Chicago's Very Own Eats

The podcast for Chicago food lovers is back in time to talk about the holiday for food lovers. To commemorate their 50th episode of the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast, hosts Kevin Powell and Michael Piff share their Thanksgiving traditions, the unique foods their families enjoy, favorite sides, favorite pies, and whether they are for […]

To kickoff National Pizza Month properly, Lou Malnati’s and Portillo’s teamed up again to bring back the Lou Malnati’s x Portillo’s Italian Beef Deep Dish pizza. Lou Malnati’s owner and chairman Marc Malnati joins Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast to talk about how the collaboration between the two […]

The goal of the 2023 Chicago’s Best Wings Tournament was to promote local businesses in and around Chicago, and we had 32 of them that competed over the past month. Our competitors were chosen by Chicago’s Very Own Eats hosts Kevin Powell and Michael Piff, various wings enthusiasts on the WGN Radio staff, and WGN […]

Chicago’s original pizza festival makes its return on October 15th! The Chicago Pizza Summit began in 2016 as a way to bring pizza lovers from the world’s greatest pizza city together and to celebrate different styles and brands from across the area. Between 2016 and 2019, the Pizza Summit grew and evolved…like the community that […]

Friend of the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast and home cook Billy Zureikat joins Kevin Powell and Michael Piff to discuss his latest project that football fans and pizza lovers will enjoy. Each week of the Bears’ season, Billy is making a tavern style pizza that is inspired by the city or state that their […]

After the success of the Pizza Madness Tournament in the Spring and the Best Beef Tourney in the summer, Kevin Powell and Michael Piff wanted to come up with the perfect food tournament for the fall. This time around, we’re spotlighting the best WINGS in and around Chicago! As many of you know, they go […]

If you listen to the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast with Kevin Powell and Michael Piff, then you probably love eating and talking about pizza too. There are few people who know more about, or have eaten more pizza than NBC Chicago food reporter and 13-time James Beard Award-winner Steve Dolinsky. Steve joins Kevin and […]

The start of August signifies two things in Chicago: Lollapalooza and the heart of grilling season. You may have heard of Wild Fork already, as locations are popping up all around the greater Chicagoland area. But what you might not know is what sets Wild Fork apart from other grocery stores, butchers and specialty retailers. […]

As we finally move on from a very successful Chicago’s Best Beef Tournament, Kevin Powell and Michael Piff discuss another one of their favorite topics: WINGS! National Chicken Wing Day is July 29th, so Kevin and Michael reminisce about some of their favorite wing experiences and the places they recommend you order from this Saturday […]

The inaugural Chicago’s Best Beef Tournament, sponsored by Turano Baking Company, started with 16 competitors. 4 weeks and more than 150,000 votes later, we have our 2023 champion. Jay’s Beef and Buona squared off in the championship, with almost TRIPLE the amount of votes that were made in our Chicago Pizza Madness Championship. Kevin Powell […]

Don’t worry. This is a spoiler-free discussion, in case you aren’t caught up on ‘The Bear’ yet. One of the big reasons Kevin Powell and Michael Piff launched their 2023 Chicago’s Best Beef Tournament (sponsored by the Turano Baking Company) was because it coincided with the release of FX’s ‘The Bear’ Season 2. After giving […]

The 2023 Chicago’s Best Beef Tournament has begun and the votes are already rolling in. Michael Piff lists out the matchups with Kevin Powell on the latest episode of Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast before a great conversation with one of the competitors. Mario Ferraro from Ciccio, located at Navy Pier, is an accomplished, 2nd-generation […]

Back in February, home cook Billy Zureikat joined Kevin Powell and Michael Piff on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast to talk about his collaborations with some of the city’s most iconic restaurants, all while living with muscular dystrophy. On Monday, June 19th, “Tripping Billy” brings his greatest hits to the Chicago Reader’s ‘Monday Night […]

In case you weren’t already aware, Chicagoans aren’t the only ones who love Chicago food. Chicago was host to the 2023 James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House on Monday, and the city was well-represented with nominees and winners. Chicago Tribune food critic (and unofficial third host of the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast) […]

Is there anything more “Chicago” than Italian beef? Chicago’s Very Own Eats hosts Kevin Powell and Michael Piff are joined by Sara Faddah and Dario Durham of the 77 Flavors of Chicago podcast to get ready for National Italian Beef Day! Sara and Dario tell their story, how they met and how the podcast came […]

In a world that loves to debate deep dish vs. tavern style thin crust, Piece Pizzeria & Brewery brings New Haven style to the party…and we’re glad they did. Owner Bill Jacobs came by the WGN Radio studios with Piece pizza and their award-winning beer, and sat down with Chicago’s Very Own Eats hosts Kevin […]

Nearly 80 restaurants in 27 communities will be coming together from April 14th to the 23rd for Lake County Restaurant Week! First, Chicago’s Very Own Eats hosts Kevin Powell and Michael Piff talk with Chicago Tribune food critic Nick Kindelsperger about his new list of “The 9 best barbecue joints in Chicago.” Nick explains what […]

After three weeks of matchups, Georgio's in Crystal Lake takes the top spot.

It’s one of our favorite times of the year – White Sox Media Preview Day! Before Opening Day every year, the White Sox showcase their promotions for the upcoming season, new gear and giveaways, and the real reason you’re here – NEW food offerings at Guaranteed Rate Field. Kevin Powell and Michael Piff tried a […]

In honor of Chicago Northwest Restaurant Week, Kevin Powell and Michael Piff talk about their favorite restaurants in the suburbs. They are also joined by Meet Chicago Northwest president Heather Larson to talk about the 10-day long event (March 3rd to March 12th), the restaurants that are featured, and how it all came together. See […]