Incredibly Cool Spots To Check Out

Frontier's 2,500-square-foot beer garden is one of the newest hot spots to hit up in West Town. (Photo: Frontier)

Food trucks and Fido?! That's the theme behind Truckin' Thursdays, a new event at Ethyl's Beer & Wine Dive in the West Loop.

A number of the city's most popular food trucks gather in the parking lot, and one also offers gourmet goodies for your pooch. Fido To Go is doing hand-crafted canine cookies & doggy ice creams. Other trucks include the likes of Taquero Fusion, Gaztro-Wagon, Tamale Spaceship, Slide Ride, 5411 Empanadas, More Cupcakes and Alexander Beetle Bakeshop. It's 6-9pm.

Additional fantastic food-focused events you don't want to miss:

Margarita Madness All Over Town!

There's no denying that the margarita rules when it comes to summertime sippers.

It doesn't matter whether it's fancy schmancy, skinny or shockingly big, if you tell you friends you're going out for margaritas when it's hot outside, they are certain to show up.

Over at Taco Joint and sister resto Zocalo, they've created the Guava Chipotle Margarita, with $2 of every $10 cocktail benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois. It's made with Karma tequila blanco, triple sec, fresh lime juice and guava-chipotle puree with a sugar-chipotle rim. It can be ordered up, on the rocks or frozen.

Also happening at Zocalo is a margarita-making class. Taking place 6:30-9pm July 21, the class will be led by in-house beverage director Victor Baheza, who'll show attendees how to make the Guava Chipotle Margarita as well as additional flavored margaritas. He'll also offer guests an informal tequila tasting and appetizers. It's $20 to attend and to reserve a spot, call the restaurant here. Fifty percent of the proceeds also benefit Make-A-Wish.

Salsa Your Way to a Free Supper

Photo via Ya Salsa.

If you think you've got what it takes when it comes to salsa, prove your moves on the dance floor for a chance to win dinner for four and more at Nacional 27.

The vibrant, Latin-inspired resto in River North is doing its annual Bacardi Sultry Summer Salsa Competition preliminaries over the next few weeks. Register by contacting the restaurant here; dates to dance are 9:30pm July 29, August 5 and August 12 (finals take place August 26). Applicants who register before July 15 will receive a $25 gift certificate to Nacional 27.

Hot Doug's Is #1 . . .

Hot Doug's photo via Complex

This comes as no surprise.

Doug Sohn and his enticing encased meats at Hot Doug's nag the #1 spot in Complex's 25 Best Hot Dog Shops in America roundup:

"Hot Doug's sits on top as the best hot dog shop in America because they can do it both ways. That is to say, they have arguably one of the best Chicago dogs out there for a startling $1.75 (unless you're a stickler for the two tomatoes, two sports rule) and they run a special menu of gourmet sausages that sets the bar for extravagant and creative across the nation. The specials are food porn . ..."

Go, Ryan, Go!

Ryan Poli of Tavernita. (Photo: Ryan Poli)

Let's root on Chicago homeboy Ryan Poli, chef/partner at Tavernita, who's competing Wednesday on Bravo TV's Rocco's Dinner Party.

You might remember when I first told you about the show back in March. This is the fourth episode of the cooking contest in which competitors each week whip up dinner and a party atmosphere to impress Rocco DiSpirito and his celebrity guests. On Ryan's episode, which includes actor Chazz Palminteri and comic Jeffrey Ross, the challenge is to create a "flavorful, yet healthy feast fest."

If Chicago Was A Cake . . .

(Photo: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Gold Coast)

TLC's Cake Boss Buddy Valastro was in town last week to help kick off a major grand-opening event at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Gold Coast (834 N. Rush St.).

More than 500 guests were in attendance, including media elite and Bears players (including legendary NFLer Otis Wilson). But the real star of the soirée was the magnificent cake Valastro created for the spectacular event.

Charles Joly Wins AGAIN!

If you were looking to check out The Drawing Room star mixologist Charles Joly for cocktails this week, he's been out of the loop for a very good reason.

Joly's been in Mexico City competing in the second-annual Olmeca Altos Global Margarita Contest with the Tahona Society. He was up against the best in the biz from all over the world, including London, South Africa, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and Mexico.

He beat them all Friday night to win a trip to London.

Congrats, Charles!

Star Spangled Sippers For Your Holiday Soirée

Kingford's Louisiana Sangria (Photo: John Lee)

Looking for something unique to serve your guests this holiday season? 312DD caught up with some of the city's most talented mixologists for cool cocktail recipes for your backyard bash.

And if you're a guest, you don't want to show up empty handed. Here are some recommendations for awesome boozy gifts for the host or hostess.

Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!