Photo Essay

Over the decades, Mario’s has become a community gathering place, serving as a celebratory stop after graduations and sports wins, or just as an annual family tradition.

The Japanese snack mochi is traditionally made at the New Year by pounding rice with mallets until it becomes perfectly smooth and wondrously chewy. We documented the process at the Japanese American Service Committee.

Roasted nuts and other festive foods have been drawing visitors to the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza for 27 years. The Chicago photographer Jack X. Li recently visited to document the snacks—and people’s delight in them.

Johnnie’s Beef in Elmwood Park has been serving one of the Chicago area’s favorite Italian beefs for more than 60 years