Old Heidelberg / 14 W. Randolph St. Chicago, IL. Know what else is crazy? Despite the controversy, though, there's still one Sambo's Restaurant location left in Santa Barbara. Zephyr Cafe / 1777 W. Wilson Ave. Chicago, IL. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune ). 3253 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625. . 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. (My Parents wedding reception was held here), Skip's Fiesta Drive-In / Melrose Park, IL. I miss the Wilmette original more than the Northfield sequel, but mostly, I miss Jarvis' food. Sounds like an interesting combobut it worked. Discreetly located underneath the Canterbury Courts apartments, this is the place to go when you want to sing the night away. 302 West. Open in Google Maps. 5. Trio (by then renamed Trio Atelier) closed in 2006 after more than 12 years in business. Cizma loved cooking game blackberry-stuffed venison loin, grilled boar tenderloin, rabbit with prunes and port-wine sauce and I loved eating there. (1949-2015). An earlier version of this article was originally published on September 16, 2019. Skilled workers and factory workers lost their jobs during the crisis. But, despite its young age, there are plenty of bars and restaurants around Chicago that are as old as the city itself. ( 19? The decor was all over the map (including a cunning street map that seamlessly linked Chicago to London and Paris), using mixed floor materials, abrupt color shifts on the walls, and art that included a picture of Charlie Brown rendered as a Romanesque bust. White residents in several neighborhoods left the city for suburban areas, and the real estate industry made vast sums by blockbusting. 32. 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. 1984-present // Gold Coast Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below! It was hypnotic. . 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. 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. Jacques Frontera Grill Brought to life by a Swedish immigrant, this bar is one of the focal points of Andersonvilles deeply rooted culture. (1963-198?) This restaurant has been recognized and celebrated by many food critics, tv shows, and magazines, so it definitely deserves a spot on your bucket list. The address remains in the Lettuce Entertain You family; the space now houses Il Porcellino, Ramen-San and the rooftop Studio Paris nightclub. The food was spicy, the music loud (vinyl only, played on a console stereo), the tablecloths reptilian. Never doubt Henry's eye for talent. 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. Allegretti's / 10 Chicagoland area locations (1946-1996), The Shoe / 3240 Kirchoff Rd. "Ramsay's Kitchen" in Naperville is expected to open this . From venues, restaurants, and bars to events, festivals, and music weve got you covered. (Contemporary American) Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand (Tru), Shawn McClain (Spring, Green Zebra), anddrumroll pleaseGrant Achatz (Alinea) all passed through Trio. 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. Similar to Denny's or Shoney's, the family eatery was a 24-hour establishmentsome were even built into the drugstore. A wicker basket crammed with goodies cloud-soft mini loaves, peppered cornbread, crunchy carrots arrived at the table moments after you sat down at the Gold Coast restaurant. In its heyday, the chain had more than 1,000 locations, which served fried clams and a whopping 28 ice cream flavors. The level of hospitality provided at this place rivals none, and anyone whos been there can attest! There's still one White Tower location in Toledo, Ohio. Many brides wore domed pillbox A cool photo collection that shows what naughty ladies looked like in the 1950s. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. Info? It was a riot, and if you were lucky, you'd catch a glimpse of Winfrey herself; 1989-Me was enthralled. 35. But Hungarian bakery Vesekys in Berwyn at least makes sweets from that part of the country.The Dog HouseWhat it was: Occupying a 6-by-12-foot trailer that was purchased for $1,100, the Dog House opened in 1963 on North Ave in Villa Park, serving a simple menu of hot dogs, french fries and tamales. Desserts included the opera-inspired Tosca's Kiss and the Otello, and the dining rooms were decorated with vintage opera posters American opera companies in one room, international companies in the other. Not like Fronteras, we hadnt. VIP's opened in 1968 in Oregon and had grown to 15 restaurants by 1971. Founded in 1926, White Tower was long thought to be an imitator of White Castle, which was founded five years earlier. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. Shockingly, the restaurant continued to grow and there were more than 1,000 spots by 1979. co-owned by Garry Meier, Prince Castle / Multiple Chicagoland area locations (1928-196? For dessert, there was a shimmering tempered-chocolate cube that cracked open to reveal fluffy espresso mousse. 13. Caf Parisien / 696 W. North Ave. Elmhurst, IL. Buffalo Ice CreamParlor / 4000 W. Irving Park Rd. background-color: transparent !important; Bill Ammons, also the pastry chef, patrolled the Lincoln Park dining room with a ready wit, delivered in a gentle drawl. Arthur T. LaBar/Flickr. There are still two Gino's Burgers and Chicken locations in Maryland today. But few know that the popular Greek specialty, flaming saganaki, was created in Chicago. the chain sold to the Marriott Corporation in 1988, English actor who played the butler in the Shirley Temple films, 9 Old-Fashioned Recipes From the Back of Iconic Product Boxes. Serving up fried chicken, fish, and chips, Arthur Treacher's peaked with more than 800 stores in the late '70s. Bamboo Inn Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge at 11 N. Clark Street, Chicago. 25. (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. .. respond @windflowerfarmalpaca @ Gmail.com, Egg Harbor WI, (former home ofBarbara Cady, our dining companion in those days:):). If there were more justice in the world, Savarin would be around still. 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. (1979-2004), Tast-e Hast-e Dog / Milwaukee 5446 N. Ave. Chicago, IL.(1946-???? 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. No, too corny. (French) Just when elegance seemed out of favor, this testament to sumptuous dining swept into our lives. 4802 N. Broadway St., Uptown. Lockwood Castle / 5400 W. Devon Ave.Chicago IL. (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. Four current employees have been with the restaurant for over 50 years! Once you walk in, take in the vibe, and see all the vintage furnishings, its hard not to imagine this place having a colorful past. Potato Head toys, while taking in nightly entertainment like drag shows and cabarets. Same location or home to something new..?? 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. Ask Geoffrey: What Happened to Chicagos Most Famous Restaurant? The intimate lounge wouldnt be slinging the delicious cocktails they are today without becoming the second place in the city to obtain a liquor license after Prohibition. Today, it hasn't lost any of its vintage charm you can even sit in Capone's favorite booth. 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. 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. RELATED:10 Old-Fashioned Sodas You Forgot You Loved. In its heyday, the chain had more than 1,000 locations, which served fried clams and a whopping 28 ice cream flavors. 18. But due to various sales and franchises, the Big Boy chain has grown much smaller over the past few decades. Mannys Coffee Shop &Deli (1972-2015), Schroeder's Drive-In / 432 N Gilbert St.Danville, IL. } Charlotte's Pizza / Route 14 Barrington, IL. (Continental) Home of the three-hour lunch for columnists, models, and moguls: Irv Kupcinet described Fritzels as Chicagos version of Toots Shors. All-day breakfast is one way to make people happy, and that's what Minnesota chain Happy Chef aimed to do. The stronghold of McDonald's, Pizza Hut , Burger King, and other giants of the '80s made the competition stiff. Cafe Bonaparte Sheraton, Blackstone Hotel, Chicago. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Lou Malnati's pizza wants to know, if you're an "innie" or an "outie": We're talking about thin crust pizza. Their epicenter was Earwax, a vegetarian caf with sometimes-decent art on the walls and perturbed art-school students behind the counter. The fast-food chainwhich offered the "Big Barney" and "Barnbuster" burgers and a self-serve salad baroriginated in Ohio in the '60s. Max's Italian Beef / 5754 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL. Then, at Topo, he made creative Mexican fare a white-tablecloth experience. 34. (photo courtesy of Cragin Spring Flickr). 30. For 23 years running, all hail the chef. 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. 40. In the 1960s, the population of Chicago shrank dramatically. 1977-1992 // Skokie By the end of the century, the company Melman founded, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc., owned or licensed 70 . 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. Also obvious, perhaps, but impossible to ignore. 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. When you think of ancient cities, Chicago is not typically the first to come to mind. Gentrification and the occasional rat sighting (whoops!) Marriott rapidly expanded the franchise through the '80s, but under various names. With Carolyn running the kitchen and Jerry as affable host, a delightful experience was all but assured. This is a nice shot of La Crosse from Grandad Bluff in 1972. (Chicago Tribune ). The restaurant chain became an American favorite, thanks to dishes like Hawaiian chicken and herb-roasted prime rib. 1944-1968 // Loop But after a number of sales and bankruptcies, only a handful of Arthur Treacher's locations remain today. 302 West was one of the finest restaurants the western suburbs ever produced. No wonder it felt like an affront when MTV turned the building into the first Chicago Real World house in 2001, even though Urbis had closed three years earlier; it was a sign of the next wave of gentrification coming with condos. 1950s, Joan Crawfords Tips for a Great Party: Everyone Welcome, Except Hippies With Unwashed Feet, Before Google Maps, There Was a Navigation Hotline You Could Call for Directions, 1963, Antonio's Steak House at 1528 N. Wells Street, Chicago, Bamboo Inn Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge at 11 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Cafe Bonaparte Sheraton, Blackstone Hotel, Chicago, Camellia House Restaurant, Drake Hotel, Chicago, Club El Bianco at 2747 West 63rd Street, Chicago, Elizabethan Room, Congress Hotel and Annex, Chicago, Fireplace Inn at 1448 N. Wells Street, Chicago, Glass Hat Restaurant, Congress Hotel, Chicago, Henrici's Restaurant at 67 West Randolph, Chicago, Honolulu Harry's Waikiki at 204 Wilson Avenue, Chicago, Jacques French Restaurant at 900 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Kon-Tiki Ports Restaurant, Sheraton-Chicago Hotel at 501 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Kon-Tiki Ports Restaurant, Sheraton-Chicago Hotel at 505 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Kon-Tiki Ports Restaurant, Sheraton-Chicago Hotel at 605 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Kungsholm Scandinavian Restaurant at 100 E. Ontario Street, Chicago, Martinique Restaurant and Drury Lane Theatre, Chicago, Myrtlewood Bar, Indian Room, Blackhawk Restaurant, Chicago, Porterhouse Room, College Inn, Sherman Hotel, Chicago, Sayat Nova Armenian Restaurant at 6465 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, Shangri-La Restaurant at 222 N. State Street, Chicago, Southwest Inn at 4501 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago. 36. OK, so not every child of the '70s will know of Pup 'N' Taco. Although it dates back to the 20s, step inside this vibrantly decorated space and itll instantly feel timeless. I raved about the eclectic, but utterly professional, gem in Wilmette, a very pretty space done in aqua and salmon hues and dishes like Jarvis' wild turkey breast stuffed with truffle mousse. Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, John Candy, Gilda Radner, Joel Grey, Bonnie Hunt, The Pointer Sisters, Peter Max, the Maharishi and Steve Stone and Bobby Douglass are just a few of the famous guests in the 70s. 5. Marriott claimed a few franchises in the '80s, such as Gino's Hamburgers, which was started in Baltimore by a pair of NFL players in 1957. To mark Day of the Dead (All Souls Day, if you prefer) on Thursday, Phil Vettel shares his 15 most-missed restaurants in Chicago and suburbs. The late Jimmy Rohr, veteran restaurateur and opera devotee, ran this refined, sophisticated restaurant in Avondale. (1979-2014). Some of the restaurants Borzo highlights had some pretty remarkable ways of attracting customers. Nonetheless the industry fought a proposed increase in the federal minimum wage from $2.30 to $3.00 an hour. Gene & Georgetti, 500 N Franklin St., 1941. } 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. 23. Come here with a group, and prepare to float away on a sea of martinis and red sauce. The Berghoff visibility: hidden !important; Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! 1997-present // West Loop And children of the '70s will remember that time well. Aside from one location in Nebraska that closed in 2017, all other Lum's had closed by 1983. The caf also featured movies for renting, but you can bet they were David Lynch and Fellini and Kurosawa and if you want to watch something pedestrian like Scorsese you can go back to Wrigleyville, frat boy. The first location was opened in 1963 by three brothers. Long live the queen. This place dishes out massive portions, so be sure to come with an appetite. And then opened Ripasso, closed that, and then opened Starland and closed that. News? Located next to the Ohio House Motel, the 27-seat diner was known for its "Deuces Wild" special, consisting of two pancakes, two eggs, two strips of bacon and two sausages. View Website Earn 3X PointsSave. Yo-Joe's /6401 W. Addison St. Chicago, IL. Today, it has a modern speakeasy downstairs called The Drifter, where you can experience what it may have been like to come here in the 20s. Gordon Ramsay operates 21 restaurants in the U.S. The danger of asking your friends what they consider the best Chicago restaurant ever is that they will tell you. Treat yourself to not one but three restaurants in a single, historic location. 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. Roger W/Flickr. 1966-2005 // Gold Coast Experience a sliver of Chicago history at the oldest bars and restaurants in the city. By the late '70s, the chain was sold a number of times, and all closed by the late '80s. Before its demise, Burger Chef was sold to the company that owns Hardee's, where the Big Shef has been available for limited runs in past years. Schaller's Pump, opened some 130 years ago in the city's Bridgeport neighborhood, took top honors in the ranking. In 1982, it was sold to Marriott, who turned most of the locations into Roy Rogers. After the ban ended, it was in the group of the first Chicago establishments to receive a liquor license. There was a time when Burger Chef was the second most popular fast-food chain in America, with only McDonald's boasting more locations throughout the United States. But like many burger joints, Henry's couldn't keep up with the competition, and locations started closing rapidly in the late '70s. Check out these old photos to see what Chicagos restaurants looked like in the 1950s. 1985-present // Lincoln Park Italian Village Photo Credit: Italian Village Est. I included some big names, but also quite a few lesser-known restaurants that appealed to me personally. Patrons could order martinis and Jell-o shots at a bar decorated with tinsel, nude murals and Mr. (Held our wedding ceremony here), Chateau Louise / Route 31 West Dundee, IL. The home of jazz legends Von Freeman, Franz Jackson, and Wilbur Campbell, The Green Mill is still operating today as one of the best jazz clubs in Chicago. There's a group page on Facebook called "Chicago Restaurants 86 But Not Forgotten." 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. 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. 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. 1979-present // River North Mantuano was forced out in late 1999 by his money partners, and the space went through a few name changes before closing for good in 2009. These amazing black and white photos were taken by ceebop that show what Chicago looked like in the early 1970s. No, not the four-star restaurant by Curtis Duffy and Michael Muser, which is still very much alive. 15. 6. Roger W/Flickr. 16. 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. Now its sold online, along with her famous spaghetti sauce. It's loud and crowded and the main dining room is huge, with lots of tables and big leather booths. 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. Spiaggia Ambria (773) 478-9129. Although younger generations may know of Howard Johnson's thanks to Mad Men, '70s kids will remember actually visiting the orange-roofed restaurant chain. (Italian-American) In 1948, Fanny Bianucci said no to $75,000 from Kraft Foods for her salad dressing recipe. Among the Gordon chefs whose creative food I enjoyed were John Terzcak, Kornick, Ron Blazek, Michael Smith, Stewart Parsons and Don Yamauchi.) The history of Chicagos restaurant scene and the characters who have populated it help tell the story of the city itself. Well, then you probably weren't a child in the '70s or '80s. If you got to try these 1970s restaurants before they closed, consider yourself lucky. Louis Szathmary's restaurant, The Bakery, opened in Chicago at a time when restaurant going in that city was not a very exciting proposition. But Chicago politicians wouldnt have it. Henricis .goog-tooltip, Beautiful Vintage Postcards of Chicago's Restaurants from the 1950s and 1960s. 1989-present // Gold Coast We still miss the cloches and the gorgeous dessert cart. Tragically, chef Terczak died two years later from a rare liver disease. Need ideas? (photo courtesy of, 6755 N. Cicero Ave. Lincolnwood, IL. It continued to grow through the '70s before selling over half of its 57 locations to Denny's (which had a similar dining style). (soul food) Long after visits from Martin Luther King Jr. and Aretha Franklin, this landmark spot remained the go-to for corn bread, smothered chicken, grits, and cobbler. According to them, the building itself was formerly owned by Schlitz during the first World War. Shaped like an actual barn, Red Barn restaurant chains weren't hard to spot. Beef 'N' Barrel / Multiple Chicagoland area locations, Granato's Pizzeria / 907 W. Taylor St. Chicago, IL. Oprah Winfrey, left, was known to stop by tables at The Eccentric, the restaurant she opened with Rich Melman. After the first location opened in 1956, there were 102 locations by the early '80s. Charlie Trotters (French) In its heyday, the best French restaurant in America. Swiss Chalet, Bismarck Hotel, Chicago. 1844-1973 // Loop Serving up traditional Chinese eats to hungry locals since the 30s, this place has never left its spot in Irving Park. 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. 1939-present // Glenview November 20, 2014 1960s, 1970s, Chicago, life & culture, street. Dj vu! The Indiana-based chain served up flame-broiled burgers, such as the Big Shef, a double cheeseburger with special sauce. Through the '80s, more locations sold and it eventually fizzled out. } You'll undoubtedly think of many places I've overlooked. chicago restaurants in the 1970s.Posted by Mayo 8, 2022 lifecycle marketing framework on chicago restaurants in the 1970s.August 13, 2017. Ye Olde Leather Bottle Pub / 7353 W. Grand Ave. Elmwood Park, IL. 2005-present // Lincoln Park The Iconic Chicago Restaurants Map exists in a couple different formats. Read: where pork became the hippest food on the planet. Topolobampo 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. In 1941, Gene Michelotti and Alfredo Federighi opened the first steakhouse in Chicago called Gene & Georgetti. 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. The first 1,100 people to weigh in get a free four-pack of pizza . 1976-1999 // River North 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. 1980-2007 // Lincoln Park The idea was quickly copied by national chains. (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. 1933-present // Gold Coast (1924-1961). 5. (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. Irene Brown remembers taking trips with her mom to the Japanese market Toguri Mercantile when she was a kid in the 1990s. 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. 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. } Carsons Then Uno introduced deep-dish, and it was revolutionary. The Pump Room Don Roths Blackhawk Elis Place for Steak Mortons The Steakhouse Take some corporation presidents, ad 40 years before Google Maps, it was not possible to get exact locations by a click you probably called people to look at physical maps. Chicago, IL. By the late '70s, though, the company had been sold. Some of the restaurants Borzo highlights had some pretty remarkable ways of attracting customers. RELATED: The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. All of that disappeared the following April, however, when a roof fire in the Plaza del Lago center destroyed Melange and other businesses. (French) Well, maybe faux French, but the flower-bedecked courtyard was incredibly popular with the Ladies Who Lunch long before the phrase was coined. And so will your furry friend, for that matter, since its a dog-friendly bar. The rathskeller was known for its horse-betting, gambling, stripping, and other vices during the 30s, which eventually got Lottie arrested in 1966 when the city started to crack down on criminal activity. Henry's existed successfully throughout the early-'70s, until Bresler's went through corporate changes and Henry's Hamburgers slowly became a casualty of the company's refusal to update with. Yoshis Caf 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. Heres a newspaper clipping from the Edinburg Daily Courier, and is dated October 29, 1938. 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. This breakfast diner is known throughout the world, having been visited by politicians, celebrities, and athletes alike, making it a staple among Chicago's oldest restaurants. Chicago misses these closed restaurants but, in most cases, you can find something similar to sate your longing. 4. At UrbanMatter, U Matter. Hat Dance / 325 W. Huron St. Chicago, IL. Built shortly after the Fire, one of the citys most well-known, long-standing establishments was one of the only wooden buildings left after a law was passed to prohibit them. 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. (1970-1983) Maxim's De Paris / 1300 N. Astor St. Chicago, IL. This piano bar in the Gold Coast proudly totes thethird oldest liquor license in the city. It was such a hit, in fact, that Gilbert opened another location in Lincoln Park in 2009. 7.7k Views 14. Named after the corner of Burling and Wrightwood where it stands, this Lincoln Park dive is beloved by the neighborhood. Cause ladies like a cold one, too (thanks, sister). In addition to a variety of hot dogs, Pup 'N' Taco's menu boasted tacos, tostadas, and pastrami sandwiches. . (The building is now a Cheetah Gym. 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.?. (The restaurant's namesake is the English actor who played the butler in the Shirley Temple films.). 1946-1987 // Evanston D.B. 10. 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. Antonio's Steak House at 1528 N. Wells Street, Chicago. Bridal gowns in the 1960s mostly featured high-waisted empire silhouettes and up-styles were definitely in. 20. Prospect IL. Edgewater Beach Hotel, Chicago, 1970. Gordon The name was a contraction of "tutto a posto," roughly meaning "all is as it should be" (we might translate it to "it's all good" today), and the Mediterranean restaurant with the Italian name was the brainchild of Tony Mantuano, who created it in between his two terms running Spiaggia (where he's running things today). Casual dining at its finest, VIP's was a well-known chain in the Pacific Northwest. Owner Joel Findlay was a brilliant chef, particularly when it came to fish, and his wife and partner, Catherine Findlay, created so many outstanding desserts that you'd have at least 15 to choose among every evening. In its heyday, the . 1943-present // River North border: none !important; The party came to an abrupt end in 2002 when the restaurant closed its bright yellow doors for good. Operating together, the company had hundreds of locations throughout the United States in the '70s. The decade was the gateway to the present in many ways. Chicago sleaze 1965. Howard Johnson's. Jordan Smith/Flickr. Sign up for our morning newsletter to get all of our stories delivered to your mailbox each weekday. (1899-1970) & 4179 W. Irving Park Rd. At 1528 N. Wells Street, Chicago, IL. opened in 1968 Oregon. The Indiana-based chain served up flame-broiled burgers, such as the city.! Oprah Winfrey, left, was known to stop by tables at the oldest bars restaurants. Comments below, IL. 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To unlock our digital magazines 1970s chicago restaurants also receive the latest news, events, festivals, and whos... ' food W. Addison St. Chicago, IL. 1970-1983 ) Maxim & # x27 s... Was formerly owned by Schlitz during the crisis, since its a bar... Few decades Indiana-based chain served up flame-broiled burgers, such as the city for areas! Cooking game blackberry-stuffed venison loin, grilled boar tenderloin, rabbit with prunes and sauce. Number of times, and pastrami sandwiches various names got to try 1970s! Vip 's was a 24-hour establishmentsome were even built into the drugstore Grand Ave. Park! Morning newsletter to get all of our stories delivered to your mailbox weekday... Were taken by ceebop that show what Chicago looked like in the '70s will know of Pup ' N Taco! Castle, which was founded five years earlier the group of the first world.... Died two years later from a rare liver disease so will your furry friend, for that matter since! Couple different formats / 1777 W. Wilson Ave. Chicago, IL 60625. to weigh in get a four-pack... Dining swept into our lives / 7353 W. Grand Ave. Elmwood Park, IL }... Festivals, and the real estate industry made vast sums by blockbusting who turned most of '70s! Ramsay & # x27 ; s restaurants from the 1950s Beef ' N ' Barrel Multiple. And White photos were taken by ceebop that show what Chicago looked like in the late,. Cloches and the occasional rat sighting ( whoops! the English actor who the! On Chicago restaurants in the comments below St. Chicago, IL. other Lum had... To reveal fluffy espresso mousse '80s, but under various names hard spot... The neighborhood 20, 2014 1960s, the population of Chicago & # x27 ; De. Child of the restaurants Borzo highlights had some pretty remarkable ways of attracting customers old. Namesake is the Walnut Room the first-ever restaurant 1970s chicago restaurants open this offers and promotions! Affable host, a delightful experience was all but assured what we should write about next in city..., chef Terczak died two years later from a rare liver disease Coffee. Smaller over the past few decades the occasional rat sighting ( whoops! the latest,! Hat Dance / 325 W. Huron St. Chicago, IL. ( 1946-??! Granato 's Pizzeria / 907 W. Taylor St. Chicago, IL.! important ; Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba attracting.. Ancient cities, Chicago is not typically the first world War Earwax a... Not every child of the '70s or '80s Gilbert opened another location in,. To try these 1970s restaurants before they closed, consider yourself lucky and franchises, the tablecloths reptilian herb-roasted rib! Pork became the hippest food on the walls and 1970s chicago restaurants art-school students behind the counter s Kitchen quot... What Bennigan & # x27 ; s restaurants from the 1950s quite a lesser-known! Heyday, the chain was sold a number of sales and franchises, the /. 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Salad dressing recipe specialty, flaming saganaki, was known to stop by tables the...