Chicago Area Reastaurant News – May 2019
Posted by estiator at 15 May, at 07 : 09 AM Print
CHICAGO AREA RESTAURANT NEWS By PETER J. POULOPOULOS
Personal Thoughts and Comments
IF THE ECONOMY IS THAT GREAT, WHY ARE SO MANY PEOPLE NOT FEELING IT? Government officials, news people, and so on are describing the greatness of the U.S. economy. They point to the low unemployment rate and high stock market to make their point, and they are correct. Yet, the average American does not feel the exuberance of the very rich people. They look at their own economic status and realize that wages are not going up as rapidly, gas prices are going up, securing a loan is not as easy as it was years ago and in general, they feel that they can’t join the celebration yet.
Josh Boak, of the Associated Press, states while discussing the middle class in his USA Today articles, “$100 trillion. That’s roughly the net worth of U.S. households and nonprofits, according to the Federal Reserve. Problem is, America’s wealth is increasingly lopsided, with the affluent and the ultra-wealthy amassing rising proportions and everyone else benefiting modestly if at all.
The top 10 percent of the country holds 73 percent of its wealth, a share that has crept steadily up since 1986, according to the
World Inequality Database. The most sweeping gains are concentrated among the top 1 percent; this group holds nearly 39 percent of the wealth. And they’re arguably poised to become even more prosperous because Trump’s tax cuts largely favored the wealthiest slice of individual taxpayers.
Contrast that with the middle 40 percent of the country, a group that would historically be considered middle class. In 1986, they held 36 percent of the country’s wealth; now, it’s just 27 percent.
Worse off is the bottom 40 percent of Americans: They have a negative net worth and almost no financial cushion in case of an emergency.
Most Americans can’t draw on stocks, rental properties, capital gains or significant home equity to generate cash. They depend almost exclusively on wages. And after adjusting for inflation, the government reported that Americans’ average hourly earnings haven’t budged over the past 12 months.”
(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
Lakeview Jewish Deli Milt’s Extra Innings Closes
As many Chicagoans believe that Jewish delis are a dying breed within the city limits, another one of the city’s essentials will close soon. The owners of Milt’s Extra Innings, the Kosher deli expansion of Milt’s Barbecue for the Perplexed in Lakeview, announced its last day of service would be March 17, writing that “we have struggled to compete with the other options around us, and sales at MEI are not what we projected them to be.” The deli, which opened less than 17 months ago, highlighted Jewish baseball history, employed special needs workers and donated 100 percent of profits to charity, was included on Eater Chicago’s map of the area’s essential Jewish delis a week ago. Owner Jeff Aeder wrote that “we are exploring plans to open a new business in the space that has a stronger financial outlook and would suit the emerging skill set of many of our employees.”
Why Is the Midwest Obsessed with Portillo’s and Its Chicago Dog?
All around Chicago you’ll find vendors slinging the city’s beloved version of a hot dog: an all-beef frankfurter with yellow mustard, relish, chopped white onions, tomato wedges, a dill pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt, all perched on a poppy seed bun. But of all the many hot dog joints in Chicago, there’s one chain that has stood out for more than 50 years: Portillo’s. And even though the Chicago dog is the bread and butter of Portillo’s, the other main attraction is Chicago’s beloved iconic sandwich, the Italian beef. Comprised of roast beef and spicy giardiniera on French bread, this regional favorite is best when it’s ordered “wet,” meaning fulling submerged in beef gravy. “If you’re eating an Italian beef dry, you’re not from Chicago,” says one Portillo’s follower. Whether you love Portillo’s or feel lukewarm about it, there’s definitely a strong sense of nostalgia around this Chicago institution.
Lettuce Entertain You Is Opening Yet Another Streeterville Japanese Restaurant
Chicago restaurant group behemoth Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises is adding to its growing family of Japanese-style restaurants once again in Streeterville. Mr. Maki is slated to open later this spring at 676 North St. Clair Street, not far from sister restaurants Ramen-san and Sushi-san.
Papa Bear Temporarily Closed After Fire
A restaurant on Aurora’s northeast side remains temporarily closed after a fire caused $300,000 worth of damage. The fire started in the kitchen of Papa Bear, 2340 North Farnsworth Avenue, a restaurant that has been open since 1982, Aurora Fire Department officials said in a news release. The restaurant will remain closed until repairs and inspections are completed. Owner Peter Andriopoulos said he is devastated by the fire and does not have any answers right now as to how it was started. “Our families have raised each other here and we’ve seen customers come in as little kids and become adults,” Andriopoulos said. “We also have so many employees who have worked for us for years that have become family. We want to reopen as quickly as possible for them.”
Home Run Inn Closes Lakeview Pizzeria Near Wrigley Field
The Lakeview location of Home Run Inn pizza has closed. The 5,500-square-foot spot was the sole North Side location among the chain’s nine restaurants. Home Run Inn didn’t even last until the Cubs’ April home opener at nearby Wrigley Field. The Sheffield Avenue location opened in 2015 inside a building that was long occupied by Chicago Italian-American mini-chain Leona’s. The restaurant became a comfortable spot for families with small children and for private events. The company also sells frozen pizzas to grocers and dates back to 1923. The chain’s Twitter account confirmed the closing after Southport Corridor News posted an announcement emailed to customers: “We are extremely grateful for the wonderful relationships we’ve built with our guests and look forward to serving you for the next 70 years.”
Cubs’ Joe Maddon and Spiaggia’s Tony Mantuano Reveal Name of Wrigley Restaurant
On the same day the rival White Sox held its stadium food preview, the Cubs have major food news on the North Side — the name of the upcoming restaurant co-owned by baseball team manager Joe Maddon and revered Chicago chef Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia, River Roast). It’s called Maddon’s Post and should soon open this spring, part of the park in front of Wrigley Field known as Gallagher Way. The restaurant will take up two stories across 7,400 square feet at 1119 West Waveland Avenue, according to a news release. The second-floor private events space is called the Flamingo Room, a reference to a supper club Maddon would go to with his father in his hometown of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. The flamingo is not a call back to Maddon’s Florida roots. He managed the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team before the Cubs and owns a restaurant called Ava in Tampa.
OPENINGS
Ocean Prime opened its first Chicago location adjacent to London House hotel in early April. The modern American restaurant is located in more than a dozen other major U.S. cities, including Boston, Dallas and New York. The Chicago kitchen, helmed by executive chef Jason Shelley, will serve up the chain’s signature seafood and steak menu. Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises opened its first suburban Beatrix location in Oakbrook Center at the end of February. It joins three locations in River North, Streeterville and Fulton Market, and like the others,’ it will offer healthy food, coffee and baked goods. A new modern Koran restaurant, Jeong, has opened in West Town. In addition to a la carte options, the restaurant offers a seven-course tasting menu for $87. Behind Jeong are chef Dave Park and Jen Tran, formerly of Hanbun, a much-lauded Korean restaurant that was located inside a west suburban strip mall. Grand Duke’s Restaurant opened in March in the former Bohemian Gardens building in Downers Grove. In September, the owners closed the doors to the old location in Summit and began renovating the new space to fit the restaurant’s European-inspired aesthetic, Patch.com reported. The restaurant serving Eastern European cuisine, including Lithuanian, Bavarian and Polish fare, will continue to offer many of the same favorite dishes, as well as some new items.
MOVING
In early spring, the Michelin-starred Entente is moving from its location in Lakeview to a larger space in River North. After the restaurant exits Lakeview, its former home will become an event space. Ty Fujimura of Fujimura Hospitality and executive chef Brian Fisher opened Entente in 2016. Beloved French-Vietnamese restaurant Le Colonial reopened March 1 in the Gold Coast after 22 years on Rush Street. The new, larger location is on Oak Street, across from the Esquire Theater building.
Shoeless Joe’s in Rosemont CLOSED After 30-Year Run
Shoeless Joe’s Ale House & Grille in Rosemont, a longtime favorite gathering spot for sports fans in the Northwest suburbs and visitors to events at the nearby Allstate Arena, closed after three decades in business. Restaurant owner Joe Macchitelli Jr. announced the closing Sunday in a Facebook post, writing that the owner of its building at 10290 West Higgins Road is refusing to extend its lease. “Since 1989 we’ve called Rosemont our home and have built one of the most iconic sports bars in Chicago with the help of you!” Macchitelli wrote. “We’re so grateful for everything this location has brought us and were beyond sorry to say goodbye.” A second Shoeless Joe’s in Addison will remain open. Employees at the Rosemont location will be offered work there, Macchitelli said on Facebook.
PIZZA
A yearlong rotating pop-up called Pizza City launched at Revival Food Hall on March 18. Four of Chicago’s pizza restaurants will share a piece of the pie in three-month increments. Bucktown’s My Pi is the first, followed by family-owned Pat’s Pizza beginning June 17, New York-style Dante’s Pizzeria on September 16 and South Side favorite Palermo’s 95th on December 16. Pizza City is located within the stall formerly occupied by Union Squared, whose two-year lease expired this month.
MORE PORK
Pork & Mindy’s will open quick-service versions of the Chicago-based “creative BBQ” restaurant in 28 Mariano’s locations in 2019. The spots will occupy about 200 square feet near the front of the participating stores and offer some of the restaurant’s signature sides and dishes. Pork & Mindy’s will replace Todd’s BBQ at the 28 locations. The first Pork & Mindy’s at Mariano’s opened March 16 in Bronzeville, followed by one in Park Ridge on March 20.
REBOOT
Bucktown barbecue restaurant Lillie’s Q has reopened with a fresh look and service model. The nine-year-old restaurant has been updated for the first time with a walnut bar top, reclaimed lighting, white marble tables and rustic wood paneling. Also, as part of its new counter service, it has begun offering meats cut and weighed on the spot, and some of its most popular items, including smoked wings and brisket, will be available every day except Tuesdays.
CLOSED
White Oak Tavern & Inn, formerly known as John’s Place, has closed after 25 years in Lincoln Park near DePaul University. Owner John Manilow told Eater Chicago that he decided to close the restaurant so he could pursue other interests. The John’s Place location in Roscoe Village is expected to remain open. Publican Anker in Wicker Park hoseted its last brunch service March 24, Eater Chicago reports. It marks the first closure for One Off Hospitality, the restaurants group behind the popular Publican brand and other well-known establishments, including Big Star and Avec. One Off plans to open a new restaurant in Publican Anker’s former home in the spring or summer.
A Popular Longtime Lincoln Park Sports Bar Closes
Racine Plumbing, which has been in business for many years, has closed, owner Chris Owens writes, saying that he and his family are moving out of state. The bar, which is named for A.L. Racine’s West Loop plumbing business that was founded in 1892, was extremely popular with and held gameday watch parties and bus trips for fans of Notre Dame as well as New York teams the Giants, Yankees, and Mets, and served a menu of well-made pub food including an array of burgers.
