Fat Jesus, also known as Von Harris, is known for his delicious smoked wings and collard greens. However, with his grandma recovering from knee surgery and unable to make her famous greens, Harris will be stepping in to make them himself for the upcoming Fat Plate Fridays at Monday Night Foodball. Don’t worry, he promises not to use liquid smoke in his collards.
Harris has come a long way since his high school cooking days, where his teacher once tried to pass off thermally decomposed water-soluble wood as smoked turkey. Now, he’s serving up not only collard greens but also his signature smoked wings, mac and cheese, and fully loaded beans at Frank and Mary’s Tavern. The event will start at 6 PM and go on until everything is sold out, so make sure to get there early to taste Harris’s delicious creations.
In addition to Fat Plate Fridays, there are other exciting events happening in the Chicago food scene. For a taste of South Asian cuisine, check out the intimate home-cooked meals with RICE, a new monthly meal series and art collective creating community through food. If you’re in the mood for Japanese cuisine and live music, Wax Vinyl Bar and Ramen Shop in West Town is the perfect spot to enjoy local music and DJ culture.
If you’re curious about the history of Chicago’s signature spirit, Malört, check out Josh Noel’s new book that aims to demystify this unique drink. And for those interested in supporting Black and Brown farmers in the city, the Chicago Urban Ag Crawl is a community festival rooted in Englewood promoting south-side food solidarity.
If you’re looking for a more interactive food experience, consider joining one of the cookbook clubs at the Chicago Public Library, where you can explore different cultures through nonfiction cooking books. With so many exciting food events happening in Chicago, there’s always something new and delicious to discover.
Mike Sula, a senior writer and food reporter at the Chicago Reader, curates the Monday Night Foodball events, showcasing the city’s most exciting underground and up-and-coming chefs. With his extensive experience in the food industry, Sula brings a unique perspective to the Chicago food scene, highlighting the diverse and delicious culinary offerings the city has to offer.
