Chicago's Very Own Eats with Kevin Powell and Michael Piff

One of the best things about Chicago in the spring and summer is food festival season, and it officially starts with the fifth annual Windy City Hot Dog Fest from May 29th to May 31st. It’s organized by the Six Corners Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by Vienna Beef, and takes place at 4000 N. Milwaukee […]

Jim Photopoulos opened the original Photo’s Hotdogs in Mount Prospect back in 1989 and that was WGN Radio sports anchor Kevin Powell’s stomping grounds when he was growing up. While Photo’s isn’t in Mount Prospect anymore, the location in Palatine is thriving on Northwest Highway, and giving back to the community that it helps bring […]

Sweet Baby Ray’s started in Chicago with Duce Raymond’s father, Chef Larry Raymond, and uncle, Dave Raymond – the creators of Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce. Great barbecue sauce is in his blood, and as an accomplished, award-winning chef, Duce is carrying his family’s legacy into a new era with Sweet Baby Ray’s Catering, Duce’s Wild BBQ […]

In 2014, Anas Masoud had an idea to create a club for Chicago area burger lovers to connect, try and talk about their favorite burgers. As he puts it, “life happened” and the idea was put on the backburner. Fast forward to today, and Nas has brought his Windy City Burger Social Club to life […]

Since 2017, Roaring Table in Lake Zurich has been brewing some of the best beer in the greater Chicagoland area. And in the last year, they have been serving some of the best pizza too. Founders and husband-wife duo Lane Fearing and Beth May joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own […]

Our 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness Tournament, sponsored by Chicago Brick Oven, started with 128 pizza places in our “Mom & Pops” bracket. The one to come out on top was Bartolini’s of Midlothian! A day after winning our month-long tournament, owner Chris Bartolini joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats […]

After 4 weeks of voting on 160 Chicago pizza places, 128 Mom & Pops and 32 Local Chains, the polls are closed and we have our 2026 Chicago Pizza Madness Champions. Chicago’s Very Own Eats co-host and WGN Radio bracketologist Michael Piff joined John Williams and Andy Masur to announce and call the winners. Listen […]

Billy Bricks CEO Ric Gruber has been busy. With seven Billy Bricks Pizza locations and a mobile fleet of pizza and ice cream trucks, he’s bringing his Moo Joe’s ice cream to Evanston in the beloved Parlor on Central (2002 Central Street). Ric joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on Chicago’s Very Own Eats to […]

Between St. Patrick’s Day, Illinois Primary Election Day, and just being one Chicago’s all-time great places for comfort food, it’s an understatement to say Manny’s Deli is busy. Because of that, Kevin Powell and Michael Piff were glad 4th-generation owner Dan Raskins could make time to join them for the 100th episode of Chicago’s Very […]

Jarosch Bakery opened in Elk Grove Village in 1959, and has been a staple in the community ever since. In 2024, owners Ken and Kathy Jarosch sold to family-owned Ideal Bakery and still remain very involved with Jarosch’s in its new era. Ideal Bakery president Chris Kowall joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the […]

Chicago's Very Own Eats podcast co-host Michael Piff joins Bob Sirott to talk about the 2026 Pizza Madness tournament and how Bob inspired a twist for the local chains competition. Click here to vote in the Chicago Pizza Madness Tournament 2026 and the Chicago Pizza Madness 2026: Local Chains Division.

Host of WGN Radio podcast “Chicago's Very Own Eats” Mike Piff joins Wendy Snyder, filling in for Lisa Dent, to talk the 2026 Pizza Bracket. This year, the bracket features more pizza joints than ever before. 128 “Mom and Pop” pizza places will duke it out in their own bracket, separated by region, while 32 […]

How has it already been a year since our last Pizza Madness Tournament? After doubling the field last year to 128, and the championship victory by Rosati’s, we go into Year 4 of Chicago Pizza Madness with another new twist! We have moved the local chains into their own 32-competitor division, and will allow 128 […]

Sankyu Sushi & Izakaya is new to the Mount Prospect area, and has the goal of bringing an elevated Japanese dining experience to the Northwest suburbs. Sankyu Sushi spokesman Han Jeon joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast to talk about why they opened in Kevin’s hometown, what Japanese traditions […]

On the 21st floor of The LaSalle Chicago hotel (208 S LaSalle St, Chicago, IL) is a hidden gem that is better described as an “experience” than just a restaurant. Grill on 21, as part of Roanoke Hospitality, offers a modern, elevated twist on the classics you know from American steakhouses, and a bar that […]

“Tievoli” backwards is “I love it.” And you’ll be saying exactly that when you try their pizza. That’s what Chef Giovanni Labbate had in mind when he opened his restaurant at 44 W. Palatine Rd in Palatine, 3 years ago. Tievoli Pizza Bar celebrates its 3rd anniversary on Valentine’s Day this year, after winning and […]

What began as a beloved donut shop in Los Angeles, since the 1960s, has become a gourmet staple across the Chicago area for over a decade. Stan’s Donuts Learning & Development Manager Jeff Krause joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats Podcast to talk about how Rich Labriola (of Labriola […]

Chicago Restaurant Week is underway! From January 23rd to February 8th, over 500 restaurants across the city and its neighborhoods are offering great opportunities to try their menus at an affordable price. One of those restaurants is La Dolce Vita Cucina in Portage Park. Andrew Hayes from World Business Chicago and La Dolce Vita Cucina […]

Angelo Corso and Brian Rock founded Doughnate Pizza with a shared love for pizza and community. They have successfully provided meals for more than 50,000 people by working with local businesses and like-minded organizations to bring food directly to those in need. Angelo and Brian joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very […]

Friend of the Chicago’s Very Own Eats Podcast and “Popup/Collab Champ” Billy Zureikat is in playoff mode with his Chicago Squares, creating pizzas based on the Bears’ opponents each week. Billy joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff to share what he has in store for the Bears’ divisional round matchup against the Rams, how he’s […]

The 1985-86 Chicago Bears aren’t the only icons in Chicago celebrating their 40th anniversary. In 1985, Chicago food lovers didn’t know much about tapas (or even small plates), but Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba wasn’t afraid to introduce it to them when they opened their doors at 2024 N Halsted St. Fast forward four decades, and Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba […]

The Bears aren’t in the playoffs often, so let this be your permission to treat it like the Super Bowl with what you prepare to eat. Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast co-host Michael Piff joined Bob Sirott on the morning show to share some of his favorite dishes and recipes for gameday. Listen and see […]

Before recording the latest episode of the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast, hosts Kevin Powell and Michael Piff were treated to incredible dishes and flavors they’ve never had before, thanks to their guests from Mirra. Zubair Mohajir (Partner), Rishi Kumar (Executive Chef & Partner) and David Mor (Beverage Director & Partner) brought their award-winning cuisine […]

Ten years ago, Maple & Ash chef Danny Grant and partner Jim Lasky didn’t know what their new restaurant was going to be, but the didn’t want it to be like most steakhouses. Fast-forward a decade and they have created an atmosphere with “a heartbeat” and one that welcomes all to make themselves at home, […]

Crying Tiger is Lettuce Entertain You’s newest restaurant, located in River North in the old Hub 51 space. Chef Thai Dang describes it as a celebration of Southeast Asian culinary traditions and cuisine, and brought some of his favorite dishes for Kevin Powell and Michael Piff to try at WGN Radio. On the latest episode […]

Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steaks & Stone Crab is a staple to the Chicago and River North food scene, and they have been for 25 years. It’s a testament to their culinary excellence, warm hospitality and the family traditions that they have become a part of for so many Chicagoans. To celebrate 25 years in River […]

Host of WGN Radio podcast “Chicago's Very Own Eats” Michael Piff joins Bob Sirott to talk about the United Center’s new menu items for Blackhawks and Bulls events and the prices for the items. Some of the new food options include Centennial 6 Stack Burgers, Mozzarella Pucks, Rotating “Chapter” themed Jumbo Hot Dog Series, and […]

With the inaugural Chicago Area’s Best Burgers Tournament behind us, Kevin Powell and Michael Piff talk to co-sponsor/Puckered Pickle Company owner Chuck Newman on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast. Chuck talks to Kevin and Michael about the story of his company, the process of diving into the pickle business, all the products that Puckered […]

On the heels of the inaugural Chicago Area’s Best Burgers Tournament, tourney participant and northwest suburban, award-winning favorite Chicago Culinary Kitchen wanted to show Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast hosts Kevin Powell and Michael Piff how good their burgers really were. “Special Operations” Manager Jay Goldberg joined Kevin and Michael for a very fun conversation, […]

After 4 weeks of voting on 64 local burger businesses, the inaugural Chicago Area’s Best Burgers Tournament, sponsored by Turano Baking Company and The Puckered Pickle Company, has its champion. The announcement was made on The John Williams Show, as Chicago’s Very Own Eats co-host and WGN Radio bracketologist Michael Piff joined John to call […]

Host of WGN Radio podcast “Chicago's Very Own Eats,” Michael Piff, joins Bob Sirott to talk about the final four contenders in the Chicago Area’s Best Burger Tournament, sponsored by Turano Baking Company and Puckered Pickle Co. He discusses how he monitors the incoming votes, how each of the burger places are spreading the word to their fans, […]

With the Chicago Area’s Best Burgers Tournament, sponsored by Turano Baking Company and The Puckered Pickle Company, and football season both underway, WGN Radio sports correspondent and Dan Patrick Show executive producer Paul Pabst joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff for a very fun episode of Chicago’s Very Own Eats. As deep into sports Paul […]

What better way to celebrate National Burger Day than announcing our new Chicago’s Very Own Eats Podcast tournament! The Chicago Area’s Best Burgers Tournament, sponsored by Turano Baking Company and Puckered Pickle Co., will launch on Thursday, September 4th. Kevin Powell and Michael Piff discussed all the details on a brand new CVOE episode. Listen […]

Billy Zurekait first joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast in February of 2023, and now has been on 5 more times since then with their latest episode. As he raises awareness and funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Billy has grown from a home chef to an in-demand […]

When you have out-of-town company visiting the Chicago area, what’s the one thing you make sure is part of their experience? If your answer isn’t “pizza”, you’re a bad host and you need to fix that. Taking them on the original Chicago Pizza Tour is a great way to do so. Chicago Pizza Tours founder […]

After 3 weeks of voting on 64 Chicago area “Mom & Pop” Italian Beef places, we finally have a new champion of our annual Chicago’s Best Beef Tournament, sponsored by Turano Baking Company and Caruso Provisions. John Williams was joined by Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast cohost / WGN Radio bracketologist Michael Piff to call […]

For the three years that we’ve held our annual Chicago’s Best Beef Tournament, Turano Baking Company has been gracious enough to support it as a sponsor. Mario and Giancarlo Turano joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast to talk about this year’s tournament, the history of their family’s business, […]

What’s the Chicago version of peanut butter and jelly? Well, Italian Beef and giardiniera, of course! But even as a co-sponsor of our 2025 Chicago’s Best Beef Tournament, Caruso Provisions aims to be more than a condiment for your dipped sandwich. Peter Caruso, co-owner of Caruso Provisions, joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the […]

Before the 2025 Chicago’s Best Beef Tournament kicks off on Thursday, Rich Bartell from Bob-O’s joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast to talk about defending their championship title. Rich shared with Kevin and Michael what it was like from a business owner’s perspective being on the competing end […]

WGN Radio’s Senior Digital Strategist and co-host of the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast Michael Piff joins Wendy Snyder (in for Bob Sirott) to talk about the third edition of WGN’s ‘Chicago’s Best Beef Tournament’, sponsored by Turano Baking Company and Caruso Provisions. Michael details this year’s bracket which features 64 mom-and-pop restaurants from the […]

What began as a day to celebrate “the most Chicago food item of all,” has now expanded into a month-long celebration. The family behind the winner of our inaugural Chicago’s Best Beef Tournament, the Buonavolantos, joined forces with the Scalas and Pacellis (from Al’s Beef) to petition for a National Italian Beef Day, and this […]

Like many of us pizza lovers, Jerry and Nancy Czerwinski had “Pizza Fridays” with their family, picking up Lou Malnati’s and Pequod’s every week. When they moved to Cary, Jerry bought a 25-pound bag of flour, and began making his own pizzas at home, which slowly well known throughout the community. Located in the heart […]