southtownstar.suntimes.com

McDonald’s adding 3 new Quarter Pounders to menu

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:54:24 -0500

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.

Strawberry Pepsi? New fountain machine in test

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:18:01 -0500

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

Thu, 09 May 2013 13:50:00 -0500

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

Wed, 08 May 2013 08:09:40 -0500

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

Wed, 08 May 2013 08:02:01 -0500

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

Thu, 02 May 2013 13:26:00 -0500

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.

Growing crowd of celebrity wines takes spotlight

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:20:05 -0500

Fancy having Brangelina, Drew Barrymore and Dan Aykroyd over for dinner? No problem, they’ll even bring the wine. OK, maybe the stars themselves won’t show up, but their wines will appear with just a wave of a credit card. You might start with an aperitif of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s new Miraval rose, move on to a light pasta dish served with Barrymore Wine’s pinot grigio, then perhaps finish up with a glass of Aykroyd’s cabernet franc ice wine for dessert. It’s hard to put a number on celebrity wines, a category that includes singers, sports stars, chefs and …

Heinz shareholders OK acquisition

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:56:28 -0500

Heinz said Tuesday its shareholders overwhelmingly approved its $23 billion acquisition by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital, the investment firm that also owns Burger King.

Major makeover for Mokena bowling alley

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:05:48 -0500

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 feature a totally revamped dining and bar area, a retooled menu with an emphasis on fresh, diverse items, and a soon-to-be-redecorated 24-lane bowling area. Craig Engberg, of Homer Glen, and his brother, Paul, are the new/old owners of the business, 18700 Old LaGrange Road. They were partners from the get-go in 1999 with Bob Stump, …

The Big Deals for May 3, 2013

Fri, 03 May 2013 02:19:52 -0500

From upscale to low-calorie, Sun-Times Media’s Big Deals column brings readers the dish on food and drink specials that will not break the bank.

Farmers markets ready to go

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:00:43 -0500

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 manager Merrill Marxman said. The spring market will operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, April 28 through June 2, and the summer market from June 9 through Oct. 27 at Breidert Green, Oak and Kansas streets. “Frankfort is my premier market,” Marxman said. “The community is really behind it, and it’s in a …

Sweet Annie’s staying in Flossmoor

Wed, 15 May 2013 06:47:46 -0500

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, 1050 Sterling Ave. The boutique is moving to the Cherry Creek Plaza, 18334 Governors Highway, by the end of April, according to its website. Aboushousha said the bakery will move to its new, 1,400-square-foot location, which will offer cafe seating, at the end of May or early June. Last month, Aboushousha said Sweet Annie’s was …

With license to brew, Beverly pub gets hopping

Wed, 08 May 2013 06:23:21 -0500

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 smiling. He also is doing what he loves. There’s another reason. Best of all, residents of the 19th Ward have quickly become fans of the restaurant. Byers, 30, is a local guy. He grew up in Beverly and walks to work. He graduated from St. Barnabas School and Mount Carmel High School. He still has …

The Big Deals for April 5, 2013

Mon, 06 May 2013 06:08:23 -0500

From upscale to low-calorie, Sun-Times Media’s Big Deals column brings readers the dish on food and drink specials that will not break the bank. Suggestions include a Jamba Juice smoothies special in Orland Park.

Dining Out: Maple Tree Inn in Blue Island

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 06:07:08 -0500

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 for the Maple Tree Inn is its own very beautiful and unique thing. The visit to downtown Blue Island is worth the trip alone. It’s a slice of nearly extinct Americana that includes turreted storefronts, vinyl awnings and a smattering of mom-and-pop businesses such as Gayla’s Irish Saloon and Jebens Hardware (with windows filled with …

Naper Ribfest picks up STYX

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:06:54 -0500

The first musical act for Ribfest 2013 has been announced, and it should make fans of classic rock very happy. The Exchange Club of Naperville and the 2013 Ribfest Committee announced Tuesday afternoon that STYX will be the headline act on July 3, the opening day for Ribfest. The 26th Ribfest will be held July 3-7, 2013 in Knoch Park, Naperville. Ribfest consists of family activities throughout the event, rib vendors from across the country and music. All the proceeds from Ribfest go to support the elimination of child abuse and domestic violence. Marty Walker, Ribfest 2013 chairman, is happy …