October is Dining Month on OnMilwaukee.com. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, special features, chef profiles and unique articles on everything food. Bon appetit!

In addition to Julie Lawrence's comfort food article today, I also heard another story on the subject recently. It talked about how people are gravitating towards comfort food in this time of a volatile economy.

Those interviewed for that piece discussed reaching for junk foods or classic comfort foods like macaroni and cheese, popcorn and potato chips to ease their stress in this time of economic strain.

So, I guess, maybe, perhaps, possibly?

But don't most of us naturally start reaching for comfort food this time of year anyway when the hot, sunny days come fewer and far between and we're snuggling on the couch or out at the bar watching the Badgers and the Packers play football?

This time of year I head for kidney beans and ground beef a lot more naturally anyway, because for me, pigskin begets chili.

But, yes, if the economy is playing into it at all, ground beef and beans are certainly a good cheap way to get protein and comfort into your system.

So, whether it's the stress of the economy, the threat of cold weather, football on the tube or the impending holidays, bring on the meatloaf, spaghetti and meatballs, macaroni and cheese, lasagna and chili. I'm ready.