Chicago Area Reastaurant News – February 2019
Posted by estiator at 15 February, at 10 : 16 AM Print
By Peter Poulopoulos
DO NOT MISS NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE: Estiator plans to honor Chicago area restaurants and food pioneers. This is a unique opportunity for restaurants, manufacturers, distributors, and importers of Greek foods and wines in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin to advertise their products and services in this special edition of Estiator. For a brief overview on the history of the Chicago food industry, we searched the local press and the Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald.
The first Greeks in Chicago arrived as ship captains in the 1840s. They started out as food peddlers and, by natural progression, became restaurant owners. Around the turn of the century, the Greeks concentrated around the Harrison, Blue Island, and Halsted areas, originally known as the Delta, but later renamed as Greektown. During the 1960s, Greektown was displaced by the Eisenhower Expressway and the University of Illinois at Chicago, forcing a move north a few blocks.
A short history of Greeks and their restaurants in Chicago
In 1968, gyros and saganaki (flaming cheese) were introduced in this country by Chicago’s Greektown. From 1970 to 1990, most of the current restaurants and businesses opened, and the Taste of Greece summer festival became a tradition. In 1996, with the Democratic National Convention coming to town, the city of Chicago recognized Greektown’s contribution to the city by pouring millions of dollars into street renovations and erecting traditional Greek temples and pavilions at the major intersections in Greektown.
Today, Old World traditions are prevalent in the many establishments of Greektown. The language is still heard in the neighborhood, and the community comes out in full ethnic pride during the annual Greek Independence Day parade, the Taste of Greece, and the days surrounding Greek Easter. Chicago’s Greektown is truly the best sampling of Greek heritage outside of Athens, and has grown to be a world- renowned attraction. This neighborhood is about one mile west of downtown Chicago. Early on, it was a stopping point for newly arrived Greek immigrants who built up a vibrant community with many old-world influences, especially Greek restaurants. But locals and visitors alike still flock there to enjoy the Greek culture, entertainment and, of course, the food. (Note: should you wish to comment on this column, have any questions, or would like to share news about your business, please call 773-743-2100, or email peterjp@realpoul.com.)
OF INTEREST
Longtime Des Plaines Eestaurant Silver Stallion Closed
Silver Stallion, the Des Plaines restaurant that has been cooking up omelets, coffee and other diner fare for more than 35 years, served its last customers recently. The restaurant, located at 1275 Lee Street, closed because it was sold to developers who plan to turn the site into a used-car lot. Nick Kalantzis, brother of owner Gus, said he was sad that the restaurant was closing. The Des Plaines City Council approved a plan in November to allow a vehicle sales and auto-repair business called Hey Cars to purchase and use the site.
White Poke Shop Manager Suspended After Throwing Chair at Black Customer
Management of a Downtown Chicago poke shop has suspended a business manager following an incident in which the white employee threw a chair at a black customer inside the store at 118 South Wabash Street. Management at Poke Poke said they’re cooperating with police and that their employee will remain suspended until an investigation is completed. A social media video recorded after the incident has the employee apologizing to the customer and saying he “wasn’t trying to be racist” but was triggered when the dark-skinned customer entered, believing he was part of another group that he “fought” earlier in late December.
New River North Restaurant With Lavish Props Will Now Open in February
There’s a new opening timeframe for Barton G., the Miami import that uses lavish props, like katanas, while serving customers food and drink with ridiculous names like “Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all!!!!” Originally pegged for November, Barton G. should now open in February in River North inside the former Sullivan’s Steakhouse, according to a news release. It’s a 12,000-square-foot space on two floors at 415 North Dearborn Street. Barton G. also has a location in L.A. Reps sent a few renderings to share as they introduce the restaurant to Chicago. Management expects customers to post food and beverage pictures on Instagram. It’s an abrupt turn from Sullivan’s steakhouse vibe to Barton G.’s “multi-sensory experience.”
Wicker Park Italian Mainstay Tocco Is Closing
After a decade, Tocco—the Italian restaurant along Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park—is closing. Owner Bruno Abate confirmed that he’s planning to shutter the restaurant and open a suburban replacement. He converted a former McDonald’s into a stylish Italian restaurant and patio that opened in 2008. The restaurant should shutter in March at 1266 North Milwaukee Avenue.
The 8 Essential Greek Restaurants in Chicago
- Psistaria Greek Taverna / 4711 West Touhy Avenue, Lincolnwood IL, 60712 (847) 676-9400 2. Avli Taverna / 1335 West Wrightwood Avenue Chicago, IL 60614 (773) 857-5577 3. Athenian Room / 807 West Webster Avenue, Chicago IL, 60614 (773) 348-5155 4. Taxim / 1558 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago IL, 60622 (773) 252-1558 5. Santorini / 800 West Adams Street, Chicago IL, 60607 (312) 829-8820 6. Greek Islands / 200 South Halsted Street, Chicago IL, 60661 (312) 782-9855 7. Athena Greek Restaurant / 212 South Halsted Street, Chicago IL, 60661 (312) 655-000 8. Artopolis Bakery, Cafe and Agora / 306 South Halsted Street, Chicago IL, 60661 (312) 559-9000.
Popular Canadian Chain Kinton Ramen to Open First U.S. Locations in Chicago
Chicago’s booming ramen scene is getting multiple additions from up north. Kinton Ramen, a popular Canadian chain that began in Toronto in 2012, is planning to open multiple Chicago restaurants as well as some in the northeast in early 2019, according to Kinka Family’s U.S. vice president of operations John Tirch. Two Chicago restaurants are confirmed for 900 West Fulton Market and 1426 North Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park. Kinton, part of Japanese-focused restaurant group Kinka Family, has wowed Canadian diners with executive chef Aki Urata’s customizable pork or chicken ramen bowls, plus izakaya-style small plates including rice bowls, karaage fried chicken, gyoza, and more. Existing locations also serve beer, sake, and wine. The chain has nine locations in Toronto and Ontario, three in Montreal and Quebec, one in Tokyo and four in Korea.
A North Side All-Day Favorite Shutters After Nine Years
After moving from Rogers Park to Edgewater last year, popular all-day restaurant The Growling Rabbit closed for good. Ownership said on social media that personal and business issues led to the closure and thanked customers. “For some time there have been a number of things going on in my personal and in my business life that had and have a major impact on The Growling Rabbit. This is not an easy industry on the best of days and I have truly defied all odds by growing this successful of a business over the last 9 years from literally nothing more than an idea—an idea aimed at honoring the most incredible person I have and will ever know, my dad,” the post read. They’re hoping to sell the restaurant.
Chicago Is Now the Beer Capital of America
Chicago is now the city with the most breweries in the U.S., outranking beer havens including Denver, Seattle, Portland, and San Diego, according to the Brewers Association. Chicago counts 167 breweries within city limits, and counting Northwest Indiana, up to Wisconsin, and down to Aurora and Joliet. It’s been quite a five-year surge for Chicago, with the city seeing 102 new breweries from 2013 to 2018, growing from 62 breweries, as the Tribune’s Josh Noel pointed out.
San Francisco Stalwart Philz Coffee Is Coming to Evanston
Philz Coffee, the San Francisco-based chain that last month announced plans to enter the Chicago market, is opening another area location in suburban Evanston. They’ve begun the process to debut a location at 1030 Davis Street, according to the Evanston Design and Project Review Committee. The space had been on the market for a bit. The chain has been around since 2002, and has ties to California’s Silicon Valley with location inside Facebook HQ. It has about 50 locations nationwide. A Wicker Park location, the first in the Midwest, is slated to open sometime next year at 1640 West Division Street. Expect more Chicago locations in the near future.
Schaumburg’s El Meson Closing After 29 Years
The owners of El Meson Mexican Restaurant, which has stood across from Schaumburg’s Town Square for nearly 30 years, closed their doors at the end of business on New Year’s Eve. Owner Juan Soto said his decision was based on both his wife not feeling well this year and the increasing competition in the area. “We don’t have the people like we used to,” Soto said. “I think there are too many restaurants in the area and they have better locations.” Nevertheless, when word spread of the imminent closing via a posting on Facebook, Soto said the responses of his most loyal customers touched his heart. “I wish I could stay open when I see that on Facebook,” he said. “They like the food here. That makes me very happy.” Soto’s wife originally wanted him to close the restaurant back in the summer, and he decided to make it through that season. He then changed his mind and aimed for the end of the year.
Sabatino’s Says Goodbye to Chicago
If you passed by Sabatino’s recently, when the beloved 49-year-old Italian restaurant opened for its last day in the Old Irving Park neighborhood, you would have seen the big sign out front, but surprisingly no line outside. The big letter board over Irving Park Road, which has marked milestone banquets for generations of families celebrating inside, was blank the night before. Overnight it changed to read like a roadside haiku: “Thank you. For 41 years. Angelo. Enzo.”
Inside the Remodeled Carol’s Pub, Uptown’s Reborn Late-Night Dive
Venture into the remodeled Carol’s Pub— which opens soon and customers will notice the refinished bar, walls, and light fixtures all shine brighter. The walls are decorated with new country music photos and vintage signs showing customers that new ownership cares about the bar’s 45-year-old country legacy at 4659 North Clark Street. New ownership wants dancing, live music, and late-night shenanigans. And they’ve taken great effort into restoring the bar to keep fans happy. But one part of the bar’s history that has no place now is the Confederate Flag. Patrons at the old bar may have noticed a few trinkets with the symbol. While the flag holds a complicated identity, it’s come to symbolize Southern racism against African Americans.
