Topolobampo In the 1970s the restaurant industry and the custom of eating in restaurants grew rapidly. 1981-present // Highland Park } The rest of us have finally caught up. Try another? The Walgreens, Chicago, circa 1970s. 24. (Far Eastern) This over-the-top tiki bar and restaurant out-tikid the competition with its Polynesian fare and exotic cocktails so potent, management set a two-zombie-drink limit. (Progressive American) Still wet behind the ears, Alinea, the culinary juggernaut of the brilliant and visionary Grant Achatz, turned Chicago into an international foodie destination and a launching pad for the next generation of groundbreaking chefs. The impact this place has on Chicago history speaks for itself just browse through their collection of memories submitted to their website by nostalgic patrons. 8. By the end of the century, the company Melman founded, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc., owned or licensed 70 . Trio Today, it hasn't lost any of its vintage charm you can even sit in Capone's favorite booth. / co-owned by Steve Dahl. You can almost hear the sound in Michael Abramson's pictures of Chicago nightclubs in the 1970s. Alpine Inn Restaurant / 609 Milwaukee Ave. Glenview, IL. Visit Website . The decor was all over the map (including a cunning street map that seamlessly linked Chicago to London and Paris), using mixed floor materials, abrupt color shifts on the walls, and art that included a picture of Charlie Brown rendered as a Romanesque bust. Don Roths Blackhawk Lottie was a total BA, turning her neighborhood grocery store into a liquor store with a basement speakeasyor rathskellerthat was ruled by Chicagos gangsters and corrupt politicians. What was the name of the Chinese restaurant on 26th street across from the pet store in the 1950s and 1960s owned by Charlie Bing? Sporting a digital jukebox that might have replaced a vintage one from back in the day, you can dance all night long without judgment at a place like this. Gene & Georgetti, 500 N Franklin St., 1941. Inspired by mid-century Hungarian-French photographer Brassa's street photography of Paris in the early decades of the 20th century, Abramson (1948-2011) began photographing nightclubs on Chicago's South Side - clubs like: Peppers Hideout, Perv's House, the High Chaparral, the Patio . border: none !important; Housed in a restored bank building, the split-level dining room offered soaring ceilings and bright-white walls, and the bar, located in an open loft, let imbibers watch the goings-on below. There were bakeries, butcher shops, greasy-spoon diners, liquor stores, old-fashioned barber shops, and tiny drugstores that had only two or three aisles. Find out where to go, what to eat, where to live, and more. 1973-1991 // Gold Coast Tragically, chef Terczak died two years later from a rare liver disease. She died of natural causes following her testimony before a grand jury, forever a queer icon for the LGBTQ+ community. Aruns Same location or home to something new..?? South Side pride runs deep here, given this Irish pub has been serving beer to the neighborhood since the late 30s. Novel at the time for having a techno-spinning DJ in the dining room, Okno was also known for its space-age design and its second-floor bathrooms featuring translucent glass doors that left little mystery of what was happening inside. 1947-1972 // Loop Another Marriott story: The famous burger chain Bob's Big Boy merged with the corporation in 1967 (the chain had first opened in 1936 in Burbank, California). Still, according to Bennigan's website, you can own a Steak and Ale today, so franchising opportunities may be available. 37. 1977-1992 // Skokie 1899-1970 // Old Town } They were probably funny but rebellious. Also obvious, perhaps, but impossible to ignore. Oprah Winfrey, left, was known to stop by tables at The Eccentric, the restaurant she opened with Rich Melman. Need ideas? (Contemporary French) From day one, Carlos Nietos patented silver bow tie has said it all: Check your ideas about formal French dining at the door. Rush Street, Chicago ca. Operating together, the company had hundreds of locations throughout the United States in the '70s. Serving up fried chicken, fish, and chips, Arthur Treacher's peaked with more than 800 stores in the late '70s. The Come Back Inn / 1913 W. Lake St. Melrose Park, IL. ), Golden Bear Family Restaurant / Multiple Chicagoland arealocations (19??-1984). .goog-tooltip, 29. 1939-present // Glenview Cafe Bonaparte Sheraton, Blackstone . Take some corporation presidents, ad 40 years before Google Maps, it was not possible to get exact locations by a click you probably called people to look at physical maps. Then, at Topo, he made creative Mexican fare a white-tablecloth experience. Howard Johnson's. Jordan Smith/Flickr. This newfound interest, and a need to escape drudgery and horrors of WWII, led to the establishment of tiki bars across the country, including in Chicago, during the 1940s and 1950s, and all the way into the 1960s. And within a decade, there were more than 200 locations across America offering 10 burgers for a buck. Ye Olde Leather Bottle Pub / 7353 W. Grand Ave. Elmwood Park, IL. 23. After the first location opened in 1956, there were 102 locations by the early '80s. Theres something about Italian food that it just seems to taste better if its made with generations of family tradition behind it. (steaks) The rolling-cart show of massive cuts of plastic-wrapped prime beef raised the bar on excessive steak consumption from maybe to mandatory. Whats taken its place: Since Pecking Order closed in July, Subidos food has been popping up at farmers markets and other food events. 18. 15. 32. Perched atop the Macys flagship on State is The Walnut Room the first-ever restaurant to open inside a department store. Just take a look around sophisticated and classy is what this place is all about. Another neighborhood bar serving cheap drinks, this Noble Square establishment may have operated as a speakeasy at some point too, but the details are a bit blurry. Some of the restaurants Borzo highlights had some pretty remarkable ways of attracting customers. Once you walk in, take in the vibe, and see all the vintage furnishings, its hard not to imagine this place having a colorful past. Now its sold online, along with her famous spaghetti sauce. Greg Borzos new book Lost Restaurants of Chicago celebrates departed eateries, from those lingering in recent memory to the nearly forgotten class, from high-end to bizarre, and spots serving everything from standard American fare to ethnic cuisine. In 2012, the big news was the closing of Charlie Trotter's after 25 years, but out in the northwest suburbs, Le Titi de Paris called it a career after a remarkable 40-year run, which began in Palatine and ended in Arlington Heights. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Images of the storybook, featuring a little boy of color, served as decorations in the store. } No, too corny. Check out these old photos to see what Chicagos restaurants looked like in the 1950s. College Inn But due to various sales and franchises, the Big Boy chain has grown much smaller over the past few decades. And when Marriott decided to sell off its restaurant business, Wag's didn't find an owner, and the locations all shut down in 1991. As a toast to this magazines 40th anniversary, we name the 40 best Chicago restaurants of all time. The restaurant caught national attention, too, winning best new restaurant from the James Beard Foundation. . There were 91 freestanding locations when the chain sold to the Marriott Corporation in 1988. Aside from one location in Nebraska that closed in 2017, all other Lum's had closed by 1983. Those photographsnow 40 years oldare being shared in a new book, " Uptown: Portrait of a Chicago Neighborhood in the Mid-1970s ." Rehak shares his experiences documenting a diverse Chicago neighborhood with us. Named after the corner of Burling and Wrightwood where it stands, this Lincoln Park dive is beloved by the neighborhood. 38. Founded by a German immigrant who sold beer in Chicago at the 1893 Worlds Fair, this family-owned business has become a Chicago legend. (Continental) Cognoscenti flocked to Louis Szathmrys quirky storefrontno menu and mismatched everything for beef Wellington and an inexplicable BYO policy. Howard johnson's. Although younger generations may know of Howard Johnson's thanks to Mad Men, '70s kids will remember actually visiting the orange-roofed restaurant chain. (German) The stately original across from the Germania Club fell to urban renewal, and when RSI closed for good, we lost the citys best German pancakes. 1980-2007 // Lincoln Park I raved about the eclectic, but utterly professional, gem in Wilmette, a very pretty space done in aqua and salmon hues and dishes like Jarvis' wild turkey breast stuffed with truffle mousse. We gathered them from experience, of course, but also from Chicagos voluminous files, avid conversations, and old guidebooks. But in 1981, all the locations changed their name to Druther's, which was more inclusive of the fried chicken and self-serve salad bar that was also on the menu. Le Titi was a beautiful experience, one with all the trappings of formal dining but none of the stuffiness. (192?-1995). Chicago, IL. And the restaurants, with their giant happy chef greeting customers outside, grew through the Midwest to more than 60 locations. Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! 1985-present // Albany Park Antonio's Steak House at 1528 N. Wells Street, Chicago. Cape Cod Room There's a group page on Facebook called "Chicago Restaurants 86 But Not Forgotten." Dennis Terczak (brother of John) was the original chef at Avanzare (a Streeterville restaurant that almost made this list), and Terczak took that spirit with him to Lincoln Park, where Sole Mio (which he opened with Jennifer Newbury) became a quintessential neighborhood restaurant, chock-full of regulars who enjoyed hefty portions, approachable prices and some of the best Italian cooking in the city. Too obvious? Kaplan's Delicatessen / Water Tower Place Chicago, IL. After a landlord dispute, Mantuano moved the operation to NBC Tower, re-christening it Mantuano's Mediterranean Table, where the chef added whimsical dishes such as flaming ouzo shrimp (his tongue-in-cheek nod to saganaki). This bar is well-known by DePaul University students who frequent here on the weekends, and god knows also the weeknights. co-owned by Garry Meier, Prince Castle / Multiple Chicagoland area locations (1928-196? Doug Sohn is Hot Doug's, and while the bratwurst is perfect and the creative links (like a hot sauce chicken sausage) are great, Doug is the best part. Regulars would mark their calendars for the two-week stretch in March when Pollin would feature bouillabaisse and cassoulet on the menu, and for Flori's occasional wine dinners, during which he played guitar. Blackbird (American) The Spinning Bowl salad: A waiter would lay out 21 ingredients and narrate the drama as he gently tossed and spun them. Frontera Grill From Chicago Film Society Wednesday, a Sunrise you cant afford to miss, Rick Armstrongs Aurora, Elgin, Naperville boys basketball rankings and player of the week for Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, Little progress in R. Kelly cases as defense requests more information on Cook County charges, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. After graduating from the U of I with a Bachelors in English, Courtney hit the ground running. The stronghold of McDonald's, Pizza Hut , Burger King, and other giants of the '80s made the competition stiff. I loved everything about the River North place; the cool plaster hands used as curtain tiebacks, the naughty graffiti and artworks in the powder rooms and, of course, the dapper, unflappable presence of owner Gordon Sinclair, himself, who kept his restaurant sophisticated and vibrant for 23 years. Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below! Thanks for subscribing! Sounds like an interesting combobut it worked. Similar to Dairy Queen and Burger King, the restaurant served up burgers and shakes. I miss the Wilmette original more than the Northfield sequel, but mostly, I miss Jarvis' food. ", 25 Beloved Restaurants That Are Gone for Good, the restaurant announced in June that it's changing its name. This piano bar in the Gold Coast proudly totes thethird oldest liquor license in the city. . (Chicago Tribune ). (1959-1980), Ponderosa / Multiple Chicagoland area locations, Sammy Skobel's Hot Dogs Plus/ Mt. So said Bon Apptit, Julia Child, Jacques Ppin, Craig Claiborne, and Mimi Sheraton. Chef David Jarvis had me at pecan-breaded oysters, a crunchy, sweet and earthy dish that curled my toes in 1990. Chicken Unlimited / Multiple Chicagoland area locations. A lifelong passion for writing (oddly foreshadowed by a tendency to live on streets named after dead British authors) is what drives her professional endeavors. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Maison LaFite, they shoot back. Then Uno introduced deep-dish, and it was revolutionary. We already have this email. Located in the Old Town Triangle, this place was once a real-deal speakeasy, back when alcohol was a no-no. It's only open for breakfast and lunch, and the menu consists of trademark dishes like cupcake-batter pancakes and sweet and savory French toast, but you can also just get a basic omelette or granola.The Mashed Potato ClubWhat it was: Named for its signature dish, which could be garnished with more than 100 toppings including jelly beans and pickled beets, the Mashed Potato Club was an eccentric outpost in River North. 36. top: 0 !important; Subscribe to one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, and opportunities in Chicago. What was the name of the restaurant located at 6930 south shore on the main floor in the 1970s. Serving the people of Chicago since the end of the Gangster Era, this Irish saloon is a North Side gem ready to quench your thirst for the Glascott special: Stoli O vodka, cranberry juice, and Red Bull. Nonetheless the industry fought a proposed increase in the federal minimum wage from $2.30 to $3.00 an hour. 3253 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625. No. Feel free to disagreeall my friends didand register your complaints in the comments below. Beautiful Vintage Postcards of Chicago's Restaurants from the 1950s and 1960s. Bridal gowns in the 1960s mostly featured high-waisted empire silhouettes and up-styles were definitely in. And (of course) it operated for a while as a speakeasy. (1950-2009), Down The Hatch / multiple Chicagoland area locations. After returning from World War II, American service members brought back memories and souvenirs from the South Pacific. For 23 years running, all hail the chef. Le Titi de Paris chef/owner Pierre Pollin, center, stands with maitre d' Marcel Flori, left, and captain Claude Marcel, in 2002 as the restaurant was entering its 30th year. Potato Head toys, while taking in nightly entertainment like drag shows and cabarets. But that didn't stop it from being a powerhouse in the early fast-food era. (1979-2004), Tast-e Hast-e Dog / Milwaukee 5446 N. Ave. Chicago, IL.(1946-???? What's taken its place:Bub City's women's bathroom is surprising, but not really in a good way.Pecking Order What it was: Kristine Subidos Filipino chicken haven in Uptown was admittedly hit or miss, and the bizarrely shaped, nearly windowless space wasnt doing it any favors. Bamboo Inn Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge at 11 N. Clark Street, Chicago. 1993-2006 // Evanston It was such a hit, in fact, that Gilbert opened another location in Lincoln Park in 2009. Although it dates back to the 20s, step inside this vibrantly decorated space and itll instantly feel timeless. } The Pump Room Caf Parisien / 696 W. North Ave. Elmhurst, IL. Check out these old photos to see what Chicago's restaurants looked like in the 1950s. But as protests over the name grew, some changed names; by 1981, the company had filed for bankruptcy. (1949-2015). By the late '70s, the chain was sold a number of times, and all closed by the late '80s. White residents in several neighborhoods left the city for suburban areas, and the real estate industry made vast sums by blockbusting. Owned by the Capitanini family since 1927, the downtown Italian Village is Chicago's oldest Italian restaurant. Staples like ropa vieja, honey-roasted pork chops and ceviche were served alongside finely crafted mojitos by a friendly (and, we'll say it, impossibly attractive) staff; weekend brunch featured chilaquiles and a terrific chorizo benedict.What's taken its place: Though Logan Square is a trek to sate North Center Cuban cravings, D'Noche, Cafe Con Leche's nighttime alter ego, offers a solid approximation of Caf 28's menu and ambience.Charlie Trotter'sWhat it was:Charlie Trotter's was one of the most iconic restaurants Chicago has ever had. She now writes a breakfast column for the Chicago Tribune, and while it's delightful, it's no replacement for the best breakfast spot in town.What's taken its place: A notable new breakfast place hasn't opened since the closing of Ina's, so we'll pick an old standby: Southport Grocery. In addition to a variety of hot dogs, Pup 'N' Taco's menu boasted tacos, tostadas, and pastrami sandwiches. 1969/70. Their epicenter was Earwax, a vegetarian caf with sometimes-decent art on the walls and perturbed art-school students behind the counter. A small collection of 10 color photographs captured street scenes of Chicago from between the 1960s and 1970s: Wabash St, Chicago 1962. But not with these restaurantsthese are the places we truly miss, and not always because the food was so great or the atmosphere was so alluring. That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. Read: where pork became the hippest food on the planet. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Lou Malnati's pizza wants to know, if you're an "innie" or an "outie": We're talking about thin crust pizza. Louis Szathmary's restaurant, The Bakery, opened in Chicago at a time when restaurant going in that city was not a very exciting proposition. And on and on. (1899-1970) & 4179 W. Irving Park Rd. But the main draw is the live music, with nightly jazz performances from big-name artists and local acts through the early morning hours. 34. In 1941, Gene Michelotti and Alfredo Federighi opened the first steakhouse in Chicago called Gene & Georgetti. Hackneys on Harms Although younger generations may know of Howard Johnson's thanks to Mad Men, '70s kids will remember actually visiting the orange-roofed restaurant chain. If you got to try these 1970s restaurants before they closed, consider yourself lucky. .prisna-gwt-align-left { He's cheerful and funny and he takes every single order, so everyone gets a few minutes to chat with him, long line be damned.What's taken its place: If you want a creative hot dog, you can go to Hoppin' Hots or Franks 'n Dawgs. (773) 478-9129. Buffalo Ice CreamParlor / 4000 W. Irving Park Rd. Fannys Bob Elfman's Restaurant / 179 N. State St. Chicago, IL. (1960-2014), The Golden Point / Multiple Chicagoland area locations (1958-19??). 8. When shes not at her desk with headphones in, cranking out articles on Chicagos music, dining, and nightlife scenes, you can usually find her at concerts around the city, watching horror movies, psyching herself into going to the gym, or obsessing over scented candles. 14. The home of jazz legends Von Freeman, Franz Jackson, and Wilbur Campbell, The Green Mill is still operating today as one of the best jazz clubs in Chicago. Having been frequented by a variety of personalities and iconic names throughout its history, visiting here will make you feel apart of something larger than life. 4802 N. Broadway St., Uptown. Cafe Bonaparte Sheraton, Blackstone Hotel, Chicago. Prospect IL. She was best known for her Heavenly Hots (thin pancakes served with a compote of peaches, raspberries and blueberries), but we also loved the vanilla bean waffles. Never doubt Henry's eye for talent. The danger of asking your friends what they consider the best Chicago restaurant ever is that they will tell you. } 200 N LaSalle St Ste 1540 Chicago, IL 60601 Although the oldest-standing Bob's Big Boy is still running in Burbank and various other locations are still open, the chain has never bounced back from its peak in the '70s. Gentrification and the occasional rat sighting (whoops!) Addressing Deforestation Across Supply Chains, 15 Discontinued Sodas You'll Never See Again, Big Shef has been available for limited runs, 17 Failed Chain Restaurants From the 1980s That Will Make You Feel So Nostalgic, 10 Old-Fashioned Sodas You Forgot You Loved, staff members went by the nickname "Towerettes. (My Parents wedding reception was held here), Skip's Fiesta Drive-In / Melrose Park, IL. 1938-present // Gold Coast But there's no one in Chicago who so embodies a restaurant the way Sohn embodies Hot Doug's.Ina'sWhat it was: Ina Pinkney ran Ina's, a charming breakfast restaurant in the West Loop, for 12 years before closing it last New Year's Eve. Even as Beef Wellington lost its fashionability in the 1970s and 1980s, it continued as a Bakery mainstay. It had all the musts a secret entrance, an antique wooden bar that still stands to this today, and gin a-brewin in a bathtub upstairs. Cause ladies like a cold one, too (thanks, sister). box-shadow: none !important; Patrons could order martinis and Jell-o shots at a bar decorated with tinsel, nude murals and Mr. November 20, 2014 1960s, 1970s, Chicago, life & culture, street. Le Franais When Tramonto and Gale left, the top toque passed to Shawn McClain (who went on to create Green Zebra and Spring, along with several Las Vegas restaurants), and after that tour of duty, Adaniya reached out to the French Laundry and brought a young chef named Grant Achatz to Chicago. Despite economic woes (recession and inflation), the energy crisis, urban decline, crime, and escalating restaurant prices, restaurant-going continued to rise. . (He famously banned cellphones from the dining room in 1991.) Gene & Georgettis This pub was originally Zagorskis Tavern, owned by an intersex woman Walter Lottie Zagorski, who often dressed in drag. Chicago has made countless contributions to global food culture, from the obvious (deep dish pizza) to the less-so (chicken a la king). -->, Built, Powered, & Developed By: Youtech Web Design Agency, 6 Art Exhibitions in Chicago to Check Out Right Now, Best of Chicago Restaurant Week 2023: Top 15 Menu Picks, Big Fish, a Musical, Takes Stage at The Marriott Theatre, 7 Hotels to Book a Wellness Retreat in Chicago, Petterinos to Give Away 500 Christmas Meals With Chicago Life Cares, The M Room Brings a High-End, Scotch-Centric Dining Experience to River North, Chicago Restaurant Week 2023 Participating Restaurants Announced, With Play at Heart: Looking Through 40 Years of Chicago Childrens Museum, Chicago Ranked 2022s Top 10 Most Fun Cities in America, Eat & Evolve Raising Funds For The Evolved Network, Grab a Room For $34 A Night As Canopy Celebrates the 1st Anniversary, The Chicago Scots Host the 177th Annual St. Andrews Day Gala. Schaller's Pump, opened some 130 years ago in the city's Bridgeport neighborhood, took top honors in the ranking. 1970s Chicago: Fascinating Photos Show Streets, Landmarks and Everyday Life. Savarin was the 1998 restaurant chef Hogan did open, a gorgeous space with walls treated to resemble green leather, ornate chandeliers and linen-draped tables. 1973-2007 // Wheeling Stunning Vintage Historical Photos Show What Chicago Looked Like In The 1960s. Trotter's incredible legacy has stretched all across the city, as alumni of his kitchen have opened some of the best restaurants in Chicago. Allegretti's / 10 Chicagoland area locations (1946-1996), The Shoe / 3240 Kirchoff Rd. Its easily one of the most laid-back, inviting places in the area somewhere youll always feel welcome. (Spanish) I think tapas-style dining is going to be the next big food experience in the country. Richard Melman, president of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, January 1986. Carlos It took our breath away then, and it still does. text-align: right !important; Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips / No longer in the Chicagoland area (founded 1969), Mr. K's Restaurant / 5415 N Harlem Ave. Norwood Park, IL. Located next to the Ohio House Motel, the 27-seat diner was known for its "Deuces Wild" special, consisting of two pancakes, two eggs, two strips of bacon and two sausages. These restaurants don't exist today (or if they do, they exist in a very reduced form). (1967-19?? 1944-1968 // Loop Henricis No, not the four-star restaurant by Curtis Duffy and Michael Muser, which is still very much alive. The name "Sambo's" was allegedly used as a portmanteau of the founders' names, but the owners inevitably decided to lean into this correlation to the book The Story of Little Black Sambo. (1949-2015), Papa Milano / Multiple Chicagoland area locations, Multiple Chicagoland area locations (1910-2012). In the 1940s and 1950s, and even into the 1960s, tiki bars popped up all over the United States, including in Chicago, as people . display: none !important; The Naperville Ramsay Kitchen will be the third of its kind after outlets in Boston and Las Vegas . (photo courtesy of Cragin Spring Flickr). Henry's Hamburgers first opened its doors in the 1950s. The opening chef in 1978 was the late Yoshi Katsumura (who would go on to open Yoshi's Cafe in Wrigleyville), followed by Kevin Shikami (a Food & Wine best new chef in 1991). Not like Fronteras, we hadnt. (My Parents wedding reception was held here) Tuddi Toots / 6500 w. North Ave. Chicago, IL. Casual dining at its finest, VIP's was a well-known chain in the Pacific Northwest. (German) Natty waiters have handled hot corned beef sandwiches, Wienerschnitzel, and house-made root beer with pride and aplomb for 112 years. Until 1995, the only way to experience chef Jean Joho's food was by digging deep into your wallet to dine at Everest. 1920-1984 // Loop So if you're "hungry for a Henry's," that's where you should go. 35. (Contemporary American) Its star has faded, but memories of damned good food and Booth Onewhere Bogie and Bacall celebrated their weddingstill make our hearts race. The late Jimmy Rohr, veteran restaurateur and opera devotee, ran this refined, sophisticated restaurant in Avondale. Avec This breakfast diner is known throughout the world, having been visited by politicians, celebrities, and athletes alike, making it a staple among Chicago's oldest restaurants. Ditka's City Lights / 223 W. Otario Chicago, IL. Originally part of the Pillsbury Corp., the restaurant was founded in 1976. Watch the restaurants Facebook page for the next appearance. Skyline is visible through the windows to an end the vision of integrated remained. According to them, the building itself was formerly owned by Schlitz during the first World War. 1927 | 71 West Monroe Street Treat yourself to not one - but three restaurants in a single, historic location. Irene Brown remembers taking trips with her mom to the Japanese market Toguri Mercantile when she was a kid in the 1990s. (Held our wedding ceremony here), Chateau Louise / Route 31 West Dundee, IL. (Continental) As well known for its chicken la kingyes, that chicken la kingas its indoor ice-skating, this razzma-tazz club knew how to throw a party. Wedding reception was held here ), the restaurant industry and the real industry! End of the stuffiness over the name grew, some changed names ; by 1981, the announced... Dish that curled my toes in 1990 ( thanks, sister ) to open a! Which is still very much alive behind it a small collection of color... Opera devotee, ran this refined, sophisticated restaurant in Avondale opportunities may be available 1899-1970! ( whoops! changing its name 1920-1984 // Loop Henricis No, not the four-star restaurant by Duffy! Were 102 locations by the late '80s best bits to your inbox but mostly, I miss the Wilmette more... Until 1995, the company Melman founded, Lettuce Entertain you Enterprises, January 1986 easily. / 6500 W. North Ave. Chicago, IL. ( 1946-??? ). City Lights / 223 W. Otario Chicago, IL. ( 1946-?? -1984.! Gowns in the Pacific Northwest Louise / Route 31 West Dundee, IL tacos tostadas. Park Rd from between the 1960s and 1970s: Wabash St, Chicago experience in 1970s! That they will tell you. part of the Pillsbury Corp., the only way to experience chef Jean 's. 7353 W. grand Ave. Elmwood Park, IL 60625 chef Terczak died two years later from a rare liver.... Hippest food on the weekends, and Mimi Sheraton Italian Village is Chicago #. Dressed in drag, who often dressed in drag see what Chicago & # x27 ; s restaurants the..., winning best new restaurant from the 1950s Facebook page for the next Big food experience in 1960s. To various sales and franchises, the restaurant she opened with Rich Melman ; s went bankrupt ), restaurant! Evanston it was such a hit, in fact, that Gilbert opened another location Lincoln... Company Melman founded, Lettuce Entertain you Enterprises, January 1986 pork became the hippest food the... About Italian food that it just seems to taste better if its made generations... And it still does N Franklin St., 1941 N ' Taco 's menu tacos. Plastic-Wrapped prime beef raised the bar on excessive Steak consumption from maybe to mandatory 's /... You got to try these 1970s restaurants before they closed, consider lucky... Il. ( 1946-?? ) look around sophisticated and classy is what this place is about. 20S, step inside this vibrantly decorated space and itll instantly feel timeless. me at oysters! Chicago restaurants of all time served as decorations in the 1950s runs deep here, given this Irish pub been! Facebook called `` Chicago restaurants of all time Room there 's a group page on Facebook called Chicago. Department store. 1950s and 1960s W. Otario Chicago, IL who beer! Jazz performances from big-name artists and local acts through the Midwest to 1970s chicago restaurants than 200 locations America... Papa Milano / Multiple Chicagoland arealocations ( 19?? -1984 ) 1970s restaurants before they,... Allegretti 's / 10 Chicagoland area locations, Multiple Chicagoland 1970s chicago restaurants locations Multiple... It operated for a buck richard Melman, president of Lettuce Entertain you Enterprises, Inc. owned! Also from Chicagos voluminous files, avid conversations, and god knows also the.... Given this Irish pub has been serving beer to the neighborhood since the late '70s the... Route 31 West Dundee, IL read: where pork became the food..., left, was known to stop by tables at the 1893 Fair! And the custom of eating in restaurants grew rapidly Boston and Las Vegas city suburban. Dining but none of the 1970s chicago restaurants, the restaurant industry and the restaurants highlights! Pork became the hippest food on the walls and perturbed art-school students behind the counter, continued... Bar is well-known by DePaul University students who frequent here on the walls and art-school. Think tapas-style dining is going to be the next Big food experience in the '70s experience... Pub has been serving beer to the Japanese market Toguri Mercantile when she was a no-no even as beef lost... Wedding reception was held here ) Tuddi Toots / 6500 W. North Ave. Chicago,.. And earthy dish that curled my toes in 1990 the Pump Room Caf Parisien / 696 W. Ave.... Your complaints in the 1960s Taco 's menu boasted tacos, tostadas and... Knows also the weeknights integrated remained Leather Bottle pub / 7353 W. grand Ave. Elmwood Park IL..., too, winning best new restaurant from the U of I with a Bachelors in,. Almost hear the sound in Michael Abramson & # x27 ; s House... The danger of asking your friends what they consider the best Chicago restaurants 86 but not.. Of course, but also from Chicagos voluminous files, avid conversations, and more was founded in.! In Michael Abramson & # x27 ; s restaurants looked like in the '70s,... Everyday Life, not the four-star restaurant by Curtis Duffy and Michael Muser, is... Reception was held here ), Chateau Louise / Route 31 West Dundee, IL eat, where live. Over the name grew, some changed names ; by 1981, the Big boy has... Up burgers and shakes prime beef raised the bar on excessive Steak consumption from maybe to mandatory disagreeall my didand... Antonio & # x27 ; s. Jordan Smith/Flickr by 1981, the chain was a. 91 freestanding locations when the chain was sold a number of times and..., Chateau Louise / Route 31 West Dundee, IL who often dressed drag! Inside a department store. food on the weekends, and all closed by 1983 experience chef Joho... For bankruptcy out these old photos to see what Chicagos restaurants looked in. Leather Bottle pub / 7353 W. grand Ave. Elmwood Park, IL you to... Come back Inn / 1913 W. Lake St. Melrose Park, IL it stands, family-owned! ( 1949-2015 ), Skip 's Fiesta Drive-In / Melrose Park, IL Japanese market Toguri Mercantile when was! Milwaukee Ave. Glenview, IL 's a group page on Facebook called Chicago! Of plastic-wrapped prime beef raised the bar on excessive Steak consumption from to... Too, winning best new restaurant from the James Beard Foundation made creative Mexican fare a white-tablecloth experience the... Fish, and it was such a hit, in fact, that opened. Sold online, along with her famous spaghetti sauce beef raised the bar on excessive consumption! Ramsay Kitchen will be the next Big food experience in the 1950s and.! For Good, the downtown Italian Village is Chicago & # x27 s. Big boy chain has grown much smaller over the past few decades a queer icon for the appearance! N. Ave. Chicago, IL 60625 1981, the company had hundreds of throughout... A hit, in fact, that Gilbert opened another location in Nebraska closed... Two years later from a rare liver disease operated for a while as a speakeasy behind it &. Family restaurant / 609 Milwaukee Ave. Glenview, IL 60625 went bankrupt Head toys while., too, winning best new restaurant from the James Beard Foundation bits your. It operated for a buck historic location cause ladies like a cold one, too ( thanks, )..., IL. ( 1946-?? ) us what you think matters in your neighborhood what! 11 N. Clark Street, Chicago 1962 real-deal speakeasy, back when alcohol was a no-no to the neighborhood stop... Ave. Chicago, IL captured Street scenes of Chicago nightclubs in the.... Consider yourself lucky if its made with generations of family tradition behind it ( held wedding..., Pup ' N ' Taco 's menu boasted tacos, tostadas, and all closed 1983! Icon for the next Big food experience in the 1970s Monroe Street Treat to! Chicagoland area locations ( 1958-19?? ) locations across America offering 10 burgers for a while as a to... The counter a number of times, and it still does memories and souvenirs from the James Foundation. The trappings of formal dining but none of the storybook, featuring a little boy color. Ppin, Craig Claiborne, and chips, Arthur Treacher 's peaked with more than 800 stores in the '80s... Locations when the chain was sold a number of times, and god also. ) & amp ; Georgetti runs deep here, given this Irish has... Be available Hast-e Dog / Milwaukee 5446 N. Ave. Chicago, IL 7353 grand. In drag one of the storybook, featuring a little boy of color, served as in!, I miss the Wilmette original more than 200 locations across America offering 10 burgers for while. Them from experience, of course, but mostly, I miss the Wilmette original more than the Northfield,... All hail the chef by Curtis Duffy and Michael Muser, which is still very much alive be available to! What they consider the best Chicago restaurants of all time to your inbox Street. Few decades the first-ever restaurant to open inside a department store. burgers. And Wrightwood where it stands, this family-owned business has become a Chicago legend over... Grew through the windows to an end the vision of integrated remained look around sophisticated classy! Depaul University students who frequent here on the main draw is the Room!