A Chicago Icon and Favorite of the Cast of ‘The Bear' Recovers From a Devastating Fire
The blaze struck in the afternoon on Monday, June 24, at 4852 S. Pulaski Road. No injuries were reported. The fire originated on the building's second floor. The Zaragozas are waiting to hear from insurance adjusters to assess the damage as the restaurant remains closed. The restaurant has enjoyed an 18-year run and is a member of the Eater Chicago 38.
Big Star, the taqueria from One Off Hospitality Group, is raising money for Birrieria Zaragoza at its locations in Wicker Park, West Town, and Wrigleyville. They'll donate a portion of Saturday, July 5 sales of their quesabirria to fire recovery efforts.
So far, a GoFundMe has raised more than $30,000 as the family-owned restaurant figures out its next steps. The family also has a second location in Uptown near the Riviera Theater on the corner of Lawrence and Broadway. Donations will go toward rebuilding, paying workers, and overall expenses.
Beyond being a popular destination for the cast and crew of The Bear , the restaurant has become an essential part of the city's cultural fabric thanks to a simple menu featuring slow-cooked goat served with fresh tortillas and all the fixings.
The Archer Heights restaurant, near Midway Airport, has also become a destination for members of the service industry, and many are offering their support. Notable donations listed on the GoFundMe include Oriole (last month, chef Noah Sandoval won a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes), chef Norm Fenton from Michelin-starred Cariño; and Beard winner Sarah Stegner of Prairie Grass Cafe in suburban Northbrook. See More:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
7 hours ago
- New York Post
Teen tragically dies after hitting his head in botched backflip attempt
An Australian teenager died after a celebratory backflip attempt took a tragic turn. Sonny Blundell, who just moved from New South Wales to an apartment in Queensland for a concreting job and to 'start a new life with his girlfriend,' was found unresponsive by his roommate after the stunt on June 24, his heartbroken older sister, Izabella Cromack-Hay, told The Daily Telegraph. 'He hit his head in the lounge room on the ground and had a headache went to bed,' Cromack-Hay told the outlet. '[He] woke up, went to the toilet vomiting and then passed out. That's when his best friend found him unresponsive in the morning.' Advertisement 3 Sonny Blundell died after a backflip attempt took a tragic turn. GoFundMe The 18-year-old was rushed to the Queensland Hospital Intensive Care Unit and suffered 'multiple strokes.' 'The first 24hrs was the most critical which we nearly lost him after having multiple strokes and another bleed which lead (sic) to him needing a drain in his brain,' Cromack-Hay shared on the GoFundMe page that was made to help pay for Blundell's medical bills and rehab. 'There is major uncertainty that Sonny will or will not pull through. He's working his hardest as there could be recovery and rehabilitation.' Advertisement Doctors placed him in a coma and performed brain surgery but he eventually died from his injuries on June 30, his sister confirmed on the GoFundMe page. 'Our beautiful Sonny has grown his wings and passed away,' Cromack-Hay added. 'We are all in disbelief and major pain.' Money raised from the fundraiser will be used to return his body to his family in New South Wales and pay for funeral costs. 'We need to bring Sonny home as his sisters are waiting for him,' Cromack-Hay wrote in a GoFundMe update on June 30. 'We are all here in Queensland trying our hardest to organize this horrible time and prepare ourselves.' Advertisement 3 Blundell was rushed to the ICU after a roommate found him unresponsive. GoFundMe The page has raised nearly $16,000 for the expenses. 'I'll bring you home my boy, my love, my soul and my heart,' his mother, Madeline Blundell, wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday. 'My best friend and my shoulder to laugh with and cry. I miss you so much my baby .. ma is here.' Celebratory stunts have had fatal consequences in the past. Advertisement 3 Blundell died from his injuries on June 30, 2025. GoFundMe South African bodybuilder Sifiso Lungelo Thabete died after a botched backflip attempt while he entered an arena before a competition in 2017. In 2014, Indian soccer player Peter Biaksangzuala died from injuries he sustained while celebrating a goal with somersaults.
Hamilton Spectator
12 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Moxies unveils second menu drop of the summer
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With the outdoor patio season well underway, Moxies is excited to share the addition of more fresh, flavourful items to its seasonal menu. Starting today, guests will be able to enjoy two new refreshing cocktails and the return of a fan-favourite dessert. Perfect for cooling down, every item is handcrafted with fresh, quality ingredients and made to complement any summer occasion. ' Summer is a favourite time of year for many Canadians, and we wanted to give even more reasons to enjoy it, which is why we decided to roll out a second wave of summer menu items ,' says Joanne Forrester, President and Chief Operating Officer, Moxies. ' This lineup of fresh offerings invites guests to come back to Moxies and try something new. Each item embodies the essence of summer and inspires those spontaneous moments that will have everyone saying, 'meet me at Moxies .'' Inspired by vibrant Mexican cocktails, Pinky Promise is a lower-alcohol option featuring Ketel One Vodka, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, guava, lemon, and soda, garnished with an edible orchid. This cocktail is the first creation influenced by Moxies' Tastemakers program, an innovative approach to menu development that invites guests to help shape future items. A spin on the classic Pornstar Martini, Talk Flirty to Me brings a bright, sparkling profile with Absolut Vodka, passion fruit, and house-made vanilla syrup, served with Santa Margherita Prosecco. Making its highly anticipated return is the iconic Churro Ice Cream Sandwich, the mouth-watering sweet treat created by Executive Pastry Chef Kenta Takahashi of Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar and three-time winner of Canada's Best Pastry Chef, awarded by Canada's Top 100 Best. A firm guest favourite, this unique nostalgic dessert layers cinnamon sugar-dusted house-made churros around vanilla bean ice cream for a crisp, creamy bite. These exciting July additions are the second part of a broader summer menu, launched earlier in the season. From now until September 8, guests are invited to enjoy the new dishes and drinks available at all locations across Canada. For more details on participating locations and opening hours, visit . Follow Moxies on Instagram: @moxies to stay updated on the latest offerings and promotions. About Moxies With 57 locations across North America, Moxies is a Canadian premium casual concept owned by Northland Properties. It is known for progressive made-in-house culinary, an innovative beverage program, and enlightened hospitality in a stylish and relaxed environment. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
USA Today
15 hours ago
- USA Today
Alligator Alcatraz: Kona Ice, restaurants clarify after their trucks are seen at facility
Kona Ice sent an explainer while a Mexican food truck company apologized to its customers as both were seen participating in a catering event at the new Everglades immigration processing center called Alligator Alcatraz. "The event was booked through an unknown agency, and the franchisee was unaware of the facility's nature or its association with politically sensitive issues," Kona wrote on Instagram. "We deeply regret the impression our involvement may have given and the pain it has caused within our community," said Elote Lovers, a Mexican restaurant in Homestead, in a statement on Instagram. Kona Ice and Elote Lovers were two of four food trucks seen entering the facility in the Everglades in Miami-Dade County on a TikTok posted on July 2. The video, which now has over 3.7 million views, shows food trucks named Kona Ice, Elote Lovers, Churromania and Ms. Cheezius driving into the gate at the Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport. "They love our food but hate our people," wrote TikTok user osozalez. In a statement on Instagram, Ms. Cheezius said the food truck was approached by a disaster response company to help provide meals for active service members who were working at Alligator Alcatraz. Watch as first immigrants arrive at Alligator Alcatraz "Contrary to misleading online narratives, our presence was not part of any celebration or grand opening, and we are not engaged in ongoing services there," the statement says. Kona Ice also released a statement and clarified that each Kona Ice truck is locally owned and operated. "Our brand exists to bring a moment of happiness to communities through our shaved ice experience – and we recognize the importance of ensuring that mission is never misinterpreted," the statement says. Restaurant said providing food was not an endorsement On Elote Lovers' website, the restaurant said that they started as a family-run food truck in 2011 but expanded in 2019. "What started as a small family venture has grown into a place where tradition meets innovation," the website said. "From our classic Mexican-style elotes to our loaded Crunchwraps, unique street eats, and Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, every bite is crafted with love, quality ingredients, and a little bit of heat!" The restaurant said providing food for Alligator Alcatraz was not an endorsement of the facility, which opened July 1 with a highly-publicized visit from President Donald Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Both toured the facility with Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie, who boasted about the state's quick efforts to set up the immigration processing center in eight days. The state plans to hold 3,000 detained immigrants at the Everglades detention center for future removal to their countries of origin. It's been heavily criticized, with opponents arguing it will harm the fragile ecosystem of the Everglades, is inhumane to detainees and the facility will waste taxpayer dollars. DeSantis described these sites as a "one-stop shop" for deportation. Questions for comment from Churromania are pending. "We do not support, condone, or align ourselves with any form of oppression, abuse, of injustice," Elote Lovers said. "We never have and we never will." Ana Goñi-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network – Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@
