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BEST DATE NEWS

July 10, 2025: Best Date News Volume #134

Welcome to Best Date News, your favorite Chicago weekly newsletter! In this week’s edition, you’ll read about Windy City Smokeout, Paul McCartney, Redhot Ranch coming to the suburbs, the return of the Snack Wrap and more!

July 10: National Holidays

• National Piña Colada Day

• National Kitten Day

• National Pick Blueberries Day

• National Capybara Day

• National Don’t Step on a Bee Day

Sponsored by our friends at Chicago Artisan Market

Chicago Artisan Market

• Chicago Event Alert: The Chicago Artisan Market is back this weekend for a fun one-day market! The market will take place at Morgan MFG in Fulton Market this Sunday, July 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• The market brings together 115+ of the best local artisans all under one roof. It’s the perfect summer date idea!

• It’s all indoors and air-conditioned, so you can stay cool while shopping local. Grab a drink from the fully stocked bar and enjoy lunch options like BBQ, tacos and more as you browse all the unique artisans.

• Tickets are either one for $8 or four for $20, so if you turn it into a double date, it becomes an even better deal! As a heads up, tickets are more expensive at the door, so it makes sense to get them in advance.

Chicago News

• Windy City Smokeout: Chicago’s biggest country music and barbecue fest, Windy City Smokeout, kicks off today, Thursday, July 10 in the United Center parking lot at 1901 West Madison. Expect four days of live music, cold beer and ribs from top pitmasters across the country. Headliners include Bailey Zimmerman, Old Dominion, Kane Brown and Jon Pardi. Gates open at 2 p.m. today and Friday and 1 p.m. on the weekend.

• RedHot Skokie: Redhot Ranch is aiming to open its first suburban location next month inside the Oberweis Dairy at 4811 Dempster Street in Skokie. They’re bringing all their hits like griddled burgers, Chicago-style hot dogs, fresh-cut fries, fried shrimp and a new Alaskan cod sandwich. The new spot will stay open until midnight just like the city locations.

• Paul McCartney: Paul McCartney just announced he’s bringing his Got Back tour to Chicago. The former Beatle will play two shows at the United Center on November 24 and 25. Presale opens Tuesday, July 15 at 10 a.m.

• Snack Wrap Returns: McDonald’s is spicing up its menu this week with two big additions. A new Spicy McMuffin dropped on Tuesday, and the long-awaited return of Snack Wraps comes today in Spicy and Ranch flavors. The wraps are expected to stick around permanently. Not to be outdone, the popular Chicago chicken sandwich shop Fry the Coop launched $4.99 Smack Wraps at all their locations yesterday.

• New Museum: A new Chicago museum opened this week in the financial district. The Chicago Board of Trade Building Museum honors the city’s history of financial, cultural and architectural prominence through exhibits, photos and artifacts. It adds another museum to a city home to some of the best in the country.

• TSA Policy Change: For the first time in 20 years, TSA has officially changed its shoe removal policy. Soon, every airport, including Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway, will no longer require flyers to remove their shoes in security, regardless of whether they have TSA PreCheck or not. Get all the details.

Just For Fun

• New Jeni’s Flavors: Jeni’s Ice Cream launched two new and one returning flavors: Popcorn Brittle, Strawberry Pretzel Pie and the returning Watermelon Taffy. Watermelon Taffy and Popcorn Brittle are both gluten-free, and all three flavors are now available in stores and online.

• Beach Day: Did you know that Chicago has 27 different beaches?! If you want to enjoy a beach day this summer and check out a new one, Block Club Chicago put together A Guide to Chicago’s 27 Beaches that highlights concessions, bathrooms, cool facts and more about each one.

• $3 Margaritas: In case you missed our post from last night, the suburban Chicago restaurant Taqueria Invicto (four suburbs locations) now has $3 margaritas and cervezas. Their craft margaritas are made with 100% pure agave tequila and come in six different flavors. Along with the margs, there are seven different $3 beers.

• Mall Rankings: USA Today released the 10 best shopping centers and the 10 best outlet malls this week, and one Chicagoland spot made each list! Can you guess which ones?

• Best Photo Spots: If you haven’t explored Streeterville’s Milton Lee Olive Park before, it’s one of the best spots to view the Chicago skyline. Head there for a weekend walk and snap some great photos while you’re at it.

Sponsored by our friends at Eataly Chicago

Summer Saturdays

• Eataly Chicago: There are two fun Saturday events coming up in the near future at Eataly Chicago! On July 19 and August 16, Eataly Chicago will be hosting special Summer Saturdays events that allow you to tour different towns of Southern Italy without leaving Chicago.

• July 19 is Summer Saturdays - Capri. The event menu will include amazing small bites ranging from fresh pasta to housemade mozzarella. You will get 10+ bites with items like Calamari e Patate, Insalata Caprese, Tono Crudo, Margherita Pizza alla Pala and more!

• August 15 is Summer Saturdays - Naples. For this event, Eataly Chicago is traveling to the regional capital of Campagna, Naples. For this southern Italian event expect another 10+ bites that feature pizza, pasta, various Italian street food and more!

• Tickets for both events start at $40 and include all bites, live music and a pasta or Mozzarella demo. Upgrade to a $50 ticket with two glasses of Italian wine or get a four-pack with wine included for $175 total ($43.75 each) for the best value. We hope to see you there!

Weekend Plans

• Love Island Finale: Fans of the hit TV show Love Island can catch watch parties at select Chicago bars as the Sunday, July 13 finale approaches. Bar La Rue in Fulton Market is even serving a Love Island-themed menu to enjoy with fellow islanders.

• Square Roots Fest: The Square Roots Fest takes place in Lincoln Square this weekend from July 11-13. The free festival (suggested donation) includes a lineup of live music performances, local craft beer and family-friendly activities.

• Southport Art Fest: The Southport Art Fest returns for a free community celebration on July 12 and 13 at 3733 N Southport Ave in Lakeview. Enjoy over 100 local artists, live music, local eats, and family-friendly fun including a Kids Art Zone and face painting all weekend long.

• Chicago Gospel Music Festival: The Chicago Gospel Music Festival returns Saturday, July 12 to Millennium Park from noon to 9 p.m., featuring free performances from top gospel artists including Chandler Moore. Expect powerful choirs, soulful music and a celebration of Chicago’s gospel roots. See the full schedule.

• Brews and Bites: The Chicago Riverwalk’s Brews and Bites, is throwing a grand re-opening party today, Thursday, July 10 to celebrate their renovated bar and patio. The event is from 4-10 pm and promises live music and scenic riverwalk views.

Poll Question of the Week

Last Newsletter's Poll Results

Poll Results: Last newsletter, we asked if you planned on watching 4th of July fireworks. 74% of you said yes you planned on watching the fireworks, while 26% of you skipped them this year.

Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago

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

• Sunrise: 5:25 a.m. (5 minutes later)

• Sunset: 8:26 p.m. (3 minutes earlier)

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