Eat. Watch. Do. — Tailgating tips, best suburban barbecue, plus top picks for fall theater, comedy and more

It’s Thursday, Chicago.

Football season is back, and we’ve got the details you need to know to have an excellent tailgating experience, with tips on pregaming at Soldier Field and recommendations on what drinks to pack in your coolers, including some great cheap beers.

We’ve also got another set of fall arts and entertainment guides this week with recommendations for live music, jazz, theater and comedy. The top picks I’m most excited for include Lyric Opera of Chicago’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” comedian Jo Koy’s show and Riot Fest, featuring Yellowcard and My Chemical Romance.

Plus, we’ve got a list of 10 free outdoor sculpture parks within driving distance of Chicago that are great places to take a break from the city and enjoy some visual splendor.

See you next week.

— Kayla Samoy, deputy senior editor

The choice of “Maus,” Art Spiegelman’s classic graphic novel about the Holocaust, as the new selection for the 2022-23 One Book, One Chicago — for which the Chicago Public Library structures a year of programming around one title — comes just nine months after a school board in Tennessee voted to remove it from schools, citing curse words and an image of nudity. Read the full story here.

Tribune critic Louisa Chu highlights nine new restaurants around the city, including Virtue chef Erick Williams’ new po’boy spot, and Avondale’s Loaf Lounge, which sells the chocolate cake featured on the hit show “The Bear.” Read the full list here.

“The Good Fight,” the Chicago-set spinoff of the CBS series “The Good Wife,” feels especially heavy-handed in its final run, writes Tribune critic Nina Metz. But at least the acting and wardrobe are still top-notch. Read the full review here.

With football season upon us, Tribune critic Josh Noel has recommendations for which drinks to take to a tailgate. His picks primarily focus on quality and variation, from Revolution Brewing’s crowd-pleasing Freedom Lemonade to the Malört Spritz from CH Distillery and Marz Community Brewing. Read the full list here.

Music fans, get ready, because this fall is jam-packed with great live shows. Writer Bob Gendron’s top picks include Lizzo, Jeff Beck and Riot Fest with Nine Inch Nails and Ice Cube. Read the full list here.

Tribune critic Nick Kindelsperger spent a week exploring the suburban barbecue scene, leaving his car smelling like smoked meats as he trekked as far as Moontime Smokin’ Que in Crystal Lake and Station One Smokehouse in Plainfield. Read the full list here.

Tribune critic Chris Jones’ recommendations for fall theater are all shows with Chicago origins and involving Chicago artists. From a kid-friendly show like “Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster” to the musical comedy “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” there’s something on his list for everyone.

Following the news that iconic Gold Coast restaurant Tavern on Rush will be closing after its New Year’s Eve festivities, Tribune reporter Rick Kogan reminisced about old taverns and restaurants that have disappeared, despite playing an important role in our city’s landscape. Read the full story here.

Lauren Warnecke’s highlights for dance this fall feature a ballet created as a direct response to the war in Ukraine, a show inspired by the experience of living under martial law in 1960s Taipei and a new work that will draw from Quincy Jones’ discography. Read the full list here.

For those looking to get immersed in both nature and art, there are plenty of outdoor sculpture gardens near Chicago. From Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park just 30 minutes away to Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis, relax or get inspired at these free spots.