Greg Borzo's guest appearances

Greg Borzo

Rick Kogan

Failing Boldly

The Delicious Story

Tom Hanks

James Martin

Amelia Earhart

Barbara Brown Taylor

Steve Robinson

Todd White

Diana Graber

Frederick Douglass

Dick Allen

Tom Myers

Pete Seeger

Dennis DeYoung

Lenny Bruce

Kathleen Norris

Kevin Matthews

OwlTail

WGN Radio’s Rick Kogan is joined by writer Greg Borzo to talk his latest book “A History Lover’s Guide to Chicago” which gives readers an extensive look at the city’s history.  https://serve.castfire.com/audio/3924163/3924163_2022-02-14-005303.64kmono.mp3

WGN Radio’s Rick Kogan is joined by writer Greg Borzo to talk his latest book “A History Lover’s Guide to Chicago” which gives readers an extensive look at the city’s history. <a href="https://serve.castfire.com/audio/3924163/3924163_2022-02-14-005303.64kmono.mp3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://serve.castfire.com/audio/3924163/3924163_2022-02-14-005303.64kmono.mp3</a>

Writer Greg Borzo shares about his book, ‘A History Lover’s Guide to Chicago’

My guest this week is Greg Borzo, author of the book “Lost Restaurants of Chicago.” Greg is a Chicago-area writer and the author of several books focused on our great city. Lost Restaurants revisits many of Chicago’s restaurants that helped create so many memories. In this episode, not only do we talk about the book, but we explore the restaurant business in general and talk about what helps an eatery succeed or fail.

My guest this week is Greg Borzo, author of the book <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781625859334" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">“Lost Restaurants of Chicago.”</a> Greg is a Chicago-area writer and the author of several books focused on our great city. Lost Restaurants revisits many of Chicago’s restaurants that helped create so many memories. In this episode, not only do we talk about the book, but we explore the restaurant business in general and talk about what helps an eatery succeed or fail.

Conversation with Greg Borzo

It's so easy to take for granted—and I have many, many times—the marvelous transaction that occurs at a restaurant. One presents money, and in exchange, someone prepares food to order and serves it to us for our enjoyment.The best of these restaurants are often family-owned and operated by people who devote an extraordinary amount of time to keep their businesses humming and their clients full and happy. Signature restaurants that stand the test of time become well-known friends in a community. They’re woven into the daily lives and long-standing memories of the inhabitants. It’s no wonder that when people reminisce, they often consider the eateries where they’ve dined for special events or enjoyed a daily ritual. They enter these establishments hungrily and leave with bellies full and hearts content. I too treasure happy memories of dining with family and friends at restaurants, and enjoy a special connection to some of those in Chicago—a city we visit often. It was a special thrill, therefore, to talk with author Greg Borzo this week about his new book “Lost Restaurants of Chicago” and sample some of the many stories of restaurants and people who throughout time served the citizens of the Windy City.A TASTY GLIMPSE OF HISTORYHunker down and listen in as Greg takes us on a whirlwind tour of some of the anecdotes from the book, from fantastical eateries with unusual themes (think robots) to the ethnic influences of the city’s many immigrants—and other infusions that might surprise you. As details unfold of these restaurants of the past, the food was one thing—and sometimes the ambiance was another. Many ideas were clever, others strange, and all provided memorable experiences for diners. Those restaurants that lasted longer, however, were most often known for the good food they served. When it came to talking memorable meals, Greg and his family love to entertain guests by introducing them to dining experiences in Chicago. He relates a favorite spot that was at once intriguing—belly up for all you can eat desserts—and just outright funny. You’ll have to listen to the interview for the details.Lost Restaurants is a beautiful book filled with stories offering an entertaining glimpse into the Windy City of the past and the people of those times. Step back further, and Lost Restaurants offers a perspective on the story-arch of the American restaurant evolution as well. There were quirky trends (think revolving restaurants) and solidly American-style trends (think steakhouses) that provide a window into how we ate decades ago and through the generations.Chicago never tires of making waves in the industry, either. Greg explains how non-smoking dining may have first become popular in Chi-town, and the now extremely-popular Farm to Table movement burgeoned there as well. All of these stories speak to the entrepreneurial spirit, too. So many ideas, so many culinary dreams pursued, and all the amazingly people who kept and keep trying. The stats are daunting in this industry. Only half of the restaurants opened survive their first year. And life in food and beverage is fraught with long hours and low-profit margins. Those facts serve to make all these stories even more amazing. Does it speak to the human spirit or to culinary madness? HAPPY CHICAGO EXPERIENCESI offer the caveat here that I’m especially proud to mention that Greg is my brother-in-law. We’ve been guests often in his home and dined together in their beloved city on many occasions. My first Chicago experiences came about when I traveled with my future husband, David. It was our first trip together, and where I ate my first meal in Greek Town (South Halstead Street) in Chicago at the popular and eternal restaurant Dianna’s Opaa. Our Borzo group sat together at a big table, where the bread kept coming and wine kept flowing. I ate my first plate of grape leaves and enjoyed my first Saganaki that evening and became thoroughly Borzo star-struck. It was then that I fell in love with the familial experience of good food and fast-paced conversations—all of this compliments of older brother Paul, who would usually pick up the check. Sadly, Dianna’s and the once popular Greek Town area in Chicago are only memories, but like so many of the restaurants and stories Greg relates in his book Lost Restaurants of Chicago, they stay alive with the patrons who dined in them.

It's so easy to take for granted—and I have many, many times—the marvelous transaction that occurs at a restaurant. One presents money, and in exchange, someone prepares food to order and serves it to us for our enjoyment. The best of these restaurants are often family-owned and operated by people who devote an extraordinary amount of time to keep their businesses humming and their clients full and happy. Signature restaurants that stand the test of time become well-known friends in a community. They’re woven into the daily lives and long-standing memories of the inhabitants. It’s no wonder that when people reminisce, they often consider the eateries where they’ve dined for special events or enjoyed a daily ritual. They enter these establishments hungrily and leave with bellies full and hearts content. I too treasure happy memories of dining with family and friends at restaurants, and enjoy a special connection to some of those in Chicago—a city we visit often. It was a special thrill, therefore, to talk with author Greg Borzo this week about his new book “Lost Restaurants of Chicago” and sample some of the many stories of restaurants and people who throughout time served the citizens of the Windy City. A TASTY GLIMPSE OF HISTORY Hunker down and listen in as Greg takes us on a whirlwind tour of some of the anecdotes from the book, from fantastical eateries with unusual themes (think robots) to the ethnic influences of the city’s many immigrants—and other infusions that might surprise you. As details unfold of these restaurants of the past, the food was one thing—and sometimes the ambiance was another. Many ideas were clever, others strange, and all provided memorable experiences for diners. Those restaurants that lasted longer, however, were most often known for the good food they served. When it came to talking memorable meals, Greg and his family love to entertain guests by introducing them to dining experiences in Chicago. He relates a favorite spot that was at once intriguing—belly up for all you can eat desserts—and just outright funny. You’ll have to listen to the interview for the details. Lost Restaurants is a beautiful book filled with stories offering an entertaining glimpse into the Windy City of the past and the people of those times. Step back further, and Lost Restaurants offers a perspective on the story-arch of the American restaurant evolution as well. There were quirky trends (think revolving restaurants) and solidly American-style trends (think steakhouses) that provide a window into how we ate decades ago and through the generations. Chicago never tires of making waves in the industry, either. Greg explains how non-smoking dining may have first become popular in Chi-town, and the now extremely-popular Farm to Table movement burgeoned there as well. All of these stories speak to the entrepreneurial spirit, too. So many ideas, so many culinary dreams pursued, and all the amazingly people who kept and keep trying. The stats are daunting in this industry. Only half of the restaurants opened survive their first year. And life in food and beverage is fraught with long hours and low-profit margins. Those facts serve to make all these stories even more amazing. Does it speak to the human spirit or to culinary madness? HAPPY CHICAGO EXPERIENCES I offer the caveat here that I’m especially proud to mention that Greg is my brother-in-law. We’ve been guests often in his home and dined together in their beloved city on many occasions. My first Chicago experiences came about when I traveled with my future husband, David. It was our first trip together, and where I ate my first meal in Greek Town (South Halstead Street) in Chicago at the popular and eternal restaurant Dianna’s Opaa. Our Borzo group sat together at a big table, where the bread kept coming and wine kept flowing. I ate my first plate of grape leaves and enjoyed my first Saganaki that evening and became thoroughly Borzo star-struck. It was then that I fell in love with the familial experience of good food and fast-paced conversations—all of this compliments of older brother Paul, who would usually pick up the check. Sadly, Dianna’s and the once popular Greek Town area in Chicago are only memories, but like so many of the restaurants and stories Greg relates in his book Lost Restaurants of Chicago, they stay alive with the patrons who dined in them.

TDS 11 GREG BORZO TALKS LOST RESTAURANTS CHICAGO