Mike Stephen cooks up a couple racks of ribs in his yard. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about Chicago BBQ history from Chicago Tribune food critic Nick Kindelsperger, discusses the impact of youth filmmaking in the city with DeAnna McLeary-Sherman of TrueStar and Eunice Shelley of the Wordsmith’s Writer’s Lab, and discovers the Secret History of the late great folk local folk musician Jim Post. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

A delicious Italian beef from Johnnie’s in Elmwood Park. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the story of the Italian beef sandwich (and how it’s hard to get a good one outside of Chicagoland) with Los Angeles Times food columnist and Oak Park native Lucas Kwan Peterson, chats about the semi-independence of the Chicago City Council with Geoffrey Cubbage of the Better Government Association, and talks to Jonny Untch about being a local musician and educator. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

It’s all about local food on this week’s show. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about Takeout 25’s evolution into a non-profit from founder and board president Ravi Parakkat, gets the lowdown on The Iconic Chicago Restaurants Map from Chicago Reader columnist and Streetsblog Chicago editor John Greenfield, and learns about the wonderful resources of area ethnic grocery stores from Fooditor editor Mike Gebert. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Takeout 25 Oak Park is helping to save local restaurants. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen learns about the expansion of Takeout 25 Oak Park from its creator and Oak Park trustee Ravi Parakkat, talks to Shawn Maxwell about his new jazz album, and discovers the Secret History of local soul singer Jackie Ross. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin recap the show and Mike shares his story of taking harmonica lessons from the great Howard Levy. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.