#chicago bbq

[copperbadge]

Well, I have returned to Chicago, but my checked bag has not. It's apparently still in Austin and while they can tell me where it is, they cannot tell me why. I guess when your bag gets bumped they're supposed to tell you, how I'm not sure, but in any case my bag is so-called still in Texas and I'll get a text when it arrives. They'll deliver it, at least.

They ask you to list three unique items in the bag so if they have to open it they'll know whose it is. I told the agent, who had a distinctive accent, that there were two puzzles in boxes, a Chicago Fire jacket (recent gift from Mum, I think she's worried I own an AS Roma jacket and might move to Italy on its account), and a meat cleaver in a blue box.

Baggage Agent: A meat cleaver?

Me: Gotta have good tools.

Baggage Agent: Yeah I do barbecue as a side hustle so I guess I can't talk, I got one in my car.

Me: Carolina? Love a mustard sauce.

Baggage Agent: I see I've met a man of taste.

So I got the assurance he'd expedite getting my bag to me, and also the business card of an underground caterer who does Carolina barbecue.

....and the train I'm on just braked super hard, screamed to a stop, and shut off. Can't win for losing today it appears.

[clubhoops]

McDonald’s has announced ‘The Angel Reese Special’ meal. The brand’s first-ever special meal collaboration with a female athlete.

The Angel Reese Special, a combo meal featuring a BBQ Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese, fries and drink, will be available beginning Feb. 10.

[tangledinink]

also i went hiking yesterday and it was fun.

[latenightsushi]

What a wonderful weekend! On Friday, we visited a new upscale bbq place, spent some time at the stable on Saturday, and then on Sunday, we took care of some errands and did a bunch of cleaning 🧡

X

[rabbitcruiser]

National Pizza Day

Imagine sinking your teeth into a hot, crispy, cheesy slice of heaven. Each bite is a flavor explosion, transporting you to pizza paradise.

National Pizza Day is the perfect time to get that pizza eating game on!

Yes, it’s absolutely true! A whole day – 24 happy and delicious hours – devoted especially to celebrating that yummy carb that almost no one can do without. From the humble beginning of sauce on flatbread to today’s gourmet offerings, pizza has captured the hearts and stomachs of people from all around the globe.

Enjoying the basic Italian Margherita pizza? Love the traditional American cheese and pepperoni? Feeling more adventurous and need to show that in a unique selection of pizza toppings? Now is the time to show the world what pizza eating really is!

Who is a pepperoni type of person? Or, who prefers their pizza plain – with just cheese and tomato only? Perhaps there is someone who likes to experiment with different, more unique toppings?

There are many disputes about the best pizza, with the main argument being whether pineapple belongs on a pizza or not. No matter each person’s preference, though, there’s one thing pretty much everyone can agree on: pizza is one of the best culinary inventions around.

Aside from figuring out what toppings to have on pizza, it is also necessary to make the decision about what type of crust to go for. There are also thick and thin crusts, as well as pizzas with stuffed crusts. The options are practically endless!

Now is the time to learn a little bit more about National Pizza Day.

History of National Pizza Day

While it’s impossible to know for sure, some people might say that National Pizza Day got its beginning in the 10th century in Naples, Italy. This is when records first show the presence of what has now become modern-day pizza. It started out as a simple flatbread spread with sauce and sprinkled with cheese. It is likely that the first people who made this as a creative snack for their families had no idea the sensation that they had whipped up and what it would become.

Pizza eventually made its mark on America in 1905. In New York City, a pizzeria called Lombardi’s created the spark that would light hearts across the country from then until now – and with no conceivable end in sight. And 1905 was the year that Lombardi’s was granted the first mercantile license to make pizza issued in the United States. Amazingly, Lombardi’s is still in business! For those who want to taste that first real pizza to hit American shores, head over to Little Italy in Manhattan and check them out.

It is estimated that the first National Pizza Day probably began some time in the early 2000s, but whenever it started, it now deserves to be celebrated each and every year!

National Pizza Day Timeline

6th Century BC

Writings from Darius the Great record findings of flatbreads that are topped with dates and cheese, which is possibly the earliest mention of something like pizza.

1522 AD

Naples creates modern pizza

Following the import of tomatoes to Europe, the people of Naples begin combining them with flatbreads. Naples’ status as a port city means sailors and travelers spread the word throughout Europe.

18th Century

Royal pizza oven in Naples

Queen Maria Carolina d’Asburgo Lorena, wife of the King of Naples, has a special oven installed in her palace that is specifically for making pizzas.

1830 AD

Earliest-known pizzeria begins

In Naples, Italy, the world’s first pizza restaurant opens and begins to replace the street vendors who sold slices to local artists, students and others with low incomes.

1905

First American merchant license for pizza

Lombardi’s on Spring Street in New York City is issued a mercantile license for baking pizza. This is the first official pizzeria license in the United States.

How to Celebrate National Pizza Day

Is it really necessary to give instructions on how to celebrate this awesome day? Even so, for those who are looking for suggestions, here are just a few ideas to get those creative juices started. This is a great way to be creative with the following ideas to try out on your own or with family and friends:

Enjoy a Slice (or Several Slices!) of Pizza

What could be better than enjoying a simple but delicious slice of pizza? This cheesy round disc has become a meal that is adored all over the world, from its founding in Italy to the war between New York and Chicago style pizzas, and everywhere in between. There’s Detroit style pizza, Neapolitan pizza, Greek pizza, Sicilian pizza, California pizza and many more.

The only difficulty on a day like today is deciding what sort of toppings to put on top.

Join in on National Pizza Day Celebrations

All throughout the USA and other places in the world, pizza places will host various events and activities in honor of National Pizza Day. Check out what’s happening in a local pizza place, or make a day (or weekend!) of it and take a road trip to a new city.

Types of events put on by pizza places in observance of National Pizza Day may include debuting special gourmet pizzas or limited-time-only toppings options. Look for restaurants that offer special deals, discounts, BOGOs (Buy One Get One), promo codes, and meal packages.

Local news programs often pay homage to National Pizza Day by including media spots where pizzas are made or featured. Look for pizza and beer craft pairing events at pubs and restaurants.

Host a Pizza Party

Another fun way to dive into celebrating National Pizza Day is by having a pizza party for friends and neighbors. Why not get a few loved ones together and order some of those favorite pizzas? After all, what could be better than some good food and good company? Keep things low-key and watch some movies together or choose to get the tunes on and dance the night away.

Or, if pizza day falls on a work day, celebrate by ordering pizza into the office and sharing a few pies with coworkers. Better yet, order from several different pizza places and have a taste test to see which is the best.

No matter what is decided, just make sure that there is plenty of pizza on hand for people to enjoy.

Try Making Pizza at Home

Feeling up to making pizza from scratch at home? It’s probably easier than it seems! Come on, it’s time to head into the kitchen and take a look around.

Pull out a favorite cookbook or hit up a search engine and search for pizza recipes. Wow! Look at all those options. Pick one that sounds delicious and then get going. Make trying a new from-scratch pizza a tradition for National Pizza Day!

Visit a Pizza Parlor or Pizzeria

Not a fan of the kitchen? That’s okay! Every city and town has many choices as well when it comes to this fabulous dish.

Head out and try a new pizzeria – or two! Make it a great family adventure. Let the kids help map out where to go. Maybe pick toppings out at random and try something you’ve never had before. Who knows? It may become a new family favorite.

Drive around any American city and it will not be difficult to find a pizza place on almost every corner. From the chains that boast a perfect pizza (exactly like every other one made from any of their stores), to the quaint mom and pop restaurants that share their family traditions with their customers year after year. There are lots of famous and popular pizza brands, with the three main ones being Pizza Hut, Papa John’s, and Domino’s.

The great news is that it isn’t necessary to choose between these types of pizzerias because they are all fabulous! Sometimes those commercials and funny jingles just get into my mind and make me drive over for a slice!

Learn Fun Facts About Pizza

There are lots of pretty interesting facts about pizzas that can be found and shared in honor of National Pizza Day.

Impress friends and family with fun facts like these:

350 slices of pizza are eaten every second in the United States. However, surprisingly, the country with the highest consumption of pizza in the world per capita is Norway.

The most expensive pizza in the world will cost a massive $12,000 to order. This is a pizza that is sold in Italy, made by Renato Viola and just the dough takes 72 hours to make. It features some of the most lavish ingredients (as would be expected for that price tag), such as grains of pink Australian sea-salt from the Murray River, lobster from Norway, and even three different types of caviar.

Pizza is the second most popular fast food in the United States. The only fast food that people love more than pizza is hamburgers! There is no denying that the love of pizza is very real.

Create New Varieties of Pizza

For an even more special National Pizza Day, take some time to come up with a unique pizza invention. There are many weird and wonderful toppings that people have put on pizzas over the years. Why not see what can be discovered or created as the next big thing?

In addition to traditional savory pizzas with cheese and sauce, people have also created dessert pizzas. These might include pizzas covered in Nutella and other chocolate delights, or pizza with cream cheese “sauce” and then covered in slices of fruit. Find recipes like this online, or you can create them. It might even be fun to share a new pizza creation on social media and make everyone drool over those creative pizza skills!Does the family already take part in this day? If not, make sure to start now, and turn it into a community event where everyone can be involved!

National Pizza Day FAQs

Is pizza healthy?

Some versions of pizza, especially frozen and fast-food versions, are often high in sodium, fat, sugar, calories and preservatives. However, homemade pizza that uses simple, fresh ingredients offers nutrients such as protein, calcium, antioxidants, vitamins and fiber.

How is pizza made?

Pizza is actually a fairly easy dish to make. It starts with a flatbread that is then topped with some type of sauce, vegetables, meats, cheese or other toppings. It is then baked in either a regular oven or a traditional wood fired oven.

Is pizza Italian?

Yes! Pizza is a dish that originated in Naples, Italy and is still served there to this day. However, pizza recipes differ based on region and some American pizzas, especially Chicago deep dish, barely resembles the original Italian versions.

What is the most popular pizza topping?

Certainly every individual has their favorites and preferences from Hawaiian to Margherita. But, for Americans, pepperoni tops the list of the best pizza toppings with more than 53% of people saying it is their favorite.

When is National Pizza Day?

Each year, National Pizza Day falls on February 9. But there are also tons of other ways to celebrate pizza throughout the year, including National Pepperoni Pizza Day, National Cheese Pizza Day, National Deep Dish Pizza Day, National Pizza Month and several others!

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[phonecaseboss]

The Roast Beef Sandwich and Chicago

Chicago’s roast beef sandwiches deserve more love! From deli classics to au jus-soaked creations, this underrated gem is a must-try. Whether griddled, dipped, or smothered in cheese, here’s where to find the best in the city. 🍖🥪 #ChicagoEats #RoastBeef

A Delicious Legacy Chicago is well known for its deep-dish pizza, hot dogs without ketchup, and Italian beef, but another sandwich deserves a spot in the city’s culinary hall of fame: the roast beef sandwich. While Italian beef might be the more famous cousin, Chicago has a rich history of roast beef sandwiches that stand on their own, with a variety of interpretations served across the city.…

[themisinformer]

Internet Sensation Toby Jones, Known for His Viral ‘Jones’ BBQ & Foot Massage’ Commercial, Has Been Arrested for Money Laundering

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - Toby Rutherford Jones, the larger than life entrepreneur behind the infamous “Jones’ BBQ & Foot Massage” commercial that took the internet by storm, has been arrested on charges relating to money laundering, authorities confirmed Monday.

According to the FBI, Jones allegedly used his fictional restaurant-massage hybrid along with a series of other fake businesses as a front to launder millions of dollars stemming from the drug trade, all while claiming to offer “the best ribs and toe rubs in the game.”

Jones’ bizarre yet beloved commercial originally went to air in the Chicago area in January of 2009, before it was promptly quickly taken off the air not long after. However, the commercial was recorded by a local Chicago resident who would upload it to YouTube in April of 2009, where it would quickly go viral and solidify itself as a part of internet culture. As of February of 2025, the commercial sits at nearly 30 million views on YouTube and made Jones somewhat of a local celebrity in the Chicago area.

The commercial features Jones dancing with a two men, one dressed as a dinosaur and the other dressed as a chicken, while singing, “Jones’ BBQ & Foot Massage! Jones’ BBQ & Foot Massage! You better come down here and get some of this shit!” Jones then spends the remainder of the commercial displaying his food and massage services.

Due to the bizarre nature of the commercial and due to the fact that none of Jones’ businesses, including Jones’ BBQ & Foot Massage, were listed on any kind of business registry, caused the FBI to be suspicious of Jones, who have been investigating him ever since. The FBI have long suspected Jones of money laundering, and 15 years after the commercials original publication onto YouTube, the FBI has finally had enough evidence to arrest Jones.

“As it turns out, no one was ever actually getting barbecue or foot massages,” said FBI spokesperson Janet Holloway. “In reality, Jones was using these fake businesses to move large sums of money between off shore bank accounts while keeping the appearance of a business that, quite frankly, never even had a real location.”

One undercover agent reportedly attempted to visit Jones’ barbecue establishment, only to be led to an abandoned strip mall where Jones himself was waiting with an empty KFC bucket that had the KFC logo scribbled out in permanent marker and a stack of fake business licenses. “He kept telling me that they only accepted cash or EBT,” the agent reported. “When I asked him if he had any sort of business registration, he said that if I wasn’t going to place an order then I wasn’t welcome in his establishment. We were still in the parking lot, mind you. I don’t think he quite understood what was going on and the severity of it.”

Jones’ attorney, Calvin Brown, has maintained his client’s innocence, insisting that he is, in fact, a legitimate businessman. “Mr. Jones is a legitimate businessman who simply found a niche in combining completely unrelated business services,” Brown said in a statement. “Just because it’s an abnormal business practice and doesn’t attract a lot of customers doesn’t mean it’s illegitimate or an example of money laundering.”

Jones himself has also maintained his innocence, with him simply telling reporters, “they just tryna knock a brotha down for gettin his paper.” Jones is currently being held in Cook County Jail while he awaits trial, where he could face up to 20 years in prison.

[allaroundtheworld55]

[papas-majadas]

I don't recall any of this from my weekend.

[cheeseukeikeu]

Modern Patio Example of a mid-sized minimalist backyard patio kitchen design

[clubhoops]

Angel Reese x McDonald's

[biggsradiocom]

#Southside #chicago stop by the Historical Leon's Barbeque as we celebrate 70 in Chicago with the #biggsraio team. Performing will be Chicago's own Michael Finney. #biggsradiostation team live on location with music by Julian St Chris the Mid-Day Radio Personality heard weekdays 10 AM with Nino Negash & Al Greer Alvin Washington Jr Gus Redmond and da boss Dinahlynn Biggs #bbq #bbqlife We will be #Broadcasting live!!! (at Leon's BBQ & Grill) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqJsO5OL5sV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[richardalperts]

Landscape in Chicago An example of a mid-sized contemporary shade backyard concrete paver landscaping with a fire pit in summer.

[rabbitcruiser]

National Fast Food Day 

National Fast Food Day celebrates fast food restaurants and the food that they sell. Fast food usually consists of prepackaged and ready-made food that can be quickly cooked—often by deep frying or microwaving—and eaten; most is designed to be eaten on the go, and does not require cutlery. Common fast foods include burgers, french fries, fried chicken, fish and chips, pizza, tacos, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, sandwiches, and ice cream. Fast food is typically high in sugar, salt, saturated fat, and calories, and is linked to many health problems. Fast food restaurants usually sell food at either a counter or a drive-through. Franchising, where there is uniformity in food and presentation between restaurants, is an important aspect of fast food. Besides franchise restaurants, gas station and convenience store food is sometimes seen as fast food, as is some food from street vendors.

The roots of fast food can be traced back to ancient Rome. Thermopoliums were small shops that sold food—such as hot sausages and bread—on-the-go. Urban apartment dwellers of the middle and lower classes often ate these foods. During the Middle Ages, vendors sold food to people in larger cities such as London and Paris. After 1860, fish and chip shops became prevalent in the United Kingdom, and became popular with the working classes. By the 1920's there were more than 35,000 of these shops.

The term "fast food" may first have been used in America by George G. Foster, who in his book, New York Slices, published in 1848, referred to the fast paced food in New York City's business district. An automat, a cafeteria with vending machines with pre-made food, was opened by Horn & Hardart, in 1902, in Philadelphia. A decade later they opened one in New York City, which created a sensation, and many more were built across the country, leading to the popularity of automats during the 1920's and 1930's.

Technological, social, and economic changes in America led to a boom in fast food restaurants by the second half of the 20th century. Following World War I, automobiles became popular and affordable, and curb service restaurants were created in the 1920's. During the post-World War II economic boom, people spent more and bought more, creating a culture of consumerism that led to both men and women working outside the home. Eating outside the home—which was once a luxury��thus became commonplace, because of expendable cash, and in some instances because it was a necessity. By 1951 Merriam-Webster had added "fast food" to their dictionary.

Franchising, which brought uniformity in the practices of particular restaurants, also fueled the boom of fast food. A&W opened in 1921, and became a franchise in 1923. Many see it as the first fast food restaurant. White Castle also opened in 1921, in Wichita, Kansas, and sold hamburgers for five cents each. They standardized the food production of fast food hamburger restaurants, which other restaurants, such as McDonald's, built on. McDonald's was created by two brothers, Richard and Maurice McDonald, in 1940, in San Bernardino, California. Originally it was a drive-in that focused on barbecue, but once the brothers saw the popularity of their hamburgers, they closed for three months, and reopened in 1948 with a new focus. Besides hamburgers, their menu included french fries, shakes, coffee, and Coca-Cola, and they served their food in a paper wrapping. At fifteen cents, their hamburgers were about half the price of ones available at diners. Ray Kroc made a franchise agreement and opened McDonald's restaurants in Illinois, and in 1961 he bought out the brothers. In 1953, another important hamburger based fast food restaurant was started in Florida, and would eventually be known as Burger King. Not all early fast food focused on hamburgers though, as the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise opened in 1952.

Today the United States has the largest fast food industry in the world. There are close to 200,000 fast food restaurants in the United States, where over 50 million customers are served every day. About 44% of Americans eat at a fast food restaurant each week, and 11% of the calorie intake of adults in the United States comes from fast food. American fast food restaurants are now in over 125 countries, and the intake of fast food worldwide continues to rise. But, fast food has not expanded without criticism. Besides facing criticism for the nutritiousness of its food, the industry has also been pilloried for paying its workers low wages, usually without benefits. Over half of fast food workers are on some sort of public assistance, which has cost taxpayers 7 million dollars annually.

How to Observe National Fast Food Day

Celebrate the day by eating fast food, as you finally have a good excuse to do it! Order fast food at a counter and eat it inside, or go through a drive-through and eat your food somewhere else. There are many restaurants you could choose from. If you are not one to eat fast food, you could watch Super Size Me, or read Fast Food Nation, or watch the eponymously titled film that was based off the book.

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