Marge's Still

Those familiar with the Oldtown area may remember Marge's Tavern, which at the time of its closing in early 2003 was the longest continuously operating tavern in Chicago having opened in 1885 and operated as a speakeasy through prohibition. After a long hiatus and numerous legal battles, the space has reopened as Marge's Still. I happened to stop by yesterday evening just as they were about to open for the first time, had the first beer poured and was the first paying customer. On this particular night they were not serving their full menu, but only setting out free appetizers including potato chips drizzled with gorgonzola cheese sauce, fried calamari, crab cakes and chicken sliders. All of the apps I tried were very good. One of the owners, Pam, told me that they are going to make more items on the menu available until everything is being served in about a week. In addition to the appetizers, the full menu had several salads, 12 different burgers (including a Kobe beef version), several sandwiches, 3 or 4 entrees (including ribs, rotisserie chicken and prime beef filet) and other things I can't remember at the moment (like desserts). There is a full bar that serves shots and mixed drinks, they have 6 beers on tap, about a dozen beers in bottles plus a fairly good wine list. I'm looking forward to going back when they are serving their full menu to see how the rest of their food is!

What is the address?

Regards,

had a few minutes and googled...

1758 N. Sedgwick

http://www.margeschicago.com/

Some good info here...

http://www.chicagobarproject.com/Memori ... arge's.htm

Neither website mentions the opening but just 'plans'.

This was an interesting quote from the owners...

Our menu is still under development and we welcome suggestions from the community. Please reference our other restaurants, Old Town Pub, Garrett Ripley's and Pepper Canister to get an idea of a completed menu selection.

How are those other places?

I can put a good word in for the Pepper Canister. It's on Wells and has sort of a cathedral like feeling to it -- well...for a dark bar. Decent food there -- and good music. It's definitely not a pub as much as a bar with food though. If you don't mind the distinction.

I've heard that Garrett Ripley's is pretty good as well but I've never gone.

This sure doesn't sound like the Marge's of old!

stevez wrote:This sure doesn't sound like the Marge's of old!

Yeah, something about "gorgonzola cheese sauce" and an old fashioned tavern just doesn't sound right.

stevez wrote:This sure doesn't sound like the Marge's of old!

This is definately NOT the Marge's of old. The only original part left is the old front door, which is now inside leading to the basement storage area. Everything else has been completely renovated. I think they are trying to position themselves as more of an upscale bar/restaurant to compete directly with Twin Anchor's a block south and Angelo's Taverna another block south.

As I was unexpectidly left to me own devices last night, I went over to Marge's and got a Lincoln Park burger and fries to go. The burger (I believe the burgers are all Angus beef except the Kobe version) was topped with pepperjack cheese, pickled jalapinos, avocado, lettuce and tomato. I think there was some onion in there as well. It was very tasty, but was a bit under the medium doneness I had requested. The fries had somewhat of a smokey flavor to them and tasted great, but didn't stand up to the plastic to-go box very well. After 5-10 minutes in the box they were a bit soggy but still good. I'll have to try them at the bar next time to see if they start out crispy as a fry should be!

I have been to Marge's several times in the last month, and I have nothing but great things to say about the place. Very simple comfort/bar food done RIGHT in an inviting and semi-upscale environment. Their bbq sauce is (in my opinion) 1000 time's better than what their serving down the street at Twin Anchors, and I would encourage anyone in the neighborhood to check it out. The place is well run, and I would imagine that it's going to get incredibly busy in the next several months.