Dining out: New Mindful Meals on tap at Lazy Dog Restaurants
Healthy options
Making a New Year’s resolution to eat healthier in 2026? Lazy Dog Restaurants is rolling out a new Mindful Meals lineup of dishes starting Tuesday, Dec. 30.
Rather than smaller portions, the Mindful Meals lineup reflects a selection of dishes with balance in mind, including the new Protein Crunch Bowl with crunchy, oven-roasted garbanzo beans, jammy egg, avocado, almonds, tomatoes and feta cheese on a bed of supergreens with honey apple cider vinegar dressing on the side. There’s also an option to sub rice for supergreens and add protein such as chicken, steak or salmon.
Other dishes include the chili crunch ahi tuna bowl, Thai chicken salad, seared ahi tuna salad, grilled lemon chicken, wild-caught sea bass and chicken lettuce wrap.
They have suburban locations in Buffalo Grove, Naperville, Northbrook, Oak Brook and Vernon Hills.
Bear down
To commemorate the Chicago Bears epic comeback win over the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 20, Portillo’s is teaming up with game-winning catch wide receiver DJ Moore for a victory meal.
The DJ Moore meal features his favorite order: Portillo’s Italian beef sandwich with sweet and hot peppers plus shredded cheddar cheese, small fries with regular cheese sauce and a small Coke.
It’s available for a limited time when ordering through the restaurant’s kiosks, app or website (for pickup orders only) and for delivery orders via Uber Eats.
Portillo’s is also marking the win with the launch of its new “Comeback Sauce,” a creamy, tangy dipping sauce featuring black pepper, garlic and paprika. Perks members can get a free order of the sauce with any purchase starting Monday, Jan. 5, while supplies last.
Going back to Cali
Guzman y Gomez has a limited-time offer on one of its most popular menu items. From now until Jan. 31, guests can grab a regular Chicken Cali Burrito for $7, down from its normal price of $11.20. The mini version is $5.
The burrito features flame-grilled chicken marinated in GYG’s Guerrero spices, chipotle-seasoned fries, guacamole and sour cream. The promotion is available at participating GYG locations and on the GYG App (including GYG Delivery) until Thursday, Jan. 8.
Suburban locations are in Buffalo Grove, Crystal Lake, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Naperville and Schaumburg.
Special guest
One of North America’s 50 best bars is visiting The Greggory for a one-night-only collaboration.
The Meadowlark, #38 on the 2025 50 Best Bars in North America and home to the “Best Cocktail Menu in North America” in 2024, will pop up starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, in South Barrington.
The renowned craft cocktail bar from Chicago’s Logan Square will be pulling favorites from their Ad Astra menu, inspired by “the shimmering stardust, fiery craters and galactic hues that grace our solar system.”
The collab also will feature bites from The Meadowlark’s sister concepts — MICHELIN Bib Gourmand-recognized Lardon, Union and the new wood-fired pizza spot, The Little Lark.
All cocktails and bites will be available à la carte. Seating is first-come, first-served, with limited table and bar space available.
• Email dining events to rwest@dailyherald.com.