Openings, Closings, Comings & Goings, January - March 2014
Openings, Closings, Comings & Goings, January - March 2014
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Post #181 - March 6th, 2014, 2:02 pmLeghorn Sells Out of Chicken 90 Minutes After OpeningIt took Leghorn all of 90 minutes to sell out of everything on opening day. The socially-conscious chicken shop with chef pedigree sold around 600 sandwiches, ran out of chicken tenders in 30 minutes, and was completely cleared out just an hour and a half after opening for the first time. There was a line down the street 10 minutes after opening.
Leghorn chef Sieger Bayer and chef/partner Jared Van Camp sell locally farm-raised chickens in house everyday and the restaurant warned customers that they would close when they run out. They've ratcheted the hype over many months and gained a serious following on social media. Still, did they expect the chicken to only last 90 minutes?
"We prepped enough chicken thinking it would get us through the evening hours, maybe 8 or 9 p.m. Instead we got run over—in a good way," Element Collective partner Chris Dexter says. "We're so happy to see that our little idea of a chicken shack with a message resonated with Chicago."
They hope to stock more chickens in the future so they can stay open longer.
LEGHORN
959 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL
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Post #182 - March 6th, 2014, 5:20 pmVery sad to hear that Carmichael's is likely to close. I live 2 blocks away and love the place generally, but especially love it when the weather permits outdoor seating on that amazing patio.
http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140306 ... d-for-site
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Post #183 - March 7th, 2014, 10:14 amI'm with you on carmichaels. I go at least once a month. The bar is a great neighborhood option as well. Tough loss for the west loop.
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Post #184 - March 7th, 2014, 11:34 amHomegrown Cafe (formerly Chalkboard) in North Center, is closing on Sunday.
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Post #185 - March 7th, 2014, 12:29 pmjordanhojo wrote:Very sad to hear that Carmichael's is likely to close. I live 2 blocks away and love the place generally, but especially love it when the weather permits outdoor seating on that amazing patio.
http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140306 ... d-for-site
That's a bummer. Not only are a couple of the chefs there dedicated BBQ guys (they have a competition team) but it's a very fun place to eat and drink before a Hawks game. I'm really going to miss it.
=R=By protecting others, you save yourself. If you only think of yourself, you'll only destroy yourself. --Kambei Shimada
Every human interaction is an opportunity for disappointment --RS
There's a horse loose in a hospital --JM
That don't impress me much --Shania Twain
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Post #186 - March 7th, 2014, 2:52 pmThe Bennigan's just north of Orchestra Hall in the 200 S. Michigan block is closed down. Signage is gone and windows papered over."Bass Trombone is the Lead Trumpet of the Deep."
Rick Hammett
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Post #187 - March 7th, 2014, 3:42 pmEvil Ronnie wrote:The Bennigan's just north of Orchestra Hall in the 200 S. Michigan block is closed down. Signage is gone and windows papered over.
That was announced in October 2013 and closed at the end of the year.
No idea who the new tenant is yet though.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-10-03/business/chi-last-chicago-bennigans-to-close-20131003_1_bennigan-rent-restaurant-chain
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Post #188 - March 7th, 2014, 3:48 pmJoeChicago wrote:Evil Ronnie wrote:The Bennigan's just north of Orchestra Hall in the 200 S. Michigan block is closed down. Signage is gone and windows papered over.
That was announced in October 2013 and closed at the end of the year.
No idea who the new tenant is yet though.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-10-03/business/chi-last-chicago-bennigans-to-close-20131003_1_bennigan-rent-restaurant-chain
Walgreens - http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013 ... algreen-coNever order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
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Post #189 - March 7th, 2014, 3:52 pmOh good, I was worried that people might have to walk further than they can spit in order to pick up toiletries.
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Post #190 - March 7th, 2014, 6:17 pmScoozi to close at the end of April
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Post #191 - March 8th, 2014, 7:15 amWow. It's been decades since I've been to Scoozi, but I kind of liked knowing it was still there. At 28 years, it's probably one of the oldest restaurants in Chicago! (With the way restaurants come and go here.)Pithy quote here.
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Post #192 - March 8th, 2014, 8:30 amGoing to Scoozi in its heyday in the mid- to late-80s remains to this day the longest we've ever waited for a table, I think about 2.5 hours. We never went back because of that...a classic case of "it's so crowded, nobody goes there anymore."
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Post #193 - March 8th, 2014, 10:48 amriddlemay wrote:Wow. It's been decades since I've been to Scoozi, but I kind of liked knowing it was still there. At 28 years, it's probably one of the oldest restaurants in Chicago! (With the way restaurants come and go here.)
After going there dozens of times in its heyday, we started going again 4-5 years ago. Still very good.
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Post #194 - March 8th, 2014, 11:04 amI think Scoozi's demise has to be attributed, at least in part, to the recent proliferation of Italian restaurants, particularly in and around River North - Nico Osteria, Cicchetti, Davanti Enoteca River North, Piccolo Sogno Due, Bar Toma, RPM Italian, Siena Tavern, etc.
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Post #195 - March 8th, 2014, 5:22 pmThis makes me sad.
I actually shed a tear when the Como Inn closed.
So many memories...
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Post #196 - March 9th, 2014, 3:06 pmI was very sad to discover just now upon walking past it that George's Grill Kebab is closed (and for sale!).
Hopefully someone who knows what they're doing will buy it and keep on keeping on!
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Post #197 - March 10th, 2014, 10:46 amI just spoke to the GM of Ani, the Lakeview sibling restaurant of Arami, and he says it is set to open by the end of March.
http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140129 ... oln-avenueAnthony Bourdain on Barack Obama: "He's from Chicago, so he knows what good food is."
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Post #198 - March 11th, 2014, 9:03 amI really hope the Arami branch does well. That whole stretch of Lincoln Ave. south of Belmont/Ashland is long overdue for a "renaissance."Pithy quote here.
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Post #199 - March 11th, 2014, 12:59 pmEvil Ronnie wrote:The Bennigan's just north of Orchestra Hall in the 200 S. Michigan block is closed down. Signage is gone and windows papered over.
I once dated a girl whose favorite restaurant was Bennigan's. Suffice to say, the relationship didn't last. There can't be that many Bennigan's left after they went through bankruptcy.
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Post #200 - March 11th, 2014, 1:29 pmBull Horns Taco Bar has been shuttered after just 4-5 months.
They're going to re-concept it as...a place that serves tacos with an accent on global street food.
http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2014/ ... amping.php
I never went to BHTB due to some severely negative reviews on Yelp and a friend's thumbs-down. Hopefully this new concept is better.
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Post #201 - March 11th, 2014, 2:16 pmLa Cuenta wrote:Bull Horns Taco Bar has been shuttered after just 4-5 months.
They're going to re-concept it as...a place that serves tacos with an accent on global street food.
http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2014/ ... amping.php
I never went to BHTB due to some severely negative reviews on Yelp and a friend's thumbs-down. Hopefully this new concept is better.
Walked by and noticed the brown paper up today. Had never seen anyone in there since it opened. Not being open for lunch was a constraint too. It's an odd room, but hopefully something works there. I was thinking a diner place would be nice - I still miss the old greasy spoon where Big Jones is now.
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Post #202 - March 11th, 2014, 3:50 pmJim-Bob wrote:There can't be that many Bennigan's left after they went through bankruptcy.
According to their Wikipedia entry, at the time of their bankruptcy filing in July 2008, there were 288 locations (150 corporate-owned in the U.S., all of which closed at that time, and 138 franchised), and as of December 2012, there were 31 locations in 11 states, plus another 44 locations in other countries.
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Post #203 - March 12th, 2014, 3:25 pmThe bamboo steamers are ready to go at Yum Cha restaurant, which hopes to open next week. The Asian restaurant, which took over the former Maison Brasserie spot near Millennium Park, is the latest project for Mount Prospect-based Intresco LLC. The restaurant development company, which includes several folks who helped open Sunda in River North, is behind Earth + Ocean in Mount Prospect.
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... -next-weekNever order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
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Post #204 - March 17th, 2014, 6:44 pmThe former Sandy's Restaurant has new signage up. The location is now known as Muscle Burger and features a fierce looking burger mascot/logo/bully.
The operators are related to the Sandy's folks.
In photos on the website, the buns look unconventional and I think I recognize them from Sandy's Bakery on Lawrence.
They are offering live bands on Fridays and Saturdays which could be interesting.
The menu doesn't appear to be up on their webpage yet but here's here's one on Menupages.
7021 W Higgins Ave Chicago, IL
(773)467-4700
Website
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Post #205 - March 18th, 2014, 6:55 amJacobs Bros. Bagels is coming back — or at least part of the family enterprise is. This time only one Jacobs brother is involved, Billy Jacobs, and his business will have a different name when it opens in Wicker Park.
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... gels-back#Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
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Post #206 - March 18th, 2014, 2:32 pmHarry Caray's Water Tower restaurant sets April 2 opening
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... -2-openingNever order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
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Post #207 - March 18th, 2014, 6:16 pmThe Grill in Highwood, a casual bar & grill, has closed.
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Post #208 - March 19th, 2014, 11:12 amThe Curragh in The Glen (formerly Red Star and something else) opened last week (in time for 3/17, natch) and I had lunch there the following day. Still have an introductory menu and service was just adequate, but the fish in the fish & chips was very good. Chips weren't hot though. Looks like they have a nice selection of beer on tap, prices seemed reasonable and there will be a small patio when weather permits.
I've never been to the other locations to compare, but the space is nice. The Glen location isn't on their website yet. http://www.curraghirishpub.com
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Post #209 - March 19th, 2014, 2:02 pmsujormik wrote:The Curragh in The Glen (formerly Red Star and something else)
1800 Tower Drive
Glenview, IL 60026
847-998-1100Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
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Post #210 - March 19th, 2014, 2:09 pmZeal - a.k.a. Chef Vince's Zeal - opened last month just south of Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, in the space formerly occupied by Vidalia Steakhouse (and extensively remodeled since then). I ate there for lunch yesterday and liked it a lot; see the link below for my review.
Chef Vince's Zeal
680 Mall Dr.
Schaumburg IL 60173
847-995-0188
chefvinceszeal.com
zealforfood.com
LTH Topic, including my review based on my lunch there yesterday: Chef Vince's Zeal in Schaumburg
Tribune article: Chef Vince’s ZEAL, Family-Owned Restaurant Now Open in Schaumburg
