Mild Sauce is Now the Subject of a Cultural Appropriation Discussion

Mild sauce debate raises questions of cultural appropriation

Mild sauce is a point of pride for many of Chicago’s African Americans, and last year it was a plot device on an episode of Comedy Central’s South Side. Fried chicken shacks like Harold’s and Uncle Remus’s have served the sweet, red condiment for generations. Now it’s the subject of a cultural appropriation discussion, according to Block Club Chicago. A white Chicago entrepreneur has bottled his version, That Mild Sauce, and is selling it online and supermarkets. Some black Chicagoans feel the white business owner’s product represents a “slap in the face,” though Uncle Remus’s owner welcomes the competition and said she has plans to eventually bottle her version that will crush competitors. That Mild Sauce has been around since at least 2019, and its owner has regularly left comments on Eater Chicago’s Facebook page and directed commenters to his company’s website. That owner said he hasn’t filed a trademark for “mild sauce” or the recipe. The controversy is similar to 2018 when Lem’s Bar-B-Q’s owners sent a cease-and-desist letter to the owners of Chicago Brewhouse, a restaurant on the Chicago Riverwalk. The Brewhouse claimed on its menu, that it was using Lem’s sauce on its rib tips. Before the letter, they had never spoke with Lem’s owners about the menu.

Richard’s Bar stabbing suspect held without bond

In Thursday’s court appearance, a judge ordered that the 30-year-old suspect accused of killing Kenneth “Kenny” Paterimos Jr. should be held without bond, according to the Tribune. Thomas Tansey allegedly stabbed Paterimos repeatedly with a box cutter on February 21 outside Richard’s Bar in River West. Police against took custody of Tansey on Wednesday, a week and a half after he was released after claiming self defense. Tansey, a former Marine with a record of criminal battery, faces a first-degree murder charge. Paterimos’s family, friends, and supporters gathered Tuesday for a protest as Tansey remained at large.

Two Chicago chefs to appear on Food Network series Vegas Chef Prizefight

Chicago-based chefs Lamar Moore (the Swill Inn, Currency Exchange Cafe) and Julia Helton (Angelo’s Wine Bar, the Village Tap, La Boulangerie) will move on after the first episode of the new Food Network reality series Vegas Chef Prizefight. Moore and Helton were among eight competitors vying for the prize of becoming head chef of the new restaurant inside the Vegas strip’s Flamingo Las Vegas hotel. The show debuted Thursday night. Both Chicago chefs teamed up, with Moore receiving praise from a panel of judges including celebrity chef Anne Burrell. It was little rockier for Helton, as Burrell told her that she would be going home if not for the efforts of her other team members. The series will run for six episodes, premiering 9 p.m. Thursdays through April 9.

Annual Navy Pier halal festival cancelled

The organizers of the annual I Heart Halal Festival have cancelled the 2020 event. The announcement came Thursday. A spokesperson said organizers are concentrating on returning in 2021. The event has grown since it debuted in 2018, dubbed as America’s largest Halal lifestyle festival. The food line has also grown over the last two years at Navy Pier, with thousands of attendees trying Halal versions of pizza, burgers, and chicken wings. Organizers have marveled at how popular the food component of the event has been with attendees, and companies, including Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, have also participated. The cancellation comes as conferences around the country cancel due to fears surrounding the Coronavirus. This year’s event was to happen from April 17 to April 19.

Popular all-day cafe All Together Now launches reservations, table service

And finally, lauded all-day cafe and bottle shop All Together Now is launching evening reservations and table service in Ukrainian Village, according to a rep. Reservations, available on Resy, are offered Thursday through Sunday at 2119 W. Chicago Avenue. There’s also a new spring menu (listed below) from chef Abigail Zielke (Next, Elizabeth, Kitsune), with seasonal options like dandelion spaetzle (garlic buttermilk, porcini puree, wild spring onions, crushed hazelnut). The restaurant from co-owners Erin Carlman Weber (Girl & the Goat, Formaggio Kitchen), Derek Herbster (Portsmith, Stumptown Coffee), and James Beard Award-nominee Jonny Hunter (Forequarter) opened in 2018.

All Together Now/Mariana Rodriguez

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