A new pope has been elected, and if you're from the Chicago area, you probably already know he's one of ours. Born in the city and raised in the nearby suburbs, the new Pope has Midwestern roots deeper than a Lou Malnati's deep dish. And we’re not just talking about geography—we’re talking about traditions.
From local news coverage to group texts and TikToks, the buzz is loud and proud. Memes are flying, pizza specials are being named in his honor, and let’s just say we’re all on high alert for any signs of a Vatican frunchroom. (Never heard of one? Keep reading. We’ll explain.)
Because if there’s one thing Chicagoans know how to do, it’s celebrate our own.
The Vibes: What Makes the Midwest, the Midwest
For those hearing about all this excitement from across the ocean or across the country, it might help to understand what we mean by "Midwest energy."
This isn’t about cornfields and casseroles (well, not entirely). It’s about a mindset. A way of moving through the world that mixes humility with humor, generosity with grit. We keep our heads down, help our neighbors out, and laugh about the weather no matter how brutal it gets.
To be a Midwesterner is to instinctively know the rules of potluck etiquette. To understand the social contract of shoveling someone else’s sidewalk when you're already out there. It’s growing up on sports heartbreaks, keeping jumper cables in your trunk just in case, and politely declining help three times before finally accepting with a grateful smile.
We dress in layers, we apologize when you bump into us, and we know that if you’re leaving a gathering, you better start saying goodbye a solid 45 minutes before you plan to walk out the door.
It’s a sense of pride without pretense. That unshakable feeling that things will be okay as long as there’s coffee on and someone’s bringing a hot dish. It’s the reason a Pope with roots in our neighborhoods feels less like a stranger on a balcony in Rome and more like someone who knows the right way to welcome a neighbor.
Chicago: A Vibe of Its Own
Yes, Chicago is in the Midwest, but let’s be clear, it’s also entirely its own thing.
This is a city that marches to the beat of a deep-dish-fueled drum, shaped by hard work, immigrant hustle, and an unshakable sense of pride. It’s where every neighborhood tells a different story—of Polish delis, Puerto Rican murals, Vietnamese bakeries, Black-owned soul food spots, Irish pubs, and taquerías open until 2 a.m. And somehow, it all works. In Chicago, we don't just coexist—we co-create.
Anthony Bourdain once said, “You wake up in Chicago, pull back the curtain and you KNOW where you are. You could be nowhere else.” It's that unmistakable energy that’s gritty, generous, and grounded. It's a place where the service industry is sacred, blue-collar and white-collar folks share train cars, and a CTA delay is a perfectly valid reason to be late to anything.
Chicago doesn’t try to impress you. It just is. And its people carry that energy with them wherever they go.
A Quick Lingo Cheat Sheet for Outsiders:
Ope – Our reflex reaction to everything. “Ope, sorry!” “Ope, lemme just squeeze past ya.”
Frunchroom – That “front room” in your house no one really uses except for holidays, guests, or fancy furniture too nice to sit on.
Grab me a pop – Yes, we mean soda. And yes, we’ll judge you if you say “soda.”
The Lake – There’s only one, and it’s Lake Michigan. Always.
LSD – Not what you think. It's short for Lake Shore Drive, our scenic highway hugging the lake.
Da – As in Da Bears, Da Bulls, or Da Pope, apparently.
Couple, Two, Tree – A Chicago unit of measurement. As in, “A couple two, tree slices of pizza for lunch.”
From accent to attitude, Chicago is a full-sensory experience. And if our new Pope brings even a bit of that flavor to the Vatican? We’re all in.
Why We Think the Best of Chicago Is West of Chicago
We love Chicago. It’s where so many of our stories start, from summer nights at the lakefront to elbow-to-elbow CTA rides that somehow feel like home. But even the best cities have to evolve. Neighborhoods change. Buildings go vertical. Beloved spots disappear in the name of progress. And while Chicago has done an admirable job of preserving its history, there’s something special happening just due west of the city: a collection of towns keeping the greatest hits alive.
In Oak Park and beyond, you’ll find the soul of old-school Chicago in everything from neon-lit diners and mom-and-pop hot dog joints to historic architecture that hasn’t been turned into condos. Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy lives on in residential streets. Vintage soda fountain bubblers still hum behind burger counters, pouring ice-cold pop the way it used to taste. There are hand-painted signs, retro theaters, and corner taverns where the jukebox still plays actual CDs.
It’s not frozen in time—it’s just deeply rooted. These towns are places where the past and present hang out on the same block. Where you can grab an Italian beef the way your dad remembers it, then head to a family-run record store next door that hasn’t changed in decades. It’s the best of Chicago, minus the skyscrapers, and with a few more parking spaces.
So while the city grows and reinvents, the west suburbs quietly keep the vibe steady. We’re not the backup singers—we’re the remix. And we’re proud of it.