Chicago Takes a Break From NASCAR

BEST DATE NEWS

July 24, 2025: Best Date News Volume #136

Welcome to Best Date News, your favorite Chicago weekly newsletter! In this week’s edition, you’ll read about NASCAR pausing the Chicago Street Race, the CTA’s new Red Line stations, our big boat rental giveaway, weekend plans and so much more!

July 24: National Holidays

• National Tequila Day

• National Cousins Day

• National Drive-Thru Day

• National Refreshment Day

• International Self-Care Day

Sponsored by our friends at Ghirardelli

National Hot Fudge Sundae Day

• Ghirardelli: Tomorrow, Friday, July 25, is National Hot Fudge Sundae Day, and the best place to celebrate is at Ghirardelli in Chicago!

• For one day only, Ghirardelli is offering their Mini World Famous Hot Fudge Sundaes for just $7.25 to mark the date (7/25). This limited-time offer is available in-store only while supplies last.

• Each Mini World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae has a scoop of vanilla ice cream, handmade hot fudge, whipped cream, diced almonds, a cherry and a Milk Chocolate Caramel SQUARE.

• You can get one for yourself at their downtown Chicago location in the heart of the city at 400 N Michigan Ave., right along the river!

Chicago News

• NASCAR Chicago: After a three-year run, the NASCAR Chicago Street Race will not return in 2026 and is instead being moved to San Diego. The pause is tied to several factors including the end of the original agreement, feedback about the Fourth of July weekend timing and the extensive time needed to set up and tear down the course. That said, there’s still a possibility the race could return to Chicago in 2027. Plus, NASCAR officials are evaluating a return to Chicagoland Speedway.

• MLB All-Star Game: According to reports from Crain’s Chicago, Wrigley Field is “now all but guaranteed to host the 2027 MLB All-Star Game.” Rumors have been circulating since May, but it appears the official announcement will be made next week. We will keep you updated. This would be the first MLB All-Star Game hosted at Wrigley Field since 1990. If you are lucky enough to go, just avoid this seat.

• CTA Red Line: Four North Side stations including Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr just reopened following years of major renovations. The updated stations now feature wider platforms, larger awnings, modern designs and full ADA accessibility. Each stop also includes new public art created in collaboration with local artists to reflect the surrounding neighborhoods. Speaking of the CTA, did you hear a pet python was rescued from a Green Line train’s control box panel this past week?

• Metra Bar Car: In other train news, Metra is considering bringing back its old “café car” concept to help boost ridership and make mornings more convenient for commuters. The idea includes offering coffee and pastries onboard, though it’s still unclear whether the afternoon version would serve alcohol. Riders are currently allowed to drink on Metra trains, but any beverages must be purchased before boarding. You can see what a Metra Bar Car looked like back in 1982.

• Michelin Guide: Five restaurants were added to The MICHELIN Guide Chicago 2025 last week. Inspectors spend the year uncovering the best restaurants to recommend. Additions for this year include Mirra and Tama in Bucktown, West Loop’s Taqueria Chingón, Nadu in Lincoln Park and Oliver’s in the South Loop.

Just For Fun

• Giveaway Alert: We have teamed up with Smart City Chicago to give away every Chicagoan’s dream prize: a summer boat rental for Summertime Chi! The giveaway is for an $825 Knot My Boat Charters gift card, so you and your friends can enjoy a boat day out on the lake! The giveaway just went live last night. You can enter here.

• Da Pope: A Chicago family vacationing in Italy made international headlines this week after giving Pope Leo XIV a “Da Pope” Bears t-shirt. Watch as the exchange happens while the pope greets people following mass at a small church outside of Rome. He took the shirt, and now we’ll have to wait and see if he wears it this fall.

• Helicopter Dogs: One of the greatest minor league baseball promotions of all time took place in the Chicago suburbs this week as the Joliet Slammers set a new Guinness World Record for the most hot dogs dropped by a helicopter in one hour. The total? 2,600 hot dogs, delivered in front of their new owner, actor Bill Murray. See the World Record Wiener Drop.

• Chicago BBQ: Chicago was recently named one of the Best BBQ Cities in America. They ranked 500 cities, and Chicago cracked the top 10! If you are looking to explore the Windy City’s BBQ scene, take a look at Eater’s list of Chicago’s Best Barbecue Restaurants.

• Chicken Caesar Wraps: Chicken Caesar wraps have taken Chicago by storm this year, with everyone discussing which one is the best. We tried the four most popular wraps from around the city: Little Victories, GG’s Chicken Shop, Nohea Café and Village Tap. See price, photos, details and rankings here.

Sponsored by our friends at Castaways

Chicago Air & Water Show Rooftop Party

• Castaways Beach Club: The Chicago Air & Water Show is quickly approaching (Aug. 15-17), and if you are looking for the number one place in Chicago to watch it from, Castaways Beach Club is your best bet.

• Located right on North Ave Beach, Castaways is directly in the center of all the action. Plus it’s elevated above the crowds with awesome rooftop views.

• Castaways is hosting all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink parties during all three days of the shows (Aug. 15-17) from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Get tickets.

• The event will start with a breakfast buffet followed by an elevated lunch buffet. See a menu. The tickets also include a six-hour open bar with cocktails, frozen cocktails, beer, wine, seltzers, soft drinks and more.

Weekend Plans

• Venetian Night: Venetian Night Chicago returns this Saturday, July 26, transforming the Riverwalk into a celebration of Italian culture. Festivities kick off at 6 p.m. with live performances by artists in traditional Venetian attire, setting the scene for a romantic night in Italy. Then at 8:30 p.m., a lighted boat parade will sail down the river, featuring boats decorated to match the theme.

• Chinatown Fair: This Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27, Chicago’s Chinatown is hosting its 46th annual Chinatown Summer Fair. Admission is free, and the event features a lion dance procession, food, cultural demonstrations and the 4th Annual Copi Fish Ball Eating Contest on Sunday with a $300 grand prize.

• Taste of Lincoln Avenue: Check out Taste of Lincoln Avenue on Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26. Enjoy live music performances, art vendors, a dog parade, spirits tasting, whiskey tasting and food vendors. Entry is free ($10 suggested donation), and the event features many family-friendly activities.

• Corn Boil Fest: Chicagoland’s Sugar Grove is throwing its annual Corn Boil Festival July 24-27, bringing carnival rides, live music, fireworks, raffles, a car show and of course, lots of corn. Just an hour away from Chicago, the fest is great for families and corn enthusiasts alike.

• Sunflower Festival: Looking for something else to do outside of the city this weekend? Von Bergen’s Sunflower Farm and Country Market located in Hebron, Ill. (about an hour and a half outside of Chicago) just began their 6th Annual Sunflower Festival a couple weeks ago. The sunflower maze has over 30 acres to explore, and it makes for a cute suburbs date.

Poll Question of the Week

Last Newsletter's Poll Results

Poll Results: Last newsletter, we asked if the Lou Malnati's x Portillo's Chicago Dog Deep Dish Pizza sounded appetizing to you. 68% of you said no, while 32% of you think it sounds good.

Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago

Here is today’s outlook in Chicago (compared to last week):

• Sunrise: 5:36 a.m. (6 minutes later)

• Sunset: 8:16 p.m. (6 minutes earlier)

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