Dining out: Aurora chef competes on ‘Chopped,’ National Pizza Week and more
A suburban chef faced the mystery basket on an episode of “Chopped” Tuesday. We’re deep (dish) into National Pizza week, which started Monday and runs through Saturday, Jan. 18. And there’s a new Mexican restaurant in Northbrook that promises scratch-made dishes in a casual atmosphere.
Suburban chef competes on ‘Chopped’
An Aurora chef who leads the kitchen at the Matrix Club in Naperville made his national television debut Tuesday night.
Alonso Beckford battled three other chefs on Food Network’s “Chopped,” competing in the Name Your Price tournament, where the chefs uncover three items in their mystery basket and must bid on the fourth ingredient in a live auction.
Beckford survived the first round despite “winning” barbecued beef intestines in the auction, but fell in the entrée round after bidding up ground camel to go with his basket ingredients of red bean buns, fennel and venison osso buco.
Beckford, who has served as executive chef at Matrix Club since its opening in October 2023, is a commissioner on Aurora’s African American Heritage Advisory Board.
National Pizza Week
There is no bad time for pizza. It is National Pizza Week, so I guess that makes it an especially good time to enjoy a local pie. Lou Malnati’s is celebrating with a few deals through Monday, Jan. 20, including free delivery on online orders of $15 or more (use promo code LOU2YOU). They also have a new rewards program that awards you a free pizza when you sign up and a Meal Deals offer that includes a dinner for four with pizza, salad or wings and cookies starting at under $10 per person.
New Mexican restaurant
Cabo Mexican Cocina opened in December in Northbrook, offering a fully scratch-made menu in a casual, counter-service environment.
The new eatery at 3147 Dundee Road makes everything — from tortillas to salsas to soups — by hand. Each taco is made fresh to order and served à la carte so you can mix, match and try as many as you like.
Menu items range from tacos, tortas, burritos and build-your-own-bowls to dinner entrées like carne asada and grilled sea bass. The drink list includes classic and flavored margaritas as well as craft cocktails and more.
Hot, hot, hot
What’s the perfect food to go with Hot and Spicy Food Day on Thursday, Jan. 16, and National Hot Sauce Day on Wednesday, Jan. 22? Wings, of course.
To help prep your taste buds, Wing Snob is offering a 20-piece Boneless Flight for $14.99 and a six-piece Boneless Combo with a drink and ranch for $6.99. Guests can toss the wings with any of Wing Snob’s signature sauces, including Hot AF, Buffalo, mango habanero and more.
Wing Snob has suburban locations in Elgin, Hanover Park, Libertyville, Mount Prospect and West Chicago.
• Email dining news to rwest@dailyherald.com.