The Material Review
Issue 153: Balthazar in the 90s, Coles Serves it's Last French Dip, Craigslist Purity, Kraft Mac & Cheese, Book Stacks, Bob Weir's Shorts, Fashion Psychology and Spotlight On: Made in Chicago.
Stories worth reading. Stop indexing the internet.
Balthazar, 1997
Requiem for a Sandwich
“After 117 years, a former haunt of Charles Bukowski and Mob boss Mickey Cohen will serve its last French dip” [Air Mail]
Is Craigslist the Last Real Place on the Internet?
“Millennials are still using Craigslist to find jobs, love, and even to cast creative projects—eschewing other AI- and algorithm-dominated online spaces. ‘There’s a purity to it.’”
How Kraft Heinz Lost Its Lock on Mac and Cheese—and American Shoppers
“Buzzy upstarts and supermarket knockoffs eat into market share of leading brand; years of cost cutting, underinvestment and corporate chaos” [WSJ]
How should a book stack be?
“The stack suggests a life still in progress.” [Prune]
Bob Weir, a Virtuoso of Hot Pants
“The Grateful Dead guitarist wore short shorts like no other.” [NYT]
The Psychology of Fashion
“Our garments offer glimpses of the unconscious; we may also choose them because they feel nothing like us—because they allow us, briefly, to become someone else.” [New Yorker]
A shortlist of things we’ve got our eye on.
Honorable Oak Handled Cutting Board
imogene + willie hank indigo rigid
Danny D’s Mud Shop | HS Cortado
DAIWA Tech British Hunter Coat Dark Green
Muji Cotton Blend Waffle Sweater
Made in Chicago
1733 Daily Brief
Former Studies Spear Shirt
Ashland Bugs Moran Leather Wallet
Horween Vegetable Tanned Waxy Deerskin Tote
The Weaving Mill Notebook Paper
Dearborn Denim Jacket
Pequod’s Deep Dish Pizza
Classifieds
Welcome to our weekly “Classifieds” section of the newsletter. The idea is to find an easy way to promote things happening in our ecosystem. Think of this space to promote your eBay shop, event, newsletter, app, book, tool or your personal brand (if you must). Drop us a line at if you’re interested in buying an item in an upcoming issue. Price: $200 for four ads. Maximum 280 character per ad.
🛒 Alex Mill Winter Sale
Shop 40–70% off select styles.
🚗 Sid Mashburn Traveling Men’s Shop, Spring ‘26
Our traveling men’s shop kicks off Spring ‘26 on February 4th.
10 cities. Brand-new fabrics. Sid’s forever favorites. The perfect fit.