Culinary memory lanes: why comfort food still matters

Food trends grab headlines, but the recipes we repeat are rarely trendy. They’re postcards from a moment we never want to lose. In Chicago, a chef reinvented his grandmother’s pozole on a Michelin-star menu—not for applause, but to share the story that shaped him.

Comfort food is an anchor. It unlocks belonging for guests who have never met. Restaurants that respect those roots manage to introduce something new without breaking the spell. Pairing heritage with curiosity is how cities build culinary identities that last longer than a viral TikTok dish.

So yes, chase fermented everything and charcoal-infused desserts. Just make sure there’s a seat for stew, noodles, or cornbread when guests need a reminder of home.