Nebraska might not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of major restaurant chains, but the Cornhusker State has quietly produced some of the Midwest’s most beloved homegrown eateries. These five Nebraska-born chains have built loyal followings, long outlasting fads and often outperforming national competitors in flavor, creativity, and community love. 1. RunzaFounded in Lincoln in 1949, Runza has become [...]
These are the 10 “Sober October”est states in America (hint: not California!)
Every October, millions of Americans take the “Sober October” challenge — skipping alcohol for 31 days to boost their health, sleep, and mental clarity. In 2025, some states are leading the way, showing the highest interest and participation in this growing wellness trend. Using Google search data and survey insights compiled by Boca Recovery Center, here are the 10 states that are the most committed to Sober October in [...]
Legendary Reagan-Era Texas Restaurant Sadly Shuts Its Doors Forever
After more than four decades of serving Houston families, weddings, and countless Sunday dim sums, Kim Son Restaurant, one of the city’s most iconic Vietnamese and Chinese dining institutions, is closing its doors for good. The East Downtown flagship location — open since 1982 during Ronald Reagan’s first term — served its final meals on October 12, marking the end of an era for Houston’s vibrant food scene. Known for [...]
Wisconsin’s 45-year-old hidden gem restaurant abruptly shuts down – a bad sign
A beloved piece of Wisconsin’s dining history has quietly come to an end. Piggy’s Restaurant & Lounge, a La Crosse institution that welcomed guests for 45 years, abruptly shut its doors in late September, leaving loyal patrons heartbroken and wondering what went wrong. The restaurant, which first opened in 1980, was housed inside a historic 19th-century building near the Mississippi River. For decades, Piggy’s was known [...]
Is Chicago’s restaurant boom finally over? Michelin-level names and neighborhood staples go dark
After a decade of nonstop culinary buzz, Chicago’s once-thriving restaurant scene is hitting a wall. In just the past month, a surprising wave of closures — from Michelin-recognized hotspots to beloved neighborhood taverns — has left diners and insiders asking the same uneasy question: Is the city’s restaurant boom finally over? Across the city, restaurants large and small have gone dark. Parson’s Chicken & Fish [...]
Ohio losing grocery stores fast – report warns 80% of counties now food deserts
Ohio isn’t doing so well on the grocery store front — and experts warn it’s leaving millions of residents without easy access to food. In just the past few months, several long-running supermarkets have announced sudden closures. Among them: These shutdowns come as food access disappears across large portions of the state.A new 2025 report from the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA) found that more [...]
