The Emmy-winning series “The Bear,” set in Chicago, is known for spotlighting local restaurants and landmarks–including right here in Oak Park.

Season four, which premiered June 25 on FX, features Oak Park, even weaving local people and places into the plot. 

One of these places is the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio at 951 Chicago Ave. Main character Carmen Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) visits the architecture landmark while searching for inspiration.

In February 2025, a location scout for “The Bear” contacted Christine Trevino, communications manager of the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, about filming in the home and studio. The show arrived to film with a limited crew on March 27.

Initially, Trevino gave a personal tour to show director Christopher Storer. Immediately afterwards, Storer turned to Trevino and said,  “Jeremy is here and he’s ready, so would you mind walking him through the same way?” Trevino recalled.

Unbeknownst to Trevino, White was in character—and the cameras were rolling. To her surprise, she was featured in the final cut of the show giving a tour to Carmen.

Trevino went on to say that a number of cast and crew members she met that day recalled coming to the Wright houses in Oak Park. A bodyguard told Trevino that he attended Holmes Elementary School, across the street from the home and studio.  

The Oak Park ties don’t end there. Across four seasons, the show has visited many local restaurants. “The Bear” was also filmed at the famed hot dog stand Gene and Jude’s in River Grove, just one mile northwest of River Forest. 

Gene and Jude’s feels like a portal to an older Chicago: no frills, no gimmicks, just grease, speed and the pure Chicago spirit. 

When asked about “The Bear,” manager Adrian Ocampo shrugged, eyes still on the fryer: “I don’t know the show but…yeah, it’s pretty dope, I guess.” That’s Chicago. Indifferent to the hype, busy feeding the city.

“The Bear” thrives here, in the quiet poetry of places like this. It’s a love letter to the people and restaurants that keep Chicago alive, honest, raw and beautiful.

The show follows a young chef, Carmen, as he returns from the intense culinary world to run his family-owned Chicago beef shop. He grapples with running a small business while dealing with his strained family relationships after the death of his brother. 

The show runs deep, with intense cinematic shots and powerful acting, while surrounding ideas of family, food and Chicago. Its impact extends all the way to Oak Park and River Forest High School, where sophomore Marion Bader is an enthusiastic fan. 

Bader pointed to the characters’ struggle to find balance within the small shop while also dealing with the relationships that reflect in the restaurant. “Love comes more from making something you know someone would love than, like, making a big extravagant meal,” Bader said. 

Throughout the show, Carmen explores cooking as a way to explore his grief and family legacy after the death of his brother. The complex character dynamics make the show “feel, like, very real,” Bader said. “You can develop these characters with humor and you can develop them with heart, and I think that’s just kind of one of the merits of a really well-written show.” 

“The Bear” has earned over 20 Emmys and five Golden Globes for its mix of food, family and authenticity.  Its intensity captures the audience, and its rich emotions make it feel all the more real. “If you like food, if you like Chicago, if you like Jeremy Allen White, you should watch it,” Bader said.

There’s a reason why shows like “The Bear” come to Oak Park. Many Oak Park and River Forest residents overlook the community’s significance. We have great food, good books, an art scene and some of the most significant architecture anywhere. 

In the words of Frank Lloyd Wright Trust Director of Development Tom Pierce, visiting the home and studio can be “like a religious experience. I’ve met people who have saved up for years, and it’s their life goal to go on these tours.” 

As a community, it’s necessary to treasure these landmarks and treat them with the respect they deserve. “You can base a career on this stuff,” said Pierce, “or you can just walk a little slower the next time you find yourself on Forest Avenue. Either way, there’s a vat of untapped value to be had in these homes if you just look a little closer.”