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  • Home
  • Around Town
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact Us

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The Real Park Ridge

  • Home
  • Around Town
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Scene
    • Feel-good Focus
    • Kid Zone
    • Park Ridge Insider
    • Recommendations
  • Eat. Drink. Shop
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • General Features
  • Interviews
  • Magazine
  • Park Ridge Insider Nicole Hanlon

  • Let’s get it started: Sampling the area’s tastiest, most unique appetizers

  • Park Ridge Insider Joe Breisch

  • Inside Scoop: Plan ahead for summer fun in the pool with the Park Ridge Park District

  • Spring fashion focus: From versatile denim options to vintage dishware and floral dresses, come see what’s in style on Prospect Avenue

Tag: Mel’s Craft BBQ

Home›Posts Tagged "Mel’s Craft BBQ"
  • General FeaturesGood Eats
    By Trent Modglin
    October 23, 2023
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    Raising the bar: Highlighting — and devouring — some of the impressive new dishes available from local restaurants

    By Trent Modglin Cafe Touche’s Cuban sandwich We got to try this Edison Park staple’s new Cuban sandwich before anyone else back in August — prior to it even hitting the menu — and we couldn’t stop boasting to anyone who would listen. It’s just outstanding on a lot of levels. Classic style Cuban, with a ...
    Read More
  • Park Ridge Insider
    By Trent Modglin
    September 1, 2023
    908
    0

    Park Ridge Insider Claudia Pazik on the seven spicy ahi at Shakou, a Saturday bottomless brunch with friends at Pennyville Station, and perusing the home decor at Marigold

    What you do for a living: I’m a hair stylist and colorist right here in Park Ridge at Salon Twenty Three. I’d love to have you in my chair! Check out my work on Instagram: @HairByClaudiaL How long you’ve lived here: I’m a Park Ridge native, through and through. 27 years to be exact. What you ...
    Read More
  • Park Ridge Insider
    By Trent Modglin
    July 29, 2023
    1841
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    Park Ridge Insider Mike Boychuck on the steaks and views at Gibsons Italia, the underrated Edison Park Inn, family escapes to Door County and 16-inch softball with the Park Ridge Park District

    What you do for a living: I’m self-employed in real estate management in the north side of Chicago. How long you’ve lived here: Born and raised, left for college in Iowa and then spent two years living in Chicago before returning to Park Ridge, where my wife Katie and I raise our three sons. What ...
    Read More
  • Park Ridge Insider
    By Trent Modglin
    June 20, 2023
    1149
    0

    Park Ridge Insider Anne Marie Brown on the Taste of Park Ridge, chicken elote tacos from Holt’s, home decor gifts at Marigold, acupuncture at Healing Point Wellness Center and more

    Taste of Park Ridge What you do for a living: I am the executive director of the Amina Grace Memorial Fund. We were founded in memory of Amina Grace Cullen Ali, a child with Down syndrome who passed at the age of five back in 2014. Our mission is to create lasting acceptance for people ...
    Read More
  • Around Town
    By Trent Modglin
    March 4, 2023
    1323
    0

    Inside Scoop: Park Ridge Restaurant Week celebrates the city’s thriving food scene March 3-12

    Park Ridge Restaurant Week 2023 is underway! As the creation of Mayor Marty Maloney and the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, Park Ridge Restaurant Week runs March 3-12 and includes specialty prix-fixe menus and specials at 20 participating restaurants, including Harp & Fiddle, Daniel’s Charcuterie, Mel’s Craft BBQ, Zaza Cucina, Easy Street Pizza, Patina Wine ...
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  • Park Ridge Insider
    By Trent Modglin
    February 2, 2023
    1046
    0

    Park Ridge Insider Todd Gentile on authentic Italian at Pazzi di Pizza and Zaza Cucina, watching games at Tavern on the Point, fashions at Camp Willow and winter escapes to Cedarburg, Wisconsin

    Todd Gentile 18-year Park Ridge resident Allstate Insurance Agent in Park Ridge What you do for a living: I am an insurance agent for Allstate, and my wife Sharon is a dental hygienist. I own two insurance offices, one in Uptown Park Ridge (1 N. Northwest Hwy., 847-384-9050) and another in the West Lakeview neighborhood ...
    Read More
  • General Features
    By Trent Modglin
    November 2, 2022
    1001
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    Sandwich sensations: We devoured some of the most popular sandwiches in the area, all in the name of journalism

    By Trent Modglin Touché burger at Café Touché There are so many tempting menu items at this classic French bistro (try the fritto misto appetizer with fried shrimp, calamari and scallops) — and believe us, we’ve tried a lot of them — but we have to admit, this sensational burger caught us off guard. Thick ...
    Read More
  • Park Ridge Insider
    By Trent Modglin
    September 26, 2022
    1278
    0

    Park Ridge Insider Talha Sajjad on developing relationships at Orange Shoe Personal Fitness, the tempting brisket at Mel’s Craft BBQ, gin martinis at Tavern on the Point and relaxing on the Robey Hotel rooftop in Chicago

    Mel’s Craft BBQ brisket sandwich What you do for a living: I’m the franchise owner and fitness professional at Orange Shoe Personal Fitness here at 833 W. Touhy in Park Ridge. We just celebrated our one-year anniversary in early September, and our clients love it. They like the feel of the space, the close-knit community ...
    Read More
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The Real Chicago — an eye-catching, family friendly entertainment magazine for active locals and tourists — originally launched in 2006. It now has a sister publication: The Real Park Ridge. Proud to be servicing our new home in Park Ridge, as well as the surrounding areas of Rosemont, Niles, Des Plaines, Mt. Prospect and NW Chicago.

The Real Park Ridge is printed and distributed seasonally four times per year (December, March, June and September) to thousands of Park Ridge homes, as well as more than 150 area restaurants, bars, boutiques, coffee shops, salons, spas, offices and hotels. Make sure to sign up for our e-mail newsletter and download our new digital app for the latest events, deals and feature articles.

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The Real Park Ridge

therealparkridge

Felt like some fish & chips on a Friday night at @ Felt like some fish & chips on a Friday night at @theharpandfiddle and couldn’t turn down the ahi tuna appetizer or tender scallops that are a new special (well done @chefjerry82 and Chef Edgar). And as it turns out, my 10-year-old son deserves photo credit here (no child-labor laws were violated).
From our big spring issue — Park Ridge Insider N From our big spring issue — Park Ridge Insider Nicole Hanlon on her family operation at @triplescoopdicecream … the margaritas and steak tacos at @westsorestaurant in Edison Park … finding the perfect something at @shop2sisters and exploring the South Park neighborhood

Read it all here: therealparkridge.com
70 degrees, 23 stops, dozens of participating @par 70 degrees, 23 stops, dozens of participating @parkridgechamber businesses, 260+ attendees, lots of smiles and stained lips
Thanks to all who came out to our Trivia & Tasting Thanks to all who came out to our Trivia & Tasting event benefiting the @parkridgeparks and @aminagracefund 

Lots of fun, lots of money raised, and plenty of tasty beverages and laughs. Special thanks to @northwindexteriors @parkridgechamber @whiskeyacres @maplewoodbrew @illuminatedbrewworks @oldirvingbrewing @chimneyrockwinery and Todd Gentile-Allstate Insurance for sponsoring... and to @chefjerry82 and @theharpandfiddle for being gracious hosts and donating all the food. Let’s do it again soon!
Last call for what figures to be one fun night of Last call for what figures to be one fun night of tastings (wine, bourbon, whiskey, beer and cocktails) and trivia benefiting the @parkridgeparks and @aminagracefund 

$30 gets you in on everything at @theharpandfiddle — appetizer buffet included. Tastings kick off at 5:30 tonight and trivia begins at 7 p.m. Ticket link in bio
Had the pleasure of helping the @parkridgechamber Had the pleasure of helping the @parkridgechamber and @parkridgemayor “officially” welcome three new businesses to town in the last week — @timperryart gallery, @elevatephysicaltherapychicago and @ariyarnshopandstudio 

Go check ‘em out! 

#TheRealParkRidge #supportlocal #parkridge
Ever have the @tavernpointchi elote dip, boom boom Ever have the @tavernpointchi elote dip, boom boom shrimp at @theharpandfiddle or @patinawinebar brûléed bone marrow?

If not, you’re going to want to after you read our spring issue cover story on some of the more intriguing appetizers in the area. 

Read it all now at therealparkridge.com
The fun returns tomorrow, Saturday, April 19 in So The fun returns tomorrow, Saturday, April 19 in South Park. The annual Easter egg hunt presented by the South Park Merchants is back, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Check out the new courts and then grab coffee, donuts and ice cream at @triplescoopdicecream before or after your hunt!
We’ve always prided ourselves on having the best We’ve always prided ourselves on having the best content around, and our spring issue cover story is no different. Beware though, it’ll make you hungry...

From @donjuanscantina fried oysters and @the_beacon_tap trash can nachos to @howardstreetinn stuffed crabs and @danielscharcuterie21 hummus crudite, we scoped out some of the tastiest, most unique appetizers in and around Park Ridge to get your meal headed in the right direction

Read the feature now at TheRealParkRidge.com
We’re going to have quite the @parkridgeparks fa We’re going to have quite the @parkridgeparks facility on the NW side of town. Can almost see the flag football games now…
Join the @parkridgechamber on Sunday, April 27, fr Join the @parkridgechamber on Sunday, April 27, from 1-5 p.m. for the ultimate Wine Walk experience. Bring your crew and sample various wines and small bites from 23 different business-sponsored pouring stations along the way.

Get your tickets now for just $45!
Info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-park-ridge-wine-walk-tickets-1289055562889
Park Ridge Insider (and @northwindexteriors owner) Park Ridge Insider (and @northwindexteriors owner) @joe_breisch_ on his family’s favorite dishes at @nonnasilvias and @blufish_parkridge … the patios at @pennyvillestation and @theharpandfiddle … Saturdays at the @parkridgefarmersmarket and @parkwaybankpark … and a trio of hidden gems near Lake Geneva

Read the insider spotlight now at TheRealParkRidge.com
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