Beautiful Vintage Postcards of Chicago's Restaurants from the 1950s and 1960s. Bressler's Ice Cream was a popular ice cream chain in Chicago in the '30s and '40s, so it seemed only natural that a fast-food chain would come as an extension. Light on the tongue pizzas, terrific pasta dishes and clever desserts helped Sole Mio to a very nice, nine-year run that ended in 1997. 2005-present // Lincoln Park Calumet City's contribution to the fine-dining scene was a formidable one. The chain eventually lost steam in the '80s, with the last spot closing in 1996. Cafe Bonaparte Sheraton, Blackstone . 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. 1985-present // Albany Park Too obvious? Today, it hasn't lost any of its vintage charm you can even sit in Capone's favorite booth. (192?-1995). The restaurant caught national attention, too, winning best new restaurant from the James Beard Foundation. Chicago is now a world-renowned restaurant city, but eateries come and go sometimes, very quickly. South Barrington, IL. (steaks) The rolling-cart show of massive cuts of plastic-wrapped prime beef raised the bar on excessive steak consumption from maybe to mandatory. La Strada / 1531 N. Wells St. Chicago, IL. So yeah, theyve seen it all. 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. Le Franais 1989-present // River North This place dishes out massive portions, so be sure to come with an appetite. Not like Fronteras, we hadnt. I loved the bustling look and feel of the place, the bagged demi baguettes that greeted you at the table; and when I griped in print about the lack of a coatroom, management quickly added one. Henry's Hamburgers first opened its doors in the 1950s. Chicago has made countless contributions to global food culture, from the obvious (deep dish pizza) to the less-so (chicken a la king). chicago restaurants in the 1970s.Posted by Mayo 8, 2022 lifecycle marketing framework on chicago restaurants in the 1970s.August 13, 2017. (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. (Contemporary) In 1987, a young whippersnapper named Charlie Trotter turned an old brownstone into a temple of modern dining. Although younger generations may know of Howard Johnson's thanks to Mad Men, '70s kids will remember actually visiting the orange-roofed restaurant chain. (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. This photo from 1970 was of the general store (no longer standing) in Star Valley. It was called Flos, right on Randolph near State, and it had a young gal on a trapeze swinging back and forth outside in front of the restaurant to attract people in., Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. 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. In its heyday, the chain had more than 1,000 locations, which served fried clams and a whopping 28 ice cream flavors. Ask Geoffrey: What Happened to Chicagos Most Famous Restaurant? And the restaurants, with their giant happy chef greeting customers outside, grew through the Midwest to more than 60 locations. The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. A small collection of 10 color photographs captured street scenes of Chicago from between the 1960s and 1970s: Wabash St, Chicago 1962. First opened in 1907, the Green Mill became a speakeasy during Prohibition. 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. We've rounded up a list of nostalgic restaurants that have either gone out of business completely or have greatly reduced their operations. But if you grew up in California, you will know it well. The president of the National Restaurant Association reported that the country's half million restaurants enjoyed rising sales throughout the mid-1970s, with 1975's take 16% higher than the year before. (1979-2004), Tast-e Hast-e Dog / Milwaukee 5446 N. Ave. Chicago, IL.(1946-???? 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. (pizza) In the beginning, there was Chicago-style thin-crust pizza, and it was good. RELATED:9 Old-Fashioned Recipes From the Back of Iconic Product Boxes. Jakes has free popcorn, waiting to cure your munchies at a moments notice. (Mediterranean) The trendoids embraced the small plates and communal seating and never looked back. Located in The Drake Hotel, a Chicago landmark, this place is the definition of old-time-y elegance. (Progressive American) Still wet behind the ears, Alinea, the culinary juggernaut of the brilliant and visionary Grant Achatz, turned Chicago into an international foodie destination and a launching pad for the next generation of groundbreaking chefs. An absolute staple in the Taylor Street area of Little Italy, its a true veteran of Chicagos oldest restaurants, and the food will have you coming back for more, guaranteed. 302 West. } French cuisine, sometimes with Japanese accents, was the menu's stock in trade, opera music played discreetly overhead and, due to Rohr's severe allergies, Jimmy's Place was the first Chicago restaurant with an outright ban on smoking (along with perfumes and scents; Rohr often said the overly cologned male customers were most problematic). Hot Doug's / 3324N. California, Chicago, IL, Jonathan Livingston Seafood / (1975-1985), Sabrina / 660 N. Orleans, Chicago IL. The history of Chicagos restaurant scene and the characters who have populated it help tell the story of the city itself. What 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. The rest of us have finally caught up. (photo courtesy of, 6755 N. Cicero Ave. Lincolnwood, IL. 1977-1992 // Skokie If youre a White Sox fan, youll feel right at home here. 1899-1970 // Old Town 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. 24. Gentrification and the occasional rat sighting (whoops!) 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. 1970s Chicago: Fascinating Photos Show Streets, Landmarks and Everyday Life. Oprah Winfrey, left, was known to stop by tables at The Eccentric, the restaurant she opened with Rich Melman. . 10. 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. Frontera Grill The Naperville Ramsay Kitchen will be the third of its kind after outlets in Boston and Las Vegas . display: none !important; The restaurant chain became an American favorite, thanks to dishes like Hawaiian chicken and herb-roasted prime rib. (Italian) In a city with a proud red-sauce tradition, Tony Mantuano singlehandedly awakened us to the exquisite joys of Northern Italian cuisine. On Diversey Pkwy and Halsted St. there used to be all kinds of small family-owned businesses. We still dream about the pasta neri. 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." Don Roths Blackhawk 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. Images of the storybook, featuring a little boy of color, served as decorations in the store. Owner Dick Portillo changed the stand's name to Portillo's in 1967 and ditched the trailer for a storefront.What's taken its place: While there's still a location in Villa Park, Portillo's has grown into a 50-location Midwest chain that reportedly sold for $1 billion to a private equity firm in July.EarwaxWhat it was: Before Wicker Park became Lincoln Park West, it was an edgy, angry enclave for irate hipsters wearing clunky boots and clunkier glasses. 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. 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. 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. OK, so not every child of the '70s will know of Pup 'N' Taco. 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. 5. text-align: right !important; Though the fried cheese dish is a staple of Greek cuisine, flambing it tableside in brandy is a touch created by Parthenon owner Chris Liakouras. Need ideas? ), Golden Bear Family Restaurant / Multiple Chicagoland arealocations (19??-1984). .goog-tooltip, So said Bon Apptit, Julia Child, Jacques Ppin, Craig Claiborne, and Mimi Sheraton. (Italian-American) In 1948, Fanny Bianucci said no to $75,000 from Kraft Foods for her salad dressing recipe. And its still known for getting pretty rowdy now. 1946-circa 2003 // Bronzeville It closed in 2006 after 12 years,. The restaurant is located in River North and has a reputation for excellence. Le Titi de Paris chef/owner Pierre Pollin, center, stands with maitre d' Marcel Flori, left, and captain Claude Marcel, in 2002 as the restaurant was entering its 30th year. St. George & The Dragon / Multiple Chicagolandarea locations, The Pacific Club / 50 Yorktown Rd. Charlotte's Pizza / Route 14 Barrington, IL. Potato Head toys, while taking in nightly entertainment like drag shows and cabarets. 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. (The restaurant's namesake is the English actor who played the butler in the Shirley Temple films.). 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. .goog-te-banner-frame { (Thai) Before Arun Sampanthavivat opened this jewel box, we had never tasted elegant Thai food. In 1982, it was sold to Marriott, who turned most of the locations into Roy Rogers. Founded in 1926, White Tower was long thought to be an imitator of White Castle, which was founded five years earlier. Chicago sleaze 1965. (773) 478-9129. In addition to a variety of hot dogs, Pup 'N' Taco's menu boasted tacos, tostadas, and pastrami sandwiches. 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!. 16. You probably have a go-to favorite restaurant, whether it's a chain or just a local eatery in your town. Serving up fried chicken, fish, and chips, Arthur Treacher's peaked with more than 800 stores in the late '70s. Inspired by mid-century Hungarian-French photographer Brassa's street photography of Paris in the early decades of the 20th century, Abramson (1948-2011) began photographing nightclubs on Chicago's South Side - clubs like: Peppers Hideout, Perv's House, the High Chaparral, the Patio . (German) The stately original across from the Germania Club fell to urban renewal, and when RSI closed for good, we lost the citys best German pancakes. It took our breath away then, and it still does. D.B. 1987-present 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. (Held our wedding ceremony here), Chateau Louise / Route 31 West Dundee, IL. Although it was never as big as McDonald's or Burger King, Red Barn is estimated to have 400 restaurants in 22 states at its peak. No, too corny. ), Cock Robin Ice Cream / Multiple Chicagoland area locations (196?-2007). 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. As many others on this list, its been run by the same family for three generations. 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. (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. 8. Maison LaFite, they shoot back. (1967-19?? RELATED:10 Old-Fashioned Sodas You Forgot You Loved. Yes, kids, Oprah Winfrey once had a restaurant. 200 N LaSalle St Ste 1540 Chicago, IL 60601 (19??-2009). (1972-2015), Schroeder's Drive-In / 432 N Gilbert St.Danville, IL. Cereality / 100 S. Wacker Dr. Chicago, IL. 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. Helpful hints for your holiday party per Joan Crawford: The best parties are a wild mixture of people. After the first location opened in 1956, there were 102 locations by the early '80s. Bamboo Inn Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge at 11 N. Clark Street, Chicago. Shaped like an actual barn, Red Barn restaurant chains weren't hard to spot. Urbis Orbis served as a social center where the artists and musicians moving in to the area could linger all day over a cappuccino (unlike at the neighborhood's old-school, low-rent diners) and put on performances at night. 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. While it peaked in the '50s, White Tower was still fairly popular in the '70s. It continued to grow through the '70s before selling over half of its 57 locations to Denny's (which had a similar dining style). (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. Chambers Seafood Grille & Chop House / 6881 N. Milwaukee Ave. Niles, IL. Despite the controversy, though, there's still one Sambo's Restaurant location left in Santa Barbara. 22. When it launched in 1966, Steak and Ale's concept was revolutionary: cheap but tasty steak and an unlimited salad bar. 1. If you got to try these 1970s restaurants before they closed, consider yourself lucky. Phil's 50: Chicago's top restaurants rated, reviewed, mapped , 25 Chicago restaurants earn Michelin stars in 2017 , Craving: Italian -- a month of Chicago's best pastas, antipasti, pizza, secondi and more . Michigan and Washington, Chicago, 1970. Bob Elfman's Restaurant / 179 N. State St. Chicago, IL. Heres a newspaper clipping from the Edinburg Daily Courier, and is dated October 29, 1938. (American barbecue) Ribs moved into a swanky dining room in Skokie, everyone wore plastic bibs, and licking your fingers in public became not only acceptablebut fashionable. Carsons Chicago misses these closed restaurants but, in most cases, you can find something similar to sate your longing. I miss the Wilmette original more than the Northfield sequel, but mostly, I miss Jarvis' food. 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. But the main draw is the live music, with nightly jazz performances from big-name artists and local acts through the early morning hours. And so will your furry friend, for that matter, since its a dog-friendly bar. 1962-1989 // 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. When you think of ancient cities, Chicago is not typically the first to come to mind. P: 630.864.5270,