Dining events: Shake Shack goes seasonal with its special shakes
Shake Shack's holiday flavors
Shake Shack celebrates the holidays with seasonal shakes for $5.75 available through Jan. 3. Try the gingerbread: a spiced frozen custard topped with whipped cream and cinnamon cookie crumble; the chocolate peppermint, a chocolate frozen custard blended with peppermint and topped with whipped cream and crumbled chocolate-covered candy canes; and the Christmas cookie, sugar cookie frozen custard topped with whipped cream and red and green sprinkles. Shake Shack is at Old Orchard, 4999 Old Orchard Center Space L28, Skokie. (847) 380-1240 or shakeshack.com.
Shaw's Santa breakfast
Santa Claus is coming to town - and to Shaw's Crab House from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20. While waiting to see the big guy, dig into the full brunch buffet with seafood and shellfish stations, traditional breakfast items, a build-your-own hot chocolate bar, homemade Christmas cookies and a sweets table. $52 adults, free for kids 12 and younger, limit two per adult. Shaw's Crab House is at 1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg. (847) 517-2722 or shawscrabhouse.com.
Real Urban Barbecue's holiday helper
Feed your guests without breaking a sweat this Christmas and New Year's with Real Urban Barbecue's holiday to-go menu. Choose from meats priced by the pound - like the whole smoked char-crusted beef tenderloin or the slow-smoked prime rib, both served in a creamy horseradish sauce and red wine demi-glace. Plus, there are appetizers like the apple wood bacon-wrapped shrimp caramelized in barbecue sauce as well as sides and desserts. Real Urban Barbecue has locations in Vernon Hills and Oak Brook. RealUrbanBBQ.com.