Chicago Area Restaurant News – May 2018
Posted by Peter J. Poulopoulos at 15 May, at 14 : 08 PM Print
Metropolitan Athenagoras (Aneste) of Mexico at Blueberry Hill Café in Oak Brook.
When we stopped at Mr. George Nikolopoulos’ Blueberry Hill Café in Oak Brook, IL we had the chance to meet with Mr. Nikolopoulos’ associates Mr. Zervakis and Mr. Alexopoulos. Moreover, we had the honor to meet with the His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Athenagoras (Aneste) of Mexico. He is the current primate of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Mexico, Central America, Colombia and Venezuela, and the Caribbean Islands; the headquarters are in Mexico City, Mexico. In the picture we see from left to right Mr. Steven Zervakis, Mr. Bobby Alexopoulos, Mr. George Nikolopoulos and His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras.
Metropolitan Athenagoras at Blueberry Hill Cafe (Oak Brook IL) with Steven Zervakis, Bobby
Alexopoulos, and George Nikolopoulos.
Johnny’s Beef & Gyros
Johnny’s Beef & Gyros is located at 2300 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL and the owners are bothers Nick & John Anastopoulos. We visited with Nick and John at their good looking and busy fast food operation to see who these young and successful restaurateurs are. We discovered that the brothers, who were born in this country, possess some very high quality characteristics: They are very personable, they have a good sense of humor, they communicate with others with respect and they are polite. We found out that their parents, George and Eleni, who undoubtedly had something to do with their upbringing, were born in Filiatra Messinias in Greece. Even though George and Eleni did not know each other there, by chance they met each other in the Chicago area and not long afterwards they were married. Both parents were involved in the restaurant business.
But let’s talk a bit about Nick and John and see their accomplishments. They opened their first restaurant in 1999; it was called Pita Patio and located in Joliet, IL. Business was good and all were going along fine. But in 2006, the brothers were looking for ways to increase their business. They thought that if they change the business name they would become busier and more profitable and they changed the business name Johnny’s Beef and Gyros; they were correct! Armed with the success of Johnny’s Beef and Gyros they decided to expand. As a result, in 2013 they opened their 2nd Johnny’s Beef and Gyros in Chicago. The future looks bright for more restaurants. Incidentally, John is married to Tina and Nick plans to be married in August 2018; the lucky bride will be Ms. Christie Bottigliero. In the picture we see from left to right, John and Nick Anastopoulos inside their restaurant.
Some Interesting Restaurant News:
From Eater Chicago:
Funnyman Bill Murray and Brothers Will Soon Open Their Chicago-Area Restaurant
Construction is finishing up in Rosemont on Murray Bros. Caddyshack and the restaurant’s tee time should arrive within the next two weeks or so. Co-owner Andy Murray told Eater Chicago that workers are finishing up millwork this week and he’s targeting to open around April 17 or 18 in the suburbs. Meanwhile, new executive chef Jereme McGovern is onboard and shared how he convinced the brothers, including comedian/actor Bill Murray, to hire him.
LA’s Dog Haus Will Debut its First Chicago Restaurant This Weekend
Dog Haus, the popular California-based gourmet sausage chain, opened its first Chicago location on Saturday — St. Patrick’s Day — at 11 a.m. at 2464 N. Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Park. Expect its regular menu with a few wrinkles — including Stephanie Izard’s special “Everybody Lap Cheong Tonight” sausage — as well as a full bar with plenty of local craft beer on tap, burgers, sides, and a chicken sandwich. The restaurant will also give out free haus dogs all day on March 24.
Loop Icon Miller’s Pub Reopens after Renovations
After a six-week slumber for renovations, Miller’s Pub, the decades-old restaurant and bar underneath the CTA “L” tracks on Wabash, has reopened. Customers will notice a revamped entrance way, co-owner Andrew Gallios said, as “it no longer looks like a labyrinth.” Ownership aimed to give the space a small refresh without disturbing the historic building’s character. It reopened on Saturday at 134 S. Wabash Avenue.
Chicago White Sox Will Serve Springfield’s Famous Horseshoe Sandwich This Season
One of the annual rites of spring is the unveiling of over-the-top food at Major League Baseball ballparks all across the country. The Chicago White Sox are giving fans a sneak preview of what to expect this season at Guaranteed Rate Field as they debut the team’s version of the horseshoe sandwich, a sloppy delicacy that’s popular in the state’s capital of Springfield. Horseshoes date back to the 1920s and traditionally feature a horseshoe-shaped piece of ham with french fries as “nails” and smothered with cheese sauce over toast.
Lettuce Entertain You Plans a Fulton Market Rooftop Spot
Before 2017, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises had zero restaurants in the West Loop and Fulton Market, one of the trendiest areas for restaurants in Chicago and in America. Chicago’s largest restaurant group rectified that when it opened a Beatrix. They’re also opening a Ramen-san, the second location of their Japanese noodle spot, later this year. But they’ll stake another claim to the area when they open a third-floor restaurant later this year in the same building as Beatrix.
Six Chicago-Area Restaurant Openings to Know
THE LOOP— Aloha Poke Co. has opened another Loop location. Find raw fish bowls in a spot other than Revival Food Hall. Status: Certified open, 303 W. Madison Avenue.
THE LOOP— Taco Madre, a new taqueria that former Lobo Rey chef Daniel Espinosa is involved in, is serving up Mexican food downtown. The chain is planning more locations. Status: Certified open, 823 S. State Street.
MOUNT GREENWOOD— the revamp of T.R.’s Pub is open. It’s called Firewater Saloon, the second location of the Edison Park bar on the Northwest Side. The Beverly Review has more details. Status: Certified open, 3908 W. 111th Street.
WICKER PARK— Bourbon on Division has unveiled its second floor lounge that hosts live music and DJs. It’s called The Bourbon Upstairs. Status: Certified open, 2050 W. Division Street.
SCHAUMBURG— PDQ, the fast-casual chicken chain from Tampa, is prepping to open its second Illinois location. It serves sandwiches, bowls, and more. The first Illinois location opened in Wheaton last year. Status: Opening on Sunday, 1320 Meacham Road, Schaumburg.
Trump Tower’s Two-Michelin-Starred Chicago Restaurant Sixteen to Close
Sixteen, the acclaimed restaurant inside the Trump International Tower and Hotel, is closing after a decade to make room for a new restaurant. The two-Michelin-starred restaurant, which opened in February 2008, will close on April 28. One of the city’s most luxurious restaurants will become accessible with chef Nick Dostal remaining onboard. Expect lower check totals as the decadent spot will now have a burger on its menu to better appeal to the masses.
Dunlays Shutters after 13 Years on Logan Square
A prominent restaurant space along Logan Square Park is about to be vacated as Dunlays on the Square has closed after 13 years. The restaurant’s ownership, 4 Star Restaurant Group, made the announcement on Monday via Facebook. The spot is a sibling to Dunlays on Clark, the restaurant in Lincoln Park.
Holy Cow: Jeni’s Ice Cream in Wrigleyville Is Now Open
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams has a surprise for fans as today they opened the Wrigleyville location, eight days earlier than they told the public they would. The new location, inside The Park at Wrigley, the plaza directly next to Wrigley Field at 3637 N. Clark Street, features bleacher seats and a baseball theme building off the energy from nearby Cubs fans.
Stanley’s Kitchen & Tap Is Closing after 25 Years in Lincoln Park
Ownership cited a landlord dispute – Stanley’s Kitchen & Tap, a fixture in Lincoln Park for 25 years that attracts celebrities and locals alike, has announced it will close. The last day of service is Sunday as ownership cited a dispute over rent with the building’s landlord. The announcement comes almost exactly a year since Stanley’s co-founder Donnie Kruse died.
From Daily Herald:
Retro Bistro’s nearly 28-year run ending Easter Sunday
For nearly 28 years, Retro Bistro in Mount Prospect has been a place to enjoy flamed steak au poivre and other French dishes while impressing dates, celebrating milestones or on special family gatherings. But the long culinary ride will end Easter Sunday, as chef Chris Barth, who co-owns Retro Bistro with his wife, Lorraine, said he must devote time to his fight with cancer and get healthy. Retro Bistro’s Crystal Lake location, which opened in 2016, also will close Sunday.
