Weekend Planner: Meatloaf, Chili, and Potlucks
Be Appreciative of Meatloaf
What to do this weekend? October 18 is National Meatloaf Appreciation Day, so you'd best be prepared to show gratitude. And that means eating meatloaf at The Meatloaf Bakery of course! The only place in Chicago dedicated to the art of meatloaf, the meaty Lincoln Park bakery is celebrating the holiday by giving away free bite-sized loafer pops to customers at the shop and those patronizing the mobile Meatloaf-A-Go-Go food truck. Loafer pops are pretty much exactly what they sound like: meatloaf morsels on sticks. Flavors are the classic "Mother Loaf" and the bacon cheeseburger-esque "No Buns About It Burger Loaf." Get your loafer pop fix anytime between noon and 8:00 p.m. It's one loafer pop per person, so show your appreciation without being greedy.
(Loafer Pops at The Meatloaf Bakery)
Nosh on Chili
The NOSH hosts its penultimate food festival this Saturday, October 19, at the AN Pritzker School in Wicker Park, and in honor of fall they're celebrating with chili. That's right, this weekend is Chili Day at The NOSH. In addition to the food fête's usual weekly roundup of artisanal Chicago food vendors, The NOSH has amassed an impressive roster of special guest vendors to cook up their own variations of chili. Sample chili from the likes of Kuma's Corner, Lindy's Chili, The Salsa Truck, Pecking Order, and Interurban Cafe. Other vendors will also be slinging chili and chile-inspired fare. The NOSH runs from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and admission is free. Arrive hungry.
Enjoy a Potluck at Comfort Station
Rounding out a season of heartwarming, belt-testing potlucks, the Comfort Food at Comfort Station series wraps up for the year on Sunday, October 20. The free-to-attend communal event takes place in the heart of Logan Square, at Comfort Station. It's all about good food, good people, and good conversations at the potluck, founded in part by chef Hugh Amano of Food on the Dole. It's open to all and food is to be shared. The only caveat is that food must be homemade by you, inspired by items you ate growing up. This could mean recreations of mom's muffins, dad's beef stew, or grandma's ravioli. Whatever it is, it's designed to garner heartfelt interactions among attendees, opening the doors to conversation about food and our heritage. The world needs more of this. The potluck takes place October 20 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Sign up on the Comfort Food potluck Facebook wall by listing what you'll bring, or email food@comfortstationlogansquare.org. P.S. items should be ready-to-serve, and it's BYO serving utensils.