The Hunger

The Hunger

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May 2025

Food Critic vs. Influencer, A Review of Chicago’s “Best Thai Restaurant”
If a restaurant opens in Chicago, and all the influencers don’t pimp it in the first week, did it even happen, bro?
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Michael Nagrant
14
A Food Critic Gets Exposed, A Famous Chef Throws Out the Hospitality Playbook
The Hunger weighs in on the tale of a San Francisco Chronicle dining critic almost getting kicked out of the French Laundry
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Michael Nagrant
15
A Return to Feld
Maybe the only thing more horrible than being forced to toast s’mores and make small talk with your executioner is realizing they’re wielding a dull…
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Michael Nagrant
20
The Chicago Tribune Restaurant Review System Is Broken
In whispers and direct messages, former Chicago Tribune Dining Critic Phil Vettel was often derisively referred to as “Three Star Phil”, a signifier of…
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Michael Nagrant
19
It Gets Better With Age
One of Chicago's very best restaurants keeps killing it
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Michael Nagrant
9

April 2025

Johnny Be Good*
I might be the only person in Chicagoland who had a disappointing meal at John’s Food and Wine in Lincoln Park last year.
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Michael Nagrant
8
The Kiss of Dearth
A James Beard Award FInalist's Tasting Menu Disappoints
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Michael Nagrant
6
One Night in Bangkok
What if I told you there was a musical about the Cold War told through the game of chess written by the dudes from ABBA and the guy responsible for the…
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Michael Nagrant
13
Understanding Hospitality Responds to The Hunger's Allegations and Questions
Dear Readers,
 • 
Michael Nagrant
8
The Unethical Food Critic and His “Secret” Boka Restaurant Group Black Card
There’s a dude (of course it’s a dude) who writes Harry Potter-novel-length restaurant reviews about Chicago’s restaurants.
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Michael Nagrant
17
© 2025 Michael Nagrant
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