Booth 46: Celebrating 25 years of Petterino’s in the heart of Chicago

Booth 46: Celebrating 25 years of Petterino’s in the heart of Chicago

“When someone says you can’t do something, you try even harder.” 25 years ago, Albert Friedman was challenged by Mayor Richard M. Daley to revitalize the downtown area in Chicago, and part of that started with Petterino’s [https://petterinos.com/] in the heart of the loop. To kickoff Petterino’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, Mr. Friedman joined WGN Radio’s Steve Dale in Booth 46 to talk about the “secret sauce” that has made the restaurant so successful and one big family. Also joining them are Goodman Theatre [https://www.goodmantheatre.org/] executive director John Collins, and Dennis Watkins from the Magic Parlour [https://www.themagicparlourchicago.com/], to discuss their collaborative relationships with Petterino’s and the team effort to make Chicago’s Loop a welcoming destination for all. Listen below: https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8433707/8433707_2026-06-05-113707.64kmono.mp3 [https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8433707/8433707_2026-06-05-113707.64kmono.mp3] As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, see the photos below from the Episode 23 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there. * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/06/Petterinos-25th-Steve-Dale-and-Albert-Friedman.jpg]Albert Friedman and Steve Dale in Booth 46. Photo by Hollie Kreher / Petterino’s-The Good Plate Hospitality Group * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/06/Petterinos-25th-John-Collins-with-Steve-and-Al.jpg]John Collins from Goodman Theatre joining Booth 46 as part of the celebration. Photo by Hollie Kreher / Petterino’s-The Good Plate Hospitality Group * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/06/Petterinos-25th-Dennis-Watkins-with-Steve-and-Al.jpg]Mr. Friedman on Booth 46. Photo by Hollie Kreher / Petterino’s-The Good Plate Hospitality Group * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/06/Petterinos-25th-Dennis-Watkins.jpg]Magician Dennis Watkins from the Magic Parlour, taking a seat at Booth 46. Photo by Hollie Kreher / Petterino’s-The Good Plate Hospitality Group * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/06/Petterinos-25th-Channel-7-Camera.jpg]Act natural, guys! Channel 7 is here! Photo by Hollie Kreher / Petterino’s-The Good Plate Hospitality Group See how Petterino’s is celebrating 25 years in The Loop at Petterinos.com [https://petterinos.com/] and follow them on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/petterinos_/?hl=en]! Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/booth-46/id1833386664] or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/petterinos]and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/petterinos_/?hl=en] for more from the actual Booth 46. RECENT POSTS BOOTH 46 https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-celebrating-25-years-of-petterinos-in-the-heart-of-chicago/ CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PETTERINO’S IN THE LOOP [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-celebrating-25-years-of-petterinos-in-the-heart-of-chicago/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-22-darlene-duggan-from-anti-cruelty/ BOOTH 46: ANTI-CRUELTY PRESIDENT DARLENE DUGGAN [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-22-darlene-duggan-from-anti-cruelty/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-21-iconic-chicago-actress-e-faye-butler/ BOOTH 46: ICONIC CHICAGO ACTRESS E. FAYE BUTLER [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-21-iconic-chicago-actress-e-faye-butler/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-20-chicagos-very-own-harry-lennix/ BOOTH 46: CHICAGO’S VERY OWN, HARRY LENNIX [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-20-chicagos-very-own-harry-lennix/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-19-david-byrne-brings-his-theatre-of-the-mind-to-chicago/ BOOTH 46: DAVID BYRNE AND HIS ‘THEATER OF THE MIND’ [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-19-david-byrne-brings-his-theatre-of-the-mind-to-chicago/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/]

Booth 46: Episode 22 – Darlene Duggan from Anti-Cruelty

If you love pets and animals, this is the podcast episode for you. Anti-Cruelty [https://anticruelty.org/] president Darlene Duggan joined host Steve Dale in Booth 46, LIVE from Petterino’s [https://petterinos.com/], to talk about her journey to her current role, concerns in animal welfare today, how you can help, and the organization’s upcoming events – including the BARK: Walk for Chicago’s Animals [https://anticruelty.org/events/bark] on May 30th! https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8404183/8404183_2026-05-21-214223.64kmono.mp3 [https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8404183/8404183_2026-05-21-214223.64kmono.mp3] As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, see the photos below from the Episode 22 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there. * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/Darlene-Duggan-2.jpg]Anti-Cruelty president Darlene Duggan with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast at Petterino’s. Photo by Hollie Kreher / Petterino’s-The Good Plate Hospitality Group * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/Darlene-Duggan-1-1-rotated.jpg]Anti-Cruelty president Darlene Duggan with Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast at Petterino’s. Photo by Hollie Kreher / Petterino’s-The Good Plate Hospitality Group Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/booth-46/id1833386664] or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/petterinos]and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/petterinos_/?hl=en] for more from the actual Booth 46. RECENT POSTS BOOTH 46 https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-celebrating-25-years-of-petterinos-in-the-heart-of-chicago/ CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PETTERINO’S IN THE LOOP [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-celebrating-25-years-of-petterinos-in-the-heart-of-chicago/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-22-darlene-duggan-from-anti-cruelty/ BOOTH 46: ANTI-CRUELTY PRESIDENT DARLENE DUGGAN [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-22-darlene-duggan-from-anti-cruelty/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-21-iconic-chicago-actress-e-faye-butler/ BOOTH 46: ICONIC CHICAGO ACTRESS E. FAYE BUTLER [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-21-iconic-chicago-actress-e-faye-butler/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-20-chicagos-very-own-harry-lennix/ BOOTH 46: CHICAGO’S VERY OWN, HARRY LENNIX [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-20-chicagos-very-own-harry-lennix/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-19-david-byrne-brings-his-theatre-of-the-mind-to-chicago/ BOOTH 46: DAVID BYRNE AND HIS ‘THEATER OF THE MIND’ [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-19-david-byrne-brings-his-theatre-of-the-mind-to-chicago/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/]

Booth 46: Episode 21 – Iconic Chicago actress E. Faye Butler

E. Faye Butler [https://www.e-fayebutler.com/] has been acting and performing for 48 years and has been proud to call Chicago her home. She is currently playing the title character in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ [https://www.goodmantheatre.org/show/ma-raineys-black-bottom/]at The Goodman Theatre [https://www.goodmantheatre.org/], and she joined Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s [https://petterinos.com/]. They discuss her groundbreaking work in theater and Chicago, the story of Ma Rainey, why working for Barry Manilow is the best job she ever had, what’s coming up next for her, and much more! https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8352074/8352074_2026-05-01-092214.64kmono.mp3 [https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8352074/8352074_2026-05-01-092214.64kmono.mp3] As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 21 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there. * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/E-Faye-Butler-1-rotated.jpg]Actress E. Faye Butler on the Booth 46 Podcast at Petterino’s with Steve Dale. Photo by Hollie Kreher / Petterino’s-The Good Plate Hospitality Group * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/E-Faye-Butler-2-rotated.jpg]Actress E. Faye Butler on the Booth 46 Podcast at Petterino’s with Steve Dale. Photo by Hollie Kreher / Petterino’s-The Good Plate Hospitality Group * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/E-Faye-Butler-3-rotated.jpg]Actress E. Faye Butler on the Booth 46 Podcast at Petterino’s with Steve Dale. Photo by Hollie Kreher / Petterino’s-The Good Plate Hospitality Group * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/E-Faye-Butler-4-rotated.jpg]Actress E. Faye Butler on the Booth 46 Podcast at Petterino’s with Steve Dale. Photo by Hollie Kreher / Petterino’s-The Good Plate Hospitality Group Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/booth-46/id1833386664] or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/petterinos]and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/petterinos_/?hl=en] for more from the actual Booth 46. RECENT POSTS BOOTH 46 https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-celebrating-25-years-of-petterinos-in-the-heart-of-chicago/ CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PETTERINO’S IN THE LOOP [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-celebrating-25-years-of-petterinos-in-the-heart-of-chicago/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-22-darlene-duggan-from-anti-cruelty/ BOOTH 46: ANTI-CRUELTY PRESIDENT DARLENE DUGGAN [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-22-darlene-duggan-from-anti-cruelty/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-21-iconic-chicago-actress-e-faye-butler/ BOOTH 46: ICONIC CHICAGO ACTRESS E. FAYE BUTLER [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-21-iconic-chicago-actress-e-faye-butler/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-20-chicagos-very-own-harry-lennix/ BOOTH 46: CHICAGO’S VERY OWN, HARRY LENNIX [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-20-chicagos-very-own-harry-lennix/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-19-david-byrne-brings-his-theatre-of-the-mind-to-chicago/ BOOTH 46: DAVID BYRNE AND HIS ‘THEATER OF THE MIND’ [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-19-david-byrne-brings-his-theatre-of-the-mind-to-chicago/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/]

Booth 46: Episode 20 – Chicago’s very own, Harry Lennix

Chicago native and accomplished film/television/stage actor Harry Lennix returns to his hometown as associate director and music director of The Goodman Theatre’s [https://www.goodmantheatre.org/] production of ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ [https://www.goodmantheatre.org/show/ma-raineys-black-bottom/], which has been extended through May 3rd. Harry joined WGN Radio’s Steve Dale on the Booth 46 Podcast, LIVE from Petterino’s [https://petterinos.com/] to talk about how how great ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ is, some of his favorite roles, why he loves doing Shakespeare, how he was influenced by Spencer Tracy, and much more. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8331948/8331948_2026-04-24-020948.64kmono.mp3 [https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8331948/8331948_2026-04-24-020948.64kmono.mp3] As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 20 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there. * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/Harry-Lennix-1-rotated.jpg]Actor/Producer/Director Harry Lennix with Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Hollie Kreher / Petterino’s-The Good Plate Hospitality Group * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/Harry-Lennix-2-1-rotated.jpg]Actor/Producer/Director Harry Lennix with Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Hollie Kreher / Petterino’s-The Good Plate Hospitality Group * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/Harry-Lennix-3-1-rotated.jpg]Actor/Producer/Director Harry Lennix with Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Hollie Kreher / Petterino’s-The Good Plate Hospitality Group * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/Harry-Lennix-4-1.jpg]Actor/Producer/Director Harry Lennix with Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterino’s. Photo by Hollie Kreher / Petterino’s-The Good Plate Hospitality Group Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/booth-46/id1833386664] or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/petterinos]and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/petterinos_/?hl=en] for more from the actual Booth 46. RECENT POSTS BOOTH 46 https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-celebrating-25-years-of-petterinos-in-the-heart-of-chicago/ CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PETTERINO’S IN THE LOOP [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-celebrating-25-years-of-petterinos-in-the-heart-of-chicago/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-22-darlene-duggan-from-anti-cruelty/ BOOTH 46: ANTI-CRUELTY PRESIDENT DARLENE DUGGAN [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-22-darlene-duggan-from-anti-cruelty/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-21-iconic-chicago-actress-e-faye-butler/ BOOTH 46: ICONIC CHICAGO ACTRESS E. FAYE BUTLER [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-21-iconic-chicago-actress-e-faye-butler/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-20-chicagos-very-own-harry-lennix/ BOOTH 46: CHICAGO’S VERY OWN, HARRY LENNIX [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-20-chicagos-very-own-harry-lennix/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-19-david-byrne-brings-his-theatre-of-the-mind-to-chicago/ BOOTH 46: DAVID BYRNE AND HIS ‘THEATER OF THE MIND’ [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-19-david-byrne-brings-his-theatre-of-the-mind-to-chicago/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/]

Booth 46: Episode 19 – David Byrne brings his ‘Theater of the Mind’ to Chicago

David Byrne does it all. Music, writing, producing, art, filmmaking, co-founding one of the greatest American rock bands of all-time…And now the Academy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning artist is here in Chicago with his ‘Theater of the Mind’ [https://theaterofthemindchicago.com/], as part of The Goodman Theatre [https://www.goodmantheatre.org/show/a-christmas-carol/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=a_christmas_carol&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23106397906&gbraid=0AAAAADoE_0dOnGbzKv1HzObgZPd_0qGmb&gclid=CjwKCAiAlfvIBhA6EiwAcErpyYu5udv-faLiapemgkea9pnz1E142hEd0wPb-SfNM3_yQe0YHQOpuhoCTzcQAvD_BwE]. David joined WGN Radio’s Steve Dale in Booth 46, LIVE from Petterino’s [https://petterinos.com/] in The Loop, to talk about why he brought the show to Chicago, how the immersive experience came to be, performing on Broadway vs. a World Tour, riding his bicycle through Chicago (and his Bicycle Diaries [https://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-Diaries-David-Byrne/dp/0143117963]), and much more. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8089427/8089427_2026-04-08-202527.64kmono.mp3 [https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8089427/8089427_2026-04-08-202527.64kmono.mp3] As you listen to ‘Booth 46’ live from Petterino’s, and overhear the clanking of glasses, conversations from other booths, forks hitting plates and more, swipe through the photos below from the Episode 19 podcast recording to feel even more like you’re there. * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/Booth-46-David-Byrne-1.jpg]David Byrne and WGN Radio’s Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterion’s. Photo By Michael Piff / WGN Radio * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/Booth-46-David-Byrne-2.jpg]David Byrne and WGN Radio’s Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterion’s. Photo By Michael Piff / WGN Radio * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/Booth-46-David-Byrne-3.jpg]David Byrne and WGN Radio’s Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterion’s. Photo By Michael Piff / WGN Radio * [https://wgnradio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/Booth-46-David-Byrne-4.jpg]David Byrne and WGN Radio’s Steve Dale in Booth 46 at Petterion’s. Photo By Michael Piff / WGN Radio Subscribe to Booth 46 on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/booth-46/id1833386664] or wherever you get your podcasts so that you don’t miss an episode. If you love what you’re hearing and feel compelled to post about it on social media, please use the hashtag #Booth46. You can also follow Petterino’s on Facebook  [https://www.facebook.com/petterinos]and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/petterinos_/?hl=en] for more from the actual Booth 46. RECENT POSTS BOOTH 46 https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-celebrating-25-years-of-petterinos-in-the-heart-of-chicago/ CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PETTERINO’S IN THE LOOP [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-celebrating-25-years-of-petterinos-in-the-heart-of-chicago/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-22-darlene-duggan-from-anti-cruelty/ BOOTH 46: ANTI-CRUELTY PRESIDENT DARLENE DUGGAN [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-22-darlene-duggan-from-anti-cruelty/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-21-iconic-chicago-actress-e-faye-butler/ BOOTH 46: ICONIC CHICAGO ACTRESS E. FAYE BUTLER [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-21-iconic-chicago-actress-e-faye-butler/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-20-chicagos-very-own-harry-lennix/ BOOTH 46: CHICAGO’S VERY OWN, HARRY LENNIX [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-20-chicagos-very-own-harry-lennix/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-19-david-byrne-brings-his-theatre-of-the-mind-to-chicago/ BOOTH 46: DAVID BYRNE AND HIS ‘THEATER OF THE MIND’ [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/booth-46-episode-19-david-byrne-brings-his-theatre-of-the-mind-to-chicago/] .cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Click for more [https://wgnradio.com/booth-46/]