Rick West – Page 3 –

The Mahal-O' burger can be enjoyed as part of the Summer Shenanigans Prime Burger Bash special at Bennigan's, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, July 27, 2026. The Elgin restaurant at 495 Airport Rd. is one of only about a half dozen traditional locations in the United States. (Rick West/Daily Herald)

The last Bennigan’s in Illinois is thriving in Elgin as it turns 50

July 29, 2026 at 1:13 p.m.

A once beloved restaurant brand that seemingly disappeared from the American dining landscape in the early 2000s is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Waffadilla team members Gavin Mari, Madison Peterson and Shawn Peterson, based in Hampshire, will appear on season 19 of Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race." (Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.)

Hampshire family to compete on Food Network’s ‘The Great Food Truck Race’

July 24, 2026 at 1:51 p.m.

Hampshire-based Waffadilla will compete on season 19 of Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race,” which premieres Sunday night.

Evil Intentions Haunted House, which left Elgin for Maple Park two years ago, plans to return to the city by moving into the former Heider Electric Co. building at 80 N. State St. (Rick West/Daily Herald)

Despite complicated council vote, longtime haunted house returning to Elgin

July 23, 2026 at 2:26 p.m.

The Elgin council OKs plans for a new Evil Intentions Haunted House but not without changes one councilman called “embarrassing.”

Zaxbys, a Georgia-based fast-food restaurant specializing in chicken fingers and wings, plans to open a Naperville location. (Zaxbys)

Chicken finger favorite Zaxbys opening stores in Naperville and 6 other suburban spots

July 20, 2026 at 11:22 a.m.

Zaxbys, the popular fast-casual chicken chain from Georgia, has announced its second Chicago-area development deal will include a new location in Naperville as the company expands its footprint in the...

McHenry Outdoor Theater in Lakemoor marked its 75th anniversary Monday. The theater, which last week showed "Moana," is the last remaining drive-in theater in the suburbs. (Rick West/Daily Herald)

McHenry Outdoor Theater celebrates 75 years of movies under the stars

July 20, 2026 at 10:47 a.m.

McHenry Outdoor Theater, which opened July 20, 1951, as the Skyline Drive-In, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this week.

Elgin officials are alerting residents after some drinking water samples exceeded allowable lead levels during recent testing. (Rick West/Daily Herald)

Elgin issues lead alert after drinking water samples exceed allowable levels

July 14, 2026 at 4:53 p.m.

Elgin officials are again alerting residents after drinking water samples exceeded allowable lead levels during a recent test.

Customers line up for an hour or more at the new Swig location in Indian Land, South Carolina.(Tracy Kimball/Rock Hill Herald)

Dirty sodas are heading to Naperville as Swig set to open 13 suburban locations

July 10, 2026 at 4:05 p.m.

The favorite drinks of your favorite Mormon wives are coming to the suburbs.

Food at the Chip Shots Golf & Whiskey Bar in Elgin is purchased at a food truck permanently parked just outside the bar and clubhouse at Wing Park Golf Course. (Rick West/Daily Herald)

Bar and food truck offer something new at historic Elgin golf course

July 3, 2026 at 10:22 a.m.

The state’s oldest nine-hole municipal golf course at Wing Park in Elgin is now home to the city’s newest bar and food truck.

Wahlburgers, located in St. Charles for nearly six years, announced its immediate closure this week after failing to negotiate a lower rent with the building's owner. (Rick West/Daily Herald)

Wahlburgers restaurant in St. Charles abruptly closes this week

July 1, 2026 at 9:22 p.m.

A month shy of its sixth anniversary, Wahlburgers in St. Charles announced on social media that it was closing immediately.

Ellis Fanter, 12, of Wheaton, unfurls a flag during setup for the Field of Honor at Seven Gables Park on June, 29, 2026, in Wheaton. He and his family were volunteering for the third year. (Rick West/Daily Herald)

‘It’s an inspiration’: 2,026 flags installed for annual Wheaton Field of Honor

June 30, 2026 at 5:48 p.m.

One by one, flags were installed at Wheaton's Seven Gables Park, transforming green soccer fields into a sea of red, white and blue.

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