Is simply eating your dinner not enough for you? Do you feel the need to discuss, debate, and rate every meal from a simple bowl of cereal to a 4-star degustation? Are you compelled to research and read about eating even when you are full? If so, below is a compendium of Chicago-oriented media for you to consider. This may not be the most complete, but I consider it to be the most relevant:

Discussion Groups

• Chowhound is the granddaddy of food-oriented message boards, with a very active Chicago board. A core group of 'hounds and strong moderation keep the discussions on-target and lively. Donations are requested on the honor system.

• LTHForum is the new kid on the block. Created by Chicago BBQ guru and Chowhound Gary Wivott, this forum sports considerably more modern software than Chowhound. It is separated into several different boards based on cuisine.

• eGullet maintains a moderated "Heartland" board which covers the entire Midwest.

Other Blogs

• Vital Information is a blog run by another Chowhound. Good, frequent writing and a personal perspective keep this blog very interesting and informative.

• fuckcorporategroceries.net may just be my favorite blog in the world. The writer, j3s, has eschewed all corporate grocery sources in favor of local markets, bodegas, bakeries, etc. The writing, design, and information all carry a no-nonsense air that makes this blog truly unique.
  

Other Websites

• Metromix.com is a good source for general information about restaurants. In this writer's opinion it also suffers from a horrible user-interface, below-average search engine, and just plain bad reader reviews. I mainly use it to find a phone number or see if a restaurant has parking.
• Citysearch is basically the same as Metromix, only less trafficked.
  

• Chicago Tribune & Chicago Sun Times both publish a weak, weekly food section. They do a pretty substandard job drawing out the culture and variety in Chicago's food landscape, in my opinion.
  
• The Reader publishes thin, but pointed reviews and information every week.
  
• Your neighborhood Lerner Paper has a great column of Chicago's food-oriented happenings every week (take note, Trib & Times!) as well as a good recipe-oriented food section.
  
• Chicago Magazine's Penny Pollack & Jeff Ruby publish a weekly email newsletter called Morsels. Decent, detailed coverage of what's happening in food.
  
• Savoring Chicago is a bi-monthly print newsletter focused on discovering the best food stores in the area.
  

On Air

• Check, Please! is a great concept and well executed. Three Chicagoans pick a restaurant each, they all dine at all three, and talk about what they think. On WTTW-11, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm, and Sundays at 11pm.
  
• Do you have a Tivo? If so, set up a wishlist for keyword "Chicago" in the "Food/Cooking" category. Your Tivo will record a lot of shows with hidden pieces on Chicago, especially on FoodTV. I caught a great piece on Bobak's last week.
  

(There are other resources like OpenTable, RewardsNetwork, and Restaurant.com, but I wanted to focus this list on media rather than services).