1970s chicago restaurants

(American) The Alexander brothers swanky meat palace was such a star magnet that Nicky Hilton flew buckets of their salad dressing to the Anaheim Hilton when he married Liz Taylor. Savarin was the 1998 restaurant chef Hogan did open, a gorgeous space with walls treated to resemble green leather, ornate chandeliers and linen-draped tables. Doug Sohn is Hot Doug's, and while the bratwurst is perfect and the creative links (like a hot sauce chicken sausage) are great, Doug is the best part. (Franco-Asian) Jimmy Rohr greeted guests at the door, kept the lights low, and played strictly opera music, which made for the most civilized dinner in town. Potato Head toys, while taking in nightly entertainment like drag shows and cabarets. In 2012, the big news was the closing of Charlie Trotter's after 25 years, but out in the northwest suburbs, Le Titi de Paris called it a career after a remarkable 40-year run, which began in Palatine and ended in Arlington Heights. 1947-1972 // Loop body { But, despite its young age, there are plenty of bars and restaurants around Chicago that are as old as the city itself. 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. (French) A visit to Jovan Trboyevics sanctuary for nouvelle cuisine started with a private elevator ride to the third floorwhere bad behavior would get you tossed out. (American) The Spinning Bowl salad: A waiter would lay out 21 ingredients and narrate the drama as he gently tossed and spun them. Dj vu! 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. 6. 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.?. 1. Linn Burton's Steak House / 744 Rush St. Chicago, IL. Subscribe for free today! All of that disappeared the following April, however, when a roof fire in the Plaza del Lago center destroyed Melange and other businesses. Buffalo Ice CreamParlor / 4000 W. Irving Park Rd. Alpine Inn Restaurant / 609 Milwaukee Ave. Glenview, IL. Operating together, the company had hundreds of locations throughout the United States in the '70s. Founded by a German immigrant who sold beer in Chicago at the 1893 Worlds Fair, this family-owned business has become a Chicago legend. Charlie Trotters )What's taken its place: Though the crowd is less singer-songwriter, more graphic designer, Filter has a lock on the all-day camping set in the Wicker Park of today. The Iconic Chicago Restaurants Map exists in a couple different formats. 4. (Contemporary American) The bon vivant Gordon A. Sinclair brought sophistication to a seedy stretch of North Clark Street, and River North was born. 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. Shangri-La Chambers Seafood Grille & Chop House / 6881 N. Milwaukee Ave. Niles, IL. Roger W/Flickr. The Bakery (photo courtesy of, 6755 N. Cicero Ave. Lincolnwood, IL. Similar to Denny's or Shoney's, the family eatery was a 24-hour establishmentsome were even built into the drugstore. Mister Donut / Multiple Chicagoland area locations (1956-1990), Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour/ No longer in the Chicagoland area (founded 1963), Marc's Big Boy / No longer in the Chicagoland area, Poppin' Fresh Pies/ Mutiple Chicagoland area locations (1969-1983), Petricca's Restaurant & Banquet Hall / Chicago IL. border: none !important; Stouffer's Top of the Rock, Prudential Building, Chicago. 9. 39. Avec 2003-present // West Loop. (German) Natty waiters have handled hot corned beef sandwiches, Wienerschnitzel, and house-made root beer with pride and aplomb for 112 years. Ownership changed hands many times throughout the '80s, and the company eventually went bankrupt. Perched atop the Macys flagship on State is The Walnut Room the first-ever restaurant to open inside a department store. Just take a look around sophisticated and classy is what this place is all about. Some of the restaurants Borzo highlights had some pretty remarkable ways of attracting customers. Now its sold online, along with her famous spaghetti sauce. Originally a penny candy store-turned-liquor store on the other side of Prohibition, Jakes Pub is cash-only and loads of fun. The decade was the gateway to the present in many ways. The first 1,100 people to weigh in get a free four-pack of pizza . Schaller's Pump, opened some 130 years ago in the city's Bridgeport neighborhood, took top honors in the ranking. In 1989, as the restaurant was about to close, Szathmary said that although current food writers made fun of it, "they all raved about it once, and I know 50 percent of our sales after 26 years is still beef Wellington." Hackneys on Harms Downtown was a bit quieter and the density of buildings on the Near North Side, especially around River North, was far lower. Yes, kids, Oprah Winfrey once had a restaurant. La Piazza / Piper's Alley Old Town Chicago, IL. Bob Elfman's Restaurant / 179 N. State St. Chicago, IL. . .prisna-gwt-align-left { The thin doughnut-crepe treat could be pulled off in spirals.Whats taken its place: As far as we can tell, you cant get chimney cakes anywhere in Chicago. But after a number of sales and bankruptcies, only a handful of Arthur Treacher's locations remain today. 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. I miss the Wilmette original more than the Northfield sequel, but mostly, I miss Jarvis' food. 32. 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 started as a small hot dog stand in Florida blossomed into a company with 400 franchises in the United States, including Hawaii. And then shuttered both. (Mediterranean) The trendoids embraced the small plates and communal seating and never looked back. The level of hospitality provided at this place rivals none, and anyone whos been there can attest! This breakfast diner is known throughout the world, having been visited by politicians, celebrities, and athletes alike, making it a staple among Chicagos oldest restaurants. 1844-1973 // Loop After the ban ended, it was in the group of the first Chicago establishments to receive a liquor license. 7. Helpful hints for your holiday party per Joan Crawford: The best parties are a wild mixture of people. By the late '70s, though, the company had been sold. 10. Tragically, chef Terczak died two years later from a rare liver disease. 1969/70. 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. 1989-present // River North We're far too young to have firsthand experience, but we still dream of sitting on the chrome stools in the pink neon glow every time we watch Risky Business, when Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay enjoy a bite after some slo-mo CTA shagging.What's taken its place: Still seeking a gastrointestinal lube job at 4am with a side of nostalgia? And children of the '70s will remember that time well. D.B. But, oh, that country bird chicken sandwich (fried chicken topped with Gouda, pimento mayo and shaved onion). led to Earwax angrily closing its doors in 2011.What's taken its place: Heartland Caf, minus the good vibes.Hot Doug'sWhat it was: Doug Sohn is closing his revered hot dog temple on October 3, but we're mourning the end of our interactions with Doug as much as the sausages themselves. In the 1940s and 1950s, and even into the 1960s, tiki bars popped up all over the United States, including in Chicago, as people . 10 Downing St. / Route 31 West Dundee, IL. (Spanish) I think tapas-style dining is going to be the next big food experience in the country. Richard Melman, president of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, January 1986. And the restaurants, with their giant happy chef greeting customers outside, grew through the Midwest to more than 60 locations. The chain's demise was because of another chain: Taco Bell, which bought all of the Pup 'N' Taco locations in 1984. (1949-2015). Reviews, photos, and highest-rated dishes from Oak restaurant s was a hit i (Far Eastern) This over-the-top tiki bar and restaurant out-tikid the competition with its Polynesian fare and exotic cocktails so potent, management set a two-zombie-drink limit. Sounds like an interesting combobut it worked. Originally part of the Pillsbury Corp., the restaurant was founded in 1976. In addition to a variety of hot dogs, Pup 'N' Taco's menu boasted tacos, tostadas, and pastrami sandwiches. "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. Carlos ", 25 Beloved Restaurants That Are Gone for Good, the restaurant announced in June that it's changing its name. Another neighborhood bar serving cheap drinks, this Noble Square establishment may have operated as a speakeasy at some point too, but the details are a bit blurry. Ask Geoffrey: What Happened to Chicagos Most Famous Restaurant? We've rounded up a list of nostalgic restaurants that have either gone out of business completely or have greatly reduced their operations. Helmed by a complicated chef, the restaurant was open for 25 years and, by the time it closed in 2012, had changed the face of Chicago dining. 36. Red Star Inn Not like Fronteras, we hadnt. (773) 478-9129. From Chicago Film Society Wednesday, a Sunrise you cant afford to miss, Rick Armstrongs Aurora, Elgin, Naperville boys basketball rankings and player of the week for Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, Little progress in R. Kelly cases as defense requests more information on Cook County charges, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. (Continental) As well known for its chicken la kingyes, that chicken la kingas its indoor ice-skating, this razzma-tazz club knew how to throw a party. Housed in a restored bank building, the split-level dining room offered soaring ceilings and bright-white walls, and the bar, located in an open loft, let imbibers watch the goings-on below. Parse's Hot Dogs / 7049 W. Higgins Ave. Norwood Park, IL. And on and on. 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. 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. Beautiful Vintage Postcards of Chicago's Restaurants from the 1950s and 1960s. .goog-te-banner-frame { 1899-1970 // Old Town 1938-present // Gold Coast 5. I included some big names, but also quite a few lesser-known restaurants that appealed to me personally. Ye Olde Leather Bottle Pub / 7353 W. Grand Ave. Elmwood Park, IL. 22. Kow Kow Restaurant /6755 N. Cicero Ave. Lincolnwood, IL. Serving up traditional Chinese eats to hungry locals since the 30s, this place has never left its spot in Irving Park. Know what else is crazy? 12. As with many of these chains, though, interest had died down by the 1980s, in part because the chain didn't serve alcohol. Also obvious, perhaps, but impossible to ignore. text-align: left !important; The restaurant chain became an American favorite, thanks to dishes like Hawaiian chicken and herb-roasted prime rib. So they must be doing something right. (1950-2009), Down The Hatch / multiple Chicagoland area locations. Now, its your classic (and totally legit) neighborhood joint serving good drinks and tavern eats. Beef 'N' Barrel / Multiple Chicagoland area locations, Granato's Pizzeria / 907 W. Taylor St. Chicago, IL. Sorry. If you want high-end, Naha puts out a mean mezze platter at the bar.TrioWhat it was: Trio, owned by Henry Adaniya (who now operates a gourmet hot dog restaurant in Honolulu), was a much-lauded fine-dining restaurant in Evanston. When American servicemen returned home from World War II, they brought with them stories and souvenirs from the South Pacific. 1970-1983 // Old Irving 8. Still as sophisticated as it was in its prime during the 30s and 40s, this jazz club-turned-cocktail bar maintains its vintage charm and excellent service in todays world. It's only open for breakfast and lunch, and the menu consists of trademark dishes like cupcake-batter pancakes and sweet and savory French toast, but you can also just get a basic omelette or granola.The Mashed Potato ClubWhat it was: Named for its signature dish, which could be garnished with more than 100 toppings including jelly beans and pickled beets, the Mashed Potato Club was an eccentric outpost in River North. (1979-2014). 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. When Joel Findlay died, much too soon, in 2004, Catherine Findlay kept the staff together and operated the restaurant for nearly two more years before selling it, ending a 19-year run. That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. Regulars would mark their calendars for the two-week stretch in March when Pollin would feature bouillabaisse and cassoulet on the menu, and for Flori's occasional wine dinners, during which he played guitar. If you need Filipino food, like, right now, hit up Chrissy Cambas Laughing Bird.TerragustoWhat it was: BYOB with exceptional pastas, chef/owner Theo Gilberts Terragusto was an immediate hit when it opened in Roscoe Village eight years ago. Though originally opened under a different name, the restaurant, purchased by George "Harvey" Schaller just on the heels of the Prohibition Era, is a short walk from U.S. Cellular Field. November 20, 2014 1960s, 1970s, Chicago, life & culture, street. Then there was chef David Burke's menu, which included now-ubiquitous pastrami salmon and Burke's signature swordfish chop. In its heyday, the chain had more than 1,000 locations, which served fried clams and a whopping 28 ice cream flavors. Shockingly, the restaurant continued to grow and there were more than 1,000 spots by 1979. 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. (The restaurant's namesake is the English actor who played the butler in the Shirley Temple films.). 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. RELATED:8 Legendary Steakhouses That Have Closed. 1978-1995 // Avondale Oprah Winfrey, left, was known to stop by tables at The Eccentric, the restaurant she opened with Rich Melman. He's cheerful and funny and he takes every single order, so everyone gets a few minutes to chat with him, long line be damned.What's taken its place: If you want a creative hot dog, you can go to Hoppin' Hots or Franks 'n Dawgs. Visit Website . So yeah, theyve seen it all. But not with these restaurantsthese are the places we truly miss, and not always because the food was so great or the atmosphere was so alluring. Patrons could order martinis and Jell-o shots at a bar decorated with tinsel, nude murals and Mr. Although younger generations may know of Howard Johnson's thanks to Mad Men, '70s kids will remember actually visiting the orange-roofed restaurant chain. But don't miss out on classic Korean Chinese dishes like cha chiang mein, or black sauce noodles. 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. For dessert, there was a shimmering tempered-chocolate cube that cracked open to reveal fluffy espresso mousse. 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. Despite the controversy, though, there's still one Sambo's Restaurant location left in Santa Barbara. The original spot was launched in the 1950s, and the chain grew based on its popular beer-steamed hot dogs, fried seafood, and frosted glass beers. She died of natural causes following her testimony before a grand jury, forever a queer icon for the LGBTQ+ community. Allegretti's / 10 Chicagoland area locations (1946-1996), The Shoe / 3240 Kirchoff Rd. Prospect IL. These amazing black and white photos were taken by ceebop that show what Chicago looked like in the early 1970s. Need ideas? Founded in 1926, White Tower was long thought to be an imitator of White Castle, which was founded five years earlier. It started on Franklin Street in 1991,and between the crispy pizzas and the rosemary-perfumed porchetta, there was nothing not to like. text-align: right !important; A small collection of 10 color photographs captured street scenes of Chicago from between the 1960s and 1970s: Wabash St, Chicago 1962. display: none !important; Zephyr Cafe / 1777 W. Wilson Ave. Chicago, IL. The address remains in the Lettuce Entertain You family; the space now houses Il Porcellino, Ramen-San and the rooftop Studio Paris nightclub. The danger of asking your friends what they consider the best Chicago restaurant ever is that they will tell you. When I started this project I thought I knew the restaurant scene pretty well, but I was surprised to find out about this one, said Borzo, a Chicago-based writer and author of Chicagos Fabulous Fountains, among other books. Frontera Grill (French) Well, maybe faux French, but the flower-bedecked courtyard was incredibly popular with the Ladies Who Lunch long before the phrase was coined. Chicago has made countless contributions to global food culture, from the obvious (deep dish pizza) to the less-so (chicken a la king). 1976-1999 // River North From venues, restaurants, and bars to events, festivals, and music weve got you covered. 1935-1983 // Gold Coast Located in The Drake Hotel, a Chicago landmark, this place is the definition of old-time-y elegance. Trio The fast-food chainwhich offered the "Big Barney" and "Barnbuster" burgers and a self-serve salad baroriginated in Ohio in the '60s. 302 West was one of the finest restaurants the western suburbs ever produced. 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. Owned by the Capitanini family since 1927, the downtown Italian Village is Chicago's oldest Italian restaurant. top: 0 !important; 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. 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). Max's Italian Beef / 5754 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL. And if you grew up in the 1970s, you might have had to bid farewell to a number of your favorite chain restaurants. Chicago was thriving and developing in the 1970s. 24. Vintage menus from some of Chicago's dearly departed restaurants, including The Eccdentric, Gordon and The Cottage, help tell the tale of what made them so great. Find out where to go, what to eat, where to live, and more. There were about 170 restaurants in the U.S. at that timebut 10 years later, all of those were bought out by Dairy Queen. 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. Well, then you probably weren't a child in the '70s or '80s. Merci, Jean Banchet. RELATED:10 Old-Fashioned Sodas You Forgot You Loved. 1933-present // Gold Coast The name "Sambo's" was allegedly used as a portmanteau of the founders' names, but the owners inevitably decided to lean into this correlation to the book The Story of Little Black Sambo. Craving even more throwback content? Although it dates back to the 20s, step inside this vibrantly decorated space and itll instantly feel timeless. RELATED: This 7-day smoothie diet will help you shed those last few pounds. Bamboo Inn Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge at 11 N. Clark Street, Chicago. And so will your furry friend, for that matter, since its a dog-friendly bar. Borzo says the food was mediocre., Read the introduction to the book Lost Restaurants of Chicago., Heartland Cafe in Rogers Park Prepares to Close After 42 Years, Critic Who Dissed Chicagos Food Scene Defends His Article, Alpana Singh: Its Absolutely Wonderful to Return to Check, Please!. There's a group page on Facebook called "Chicago Restaurants 86 But Not Forgotten." (Contemporary American) Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand (Tru), Shawn McClain (Spring, Green Zebra), anddrumroll pleaseGrant Achatz (Alinea) all passed through Trio. Wh 30 Vintage Postcards Show Chicagos Restaurants in the 1950s and 60s, The Tragic Story of the Berberovs, a Soviet Family Who Raised Lions as Their Pets at Home in the 1970s, 35 Fabulous Photos Show What Brides Looked Like in the 1960s, 30 Cool Pics That Capture Naughty Ladies of the 1950s, Mihailo Tolotos, the Greek Orthodox Monk Who Lived 82 Years Without Ever Seeing a Woman, Candid Snaps of a Group of Women Spent Time Together in a Pub in Bermondsey, on a Day Trip to Margate, ca. There's still one White Tower location in Toledo, Ohio. (My Parents wedding reception was held here), Skip's Fiesta Drive-In / Melrose Park, IL. After a landlord dispute, Mantuano moved the operation to NBC Tower, re-christening it Mantuano's Mediterranean Table, where the chef added whimsical dishes such as flaming ouzo shrimp (his tongue-in-cheek nod to saganaki). 1973-2007 // Wheeling (I dubbed them Hogan's Heroes at the time.) Lottie was a total BA, turning her neighborhood grocery store into a liquor store with a basement speakeasyor rathskellerthat was ruled by Chicagos gangsters and corrupt politicians. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. Michigan and Washington, Chicago, 1970. Henricis . (Contemporary French) From day one, Carlos Nietos patented silver bow tie has said it all: Check your ideas about formal French dining at the door. 28. Calumet City's contribution to the fine-dining scene was a formidable one. Cal's Creemy Whip / 4354 N. Central Ave. Chicago, IL. You probably have a go-to favorite restaurant, whether it's a chain or just a local eatery in your town. circa 1930-1978 // South Shore (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. Experience a sliver of Chicago history at the oldest bars and restaurants in the city. (Contemporary American) Its star has faded, but memories of damned good food and Booth Onewhere Bogie and Bacall celebrated their weddingstill make our hearts race. Then, at Topo, he made creative Mexican fare a white-tablecloth experience. Jacques 1997-present // West Loop In its heyday, the chain had more than 1,000 locations, which served fried clams and a whopping 28 ice cream flavors. Bill Ammons, also the pastry chef, patrolled the Lincoln Park dining room with a ready wit, delivered in a gentle drawl. Club Lucky opened in the early 1990s, and it's meant to resemble an old 1940s Italian supper club. Stunning Vintage Historical Photos Show What Chicago Looked Like In The 1960s. 1970s Chicago: Fascinating Photos Show Streets, Landmarks and Everyday Life. It closed in 2006 after 12 years,. First opened in 1907, the Green Mill became a speakeasy during Prohibition. As many others on this list, its been run by the same family for three generations. Bridal gowns in the 1960s mostly featured high-waisted empire silhouettes and up-styles were definitely in. P: 630.864.5270,