Kapéj Coffee has opened in the space that formerly housed Eva's Cafe at 1447 N. Sedgwick.

https://www.kapejcoffee.com/

Is Barry Sorkin of Smoque opening a new steak restaurant? There is a liquor license application out for a place called "Steaque" at 3310 N Elston and he's listed as the Managing Member on it. This is near Honey Butter Fried Chicken and down the street from Parachute and Wherewithall, and around the corner from Kuma's Corner.

I believe it is a night spot for vampire hunters.

While heading home after an early morning grocery run I noticed new signage up on the old Dawali space at 1625 N. Halsted, looked like it said "Porkchop BBQ" but I only got a glimpse while driving by. When I'm out later I'll swing by to double check.

Edit to add photo.

Sad news as whole Pastoral chain is shutting down

https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/c ... story.html

blipsman wrote:Sad news as whole Pastoral chain is shutting down

https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/c ... story.html

No no no no no. This can’t possibly be true. Why??

Habibi In Mediterranean Grill has opened in downtown Evanston on Church St. Today (12/01/19) is a grand opening and they have 50% off everything on the menu.

The day is FINALLY here! Our Grand opening day has arrived! On behalf of everyone at Habibi In, we invite you to ditch your own kitchen and come have a taste of ours! We are offering everyone 50%OFF on every order, free fries for the kids, and an extra 10% off for our wildcat card holders! Bring your family/friends and fill up your belly! You know you don’t want to miss this! We can’t wait to see you!

Habibi In Mediterranean Grill
825 Church St,
Evanston, IL 60201
http://www.habibiin.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/itshabibiin ... e_internal

https://www.yelp.com/biz/habibi-in-medi ... evanston-2

Fire rips through Hamburger Heaven Express in Bridgeport; ‘devastated’ owners unsure if they will rebuild

The owners of a 24-hour burger joint in Bridgeport are “devastated and heartbroken” after an early morning fire ripped through Hamburger Heaven Express on Archer Avenue.

“We are very sad to report to our customers we had a fire and will remain closed until further notice,” owner Scott Wishecoby wrote on Facebook.

Firefighters responded to a fire at the restaurant at 5 a.m. Friday in the 3000 block of South Archer Avenue, Chicago police said. No one was injured, and an investigation found the fire was accidental.

McAlister's Deli is now open in Niles in the strip mall next to Patel Brothers and Fresh Farms

McAlister's Deli
9465 N Milwaukee Ave,
Niles, IL 60714
https://www.mcalistersdeli.com/location ... ave-102690

https://www.yelp.com/biz/mcalisters-deli-niles

Dangela's Dumplings opened in Libertyville recently and just tried it today. It was good northern Chinese style dumpings. I don't see a website but they are on Yelp.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/dangelas-dumpl ... bertyville

chicago_foodiegirl wrote:I don't see a website but they are on Yelp.

They have a Facebook page (here) and it shows their dumpling selection menu.

So today I drove by the erstwhile Tomatillo Taco-Ville on Irving Park to find it is now "Cascabel Taco Joint." I don't know if this is just a re-branding or if the business has changed hands. When I called to ask, the person who picked up was rather cagey with his answer. It looks like the Buffalo Grove location has undergone the same transformation.

Cascabel Taco Joint (formerly Tomatillo Taco-Ville)

CHICAGO
2943 W Irving Park Rd
(773) 654-1350

BUFFALO GROVE
1267 W Dundee Rd
(773) 654-1831

Coogles wrote:Dinotto Pizza and Vino at 1551 N. Wells posted on their Facebook page that today will be their last day of business after 30 years.

Neapolitan pizza restaurant to replace Dinotto, slated to open mid-January.

https://chicago.eater.com/2019/12/5/209 ... on-dinotto

I thought someone had mentioned upthread there was signage for a new La Michoacana Ice Cream location on Addison and Milwaukee, but I can't find the post. Anyway, after looking ready to open any day for several weeks, they are indeed finally open. All attempts to find contact information only turned info about tons of other similarly-named places.

Palateria y Neveria La Michoacana
3585 N. Milwaukee (SE corner of Milwaukee and Addison)

polster wrote:Makisu Sushi Lounge & Grill in Skokie is temporarily closed according to the restaurant website:
"We are Closed due to a fire in the kitchen, we apologize for the inconvenience. We will re-open as soon as possible. Thank You."

Makisu Sushi Lounge & Grill
7150 Carpenter Rd, Skokie, IL 60077
https://makisusushitogo.com/

Reopening tomorrow.

Two modern Chicago icons, Big Star and Half Acre, coming together for new kitchen at the Balmoral Avenue taproom

https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/d ... l#nws=true

SP Kabob at 6808 N Sheridan is gone, according to Yelp and Twisted Tapas' FB page. Were there for about 9 years.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/sp-kebab-chicago-4?sort_by=date_asc
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=twisted%20tapas&epa=SEARCH_BOX

Makisu Sushi Lounge & Grill
7150 Carpenter Rd, Skokie, IL 60077
https://makisusushitogo.com/

Reopening tomorrow.[/quote]

I have never seen a single person inside of this place; downtown Skokie does not strike me as a sushi destination.

Pauly wrote:Makisu Sushi Lounge & Grill
7150 Carpenter Rd, Skokie, IL 60077
https://makisusushitogo.com/

Reopening tomorrow.

I have never seen a single person inside of this place; downtown Skokie does not strike me as a sushi destination.[/quote]

Don't think this place is actually in downtown Skokie. And honestly, this place is a welcome sight compared to the other dining options in the vicinity

It is a perfect counterpoint to the adjacent Chuck E. Cheese and Panda Express

Naoki Sushi is a casualty of the Alinea Group partnership to restore Ambria

https://chicago.eater.com/2019/12/6/209 ... ark-ambria

Pauly wrote:downtown Skokie does not strike me as a sushi destination.

Aside from the fact that the restaurant is not in downtown Skokie (as already noted above), and aside from the fact that sushi is a popular food among many people, the demographics of Skokie residents include lots of immigrants from just about everywhere, including countries where sushi is a longtime popular native food preparation.

nsxtasy wrote:

Pauly wrote:downtown Skokie does not strike me as a sushi destination.

Aside from the fact that the restaurant is not in downtown Skokie (as already noted above), and aside from the fact that sushi is a popular food among many people, the demographics of Skokie residents include lots of immigrants from just about everywhere, including countries where sushi is a longtime popular native food preparation.

To be fair, skokie is landlocked.

Clarence Beeks wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:

Pauly wrote:downtown Skokie does not strike me as a sushi destination.

Aside from the fact that the restaurant is not in downtown Skokie (as already noted above), and aside from the fact that sushi is a popular food among many people, the demographics of Skokie residents include lots of immigrants from just about everywhere, including countries where sushi is a longtime popular native food preparation.

To be fair, skokie is landlocked.

As a 37 year resident of Skokie, I can safely (and accurately) say that Skokie is not much of a destination for anything...

cito wrote:

Clarence Beeks wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:

Pauly wrote:downtown Skokie does not strike me as a sushi destination.

Aside from the fact that the restaurant is not in downtown Skokie (as already noted above), and aside from the fact that sushi is a popular food among many people, the demographics of Skokie residents include lots of immigrants from just about everywhere, including countries where sushi is a longtime popular native food preparation.

To be fair, skokie is landlocked.

As a 37 year resident of Skokie, I can safely (and accurately) say that Skokie is not much of a destination for anything...

I disagree, Skokie happens to have one of the better delis around, Kaufman's.

cito wrote:As a 37 year resident of Skokie, I can safely (and accurately) say that Skokie is not much of a destination for anything...

Despite only having 80-90% of Evanston's population, I would be surprised if Skokie didn't have higher overall restaurant/dining receipts because of Old Orchard and nearby Skokie Blvd south to Church.

I have to blunt the momentum of anything in conflict with my Larsa's-is-a-destination narrative.

Stone Fox in Andersonville didn't make it a year. This seems to be another cursed location.

https://www.edgevillebuzz.com/news/ston ... y-9-months

nsxtasy wrote:

Pauly wrote:downtown Skokie does not strike me as a sushi destination.

Aside from the fact that the restaurant is not in downtown Skokie (as already noted above), and aside from the fact that sushi is a popular food among many people, the demographics of Skokie residents include lots of immigrants from just about everywhere, including countries where sushi is a longtime popular native food preparation.

To be fair, Sushi is pretty mainstream. As a long-ish-time fan of Makisu, I'm not sure why WhyBeeSea thinks no one goes there. It's a solid place with more than just sushi.

spinynorman99 wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:

Pauly wrote:downtown Skokie does not strike me as a sushi destination.

Aside from the fact that the restaurant is not in downtown Skokie (as already noted above), and aside from the fact that sushi is a popular food among many people, the demographics of Skokie residents include lots of immigrants from just about everywhere, including countries where sushi is a longtime popular native food preparation.

To be fair, Sushi is pretty mainstream. As a long-ish-time fan of Makisu, I'm not sure why WhyBeeSea thinks no one goes there. It's a solid place with more than just sushi.

That wasn't me yo! That was someone else. I'm just bad at using the quote functionality...

I don't believe this has been posted and for sure, that the association with one of the better taco options in Chicago has not been mentioned, but Taqueria Las Flores, run by the two daughters of the owner of beloved Taqueria Las Asadas, recently opened on Foster Avenue near Kimball. Visited recently and recognized one of the daughters working the cash register and one of the grill men as well from Asadero. Burrito was delicious with same grill taste and flavor profile.

From their website:

Las Flores is a quick spot restaurant, focused on simple Mexican cuisine. Located in the North Park neighborhood by the makers of the popular “taco place”, Taqueria El Asadero. The owner, Jazmin Flores, along with her beloved sister Viviana (aka BatGirl), was practically raised in Asadero and has grown to become her father’s right (and left) hand(s). Las Flores is a love letter to her Mexican heritage, family, friends and the diversity of the neighbor.

https://taquerialasflores.business.site ... m=referral

Tacqueria Las Flores
3352 West Foster
Chicago, IL 60625
872-208-5238

Open 10 to 10 daily