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. After the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 that incinerated miles of wooden walkways and buildings, Chicago was determined to rebuild itself and stand tall for good this time. Although younger generations may know of Howard Johnson's thanks to Mad Men, '70s kids will remember actually visiting the orange-roofed restaurant chain. Chicago was thriving and developing in the 1970s. Never doubt Henry's eye for talent. 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. Beautiful Vintage Postcards of Chicago's Restaurants from the 1950s and 1960s. After the ban ended, it was in the group of the first Chicago establishments to receive a liquor license. 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. (1963-198?) E: info@urbanmatter.com After graduating from the U of I with a Bachelors in English, Courtney hit the ground running. The Daily Herald. When it launched in 1966, Steak and Ale's concept was revolutionary: cheap but tasty steak and an unlimited salad bar. But the main draw is the live music, with nightly jazz performances from big-name artists and local acts through the early morning hours. The history of Chicagos restaurant scene and the characters who have populated it help tell the story of the city itself. Chicago sleaze 1965. 4802 N. Broadway St., Uptown. No different from Chez Paul or Jacques (which made the cut for its lovely garden). 1965-late 1980s // Lincoln Park 1946-1987 // Evanston Serving up fried chicken, fish, and chips, Arthur Treacher's peaked with more than 800 stores in the late '70s. After the first location opened in 1956, there were 102 locations by the early '80s. Jakes has free popcorn, waiting to cure your munchies at a moments notice. Gene & Georgetti (500 N Franklin Street) Facebook/Gene & Georgetti Chicago. (19??-2009). 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. 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. The address remains in the Lettuce Entertain You family; the space now houses Il Porcellino, Ramen-San and the rooftop Studio Paris nightclub. La Piazza / Piper's Alley Old Town Chicago, IL. Subscribe to one or more of our free e-mail newsletters to get instant updates on local news, events, and opportunities in Chicago. But in 1981, all the locations changed their name to Druther's, which was more inclusive of the fried chicken and self-serve salad bar that was also on the menu. Sorry. First opened in 1907, the Green Mill became a speakeasy during Prohibition. 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. 38. 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. Lombard, IL60148, Frejlach's Ice Cream Grille / multiple Chicagoland area locations (1930-19??). 8. 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. These restaurants were doing something novel at the time, or they hold some kind of nostalgia for us. 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. Patrons could order martinis and Jell-o shots at a bar decorated with tinsel, nude murals and Mr. Owned by the Capitanini family since 1927, the downtown Italian Village is Chicago's oldest Italian restaurant. For dessert, there was a shimmering tempered-chocolate cube that cracked open to reveal fluffy espresso mousse. 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. There's still one White Tower location in Toledo, Ohio. But Chicago politicians wouldnt have it. Club Lucky opened in the early 1990s, and it's meant to resemble an old 1940s Italian supper club. 5. Too bad; Gordon was the very first restaurant I reviewed for the Tribune (even though it was 13 years old by then), and I went back multiple times in the following 10 years, thanks to the restaurant's frequent chef turnover (most of whom left to open their own restaurants). Although its the youngest on this list, this Irish pub in Lincoln Park has still had a pretty impressive lifespan, having been around since the late 40s. The rest of us have finally caught up. And while we're feeling nostalgic, here are 25 Beloved Restaurants That Are Gone for Good. By the late '70s, the chain was sold a number of times, and all closed by the late '80s. (Contemporary) In 1987, a young whippersnapper named Charlie Trotter turned an old brownstone into a temple of modern dining. The Walgreens, Chicago, circa 1970s. } And within a decade, there were more than 200 locations across America offering 10 burgers for a buck. This photo from 1970 was of the general store (no longer standing) in Star Valley. (I dubbed them Hogan's Heroes at the time.) ("86" is restaurant shorthand for a dish no longer available that night.) Chicago, IL. Millrose Restaurant & Brewing Company / 45 S. Barrington Rd. 6. Alinea (Mediterranean) The trendoids embraced the small plates and communal seating and never looked back. (French) In its heyday, the best French restaurant in America. Jerry and Carolyn Buster, who had worked under legendary chef Louis Szathmary at The Bakery, opened this homey suburban restaurant, which oozed country charm. visibility: hidden !important; 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. Arthur T. LaBar/Flickr. I narrowed my list to 15 restaurants, which wasn't easy. I included some big names, but also quite a few lesser-known restaurants that appealed to me personally. P: 630.864.5270,
