MEET THE TEAM

The Creators & Eaters

Olivia Murphy

Co-Creator, Writer

I have been surrounded by food ever since I can remember (from Old Country Buffet to my mom’s gourmet food today, I’ve had quite the spectrum), and have had a knack for finding and ordering the best since I was a kid. (I may be picky, but to my dad’s dismay, I always order the best meals. Ha!)

As a fresh graduate of Miami University of Ohio, I studied professional writing and double-minored in creative writing and marketing. By combining my degrees and love of food and all things Chicago, I'm so excited to bring you Chicago Chubbies!

Courtney and I have always bonded over our love for food and that certain special flare of the restaurant we're dining in. Trust me, we really know how to pick 'em. So much so, Courtney and I are always getting texts along the likes of, "Where do I take my girlfriend to impress her?" or "Need a rec on places to eat in Lakeview..." or the ever good one, "My parents are in town, where should I take them to show I have my life together?"

Lucky for you, we decided to take your questions and turn them into this easy-to-follow guide—just click the category of food or occasion and pick one of our Chubbies-approved restaurants!

Easy as pie.

Courtney Theo

Co-Creator, Insta Celeb

You might know me as Courtney, Court, Auntie Cece, or my most recent and favorite, @phoodcourt. I was born in Evanston, tolerated (I mean, raised) in Lake Forest, educated at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and fed in Chicago.

@Phoodcourt has been a fun food account on Instagram for me to highlight some of my favorite eats, expanding beyond Chicago to places like Rome, Budapest, and London, to name a few.

Olivia and I get texts frequently asking where the “best brunch spots are in the city” and where someone’s “parents should go to dinner.” Phoodcourt was my effort to assist people with these questions. What I’ve realized is that people really like personalized recommendations, hence the reason for this site!

So without further ado… welcome to Chicago Chubbies!

Also, did you catch the reference from our account name? Go Cubs! It’s going to be messy and wild and loud. Bear with us. We’re not necessarily new to this but we might shock you. You’ll warm up. Just hold on tight. Come one, come all (all you have to do is come hungry).