Posted in BBQ restaurants Episodes Suburbs

A life in BBQ: Talking restaurant business with Real Urban Barbecue’s Jeff Shapiro (Episode 116)

I’m joined by Real Urban Barbecue owner Jeff Shapiro at his new location at 5238 Touhy in Skokie (“Smokie”). I’ve been going to his Highland Park location for years, and was a fan long before he broke ground just west…

Posted in Episodes hot dog joints Live performances Rockabilly Suburbs

Rockabilly with Them Guilty Aces! Hot dogs at Gene and Jude’s! (Episode 110)

This week, it’s distinctly American sounds played in parking lot of distinctly Chicago (ish) hot dog joint. This week, Boost Mobile presents Car Con Carne, featuring Chicago rockabilly/doo-wop/soul band Them Guilty Aces. Somehow, I managed to cram four band members…

Posted in Episodes Mexican food Music guests Suburbs

‘I’ve never worried about the guys in Megadeth listening to this’ – Phoenix band Doll Skin eats tacos, talks music (Episode 107)

I love Doll Skin (Sydney Dolezal, Alex Snowden, Nicole Rich, Meghan Herring). They have great music, hooks, harmonies and swagger. It was a pleasure meeting them in Crest Hill before their Bada Brew gig in mid-May. We covered a lot…

Posted in Episodes Park Ridge sports Suburbs wrestling

‘It’s like the kindest prison yard you’ve ever been to’: AAW wrestling with Dr. Keith Lipinski (Episode 92)

In advance of the AAW Wrestling “Unstoppable” event (December 30 at 115 Bourbon Street: 3359 W 115th St, Merrionette Park, IL), AAW Producer Keith Lipinski jumps in the car to talk wrestling. http://traffic.libsyn.com/carconcarnepodcast/298419483-carconcarne-its-like-the-kindest-prison-yard-youve-ever-been-to-aaw-wrestling-with-dr-keith-lipinski.mp3 DOWNLOAD Google Play Music iTunes Stitcher We…

Posted in blues burger joints Episodes Suburbs

Chicago blues from the west side clubs to Conan O’Brien: Li’l Ed Williams (Episode 91)

Chicago blues treasure Li’l Ed Williams (Li’l Ed and the Blues Imperials) jumps in my car for a burger, as well as conversation about the blues and his career. Before I started rolling tape, I had to shatter Ed’s illusions…

Posted in Chicago Episodes Music guests Suburbs

Smoking Pope vs. JVO at Epic Deli (Episode 85)

My favorite restaurant on earth is Epic Deli (2616 Schaid Ct, McHenry, IL 60050). I couldn’t resist going there with Josh Caterer of Smoking Popes, who recently helped create the “Smoking Pope” sandwich for Epic. Our plan for the night…

Posted in Episodes Live performances Pizza Suburbs

Heligoats perform live, eat ‘Italian Beef pizza’ (Episode 79)

It’s another exclusive “backseat performance” as Chris Otepka of Heligoats plays two of the band’s best songs (My Camping Trip From Hell, Fish Sticks) live in the back seat of the Mazda 3. For this episode, we visit the spectacular…

Posted in burger joints Encased Meats Episodes Live performances Suburbs West suburbs

Michael McDermott performs and talks about success, addiction and redemption (Episode 70)

Michael McDermott is one of the greatest songwriters of the past 25 years. If you’re familiar with McDermott, you probably already know that Stephen King’s a fan (“Not since I first heard Bruce Springsteen singing ‘Rosalita’ had I heard someone…

Posted in Episodes Media guests Suburbs

My Dinner with Mancow (Part Two) (Episode 61 1/2)

This episode picks up where the last one left off, as Mancow and I eat hot dogs in the parking lot of Irving’s in Wilmette. The eating-and-talking-in-a-car concept may not have worked for Mancow. He calls me out at one…

Posted in Episodes Suburbs

My Dinner with Mancow (Part One) (Episode 61)

Media superstar Mancow jumps in the passenger seat for “My Dinner with Mancow (Part One): An intimate conversation over hot dogs”(at Irving’s for Red Hot Lovers in Wilmette). I’ve worked with Mancow off and on for years, and remain in…