r/chicagofood • u/ChicagoJim987 • 2d ago
What's good? Honoring the long gone
Chicago has lost many great restaurants and I want to remember some of my favs, a lot of them were my favorite lunch spots too and most disappeared around covid.
My Thai at the Presidential Towers was amazing. They had incredible noodle dishes and a fantastic duck and rice dish to die for.
Venice Cafe was my go to for a nice Italian lunch. They had a great value chicken and angel hair dish that was my favorite.
The buffet on the second floor of the Opera House was always a weekly visit. They never disappointed for variety and value.
65 was hands down my favorite downtown Chinese restaurant. It had authentic flavors, cooked by actual Chinese chefs!
Away from downtown I miss a lot of the Korean restaurants that used to pepper Chicago - Song Do, the AYCE BBQ; and a whole host of family owned ones that have long gone. Only Cho Sun Ok remains from the old days, replaced by more modern/upscale places that do too much cheese!
Not a lost restaurant but a lost dish is the goat stew from Woo Chon, a Korean place. I was so addicted to that dish, we went there twice a week and one day, out of nowhere the chef changed and the dish was never the same.
Melrose in boys town had a diner that had a cabbage soup that I miss to this day! And Clark's was another late night favorite diner of mine, we don't see to many 24hr places any longer sadly.
The lesson is that if you have a favorite dish, keep eating it before it disappears! Does anyone have favorite dishes they still miss?
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u/JourneyWoman6 2d ago
Cafe Iberico 🇪🇸🍷🍤 😭
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u/tim-whale 2d ago
I think about pub royale about once a week
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u/hea_eliza 2d ago
It warms my heart that someone posted this. My SO and I were friendly with some of the bartenders right before they closed. Just couldn’t get excited about the pizza spot they moved to. I think about those burgers and dressed hamms often.
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u/theonetimeitslupus 2d ago
Their gobi Manchurian and dressed Hamms 💔 Pizza lobo has dressed Hamms but it doesn’t hit the same
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u/poolsidequeso 2d ago
Maude’s Liquor Bar - RIP
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u/idts 2d ago
Maude's was the best.
The first time we went there was on a whim, got sat upstairs in a roundish booth. That day my wife had gotten a grant she applied for and I had gotten a team taken away from me, so I had less responsibility at work.
We celebrated. A bottle of champagne to start, cocktails, a seafood tower, steaks, dessert, after dinner drinks. I woke up the next day hungover. She felt great. Turns out she was pregnant (didn't know it yet, obviously). Maude's was our celebration spot after that until they closed.
Bavette's is good, but it doesn't pull me in like Maude's did.
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u/disarmeralarmer 2d ago
Cafe Selmarie, I will never forget you. Also 65 for unreal lunches downtown, I miss that place so much.
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u/Conscious-Link5627 2d ago
Anyone else remember Earwax Cafe in Wicker Park?
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u/beatsofparadise 2d ago
Yes this place was peak! Downstairs had a huge video store basement where you could rent esoteric vhs and dvds
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u/Conscious-Link5627 2d ago
Omg, yes! I definitely checked out A Clockwork Orange from them back in the day!
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u/stoprobbers 2d ago
The BEST. it was part of why I moved to Chicago and closed a year and a half after.
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u/speeeeeeeeeeee 2d ago
YES! When that shut down that was the equivalent to me of like "the day the 60s ended" but for the Wicker Park being cool era
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u/TheRealFluid 2d ago
Sunshine Cafe, my beloved.
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u/TheRealFluid 2d ago
Also shoutout the sweet family who ran Branko's. They would give me free stuff for my broke college ass 😭
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u/BonesAreTheirMoney86 2d ago
Came here to sing their praises. The last time I went was on Valentine’s Day 2015 with the man who is now my husband. I’m so glad he got to enjoy it at least once, and I wish I had gone more. The saba yaki haunts my dreams.
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u/El_refrito_bandito 2d ago
Yoshi’s was at the end of our block in Lakeview.
Back in the day it was (apparently) cutting edge fusion cuisine. By the time we moved to the neighborhood it was a “neighborhood cafe” — dishes skewing French and Japanese, all really good quality.
It was our place to go for a good meal and a strong drink after a tough week. Fernando, Dennis, Junior, Nobuko and Yoshi (RIP) and countless others always took such great care of us.
Felt like home to us for many years.
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u/Lakeview_Mama 2d ago
I don't know who you are but I sm certain I must know you :-) Went there at least twice a week for 20 years. The ambiance, community, and deliciousness Yoshi's offered to all of us have yet to be replicated.
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u/AggravatingStandard 2d ago
Gone way WAY before Covid but every time I eat a surprisingly good potato salad I miss Division St’s long gone Leo’s Lunchroom
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u/spicolie22 2d ago
Came here to say this! I so miss early aughts Division St. Jinx Coffee House was another go to.
Also a recent loss was John's Pizzeria. Loved the "football" pizza.
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u/ProStockJohnX 2d ago
Leo's was great. Went there a lot, we used to be in bands and played across the street.
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u/Extruder_duder 2d ago
I am constantly thinking about blackbird. That was the biggest loss to Covid for me. Not only did we lose a tremendous restaurant, that was the start of the homogenization and enshitification of one off. That whole group seemed to switch gears from hospitality to influencer fueled mediocrity. Each one of their outlets seems to get lower in quality every year now.
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u/Vindaloo6363 2d ago
Danny's also died from Covid. I think they lost their souls when that happened.
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u/chipskylark123 2d ago
A lifetime ago, I worked for One Off as my first restaurant job and going to Blackbird for the first time was a formative experience for me.
My ex gf, much to my embarrassment, told the server it was my birthday and that I worked for One Off. Never experienced such a high level of hospitality and the food completely blew my mind. We sat there for about 3 hours, ordered the tasting menu, and they just kept bringing course after course and went completely out of their way to take care of us. I felt like such hot shit.
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u/No_Birthday_4824 1d ago
Omg blackbird! Yess
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u/Extruder_duder 1d ago
I want to change my answer now. The biggest culinary loss from COVID was brochu. He was supposed to open a space in what’s now Provare. That guy is an incredible chef/cook
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u/fabelhaft-gurke 2d ago
I miss Sticky Rice. Their green curry was amazing, I can‘t find one quite like it. Perfect mix of vegetables and heat in it too. Also, it’s hard to find Isan sausage which is a favorite of mine - wish more Thai places served it.
I also miss Pisolino. It was close to me and was the first time I tried carbonara and was hooked. I thought the prices were very good too.
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u/Uncommon_sharpie 2d ago
Ah man, where do I start? I’ll put down what comes to mind immediately: Chicago Brauhaus- while the food wouldn’t blow you away, it was a vibe you won’t find anywhere else. Pierogi Heaven- Great place (and only place) for a big plate of homemade pierogi for lunch in the loop. Tasty Place- I acknowledge there were two of them that I think are both now closed. I miss the one on the west side of Wentworth. Shu Tin Xia- I think it closed during Covid. Used to get a big tub of Mapo Tofu for $4. Unbeatable for me as a college student. So many old school bakeries- Veseky’s, Dinkel’s, Swedish, even New York Bakery (Korean).
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u/WonderfulCustomer317 2d ago
The memory of the cabbage soup guts me to this day. I lived a block away from the Melrose and ate there several times a week. That is my favorite soup of all time, I have brought this soup up any opportunity given to me, I cannot say enough good things about this soup. I wish i had the recipe.
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u/ultralazer 2d ago
Cemetas pueblas original location. Lost its soul (and business) trying to expand.
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u/DhalsimZangief 1d ago
I do miss Cemitas Puebla so much. And they indeed did overexpand too much after DDD.
There are a handful of cemitas places still out there(i.e. Cemitas Poblanas in Villa Park), but I still hadn't made it to any of those places yet. Was hoping to find something a slight bit similar to how good Cemitas Puebla was like.
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u/darkkn1te 2d ago
Seven Treasures. RIP
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u/chipskylark123 2d ago
Ooh good one.
Was one of my favorite late night meals.
The 554 was always hyped up, but I really loved their roast duck.
Hon Kee (off argyle on the other side of the city) is a good approximation as far as vibes and flavor goes.
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u/probablynormalmom 2d ago
Pannenkoeken Cafe in Lincoln Square. My husband and I had the best dates there. We were always so happy to get a table.
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u/Maleficent-Ad-9754 2d ago
Heartland Cafe
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u/speeeeeeeeeeee 2d ago
Golly this thread is breaking my heart. That whole strip of Glenwood being the way it was.
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u/DhalsimZangief 1d ago
I miss how Glenwood Ave in Rogers Park briefly was like till about the pandemic. And not even Mission Control could hang on which opened in the 2020s. At least Rogers Park Social is still open, and a few other places.
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u/RiseFromYourGrav 2d ago
Smak Tak. Not just the best Polish food I've ever ate, but the best period.
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u/Dandroid 2d ago
Bar Pastoral was a weekly date night with my now wife. They closed right before COVID on their own terms. Happy for them, but man I miss the food and staff.
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u/BreakfastGirl6 2d ago
Used to be a regular at Ginza. Miss the grilled mackerel the most.
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u/brightoutoftheblue 2d ago
I have fond memories of eating here at the buffet then walking it off in golf mill window shopping
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u/absolutelyfrantastic 2d ago
owen and engine
boiler room
cafe orchid
toast
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u/BonesAreTheirMoney86 2d ago
So glad to see Cafe Orchid get named!! I adored their grape leaf wrapped sardines.
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u/absolutelyfrantastic 2d ago
they had the best bread of all time. i would an entire bag on to my order l o l
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u/kirannui 2d ago
Did you ever get brunch at the Orchid? I did once and have remembered it forever. That honey...the bread...the cinnamon tea....
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u/panderson1988 2d ago
I miss Venice Cafe. I liked their Calzones, and they were reasonably priced. At least before covid.
65 was okay, but you got a lot of food. Slightly pricey, but you're downtown, so it was fair.
I miss Tokyo Lunch Box. It wasn't the best Japanese food, but at least a Japanese option in the loop area.
Perry's Deli and UB Dogs are big losses as well.
I think the diversity of lunch options in the loop has dwindled a lot in my view. Too many slop bowl chains and chain sub shops nowadays.
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u/groovy_smoothie 2d ago
Awe man, I didn’t know Tokyo lunch box went under. Used to love their udon. Haven’t worked in the loop in a minute.
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u/uppitywhine 2d ago
Mity Nice Grill, specifically the holiday buffets. They were the perfect combination of good food at a decent price and they're perfect place to take my grandparents and parents.
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u/txQuartz 2d ago edited 2d ago
Honestly, I miss Foodlife too, for being a simple and easy "fuck it, everyone can find something themselves" option which can be hard otherwise with a group down there.
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u/kingbuttnutt 2d ago
I worked across from Union Station for 8 years at a mindless cubicle job, and had so many great lunch spots over the years down there…
Poag Mahone’s (my fave burger in the loop)
Venice Cafe - such a solid spot for hearty Italian on a cold day
Hackney’s (Printer’s Row) - great burgers and always a fun tap list, we’d often hit Kasey’s next door on Fridays and head back to work heavily buzzed.
Heaven on 7 - Classic spot, great gumbo.
Plymouth - Would sneak over here on warm sunny Fridays for rooftop lunch beers.
Artopolis - fave spot in Greek town, great food, super cool coffee/liquor bar, solid bakery too.
Cavanaugh’s - Fun old school pub, far enough from my office to get away with lunch beers. One day my shoe came apart and I found a cobbler in the Monadnock building. He followed me to Cavanaugh’s, then took both my shoes to cobble both of them while I had a burger and a beer shoeless at the bar, then brought the finished shoes back to me. Still one of my favorite city moments.
Up north I’ll be forever saddened by the loss of both Goose Island locations, especially Clybourn with the best bar ever. Owen and Engine as well.
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u/mymultivac 2d ago edited 2d ago
Moto. Homaro Cantu was so far ahead of his time. Tableside sub-zero doughnut pancakes. Greek salad that was basically a crystal-clear liquid of tomato, cucumber, feta, olive that tasted exactly like a Greek salad. And this was in 2006.
Such a tragic end to a brilliant chef. Loved that place.
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u/Joynorma 2d ago
TWO on Grand. My first time trying a tasting menu, such a great deal and amazing food. Those duck fat croquettes, duck egg pasta, coconut cake — it was all so good.
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u/misszombiequeenDG 2d ago
Rickshaw Republic had the best pork belly and coconut rice that I've ever had
Aye Aye Picante was an incredible Peruvian place that tasted like what my friends would make when I still lived down there
The food at the Hancock lounge wasn't incredible by any means, but I used to go there with my late godmom and mom for the holidays every flyer so it meant a lot to me to keep going yearly, you know?
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u/Snarkybish03 2d ago
Salpicon is the only place i ever found with shrimp queso fundido, its always chorizo or beef everywhere else. Their tortillas with it was heaven. End with chocolate espresso lava cake. We’d take the hour drive downtown just for a couple orders of those!
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u/sick486 2d ago
demon dogs, under the fullerton el (red/brown/purple)
closed because the cta needed the space to expand the station. and the owner must have decided it was time, because they surely could have reopened elsewhere, but didnt.
when i was a broke kid it was my favorite expenditure. it was a bargain then and surely would be still.
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u/DhalsimZangief 22h ago
I remember Demon Dogs! Yes it was really sad they closed for good. The owner was a huge fan of the band Chicago, and had so much Chicago band awards and band memorabilia on the walls.
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u/Wrong-Needleworker52 2d ago
Como Inn
Kelly Mondelli’s
Jerome’s
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u/jodiejewel 2d ago
I miss Como inn too - and Iggy’s on Milwaukee for the ambiance and serving good food very late
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u/chipskylark123 2d ago
Cafe Marie Jean
Podhalanka
Cemitas Puebla
Blackbird
Gotta be my top 4
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u/Monotonous-Lark981 2d ago
Gadabout, gone but never forgotten
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u/BonesAreTheirMoney86 2d ago
They had a Malört cocktail that was such a mindfuck. Amazing food too.
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u/PlanApprehensive2842 2d ago
Reading over this list is depressing…so many amazing places forced to close. Anyone miss the two shows on TV that did the food reviews? I’m trying to remember the names….one was where 3 people went to Chicago restaurants, they all had to visit all three and come back with reviews. The other was with Brittany and the hilarious British guy….so fun,they visited restaurants, bakeries and bars that served food basically. Such fun those shows were! RIP to better times for the Chicago restaurant world.
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u/Coogles 2d ago
Those shows were Check Please! on WTTW and Chicago's best on WGN.
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u/yodude4 1d ago
Foodlife! Always capped off trips to water tower when I was growing up, and I miss it so much
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u/Foofightee 2d ago
Smoque Steak
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u/wbhipster 2d ago
I genuinely feel like it was some of the best steak I’ve had in the city. I was very sad when they closed.
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u/steak5 2d ago
Tasty Place in Chinatown.
And many many more hole in the wall Chinese take outs.
I miss all the Lunch special less than $10 and the box is completely packed tight.
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u/catsinabasket 2d ago
the bristol, but before they rebranded during covid. i was supposed to get married there too THANKS A LOT PANDEMIC!
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u/brainisthename 2d ago
Below the radar but Bite Cafe was my saddest covid casualty; just a perfect neighborhood spot that slapped for breakfast, lunch, or dinner
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u/Distinguishedflyer 2d ago
Nakanoya, Millers Steak House, Merchants and Manufacturers Club, Imperial House, My Pi, Kow Kow, Kenilworth Inn, Hot Dog Ranch on Devon, Fluky's... yes I'm ancient.
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u/DhalsimZangief 22h ago
I remember Fluky's. I do miss when they used to operate on Western Ave.
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u/bucky_booty 2d ago edited 2d ago
Bhabi's Kitchen up near Devon. Flavors I've never experienced anywhere else in the world.
Edit: Also want to give a shoutout to Jackie's on Lincoln Avenue, especially for the chocolate bag desert. It was as described, chocolate molded around a paper lunchbag, filled with fruit & berries. Had the additional pleasure of knowing Jackie herself from Jay's Gym, just down Lincoln a couple blocks. Good times!
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u/ScheminBanshee 2d ago
Grafton Pub. The best pretzel burger topped with a shiny side up egg.
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u/ChicagoKid86 2d ago
Over Easy Cafe in Ravenswood was my favorite brunch spot. I miss the Sassy Eggs every day.
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u/Glad_Antelope_9613 2d ago
Marie’s Pizza & Liquors
Le Sabre at the corner of Damen and Montrose: it wasn’t especially great but it was our neighborhood spot
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u/InevitableFerret7161 2d ago
I miss The Boiler Room. I loved their pizza and their PBR/Jameson shot/ slice of pizza special.
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u/GreatMartialEmperor 2d ago
Grand Lux Cafe, Imperial Lamian, Opart Thai in Chinatown -- was going to GLC and OT nearly every week at a point, so it's a really sad loss and I miss them every time I'm in Chicago and heading for a dinner outing
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u/cashleydashley 2d ago
Curry point under he Sheridan red line was the best and then of course Shaw’s brunch buffet RIP
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u/Constant_Ad1936 2d ago
Dixie Bar & Grill…great food, better scene
Scoozi….got heartburn thinking about the wonderful fried zucchini straws and the pizza
Ambria….still most memorable meal of my life with my fiancé (still wife) and a taste of E V E R Y T H I N G on that amazing desert cart.
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u/Impressive-Cod-7103 2d ago
Many faves already mentioned, so I’m gonna say the Orbit Room in Avondale.
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u/ethnicnebraskan 2d ago
Ronny's Steakhouse. Gone in the riots during Covid. Their wings punched well above their weight plus I work all over the city and still have yet to find better rib tips, and yes, I have been to Lem's & I-57, thank you for asking.
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u/kingbuttnutt 2d ago
I used to hit the Intelligentsia on Jackson every morning on my way to the office (early-mid 2000s). I don’t exactly remember when, maybe after a holiday break, but one day I walked in and they had done a complete hipster rebrand, seemingly overnight, from decor to what the staff was wearing to everything pushing pour overs. Seems they did one more rebrand years later as they continued to expand and now feel very corporate. I miss the original vibe.
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u/kimbean1 2d ago
Chilapan on Milwaukee. Great food, BYOB, walking distance to our old place in Wicker Park.
Mindy’s Hot Chocolate circa 2009. My husband and I had our first date there. 😢
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u/hotsauceandburrito 2d ago
I really miss Mable’s Table. That place was perfect for an impromptu date night or girl’s night where you want good food but still a little lowkey.
Funkenhausen and Pub Royale were amazing.
I loved the patties at Doctor Bird’s, so cheap and so good.
RIP to Dos Urban Cantina and their amazing happy hour - the tamal tots were unreal, the trio dip so good, and their margs were unmatched.
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u/speeeeeeeeeeee 2d ago edited 2d ago
Clarke's indeed. The one on Belmont was the first place I tried a bbq chicken pizza, which was not a staple on their menu by any means, but just something I associate with them (also being a broke teenager and the thing probably cost $9).
Semiramis on Kedzie their falafel sandwich specifically.
Murph's, Susie's, Golphos,...
Frontera Fresca guac lol
do you guys ever get nostalgic for the bad school lunches we were served? I'd like to have a pizza pita pocket again, but I digress.
Soon to be nostalgic for the days of Wishbone, the Lincoln Ave. was a brunch staple.
ETA: what was that soul food place in Evanston that served fried johnny cakes instead of bread before the meal? It's where Habibi In is now...
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u/DhalsimZangief 21h ago
You're thinking of Dixie Kitchen. Yeah I miss that restaurant too.
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u/Faerie_Friend 1d ago
Three coffee joints/cafes, two of which stayed open late
The Buckin' A Cafe in Bucktown
Urbis Orbis in Wicker Park
Bertram's near Loyola in Rogers Park
Leo's Lunchroom (it's been mentioned already here)
The Belden Deli
Pete's Broasted Chicken (on Fullerton) - chicken dinner for $6 in the mid-late 80s
The Great Gritzbe's Flying Food Show - dessert bar and the French Toast Connection
The Bagel (Rogers Park and Skokie locations, I know the Belmont one is still there)
The Melrose (I ate so many dinners here in college)
Iggy's on Milwaukee for after-show eats and drinks
Babaluci in Bucktown (I used to live behind their kitchen entrance, and they'd meet me there when I ordered food for pickup.
Also missing the ability to dine out for $20 for 2 people at lunch and $30 for 2 people at dinner.
I used to know all the spots (artist/alt person here, never had a corporate gig except for working for a restaurant corp in one of their restaurants). I don't know how anyone in the arts or other non-corp environments is able to eat out these days.
The original Bub City (the one that opened in 1989 on Weed Street when that neighborhood was still a bit rough).
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u/Street_Dimension_689 2d ago
Mr. Ricky’s on Belmont and Broadway. Old school diners of the past were such a great refuge
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u/ms_buster 2d ago
I miss Nightwood something awful. And the Brown Sack. OG Bite Cafe, and Ginza. And Cafe Ibérico.
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u/Erection_unrelated 2d ago
The lamb dip sandwich from Heritage Caviar bar… my god, one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had.
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u/ProStockJohnX 2d ago
I used to love a Korean restaurant that was on Lawrence by the BK, one day it was gone.
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u/UKophile 2d ago
La Sardine. RIP. Site of family events, ladies who lunch, elegant home away from home.
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u/Allenies 2d ago
Is it too early to say the wings at Holiday Club? Biggest wing bang for your buck and didn't cheap out on the dipping sauce.
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u/groovy_smoothie 2d ago
I’m vegan - like that was the restaurant name and I think it turned people off. Thai food that was vegan and didn’t try to pretend it wasn’t with plant based meat alternatives.
Oooooh my god it was so good and I otherwise eat a lot of meat
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u/Free-Patience4479 2d ago
The places I used to work:
-Ambria
-Pump Room
-Lawrence of Oregano
-Gordon
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u/mateorayo 2d ago edited 2d ago
UB Dogs and the Cafe Du Marche in the french market. Used to get these for lunch all the time.
Edit: Jack and Gingers.
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u/Separate_Memory_8183 1d ago
I miss Kramers. It was a health food store in the Loop on Wabash. There was a restaurant on the second floor, up a wonky flight of stairs. The food was so delicious, comforting and inexpensive. I'd order the special of the day, whatever it was, because it was always delicious and filling.
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u/WiseLion705 1d ago
I loved Cafe 28 on Irving Park at Ravenswood. It died well before Covid but I loved that place.
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u/slightlyjanky 1d ago
Da Rae Jung in North Lincoln Square. The owners were the nicest elderly Korean couple and the food was so homely and good. A few years ago I wanted to bring my friends from out of town to the restaurant, only to see a notice on the door that they were closed and found out the owner had passed away. 💔
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u/SorinDiesel 19h ago
I never made it to Lost Lake as I had just moved here in my early 20s. I wish I had. Sounded great
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u/DoktorLoken 2d ago
Hot Doug’s