? DESIGN GRAVEYARD is giving unfinished and abandoned work a place to be seen. No new work, no entry fee, no pressure. Just dig through your files and submit by October 10.

WIN STUFF

FEATURED