Bars and restaurants are coming back! (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen gets an update about the local hospitality industry’s rebound with the scribe behind the Chicago Bars Twitter feed, learns the story of biking to a Waffle House in Indiana from Chicago Reader columnist and Streetsblog Chicago editor John Greenfield, and discovers the Secret History of local rocker Ron Haydock. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin recap the show and discuss how more of us should be sitting at the bar. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 5 years ago Tagged

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.

Posted 5 years ago Tagged

Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout Army. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen discusses the impact of Goose Island Brewery’s sale 10 years ago with Chicago Tribune reporter Josh Noel, learns the Secret History of saxman Gene Barge, and plays a clip from 2013 that features one lucky “phan’s” experience on stage with Phish. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin recap the show and share their thoughts about Goose Island products. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 5 years ago Tagged

Kids, this is called a videocassette. (Photo credit: Mike Stephen/WGN Radio)

Mike Stephen talks to Sara Chapman and learns about Media Burn’s work to archive cultural history, discusses the best new local tacos with Chicago Tribune food & dining reporter Nick Kindelsperger, and discovers the Secret History of folk and rock musician Michael DeLisle. And in the OTL Wrap Party, Mike and Producer Collin recap the show, offer some takeaways, and praise the cultural force that is the local taco. To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our Apple Podcasts Page, Spotify, or our RSS feed.

Posted 5 years ago Tagged