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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…