NFriday wrote:Hi- I happened to be in that area yesterday. I had to go to the Secretary of State's office, and I noticed that they are building something on the South end of Deerbrook Mall. I had not been to that area in years, and I noticed that the inside of the mall is vacant. I used to take somebody to the movie theater there, and the mall was never super busy back then 15 years ago. We used to go to Old Country Buffet on occasion too.

The Sec of State office is not in or part of Deerbrook Mall. It's in a shopping center called Deerfield Park Plaza next door. Was that where you saw construction? I just drove past the new Portillo's spot Wednesday and still no activity at all.

No it was actually the far South portion of Deerbrook Mall. There was definitely some sort of construction going on, and I noticed nearthe South end of the mall, there were some empty storefront, that had for lease signs on them.

There's a Hobby Lobby going in where the Best Buy used to be.

There's a Hobby Lobby going in where the Best Buy used to be.

What is best to eat there?

Depending on what kind of kid you are, I'd recommend the paste.

marothisu wrote:I heard thru the grapevine that a new Malaysian restaurant may be opening in Logan Square kind of near Wasabi - possibly next month. Anyone also hear about this?

Looking at business licenses - a new license for Serai at 2171 N Milwaukee right near Wasabi - former spot of Blue Sprout. This could be the new Malaysian place.. Serai means Lemongrass in Malay.

The new Gyu-Kaku on Randolph in the West Loop is probably opening soon as they got their business license issued to them yesterday. DMK Burger Bar with the same status for Navy Pier.

Dateline: Jefferson Park, Chicago

Beefbelly

a new place to open somewhere in Jefferson Park. From the folks who opened and run "Leadbelly"(which now has a new name for both places.) It's been said it will be in the old Central Kitchen and Tap ( Super Cup ) space on Lawrence and Central

Not sure if it's gonna be Italian Beef Sangwich yet.

There's plenty of talk about on our local NW side Reddit here too:

https://redd.it/3ix40n

There is a new Goddess and Baker planned for the new building at Chicago and Main in Evanston. Some competition for Hoosier Mama down the street!
http://evanstonnow.com/story/business/b ... icago-main

And more Evanston news:

JT's Bar and Grill (1639 Orrington Ave.) is now Las Marias.
27 Live (1112 Church St.) is now Kefi Greek Tavern.

Two places I am cautiously optimistic about:

https://www.facebook.com/tabletostixramen

and especially

http://nakornkitchen.com/

From Eater, Ming Hin is taking over the Yum Cha space in Lakeshore East. Given the high prices and slow service at Yum Cha this can only be a good thing. (x-posted in the dedicated Ming Hin thread)

http://chicago.eater.com/2015/8/31/9232 ... 1407444833

The Breakfast Lounge a "modern yet quaint lounge where you can get pancakes and eggs, as well as delectable sandwiches" at 2360 N. Clybourn looks open. They beat the Cornerstone Cafe at Clybourn and Webster, which is taking forever to open. I'll be happy to have a couple of options for a pre-matinee meal before heading over to Webster Theaters.

Big & Little's Wicker Park got their business license yesterday. Their Facebook states they're hiring for the store and should be open in the fall.

Coogles wrote:Haven't seen it mentioned here, but the Le Pain Quotidien's Old Town location in the former Boston Market space at the corner of Wells and North has opened...

http://www.lepainquotidien.com/store/ol ... duFIPZVhBc

Buzz Bait Taqueria, the new fish taco place from pizza guy Marc Malnati has opened at 1529 N. Wells.

http://www.buzzbaitchicago.com/

Anyone try Buzzbait yet? Drove by over the weekend but I had just eaten lunch and there wasn't any parking (duh) so it remained a drive-by.

NFriday wrote:No it was actually the far South portion of Deerbrook Mall. There was definitely some sort of construction going on, and I noticed nearthe South end of the mall, there were some empty storefront, that had for lease signs on them.

There was finally activity on the Portillo's lot today! A guy was mowing the grass.

A lot of the storefronts in that mall have been vacant for a long time, but it's probably part of the master plan to start over. Jewel wants to renovate their store, and there has been talk of a couple more outlots being added.

Taqueria la Fogata was coming soon earlier in this thread but is now open. Most of the parking lot is filled with trucks from the rental service across the street but may still have adequate parking given the very minimal seating.

3930 West Montrose

The Pete's Fresh Market in Oak Park on Lake finally opened 9/2. Very nice store. It'll make a great addition to an area that desperately needs it.

Unfortunately...
Strong rumor has it that Portillos will not be coming to Deerfield because the Village is looking to put in a warehouse club (rumor is that it is courting Sam's Club) with a gas station that will take up the space Portillo's was going to use.

I don't think this has been posted yet, but Zoup has opened in Vernon Hills

http://www.restaurantnews.com/vernon-hi ... zoup-cafe/

Drover wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:Looks like Las Cazuelas at 4821 N. Elston is closed: the all-knowing Yelp says so and their windows are papered over with FOR RENT.

Las Cazuelas closed two years ago. This place was "La Quinta de Los Reyes" most recently. This was one of three locations. the others being in Berwyn and Aurora. To the best of my knowledge, those two are still around.

I'm very pleased to say I spotted a banner on the building stating that Señor Pan will be opening an outpost here. Yay!

ekreider wrote:Taqueria la Fogata was coming soon earlier in this thread but is now open. Most of the parking lot is filled with trucks from the rental service across the street but may still have adequate parking given the very minimal seating.

3930 West Montrose

I wonder if they have any relation to La Fogata on Lawrence near Kimball. I've long been tempted to try out that place despite its abysmal Yelp reviews because it just looks so cozy in that "used to be fancy back when dining out was a rare treat" kind of way, and just to see if the reviews are off the mark because the place seems to soldier on without missing a beat.

Oh, and even though I didn't see it reported here, it's probably not news to anyone that Cemitas Puebla closed its Humboldt Park location after a lease dispute. Now it looks like they've found a new home near Armitage and Kedzie -- and this time they're buying the building to alleviate the "lease dispute" issue going forward. (And it probably doesn't hurt that the area near there is about as close to a fool-proof real estate investment as you can make in the city right now.)


Cemitas Puebla Owner: 'I Sleep Better Knowing We Are Coming Back Home'

Drover wrote:Great news for anyone who lives near the corner of Kimball and Elston and you're too weary to drag yourself two and a half blocks down to Elston and Addison for your mediocre burrito fix at Burrito House -- they're opening another one in the former Chang's Chinese spot at 3718 N. Elston. It'll transform the neighborhood I tell ya! Maybe they're trying to capture the after-show crowd from the Abbey or something.

The one on Elston & Addison is now closed; the one on Kimball & Elston is open. Don't say they aren't quick.

Drover wrote:

ekreider wrote:Taqueria la Fogata was coming soon earlier in this thread but is now open. Most of the parking lot is filled with trucks from the rental service across the street but may still have adequate parking given the very minimal seating.

3930 West Montrose


I wonder if they have any relation to La Fogata on Lawrence near Kimball. I've long been tempted to try out that place despite its abysmal Yelp reviews because it just looks so cozy in that "used to be fancy back when dining out was a rare treat" kind of way, and just to see if the reviews are off the mark because the place seems to soldier on without missing a beat.

The La Fogata on Lawrence was a Pepe's Tacos prior to becoming La Fogata. There is a thread from 2006 here with some unflattering comments and my note that there was little exterior change other than signage when it became La Fogata. If I remember correctly, the remodeling was done when it became a Pepe's. One mention in 2010 seems to be the most recent slam.

There almost certainly is a relationship given that they are about a mile apart and probably would have had lawyers sicced on them if there were no relationship.

spinynorman99 wrote:

Coogles wrote:Haven't seen it mentioned here, but the Le Pain Quotidien's Old Town location in the former Boston Market space at the corner of Wells and North has opened...

http://www.lepainquotidien.com/store/ol ... duFIPZVhBc

Buzz Bait Taqueria, the new fish taco place from pizza guy Marc Malnati has opened at 1529 N. Wells.

http://www.buzzbaitchicago.com/

Anyone try Buzzbait yet? Drove by over the weekend but I had just eaten lunch and there wasn't any parking (duh) so it remained a drive-by.

Went there this evening. Really liked the salmon tacos, the blackened chicken ones were a little bland. Also ordered the avocado salsa and chips. Chips were well seasoned but oily, salsa was excellent.

According to their website they open at 4pm Wednesday - Monday (closed Tuesdays) so probably a good thing that you didn't go to the hassle/expense of parking to go there for lunch.

Johnny Casserole closed 8/31

https://www.facebook.com/johnnycasserole?fref=ts

atty2de wrote:Unfortunately...
Strong rumor has it that Portillos will not be coming to Deerfield because the Village is looking to put in a warehouse club (rumor is that it is courting Sam's Club) with a gas station that will take up the space Portillo's was going to use.

After all that behind the scenes work to get Portillos there? Link or source of information, please!

sandman wrote:

atty2de wrote:Unfortunately...
Strong rumor has it that Portillos will not be coming to Deerfield because the Village is looking to put in a warehouse club (rumor is that it is courting Sam's Club) with a gas station that will take up the space Portillo's was going to use.

After all that behind the scenes work to get Portillos there? Link or source of information, please!

I was told the mall owner might be the one trying to get the warehouse club there. The village definitely has been trying hard to get Portillo's in. I don't like Sam's Club.

First Slice Pie Cafe looks to be opening a space in the former Boocoo Cultural Center at Church & Dodge in Evanston (now owned by the city, and renamed the Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center as of last February). Bulletins as events warrant.

First Slice Pie Cafe
1823 Church St.
Evanston IL 60201
(no phone at present)

Hoppin' Hots in Andersonville on Balmoral just east of Clark has sadly closed. Great variety of hot dogs and decent fries. Huey's was also a hot dog place on Balmoral just west of Clark but closed as part of their building getting renovated last year. So maybe this will help Hot G Dogs on Clark south of Foster (they offered a Groupon recently which causes concern for their longevity).

From the Hoppin' Hots FB:

We're sorry to say, as of August 29th, we've permanently closed the doors at Hoppin' Hots. Thank you to all our fabulous regulars for all of your loyal support. We'll miss you! And keep an eye out for some sausage specials at our mothership, Over Easy Cafe (4943 N Damen Ave).

Hoppin' Hots (CLOSED)
1477 W Balmoral

Jack's on Touhy is closed.