Chicken and waffles at Five Loaves

The terrific-looking fried chicken and the entirely decent waffle you see above come from 5 Loaves Eatery, a south-side breakfast place that immediately charmed my kids and I when we visited after touring the Regal Theater during Open House Chicago. (You can tell how much I liked the chicken by its placement on this list of the best chicken and waffles.) I’d tell you to go eat there this weekend, except that you can’t; for the second time, according to DNAinfo, the restaurant has been forced to shut down because someone stole its outside electrical wiring to sell as scrap copper. Owner Constance Simms-Kincaid says that it took two months to reopen last time, and she lost about $800 worth of food in her refrigerator. When it does reopen, do yourself a favor and support a small business that could use the help.

• You probably already know that Iliana Regan of Elizabeth has a Kickstarter going for her spinoff bakery, Bunny the Micro Bakery, which will be a showcase for her doughnuts, pierogi, breads, and other things that she’s had pop-ups for at Elizabeth. I say you probably know this, one, because you may have been in the line at one of those pop-ups, and, two, because an awful lot of people have already supported the Kickstarter, to the extent that it reached its $20,000 goal in less than a week. But you can still contribute, which is to say, reserve for yourself some doughnuts and pierogi (and if you’ve had the doughnuts or the bread or anything else at Elizabeth, you know they’re worth it). Now Regan also says the bakery—which will occupy a tiny space at 2928 N. Broadway—will make use of its nondoughnut evening hours with a concept called WunderPOP, where it will serve as a pop-up space for people who want to experiment with a concept of their own. There’s seating for 12, which makes it considerably smaller and more intimate than any other such space. So maybe this is your chance—who knows?

• Speaking of concepts within concepts, El Ideas had a fun 80s week a while back and now they’re moving it up a decade with a 90s week, March 24 to 29. It’s called “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and it’s bringing together an all-star band of chefs including Homaro Cantu (Moto), Scott Manley (Table Donkey & Stick), Matthias Merges (Yusho), Chris Pandel (the Bristol), Andrew Zimmerman (Sepia) and from Milwaukee, Justin Carlisle of Ardent. The irrepressible Foss promises “courses inspired by heroin, Seinfeld, Lorena Bobbitt, and the east vs. west coast rap wars.” Tickets are $145 for the multicourse BYO dinner; get more info here.

• Matty Eggleston, head bartender at Nico Osteria, has a series on Thursdays called No Key Required, in which he takes an historical look at cocktails in different times and locations around the world. This Thursday it’s the Agua Caliente Resort and Casino in Tijuana, which was popular with Hollywood stars of the 20s and 30s and is reputed birthplace of the Margarita. Tequila figures prominently in the drinks menu, which is first come, first served in the second floor Reserve Bar.

• You’ve seen the name Slagel Family Farm on menus, now here’s a chance to learn more. White Oak Tavern will hold a Carnivores Dinner on March 22, in which LouisJohn Slagel will bring a variety of fresh meats from the farm, chef John Asbaty will construct a menu, and LouisJohn will talk about the meat with guests. It’s $65 per person for the five course menu; call 773-248-0200 to make a reservation.

• Chowdah Fest returns on March 30, with local chefs competing to make the best chowder, served on the Columbia Yacht Club’s 1940s vintage vessel, along with beer from Goose Island, wines from Opolo Wines and more. Get tickets, which benefit the Sea Scouts youth sailing program, here.