The Terminal, Chicago

The Terminal, Chicago

As a name for a dining establishment, it's right up there with similarly eschatologically monikered joints like The Restaurant at the End of the Universe and the Last Ditch Attempt Saloon.

I was biking on Grand (you've probably heard the one about the guy who was on Grace and thought it was Grand, right?), and I cruised by an old fashioned sign on the side of a building that said 'The Terminal,' with a new sign in front that said 'La Terminal.' It's located right next to a bus turn-around (end of the Chicago line?), and the name was just too cool, so I locked up and went in.

It's a diner, well-kept, with a menu painted right on the wall (shows commitment, I think).

Saw a hand-lettered sign that said 'rajas,' so I ordered that. What I got was a double thick tortilla, made on premises (sine qua non for good Mexican food), filled with chilies, beans and cheese. It was pretty good, not great, but good for a bike break.

They have a full menu of diner food: tortas, tacos, etc.

The very friendly waitress allowed me to order in Spanish, and did not flinch when I slipped with a 'gratzie' instead of a 'gracias.'

Fresh tamales arrive at 4:00 (made by some neighborhood lady), and someday I will stop back for those.

Restaurant La Terminal
7020 W. Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60707

Like you're the first to notice that:



Note that this is a pre-digital photo (dirt specks on the scan), meaning it dates back two or three years to when I kept a disposable camera in the glove compartment just for such things.

Actually, the name I liked best was the adjacent "Terminal Pharmacy." THAT'S confidence-building. Maybe it was descended from the one Dr. Holmes took over (see Devil in the White City).

MikeG,

You know, I almost referred to it as a "MikeG class sign." Should have figured you'd spotted it already.

Hammond

Even better is "Terminal Liquors", a liquor store and tap room, on Milwaukee, right by the Jeff Park El stop (which used to be the terminal of the Congress/Douglas [Blue Line] El.)

Geez, if you're drinking in a place called "Terminal Liquors" you might want to reconsider your lifestyle.

Not too long ago at the Jefferson Park bus turnaround there was the Terminal Coffee Shop. It's gone now, its departure perhaps inevitable but sad nonetheless. The sign lives onat the greatMildred's House of Signage (actually the old sign is still in place at 5366 W Gale St, hidden behind the awning/sign of Freddy's Fast Food).

Mike G wrote:Actually, the name I liked best was the adjacent "Terminal Pharmacy." THAT'S confidence-building. Maybe it was descended from the one Dr. Holmes took over (see Devil in the White City).

Interestingly (at least to me), I used to live with Tom Mudgett, the great nephew of Herman Webster Mudgett. Tom had a huge, wide grin, and he was, literally and clinically, mad. Other than that, a pretty decent guy, genial, quick with a laugh and, to the best of my knowledge, murdered no one in the house.

Hammond

Sad news. The Terminal Liquors sign is no more--looks like that block is going to be torn down, and one more tap room bites the dust.

Boy, I hope they replace it with a bank branch or a CVS!