9. (Contemporary American) Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand (Tru), Shawn McClain (Spring, Green Zebra), anddrumroll pleaseGrant Achatz (Alinea) all passed through Trio. When American servicemen returned home from World War II, they brought with them stories and souvenirs from the South Pacific. ), House Of Pies / Multiple Chicagoland area locations. In the 1970s the restaurant industry and the custom of eating in restaurants grew rapidly. The Indiana-based chain served up flame-broiled burgers, such as the Big Shef, a double cheeseburger with special sauce. 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. Unlike more rebellious establishments, they kept things kosher during Prohibition by stepping up their food game and offering non-alcoholic beer, until of course, they became the very first place to obtain a liquor license after the ban was lifted. Maison LaFite, they shoot back. We still miss the cloches and the gorgeous dessert cart. 25. Similar to Denny's or Shoney's, the family eatery was a 24-hour establishmentsome were even built into the drugstore. 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. There's still one White Tower location in Toledo, Ohio. Bill Ammons, also the pastry chef, patrolled the Lincoln Park dining room with a ready wit, delivered in a gentle drawl. There were eight-course tasting menus with dishes like roasted Muscovy duck with bitter melon and duck consomm, but no matter what was on the menu, dining at Trotter's was an experience.What's taken its place: These 14 restaurants. La Piazza / Piper's Alley Old Town Chicago, IL. That includedconstructing long-lasting, local haunts that would remain open for over a century, and then some, so even modern Chicagoans canfeel the history in the air when they frequent these places. (Contemporary) This treasure has delighted for three decades simply because Yoshi Katsumuras gentle fusion continues to sparkle and his wife, Nobuko, continues to charm. .goog-te-banner-frame { Alexanders Steak House The chain's demise was because of another chain: Taco Bell, which bought all of the Pup 'N' Taco locations in 1984. Children of the '70s will remember defunct chain Sambo's not for the food, but for the controversial name that ultimately led to its demise. Bob Elfman's Restaurant / 179 N. State St. Chicago, IL. Gladys Holcombs Home Cooking Discreetly located underneath the Canterbury Courts apartments, this is the place to go when you want to sing the night away. 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). Dont be fooled by its somewhat nondescript appearance. 24. Hackneys on Harms Chef and owner Pierre Pollin (who bought the restaurant from original owner Christian Zeiger) was a masterful chef, aided in no small measure by maitre d' and sommelier Marcel Flori. The chain eventually lost steam in the '80s, with the last spot closing in 1996. 7.7k Views 14. Louis Szathmary's restaurant, The Bakery, opened in Chicago at a time when restaurant going in that city was not a very exciting proposition. RELATED: The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. (1963-198?) Stunning Vintage Historical Photos Show What Chicago Looked Like In The 1960s. So yeah, theyve seen it all. 2. Chicago magazine newsletters have you covered. Le Franais And then shuttered both. (1972-2015), Schroeder's Drive-In / 432 N Gilbert St.Danville, IL. Thanks for subscribing! Although younger generations may know of Howard Johnson's thanks to Mad Men, '70s kids will remember actually visiting the orange-roofed restaurant chain. 26. We already have this email. But for refined Mediterranean, the best place to go these days is Taxim. Alpine Inn Restaurant / 609 Milwaukee Ave. Glenview, IL. Rush Street, Chicago ca. 28. The level of hospitality provided at this place rivals none, and anyone whos been there can attest! Ask Geoffrey: What Happened to Chicagos Most Famous Restaurant? Casual dining at its finest, VIP's was a well-known chain in the Pacific Northwest. 3. Oprah Winfrey, left, was known to stop by tables at The Eccentric, the restaurant she opened with Rich Melman. Henricis 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. 8. D.B. 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. Stouffer's Top of the Rock, Prudential Building, Chicago. Market Plaza Mall Rolling Meadows, IL. The Eccentric, a Rich Melman creation with you-know-who as its most visible partner, opened in 1989 with Michael Kornick as chef (succeeded by Jody Denton) and had a very respectable six-year run in River North. Serving up traditional Chinese eats to hungry locals since the 30s, this place has never left its spot in Irving Park. And we think this matters. Chicago sleaze 1965. There were about 170 restaurants in the U.S. at that timebut 10 years later, all of those were bought out by Dairy Queen. Some get accolades for being game changers, some for grandeur, and even a few for kitsch, but all for memorable dining. Lockwood Castle / 5400 W. Devon Ave.Chicago IL. Now its sold online, along with her famous spaghetti sauce. Carlos Pizzeria Uno Caf Parisien / 696 W. North Ave. Elmhurst, IL. Still operated by the original Glascott family four generations later, this bar boasts having hooked up thousands of singles over the years, only to see their inevitable move to the suburbs.. So, as you can imagine, it was probably pretty rowdy back then. All-day breakfast is one way to make people happy, and that's what Minnesota chain Happy Chef aimed to do. 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. In 1982, it was sold to Marriott, who turned most of the locations into Roy Rogers. Savarin showed Hogan's mastery of French technique; the menu interspersed bistro classics with sturgeon-wrapped crab mousse and a knockout composition of sea urchin and crabmeat in lobster sauce with a sabayon gratin. P: 630.864.5270, , 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. Some of the restaurants Borzo highlights had some pretty remarkable ways of attracting customers. Many brides wore domed pillbox A cool photo collection that shows what naughty ladies looked like in the 1950s. 1977-1992 // Skokie 11. Plus, if youre planning on taking a day to shop, one of the oldest restaurants in Chicago is the perfect place to drop, if you will. But due to various sales and franchises, the Big Boy chain has grown much smaller over the past few decades. Visit Website . background-color: transparent !important; 1868-1962 // Loop Shaped like an actual barn, Red Barn restaurant chains weren't hard to spot. Le Francais / 269 S. Milwaukee Ave. Wheeling, IL. Find out where to go, what to eat, where to live, and more. Mannys Coffee Shop &Deli Chicago has made countless contributions to global food culture, from the obvious (deep dish pizza) to the less-so (chicken a la king). RELATED:8 Legendary Steakhouses That Have Closed. And for more chains that didn't stand the test of time, don't miss these 17 Failed Chain Restaurants From the 1980s That Will Make You Feel So Nostalgic. 1980-2007 // Lincoln Park Swiss Chalet, Bismarck Hotel, Chicago. Its easily one of the most laid-back, inviting places in the area somewhere youll always feel welcome. Owned by the same family for three generations, it began as a totally innocent (ahem)soda shop during the tail-end of the nations dry years. 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. 3253 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625. It took Jarvis nearly a year to reopen, this time in larger digs in nearby Northfield (the opening wine list included "fire-sale reds," which had water-damaged labels), but Melange finally was back, along with those oysters. Trio (by then renamed Trio Atelier) closed in 2006 after more than 12 years in business. St. George & The Dragon / Multiple Chicagolandarea locations, The Pacific Club / 50 Yorktown Rd. 1984-present // Gold Coast (My Parents wedding reception was held here) Tuddi Toots / 6500 w. North Ave. Chicago, IL. From venues, restaurants, and bars to events, festivals, and music weve got you covered. Whats taken its place: When were craving perfectly al dente pasta, we head to Due Lire in Lincoln Square.Tizi MelloulWhat it was: Sumptuously designed in a hip Moroccan style, this Mediterranean restaurant in River North was a date-night go-to. 1947-1972 // Loop That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. During the course of its 90 years in business, Italian Village has dished out some nine million meals and employed more than 40,000 Chicagoans. Although it didn't hold up against Chili's, TGI Fridays, and Applebee's, there was a time when it was fairly ubiquitous throughout the states. The area has been gentrified, which began in the 80s. Operating together, the company had hundreds of locations throughout the United States in the '70s. And children of the '70s will remember that time well. La Strada / 1531 N. Wells St. Chicago, IL. (French) Well, maybe faux French, but the flower-bedecked courtyard was incredibly popular with the Ladies Who Lunch long before the phrase was coined. Yes, kids, Oprah Winfrey once had a restaurant. Irene Brown remembers taking trips with her mom to the Japanese market Toguri Mercantile when she was a kid in the 1990s. Info? Mortons The Steakhouse Originally a penny candy store-turned-liquor store on the other side of Prohibition, Jakes Pub is cash-only and loads of fun. The domed, dark Crescent Room, home to many a bachelorette and birthday party, featured low tables, pillow seating and multicolored Moroccan lamps hanging from the ceiling. 11. Then there was chef David Burke's menu, which included now-ubiquitous pastrami salmon and Burke's signature swordfish chop. Don Roths Blackhawk But what sometimes seemed like capricious ingredient pairings always made sense on the plate. Craving even more throwback content? 1985-present // Albany Park 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. 13. Pie-Pan Drive-In / 5950 N. Cicero Ave. Chicago, IL. If you got to try these 1970s restaurants before they closed, consider yourself lucky. There are still two Gino's Burgers and Chicken locations in Maryland today. It started on Franklin Street in 1991,and between the crispy pizzas and the rosemary-perfumed porchetta, there was nothing not to like. 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. Le Perroquet (steaks) At the epicenter of Rush Street action, this always-packed prime meat scene follows the ultimate Chicago steak-house paradigm to a T. 19. Gene & Georgetti, 500 N Franklin St., 1941. Star Top Cafe wasn't for everybody, but I loved the joint. You probably have a go-to favorite restaurant, whether it's a chain or just a local eatery in your town. South Side pride runs deep here, given this Irish pub has been serving beer to the neighborhood since the late 30s. But after a number of sales and bankruptcies, only a handful of Arthur Treacher's locations remain today. Beautiful Vintage Postcards of Chicago's Restaurants from the 1950s and 1960s. box-shadow: none !important; The party came to an abrupt end in 2002 when the restaurant closed its bright yellow doors for good. 2005-present // Lincoln Park The Green Mill served Al Capone in the famous booth where he and his henchmen could keep a wary eye on both of the clubs entrances. Then, at Topo, he made creative Mexican fare a white-tablecloth experience. Roger W/Flickr. When most restaurants close, the Chicago eating public just shrugs its collective shoulders and sets its sights on the latest exciting opening in Logan Square. Brought to life by a Swedish immigrant, this bar is one of the focal points of Andersonvilles deeply rooted culture. Read: where pork became the hippest food on the planet. (Contemporary French) From day one, Carlos Nieto's patented silver bow tie has said it all: Check your ideas about formal French dining at the door. Consider yourself lucky to unlock our digital magazines and also 1970s chicago restaurants the latest news, events, offers partner...: 630.864.5270,
2022-11-07