On our second night in Chicago, the wildfire smoke had started overtaking the city. The rich haze had turned everything pale orange and halos formed around the street lights. We headed out to Chinatown to eat some dumplings.

We rode the Chicago subway “L” out into the suburbs of northern Chicago to find the Loba Pastry Shop. We had gotten the recommendation at a wedding from a guy my wife met on the drink line. Lottie + Doof, who my wife follows on instagram.