Mateo Reyes
Reading Chicago one plate at a time
Based in Pilsen, Chicago.
Mateo grew up over his family's taqueria on 18th Street and cooked prep lines in two West Loop kitchens before turning to writing. He maps the city by its markets and counter service, from the birria stalls near Maxwell Street to the Vietnamese cafés along Argyle.
Latest stories
The newest 2 of 3 stories.
Where Chicago Eats When It Isn't Eating Pizza
Two Michelin stars in a Filipino bakery, goat birria on Broadway, duck banquets in Uptown and a smokehouse on 95th Street: a full week of Chicago eating that never touches deep-dish.
How Chicago Turned Its Ashes Into a Steel Skyline
A walking itinerary through the landmarks, lobbies and hotels that prove Chicago rebuilt itself in fireproof stone and steel after October 1871, and never really stopped.
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