Restaurant learns online reviews can make or break

It was the customer service disaster heard around the Internet. An Arizona restaurateur, fed up after years of negative online reviews and an embarrassing appearance on a reality television show, posted a social media rant laced with salty language and angry, uppercase letters that quickly …

Top chefs offer up fresh takes on taco night

When salsa overtook ketchup as America’s favorite condiment in the 1990s, you had to know that “taco night” wasn’t far behind. Simple, satisfying and inexpensive, hard or soft tacos filled with meat, cheese and a what-have-you of veggies have become a staple for busy families. …

Culver’s sales to benefit Honor Flight Chicago

Honor Flight Chicago, a nonprofit that flies World War II veterans to the National World War II Memorial in Washington, will receive a portion of May 21 sales at Chicago-area Culver’s restaurants, according to a news release from the restaurant chain. Giant thank you cards …

McDonald’s adding 3 new Quarter Pounders to menu

McDonald’s is adding three new Quarter Pounders to its menu as the fast-food chain looks to offer cheaper premium burgers while capitalizing on one of its most popular brands.

Whole Foods mixes up chicken, vegan salads

Whole Foods Market Inc. said labels on a chicken salad and those on a vegan version were reversed at some of its cold food bars in the Northeast.

Strawberry Pepsi? New fountain machine in test

PepsiCo says it plans to start testing a new fountain machine at restaurants that lets people create a variety of flavor combinations, such as strawberry Mountain Dew.

McDonald’s cuts Angus burgers from menu

McDonald’s is cutting the Angus burger from its menu. The company said it was removing the burgers to “make room for new and exciting choices for our customers.”

Coke’s anti-obesity push to go global

Coca-Cola says it will work to make lower-calorie drinks and clear nutrition information more widely available around the world. Earlier this year, it began airing its first TV commercial in the U.S. addressing obesity.

McDonald’s sales hit by weakness in Asia, Europe

McDonald’s says a key sales figure slipped again in April, with the world’s biggest hamburger chain citing fears over a new strain of avian flu for weakness in China. Sales at restaurants open at least 13 months fell 0.6 percent globally.

Starbucks makes management changes

Starbucks Corp. is making management changes it says will give its top leaders deeper experience with the company. The world’s biggest coffee chain declined to say whether the changes were part of succession planning for Howard Schultz.

Major makeover for Mokena bowling alley

After 14 years in business, Morgan’s Thunder Bowl in Mokena needed a face-lift.

It got a big one with sweeping changes, and a new name for the bar and dining portion, now called The Alley Grill and Taphouse.

A grand opening May 8 is to …

Farmers markets ready to go

There’s more in store for shoppers this spring at local farmers markets as market managers promise more vendors, special events and parking. Frankfort will have at least six new vendors and an additional parking lot by the time its market is in full swing, market …

Sweet Annie’s staying in Flossmoor

After a lease agreement that would have moved Sweet Annie’s bakery to Homewood fell through, it looks like the Flossmoor staple will be moving just down the street instead.

Anne Aboushousha said her bakery will move into the building formerly occupied by Her Closet Boutique, …

With license to brew, Beverly pub gets hopping

Neil Byers is smiling a lot these days.

He recently received his brewing license from the city of Chicago, which allows him to brew beer at his new restaurant, Horse Thief Hollow, at 10426 S. Western Ave. in the Beverly community.

That’s one reason he’s …

Dining Out: Maple Tree Inn in Blue Island

As a regular Louisiana visitor and a Cajun and Creole aficionado, it’s difficult not to compare Maple Tree Inn, which bills itself as a Louisiana brasserie, to New Orleans restaurants.

Against that standard, the Blue Island restaurant doesn’t always stack up.

That doesn’t really matter …