Family Meal

Stories of the food and people behind the service. https://familymeal.tv/

09/22/2026

Dining out is something a lot of us love, but for many diners, it’s getting harder to fit into the budget.

43% of consumers say dining at a restaurant has been somewhat or very difficult to afford in the past six months, according to the National Restaurant Association. That means diners are choosing less expensive restaurants, looking for more deals, and cutting back on extras like drinks and desserts.

Do you think dining out is becoming too expensive? Share with us in the comments!

09/17/2026

How long would you wait for a table?

According to OpenTable’s 2026 Dining Trends Report, Chicago diners are willing to wait an average of 35 minutes for a table as a walk-in.

With Chicago ranking #2 in the country for OpenTable’s “Notify Me” alerts, that patience tracks with how badly we want a seat at our favorite spots.

Let us know how long is too long to wait for a table in the comments.

waittime

09/10/2026

A great restaurant experience is built in the details.

The lighting. The glassware. The art on the walls. The menus, furniture, signage, and all the little choices you might not consciously notice while you’re there.

Looking back at our visits to Brasero (Brasero Chicago), Parachute HiFi (Parachute HiFi), and Le Bouchon (Le Bouchon), each space has its own personality, but one thing they share is how those details come together to shape the experience.

What’s a restaurant detail you always notice? Tag a restaurant with your favorite atmosphere in the comments!

08/25/2026

A lot happens in the back of the house (BOH) before a plate hits the table.

There’s prepping, cooking, plating, washing dishes, cleaning, resetting, and doing it all over again.

It’s fast, physical, precise, and always a team effort.

BOH people: what’s one part of the job you think deserves more appreciation? Let us know in the comments.

08/18/2026

What restaurant trend needs to be GONE in 2027?

Overpriced crudo? AI-generated posters?

Every year there are new food, dining, and restaurant trends. Some deserve to stay another year, others... maybe not.

Restaurant pros and diners: what trend are you ready to leave in 2026?

Share with us in the comments!

08/11/2026

If you’ve ever worked FOH, you know there’s a rhythm to it.

Every shift is a balancing act of greeting guests with a smile, remembering special requests, helping teammates when they’re in the weeds, and somehow keeping service moving when the dining room is full.

It takes a lot of people and teamwork to make hospitality feel effortless.

FOH people, what’s one part of the job you think guests never notice?

07/21/2026

Food safety has been top of mind lately.

With the ongoing Cyclospora outbreak under investigation across the U.S. and the recent temporary closure of Chicago’s Magnolia Bakery and Stella’s Diner following failed health inspections, many people are feeling more cautious about dining out and asking more questions about food safety.

For restaurant teams, food safety is part of the job every single day.

Restaurant professionals, what’s one food safety habit you never skip?

We’d love to hear your insights in the comments!

07/07/2026

This is restaurant life.

The unexpected moments, the chaos, the stories you can’t make up.

Throughout season one of Family Meal, we sat down with the teams behind Brasero (Brasero Chicago), Parachute HiFi (Parachute HiFi), and Le Bouchon (). We heard stories that made us laugh, surprised us, and reminded us why people fall in love with this industry.

Watch to see some of our favorite moments.

06/23/2026

We asked the same question at three different restaurants.

“Why is family meal important?”

Their answers were all different, but the theme of connection came up again and again.

For many restaurant teams, family meal is one of the only moments everyone can slow down, eat together, and prepare for the night ahead.

Watch to hear the answers from the teams at Brasero (Brasero Chicago), Parachute HiFi (Parachute HiFi), and Le Bouchon (Le Bouchon).

06/16/2026

Have you ever stumbled upon a restaurant and immediately thought, “Why aren’t more people talking about this place”?
Chicago is full of spots that may not always make the headlines but they have built a loyal following through amazing food, great hospitality, and unique experiences.
So, we’d love to hear from you.

Fill in the blank: A Chicago restaurant that deserves more love is __________.

Comment and tag the restaurants down below.

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Chicago, IL

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https://familymeal.tv/

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