Mario Batali Is Bringing Eataly To Chicago

In a brief interview at the Aspen Food and Wine Festival (where pretty much everything is happening this weekend,) Mario Batali had some big Crocs and some bigger news: Batali’s beloved Italian food megastore Eataly, co-owned with Joe Bastianich, is finally opening a branch in Chicago!

“Chicago is the Second City no more,” he confirmed to Steve Dolinsky of ABC News in Chicago. He didn’t say where it would be opening, but did mention that it would be 10,000 square feet larger than Eataly’s current New York City location, dashing any hopes that he might be inhabiting the old, tinier ESPN Zone.

The food world had been speculating for months when (not if) Batali would open a branch in Chicago, but once they all wake up this morning, we’re sure that everyone’s going to be extremely excited.

[h/t Twitter]

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