You can't escape it: Everywhere you look, Twitter is already there. Maybe you already tweet your daily activities and favorite links or maybe you don't quite understand the point of it...yet. Either way, one thing is for sure, and that's the overwhelming presence of Chicago chefs, restaurants and foodies on Twitter.
I tweet @ChicagoDining. That just means my Twitter "handle" is "ChicagoDining" and it's where I post links to interesting food stories, tidbits and random food thoughts throughout the day. I didn't "get it" at first, but it really didn't take long for me to figure out what a great social tool Twitter can be, especially for Chicagoans who love their food (and what Chicagoan doesn't?).
Whether it's Chef Paul Kahan live-tweeting The Publican's first brunch or it's Cafe Ba Ba Reeba sending out a message that their patio will be open certain days already, I've found that "following" these folks is a heckuvalot of fun, not to mention it's a great way to keep current with what's new and exciting. And by current, I mean up-to-the-second current.
It's both entertaining and informative to see what links Chicago Top Chef Stephanie Izard wants to share or what new food ideas Alinea's Grant Achatz is batting around. And it's great to have a casual forum where you can actually interact with these culinary rockstars. Sure, it can be intimidating at first, but once you start "following" people, you'll catch on pretty quickly. The only rule (other than being respectful, which I like to think goes without saying, but just in case...) is that you only have 140 character to express yourself, so choose wisely.
If you're looking to join the Twitterverse, here are some great local chefs and restaurants to follow (in absolutely no particular order), although some might be so new to Twitter themselves that they might not have a ton of updates just yet (be patient!):
Chicago chefs/owners on Twitter
- Paul Kahan (of Avec, Blackbird and The Publican)
- Homaro Cantu (of Moto)
- Chris Pandel (of The Bristol)
- Graham Elliot Bowles (of Graham Elliot)
- Grant Achatz (of Alinea)
- Rick Tramonto (of Tru)
- Mark Mendez (of Carnivale)
- Stephanie Izard (of the upcoming Drunken Goat; Top Chef Chicago)
- Koren Grieveson (of Avec)
- Martial Noguier (of Cafe des Architects and the Sofitel)
- Efrain Cuevas (of Clandestino)
- Troy Graves (of Eve)
- Carrie Nahabedian (of Naha)
- Rick Bayless (of Topolobampo, Frontera Grill)
- Curtis Duffy (of Avenues at the Peninsula Hotel)
- Ryan Poli (of Perennial)
- Tim Graham (of Tru)
- Paul Virant (of Vie)
- Mike Sheerin (of Blackbird)
- John Ross (co-owner, The Bristol)
- Debbie Sharpe (owner, Feast, The Goddess & Grocer)
- Rick Gresh (of David Burke's Primehouse)
- Tony Galzin (of mk, formerly of The Libertine)
- Erick Williams (of mk)
- Michael McDonald (of onesixtyblue)
- Jon Young (of Kitsch'n, Paramount Room and Volo)
- Phillip Foss (of Lockwood)
- Giuseppe Tentori (of Boka)
- David Schneider (of Taxim)
- Todd Stein (of Roof at theWit)
- Michael Kornick (owner, mk)
- Dan Tucker (of SushiSamba Rio)
- Chris Curran (of Blue 13)
- Amanda Downing (of Rockit Bar and Grill)
Chicago restaurants on Twitter
- Landmark Grill
- Chaise Lounge
- L20
- Le Colonial
- Duchamp
- Zed 451
- Cafe Ba Ba Reeba
- Small Bar
- Hot Doug's
- Wow Bao
- Lido's Caffé (in Oak Park)
- Morton's
- McCormick & Schmick's
- Estelle's
- Nacional 27
- mk
- Harmony Grill
- Bob Chinn's
- Manny's Deli
- Big Jones
- Tizi Melloul
- Ben Pao
- Mon Ami Gabi
- Pie-Eyed Pizzaria
- Wildfire
- Mercat a la Planxa
- Pompei Pizza
- Tuscany (in Wheeling)
- DMK Burger Bar
- Gino's East
- Kitsch'n
- Volo Wine Bar
- Paramount Room
- mado
- Piccolo Sogno
- Maggiano's
- Flatwater
- Flat Top Grill
- The Fifty/50
- Uncle Fatty's
- Wishbone (Berwyn)
- Urban Belly
- Superdawg
- Ai Sushi
- Eppy's Deli
- ENO Wine Bar
- Holiday Grill
- Pappadeaux Seafood
- Starfruit Cafe (frozen kefir goodness)
- Province
- Scoozi
- Cité Restaurant
- Castaways Bar & Grill
- Amber Cafe (Westmont)
- Terrace at the Trump Hotel
- Mon Ami Gabi (Oakbrook)
- Spring
- Green Zebra
- FDM (Sister restaurant to Fonda del Mar)
- Jake Melnick's
- Blue 13
- Aigre Doux (now closed)
- Hannah's Bretzel
- Fizz Chicago
- Pizza Fusion (Naperville)
- The Drawing Room
Chicago bakeries on Twitter
- More Cupcakes
- Floriole Bakery
- Bleeding Heart Bakery
- Molly's Cupcakes
- Phoebe's Cupcakes
- Foiled Cupcakes
- La Petite Sweet (Westmont)
- Eli's Cheesecake
- Swirlz Cupcakes
- Sweet Jenn's Bakery
Chicago beer!
Other food-related Chicago Tweeps
- Chicago's Downtown Farmstand
- Green City Market
- Lynfred Winery
- Alpana Singh (of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises)
- Tamale Guy (tracks where the tamale guy is and reports back)
- Green Grocer Chicago
- Gregory Hall (brewmaster at Goose Island)
- Southport Grocer
- Fork and the Road (culinary bike tours of the city)
- Chicago Food Planet (culinary walking tours of the city)
- Pasta Puttana
- Josh Kaplan (bev mgr/sommelier at theWit Hotel)
- Common Threads (non-profit; educating kids about eating/cooking healthy food)
- Marconi Foods
- Kendall College
- Hideout
- Chicago Bar Project
- The Chopping Block (cooking classes)
- Chicago TomatoFest
- BaconFest Chicago
- Entertainment Cruises (dining cruises on Lake Michigan)
You might also enjoy these:
Comments
chef troy graves of eve is also on twitter
thanks, Jenny! I've added him to the list above.
-emily
Loads of fun! Thanks for sharing!
Great article! I am very new to Twitter and its nice to know I can follow some of my favorite restaurants around to keep updated. Thanks!
@HotDougs isn't run by Doug, or a staffer. Just a fan. But Doug has blessed the account.
@MollysCupcakes is on twitter as well, but it's greatly underused.
Thanks for this great list ... How 'bout adding Chicago food bloggers who are on Twitter?
You can count me in. I'm Flour Girl, Twittering at flourgrrrl.
Thanks,
Heather/Flour Girl
@ Flour Girl: Thanks for the suggestion! For now we want to keep the list focused on chefs/restaurants/bakeries, but I'll be sure to include you if we create a list of food bloggers (p.s. I'm now following you on Twitter!)
@ Min: Yeah, the people who do Hot Doug's twitter feed are good folks, even if they're not employed by the encased meats emporium...they're certainly there often enough to be somewhat of a fixture. And I've added Molly's to the list, thanks for the suggestion!!
-emily
How about some beer?
@GooseIsland
@MetroBrewing
@3Floyds
@DosBros
@ Colin - How 'bout it! I've added 'em to the list :)
La Petite Sweet, a gourmet bakery and cafe in Westmont, is on too. We're just trying to figure out how Twitter can work best! Baker is Diane Eenigenburg. New on the scene, but a very unique place.
Hi! Would it be possible to add Entertainment Cruises since we offer dining cruises on Lake Michigan? Our Twitter is @entertaincruise.
Thanks!
I know its not in the city, but how about adding Karma Restaurant in Mundelein? They do great twitter only specials on there.
Sorry!! It's @karmamundelein
Any way to add @ChicagoShares to the list? It's a non-profit here in Chicago that has been helping to relieve hunger since 1993.
They sell vouchers which people distribute to the needy, who can use the vouchers to buy food and personal care items at participating locations.
We're trying to raise awareness and find more vendors to accept vouchers! We'll send a free voucher to the first 10 people who DM us and cite this post.
Thanks so much for this list! Good to see everyone is jumping on the bandwagon! Twitter really is a great way to get the word out about your restaurant's promotions and specials.
DeColores Mexican Restaurant is also on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/decolorespilsen
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