I read Alex Kotlowitz's new book Never A City So Real. It struck me that most every story (except for one about the Cook County Courthouse) either was about food or had food as a central theme. But his simple writing style and deep connections throughout the city exposes corners of our burgh you wouldn't see. Well worth the short amount of time it takes to read, almost like reading "This American Life".

And I can say with certainty that he was spot on about GT's, the restaurant mentioned in the feature about Albany Park. I dine there from time to time since it's cheap and around the corner from my house, and it's four tiny booths are every bit as lively as he describes them.