The Story of Big Chicks, the Iconic Chicago Gay Bar | Bon Appétit

"Opened in 2003 next door to the bar and also run by Michelle Fire, this all-day restaurant is part of the same creative enterprise and is best known for its red velvet cake—so popular that patrons sometimes order foot-tall slices at the neighboring bar and even feed cake to each other on the dance floor. The place functions as an extension of Fire’s experiment in combining hospitality and art: a hardworking, community-oriented diner that helped sustain the owner’s long hours and contributed to the neighborhood’s uncommon energy." - ByDavid Tamarkin