1970s chicago restaurants

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. College Inn (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. South Barrington, IL. 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. 35. 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. Then Uno introduced deep-dish, and it was revolutionary. 31. 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. What follows is a list of 40 restaurants that epitomize Chicagos impact on the culinary universe. Nonetheless the industry fought a proposed increase in the federal minimum wage from $2.30 to $3.00 an hour. In its heyday, the . 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. (1960-2014), The Golden Point / Multiple Chicagoland area locations (1958-19??). Whats taken its place: Since Pecking Order closed in July, Subidos food has been popping up at farmers markets and other food events. 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? Ditka's City Lights / 223 W. Otario Chicago, IL. So if you're "hungry for a Henry's," that's where you should go. The Red Star Inn / 1528 N. Clark Chicago, IL. The history of Chicagos restaurant scene and the characters who have populated it help tell the story of the city itself. And some fan favoriteslike Burger Chef, G.D. Ritzy's, and Howard Johnson'sfell by the wayside. Didn't know Walgreen's used to have a restaurant chain? Established in 1941 by true Italian chefs, this is one of the city's premier steakhouses, and it has been owned by the same family since it opened. According to them, the building itself was formerly owned by Schlitz during the first World War. (Contemporary American) The bon vivant Gordon A. Sinclair brought sophistication to a seedy stretch of North Clark Street, and River North was born. We won't fault you for getting misty-eyed over these failed fast-food chain restaurants from the 1980s. } La Piazza / Piper's Alley Old Town Chicago, IL. Chicago sleaze 1965. Gordon Ramsay operates 21 restaurants in the U.S. Open in Google Maps. Trio was the brainchild of proprietor and sommelier Henry Adaniya, who recruited the redoubtable chef team of Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand, and the combination of skill, creativity and utter professionalism was marvelous to behold. The menu itself was straight-up American; the go-to entree was prime rib, and the signature side was "Oprah's potatoes," which were mashed and jazzed up with horseradish. Dj vu! (1963-198?) (Continental) Cognoscenti flocked to Louis Szathmrys quirky storefrontno menu and mismatched everything for beef Wellington and an inexplicable BYO policy. "Ramsay's Kitchen" in Naperville is expected to open this . Their epicenter was Earwax, a vegetarian caf with sometimes-decent art on the walls and perturbed art-school students behind the counter. This bar is well-known by DePaul University students who frequent here on the weekends, and god knows also the weeknights. We gathered them from experience, of course, but also from Chicagos voluminous files, avid conversations, and old guidebooks. The restaurant dished out hamburgers, and the staff members went by the nickname "Towerettes." (American) Some pretty hotsy-totsy chefs have discovered hamburgers lately, but time was when the half-pounder on dark rye and fried onion loaf at Hackneys had no peers. 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. Stouffer's Top of the Rock, Prudential Building, Chicago, The Three Graces Blue Fountain Room, Hotel La Salle, Chicago, View from the Allerton Hotel, "Tip Top Tap" Cocktail Lounge, Chicago. 1985-present // Lincoln Park Even as Beef Wellington lost its fashionability in the 1970s and 1980s, it continued as a Bakery mainstay. (Viennese) In the heart of the theatre district, the steadfastly Old World Henricis was known for fine coffee, delectable pastries, and its advertising slogan: No Orchestral Din. Skilled workers and factory workers lost their jobs during the crisis. 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. This is one of the best historical restaurants you can find. "I always had a passion for photography, and I went by Uptown every day, twice a day, actually on my way to and from work. 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. Old Heidelberg / 14 W. Randolph St. Chicago, IL. 6. (Cantonese) No one has yet equaled its egg rolls, sweet and sour pork, chicken sub gum chow mein, and pan-fried noodles. If you got to try these 1970s restaurants before they closed, consider yourself lucky. Located in the Old Town Triangle, this place was once a real-deal speakeasy, back when alcohol was a no-no. (I dubbed them Hogan's Heroes at the time.) Edgewater Beach Hotel, Chicago, 1970. 25. Le Perroquet 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. Printer's Row / 550 S. Dearborn St. Chicago, IL. 5. Bread service has become optional at many restaurants these days, but back in the late '90s, bread was a statement at this New York import, which closed in 2002. Subscribe for free today! 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. Trio (photo courtesy of Cragin Spring Flickr). 1981-present // Highland Park Subscribe to one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, and opportunities in Chicago. 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. Well, then you probably weren't a child in the '70s or '80s. text-align: left !important; (Italian-American) In 1948, Fanny Bianucci said no to $75,000 from Kraft Foods for her salad dressing recipe. / co-owned by Steve Dahl. The address remains in the Lettuce Entertain You family; the space now houses Il Porcellino, Ramen-San and the rooftop Studio Paris nightclub. 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. What's taken its place: It's hard to think of a comparable spot, but if you want to get drunk and eat potatoes smothered in strange toppings, hit a bar in Wrigleyville and soak up the booze at Big Cheese Poutinerie.Ohio House Coffee ShopWhat it was: A quintessential greasy spoon diner in River North, the Ohio House Coffee Shop was the kind of place where you could nurse a hangover for less than $7. That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. Henricis Trio (by then renamed Trio Atelier) closed in 2006 after more than 12 years in business. But if you grew up in California, you will know it well. Rohr passed away in 1999, leaving a wonderful legacy. Travel back in time to taste a dinner Achatz served to Alinea and Next co-owner Nick Kokonas, which led to the pair teaming up to open Alinea in 2005.Urbis OrbisWhat it was: This Wicker Park coffeehouse opened in a converted warehouse in 1989 and closed less than a decade later, but it was a defining one for the gentrifying neighborhood. circa 1930-1978 // South Shore 1987-present // Lincoln Park Hackneys on Harms Schaller's Pump, opened some 130 years ago in the city's Bridgeport neighborhood, took top honors in the ranking. Tragically, chef Terczak died two years later from a rare liver disease. 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. And children of the '70s will remember that time well. Some get accolades for being game changers, some for grandeur, and even a few for kitsch, but all for memorable dining. Petricca's Restaurant & Banquet Hall / Chicago IL. You have to include Barneys! 9. Similar to Dairy Queen and Burger King, the restaurant served up burgers and shakes. But for '70s kids, they might be a nostalgic part of your childhood memories. 1939-present // Glenview 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. This is a nice shot of La Crosse from Grandad Bluff in 1972. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. 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. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. (deli food) Where cops, aldermen, yuppies, old-timers, and multi- cultis have always stood shoulder to shoulder for massive potato pancakes and pastrami sandwiches. (Contemporary American) Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand (Tru), Shawn McClain (Spring, Green Zebra), anddrumroll pleaseGrant Achatz (Alinea) all passed through Trio. Helpful hints for your holiday party per Joan Crawford: The best parties are a wild mixture of people. By the mid-'70s, the chain was spread throughout the East Coast and attempting to open in the Midwest. display: none !important; Jimmys Place 4. Check out these old photos to see what Chicagos restaurants looked like in the 1950s. 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. 15. (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. Roger W/Flickr. Through the '80s, more locations sold and it eventually fizzled out. Best part? 5. 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. Bill Ammons, also the pastry chef, patrolled the Lincoln Park dining room with a ready wit, delivered in a gentle drawl. Jakes has free popcorn, waiting to cure your munchies at a moments notice. (1967-19?? Thanks for subscribing! All of that disappeared the following April, however, when a roof fire in the Plaza del Lago center destroyed Melange and other businesses. Along with a map beautifully illustrated by Steve Shanabruchshowing the locations of the 75 top picks, I've created a. But for refined Mediterranean, the best place to go these days is Taxim. The Come Back Inn / 1913 W. Lake St. Melrose Park, IL. 37. (steaks, Italian) If the walls of this 1870 edifice could talk, they would spill decades of political deals cut over perfectly char-crusted aged prime steaks. 20. You probably have a go-to favorite restaurant, whether it's a chain or just a local eatery in your town. 29. Shockingly, the restaurant continued to grow and there were more than 1,000 spots by 1979. 1933-present // Gold Coast Chambers Seafood Grille & Chop House / 6881 N. Milwaukee Ave. Niles, IL. Serving up fried chicken, fish, and chips, Arthur Treacher's peaked with more than 800 stores in the late '70s. Chicago, IL. 1898-present // Loop Luckily, in most cases there are alternatives that fill the void these restaurants left butsighnever completely.RECOMMENDED: Chicago businesses we missBanquet on a BunWhat it was: The hungry, horny and high pouring out of Faces, the discotheque with a membership card, could stumble across Rush Street and scarf down greasy burgers at this diner. The Berghoff I was going to go all inside-baseball and say the restaurant I really missed was Mistral, the John Hogan project that never quite got off the ground. Same location or home to something new..?? Zephyr Cafe / 1777 W. Wilson Ave. Chicago, IL. But many food lovers also know the heartbreak that comes with your favorite restaurant closing for good. 1986-present // South Loop Gordon Complete with nautical fixtures and Viking memorabilia, come here to sample a great variety of Swedish beers or to take a warm sip of glgg, a Swedish mulled wine. 1899-1970 // Old Town Tiritilli's / 151 E. North Ave. Northlake, IL. 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. Chicago has made countless contributions to global food culture, from the obvious (deep dish pizza) to the less-so (chicken a la king). After 53 years in business, the Ohio House closed in 2013 when it lost its lease.What's taken its place: A second Leghorn Chicken location will open in the former Ohio House digs later this year, but those searching for affordable diner fare will find it at the Cozy Corner Diner and Pancake House in Logan Square.OknoWhat it was: One of restaurateur Terry Alexanders first restaurants (see also: Tizi Melloul, The Violet Hour, The Publican, Nico Osteria), Okno opened in Wicker Park in 1997 where Standard Bar & Grill is now. A small collection of 10 color photographs captured street scenes of Chicago from between the 1960s and 1970s: Wabash St, Chicago 1962. Tags: Design Controls - Google AMP, Dining & Drinking, Dining News, I remember going to Tamborine a favorite years ago where Id go with friends does it still exist.?. Milwaukee Ave. Niles, IL nostalgic part of your childhood memories: Wabash St, 1962! Closed in 2006 after more than 12 years in business Lake St. Melrose,. 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