Pitmaster and TV Star Dominique Leach Shares Favorites from Growing Up in Chicago

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Every month, people from Chicago's hospitality industry share recommendations for food, drink, ingredients, and more as part of our Chef Picks series.

Dominique Leach – the chef, pitmaster, and co-owner of Lexington Betty Smokehouse – serves up rib tips, brisket, wagyu dogs and more at her casual Pullman eatery named for her grandma Betty King. Chef Dom’s lively presence at culinary and charity events around Chicago make her a popular guest, and her frequent TV appearances are indications of the impact she and her wife Tanisha have made on the city’s culinary industry. 

We asked Chef Dom for her picks for Chicago favorites.

Favorite restaurant

Truth Restaurant has the best breakfast in the city!

Favorite dish

The smoked oxtail at Sanders BBQ is to die for.

Favorite place to drink

Andy's Sunflower Cafe makes a mean matcha cappuccino!

Favorite place to shop or buy ingredients

Living Fresh Market is a Black-owned grocery store on the West Side that has everything I need to fill my fridge and more!

Favorite local brand

Chiboys is a local apparel brand that is one of my favorites and my go-to brand for on-screen cooking competitions.

Favorite place in the city to bring an out-of-town guest

I grew up eating at Papa's Cache Sabroso. The food is a love story to Humboldt Park, where I was raised.

A person in the industry you admire

Lilia Trejo, my sous chef at Lexington Betty. She's dedicated to her job, one of the most driven people I've ever met, and she's been cooking in the food industry for over 30 years. Despite the work load, she always has a smile on her face!