Local Business
Hawaiian Bros Opens First Glenwood, Illinois Location—Grand Opening Set for Feb. 16
Hawaiian Bros opens its first Glenwood, Illinois restaurant Feb. 16 with giveaways for the first 100 customers, VIP events Feb. 14, and island-inspired plate lunches.
Hawaiian Bros Opens First Glenwood, Illinois Location With Grand Opening Giveaways
GLENWOOD, Ill. — Hawaiian Bros is officially expanding its Chicagoland footprint with its first Glenwood, Illinois location, opening Feb. 16 at 18851 S Halsted St (60425).
The island-inspired fast-casual brand is marking the launch with a grand opening celebration starting at 11 a.m. on Feb. 16. Hawaiian Bros says the first 100 customers in line will receive a free t-shirt and a gift card ranging from $25 to $500 (with purchase)—and one winner will be selected for Hawaiian Bros for a year.
Ahead of opening day, the company is also hosting VIP events on Feb. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hawaiian Bros says first responders, medical personnel, academic staff, students, and local business employees will be treated to a free classic Plate Lunch.
Hawaiian Bros is known for its island-inspired plate lunch—typically chicken or pork with sweet, savory, or spicy sauces, served with macaroni salad and steamed white rice or vegetables. For dessert, the brand highlights its Dole Soft Serve®. The company also emphasizes that it doesn’t rely on freezers or microwaves, focusing instead on fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Hawaiian Bros currently operates 70+ restaurants across 14 states and has expanded franchise opportunities since 2023.
What to watch for
- How early the line forms: The first 100 customers get the biggest perks, so timing could be everything.
- Community turnout at VIP events (Feb. 14): Free plate lunches for local groups could drive strong early word-of-mouth.
- Southland fast-casual competition: This opening adds another high-energy, limited-menu concept to the local mix—worth tracking for repeat traffic and reviews.
Learn more:https://hawaiianbros.com/
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Food and Beverage
McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie Returns June 23—A Limited-Time Summer Throwback
McDonald’s is bringing back its OG Fried Apple Pie starting June 23 for a limited time at participating restaurants nationwide—plus a 35-foot pie photo stop on Route 66 near Chicago.
Summer tends to fly by, but certain bites slow time down. McDonald’s is betting its Fried Apple Pie is one of them.
According to a new announcement from McDonald’s USA, the OG Fried Apple Pie returns to participating restaurants nationwide starting June 23 for a limited time. The classic dessert is described as featuring a signature filling made with 100% American-grown apples, wrapped in the same golden, crunchy, flaky fried crust longtime fans remember.
Why the Fried Apple Pie comeback matters
McDonald’s is framing the return as a nostalgia play with a patriotic twist, tying the seasonal rollout to the lead-up to America’s 250th birthday. If you grew up hearing people talk about “the fried pies,” this is the moment they mean: hot, sweet, and unmistakably old-school.
And if you’ve never tried it? McDonald’s is positioning June 23 as your entry point—an “if you know, you know” menu item that’s meant to feel like a summer memory in dessert form.
A classic that started as a family recipe
The company also shared a bit of origin story: the Fried Apple Pie traces back to the 1960s, when East Tennessee McDonald’s Owner/Operator Litton Cochran created a fried apple hand pie that became a local favorite. Over time, it made its way into McDonald’s history.
Eric Cochran, a McDonald’s Owner/Operator, said the pie is one of those foods that “take you back,” and credited his grandparents—Litton and Jo Cochran—with helping shape the recipe when McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc was looking for a dessert that would resonate with customers.
The 35-foot Fried Apple Pie (yes, really)
To make the return feel like a road-trip moment, McDonald’s is also unveiling a giant roadside installation: The McDonald’s Largest Fried Apple Pie, a 35-foot version of the dessert placed along Route 66—built to be a photo stop.
Fans can snap a selfie and pick up a McDonald’s souvenir map at:
- 920 N Broadway St., Joliet, IL 60435 (just outside Chicago)
If you’re near Chicagoland, here are the dates
- Kickoff event (June 23): 3:30–6:00 p.m. CT, with live music, an ice-cold Coca-Cola, and complimentary Arch Cards
- June 23–July 4: The installation remains up through the holiday stretch
How to get it
McDonald’s says the Fried Apple Pie will be available all day at participating restaurants nationwide, and can also be ordered via the McDonald’s App, while supplies last.If your summer plans include a long drive, a late-night snack run, or just chasing a little nostalgia, June 23 might be the date to circle. Some menu items are built for convenience—this one is built for the detour.
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Last Updated on June 15, 2026 by Rod Washington
Miami’s South Beach dining scene is about to get a jolt of Tel Aviv energy. Naked Tomato by internationally acclaimed chef Eyal Shani will open at Moxy South Beach on May 14, bringing a modern Israeli, modern Mediterranean-leaning restaurant built around simplicity, seasonality, and open-fire cooking.
If Shani’s name rings a bell, it’s because his ingredient-first approach has become a global calling card. His portfolio now spans 50+ restaurants across cities including New York, Tel Aviv, Paris, Melbourne, Singapore, Las Vegas, and London, with concepts like Miznon, HaSalon, and Michelin-starred Shmonéhelping define his expressive, produce-forward style.
The “naked” tomato: a menu philosophy, not a garnish
At Naked Tomato, the tomato isn’t just a motif—it’s the thesis. Shani describes the “naked” tomato as food in its purest form: uncomplicated, vibrant, and honest. That idea shapes a menu designed to let ingredients speak for themselves, paired with a lively atmosphere that nods to Israeli roadside grills and the late-night pulse of Tel Aviv.
“At Naked Tomato, we believe creating naked food is an act of courage,” Shani said in the announcement. “It means removing the masks and distractions, and standing fully behind the ingredient itself… Naked food is high-risk creation. It is purity.”
What to expect on the menu
For the first time, Shani is stepping away from his signature free-flowing format and moving toward a more structured layout of starters, small plates, and mains—some newly created, others inspired by dishes across his global restaurants.
Starters and small plates to watch for
The opening lineup highlights the restaurant’s core promise: bold Mediterranean flavors, bright produce, and fire-driven technique.
- Fire-Roasted Eggplant Lines
- Moroccan Bishbash Salad
- “You Need Our Dips”: hummus, babaganoush, labaneh, and freshly baked laffe
Shipudim: Israeli-style skewers at the center
The heart of the menu is Shipudim—Israeli-style skewers—served with a colorful spread of mezze. Options include:
- Wild mushrooms
- Shrimp
- Harissa chicken thigh
- Lamb kebab
Expect mezze sides like pickles, Middle Eastern slaw, roasted peppers, and matbucha, built for sharing, tearing, and dipping.
Larger plates and “party table” mains
For groups (or hungry solo diners), the menu also points to larger, fire-kissed plates:
- A rotating Catch of the Day kissed by open fire
- Tomahawk Good for Two Humans and Probably More
- Masabacha of cranberry beans and crushed tomato seeds
- Chicken Schnitzel with sides including the playful “Marrow of a Dinosaur Bone”
Bar, lounge, and late-night energy
Naked Tomato is designed as more than a dinner reservation—it’s positioned as a high-energy dining experience with a full bar and lounge for cocktails, wine, and late-night bites. The beverage program is described as a natural extension of Shani’s philosophy: simple, vibrant, and built to enhance the foodrather than compete with it.
Design: part market, part kitchen, part dining room
Designed by Turjeman Yaakov of Jacob Turgeman Design, the space aims to blur the line between kitchen, market, and dining room. Expect an environment where produce, bread, wine, and everyday culinary objects are displayed openly, with textures like patinated metals, worn woods, stone-like walls, warm lighting, and greenery. Communal tables bring the buzz, while more intimate seating keeps it flexible for date nights and smaller groups.
Where it is, when it’s open, and how to book
Naked Tomato is located at Moxy South Beach, joining the property’s rooftop oasis, Serena.
- Dinner hours: Thursday–Saturday, 6:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.
- Dinner hours: Sunday–Monday, 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
- Reservations: available on SevenRooms
- More info: https://nakedtomatousa.com
- Instagram: @nakedtomatousa
For South Beach visitors (and locals chasing something new), Naked Tomato is shaping up to be a destination for anyone who wants modern Israeli flavors, open-fire cooking, and a dining room that feels like the night is just getting started.
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Foodie News
illy Launches Art of Dining Series With Chef-Led Events Across Major U.S. Cities
illy has launched its Art of Dining Series, a year-long program pairing chef-led tasting menus with its signature coffee blend in major U.S. cities.
Last Updated on May 4, 2026 by Daily News Staff
illy is bringing coffee and fine dining together with its new Art of Dining Series, a year-long program featuring chef-led dining experiences in cities including Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
The series launched in March with a dinner at Boia De in Miami and will continue with curated events built around custom tasting menus inspired by illy’s signature blend. One of the upcoming stops is set for June in San Francisco at Wolfsbane, where illy Chef Ambassador Rupert Blease will create a menu inspired by his own bespoke illy blend.
The company says the program is designed to create immersive, in-person experiences that connect guests with the illy brand through flavor, atmosphere, and hospitality. The launch also builds on illy’s broader gastronomy strategy, including its Chef Ambassador program and its role as the exclusive coffee partner of World’s 50 Best Restaurants for the past four years.
Founded in Trieste, Italy, in 1933, illy is known for its 100% Arabica coffee blend and global presence in more than 140 countries.
Source: illycaffè via PR Newswire
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At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
