Dining events: Portillo's debuts spicy chicken sandwich, Two Brothers hosts Summer BBQ Party

Posted May 20, 2021 6:00 am

Portillo's is entering the spicy chicken wars with a new chicken sandwich topped with hot giardiniera sauce. Courtesy of Portillo's

Hot stuff

Portillo's is making a foray into the spicy chicken wars. But with a kick. Portillo's spicy chicken sandwich comes topped with a new specialty hot giardiniera sauce (a creamy sauce made with pickle relish). The sauce can be used as a dipper for fries, chicken tenders, onion rings and more. Plus, limited edition bottles of the sauce can be purchased for $5.99 at local Portillo's. To have a little fun with the promotion, Portillo's is selling giardiniera-themed gear such as pool floats, swimsuits and more, including a children's book. And Portillo's tapped Brian Baumgartner of "The Office," Cedric The Entertainer, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Kenny G and more trying to say "giardiniera." See it at facebook.com/portillos.hotdog/videos/168031748568160 and on Portillo's social media pages.

Portillo's has locations throughout the suburbs; portillos.com/.

Hot giardiniera sauce garnishes Portillo's new spicy chicken sandwich. Courtesy of Portillo's

Skinny Deep

Are you craving Chicago-style deep-dish pizza but wanting a lighter version? Rich Labriola, of LaBarra Oak Brook and Labriola Chicago, has crafted a new Skinny Deep pizza with a skinnier portion of caramelized cheese crust under whatever toppings diners want. The new pizza starts at $19, with toppings an added $3.25 each. It's available for dine-in or carryout.

LaBarra is at 3011 Butterfield Road, Oak Brook, (630) 861-6177, labarraristorante.com/, and Labriola is at 535 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, (312) 955-3100, labriolacafe.com/.

Rich Labriola recently created the new Skinny Deep pizza that's now on the menu at LaBarra in Oak Brook. Courtesy of Labriola

Summer BBQ Party

Ready for a barbecue? Two Brothers Tap House is hosting a Summer BBQ Party starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 22. Expect lots of grilled food, cold beer and live music, including The Secret Lives playing at 1 p.m. and The Paul Abella Trio at 4:30 p.m. If the weather doesn't cooperate, there will be a big tent to keep you dry.

We've got some more good news from Two Brothers: The Roundhouse in Aurora is reopening on Wednesday, June 2, with a new food and drinks menu. The main dining area and beer garden will open first in a modern supper club style. Then the Tavern will return Friday, June 11, featuring live music from Jack Mack and The Heavy Lifting on opening day and from Joker's Rival on Saturday, June 12. On Friday, June 18, the Two Brothers Cocktail Lounge will debut. And the Cafe will start up at the end of the month. Stay tuned for details.

Two Brothers Tap House is at 30W315 Calumet Ave., Warrenville, (630) 393-2337, twobrothersbrewing.com/restaurants/tap-house/. Two Brothers Roundhouse is at 205 N. Broadway, Aurora, twobrothersbrewing.com/restaurants/roundhouse/.

Buona will be offering free Italian beef sandwiches May 27-31 to honor National Italian Beef Day. Courtesy of Buona

National Italian Beef Day

How does a free Italian Beef sandwich from Buona sound? To celebrate National Italian Beef Day, which falls on Thursday, May 27, anyone who orders an Italian beef with peppers from the Buona app can get the sandwich for free at any Buona location from Thursday through Monday, May 27-31.

Buona has locations in Algonquin, Bolingbrook, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Hoffman Estates, Itasca, Mount Prospect, Naperville, Rosemont and more. buona.com/.

Starry night

Now that the weather is cooperating (a little), it's time for Sipping Under the Stars at CityGate Grille in Naperville. Enjoy wine and appetizers on CityGate's patio from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, May 27. The $45 per person fee includes five tasting tickets, passed apps, live music from Dave Eno, tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

In other CityGate news, the upscale restaurant is celebrating 2020 and 2021 graduates with a free entree with the purchase of an entree of equal or greater amount. To redeem the deal, a diploma or ID must be shown at the time of order.

CityGate Grille is at 2020 Calamos Court, Naperville, (630) 718-1010, citygategrille.com/.

Spring into summer

With the warmer weather comes seasonal specials at Chandler's Chophouse in Schaumburg. Choose from entrees such as Korean barbecue filet mignon skewers ($11.99), beef tenderloin steak salad ($14.99), Florida grouper ($19.99), filet mignon sliders ($15.99), cheese tortellini ($16.99) and triple chocolate truffle cake ($6.99).

Chandler's Chophouse is at 401 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, (847) 885-9009, chandlerschophouse.com/.

• Due to COVID-19 restrictions, events are subject to change. Send restaurant events, news and openings/closings to clinden@dailyherald.com.

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