Summerlover wrote:.....It's no longer open. The owner Arthur Lukowski passed away. Arthur, the inventor of the Oil Express concept and businesses, owned Johnsen's and Juicy Luicy's. He was a wonderful man! An immigrant and survivor of the Construction Camps in Europe; he is survived by his wife and children. So Johnsen's is for sale, if anyone wants it.

Summerlover wrote:Cathy, while they still are open, they are for sale. Arthur was the owner. It's up to his wife, and son to sell now.

Looks like you have all the options covered.

Hi,

Someone very kindly sent me a link to the sales listing for the Blue Top. It is especially telling this is from the Highland Redevelopment Commission, which further suggests this is being pushed for the land rather than the landmark business.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Looks like it may still be in business:
Pumps on 12
3085 W Dunes Hwy
Michigan City, IN 46360

We did the Dunes for Columbus Day, and stopped here for a truly gutbusting lunch afterward. The exterior belies the inside: it's a relatively upscale, touristy place with some low-key gas station memorabilia; has sandwiches and dinners - kind of like what a TGIFriday's would be if it were actually a servicable restaurant instead of an exhibition of crap and excess.

It was fine for touristy. Appetizer of "choke" dip was basically melted cheese and mayo, but it was over deep-fried pita chips which were fun. I had an Italian beef wannabe that really needed a flavorful jus, but was otherwise OK - it was topped with freshly-sauteed red onions and peppers. Unfortunately we were so hungry from hiking that meals were inhaled, and I didn't get to taste anybody else's, but nobody left unhappy. Burgers seemed pretty standard, other members of our party had buffalo chicken in a sandwich or a wrap, both seemed better than serviceable. Kids have the option of a 1-topping pizza, spaghetti, grilled cheese or a burger.

Sandwiches came with fries, but you could upgrade to 'o-rings' or sweet potato fries (or other healthier options that we immediately ignored) The 'o-rings' were really excellent: light crisp breading and plenty of onion inside. I'm not a fan of sweet potato fries but these seemed pretty good - like frites, thin and crispy. They also offered a couple of local beers. I wouldn't go out of my way for a meal here, but it was a nice stop after hiking up and down Mt. Baldy.

BLUE TOP IS STILL OPEN . NOTHING HAS CHANGED , STLL GREAT FOOD/ROOTBEER. SILL HAVE THE OLD CARS AND CAR HOPS. ITS FOR SALE NOW AND I DONT KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER THEY WILL BE IN OPERATION.

SAD BUT TRUE. BLUE TOP IS FOR SALE. $1,200,000. BUILT IN 1963. STILL OPEN. IM GONNA GET MY FILL OF BLUE TOPS AND ROOTBEER WHILE I CAN. ITS PRETTY SAD TO SEE ANOTHER OF MY FAVORITE PLACES SLIDE AWAY. BELIEVE IT OR NOT THE 'TOP NOTCH' A FEW DOORS AWAY WAS ONCE A BURGER CHEF. HATED TO SEE THAT GO AWAY AS WELL.

(dbrick - can you write without capital letters, please!!!)

I think Blue Top is asking a steep price. I have the sense it has been for sale for a long time and may continue to be sometime from now. What is likely is once sold, it will be knocked down. The sales pitch very much leans toward redeveloping the site.

Top Notch, is that a fairly new development? I don't recall seeing it earlier. Is it new or was I unaware?

Regards,

Top notch been there for a long , long time. I think its been there since burger chef closed in early 1980's. As for prices at blue top , I dined at shoops last week and spent almost 4 dollars more for the same meal except no homemade rootbeer. Note , I like to write in all caps because thats the way I write in real life.

Note , I like to write in all caps because thats the way I write in real life.

Thank you for amending your style for us. It is really hard to read when it is all caps.

Regards,

Art Lukowski never owned blue top drive in. I know for a fact the Johnsen family has allways owned it.Its being sold now because grandma passed. Art did have Art's drive in in Hammond In. on calumet ave next to the calumet theatre. Not to be confused with art's drive in at 5 points near lever brothers soap factory. And Art did start oil express and did own jucy lucy's. Rest in peace Art.

Ever since I moved to Hammond, I'm wondering if the Top Notch there is related to the Top Notch on 95th (96th?) that is frequently lauded.

I should check it out and rest this burning question.

As far as I know no relation to Chicago top notch. Just another greek place that tries to serve everything. I have dined there several times and know to stick with specials and 'common' foods.Not a place to order prime rib!

As of today, the Blue Top is still open, with no definite plans to close.

Drove by frosted mug drive in Alsip and it has closed. Despite being featured on the food network early this year . Another drive in bites the dust , how sad.

dbrick59 wrote:Drove by frosted mug drive in Alsip and it has closed. Despite being featured on the food network early this year . Another drive in bites the dust , how sad.

(Trying to be a little hopeful ...) Could it be a seasonal shutdown?

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:

dbrick59 wrote:Drove by frosted mug drive in Alsip and it has closed. Despite being featured on the food network early this year . Another drive in bites the dust , how sad.

(Trying to be a little hopeful ...) Could it be a seasonal shutdown?

Unlikely. Back in June, metro man reported Frosted Mug had been closed for a while. I filed a couple reports (here and here) on the place during what turned out to be the end of its run.

Frosted Mug (closed)
11541 S Pulaski Rd
Alsip IL

I met Ben Johnsen when I first started driving and I am a former employee of Art Lukowski. They are two different men. Blue Top is NO LONGER for sale. The realtor's sign is no longer posted. Wendy Johnsen did not die, but she scared us earlier this year. I have been a "regular" for 20+ years. My friends and I (ranging in ages from their 20's to their 80's) discuss the latest news or poke fun at each other over a cup of coffee. The "cruising" scene has died down in the past 10 years, but you can still find nice cars hanging out, their owners reliving the days of their youth. You can also find younger people driving their new cars. I hope places like this still exist when they get older.

Cliffy wrote:The realtor's sign is no longer posted.

I noticed that the sign disappeared a while ago. Hopefully Blue Top will be open for many years to come.

FYI, Blue Top has a new website...

http://bluetopdrivein.com/

Ack! My eyes!

I just drove past Pumps on Sunday and there's a big sign saying they are being auctioned off soon. Didn't catch the date.

Went past Blue Top the other day, and apparently they're now offering some lower priced items on the menu (8 meals under $4). I haven't had the chance to check any of it out yet.

In this economy, this is a very good idea.

After being one of the highest priced hamburger places around they are now the lowest priced non chain place around. Free homemade root beer with any meal.Check it out, they have very good burgers.

dbrick59 wrote:After being one of the highest priced hamburger places around they are now the lowest priced non chain place around. Free homemade root beer with any meal.Check it out, they have very good burgers.

Does this mean the food has improved? This is a place where I want the food to be better than it is.

Regards,

In August 2009 DKriv wrote:

Cliffy wrote:The realtor's sign is no longer posted.

I noticed that the sign disappeared a while ago. Hopefully Blue Top will be open for many years to come.

A For Sale sign was on display last month.

DKriv wrote:Went past Blue Top the other day, and apparently they're now offering some lower priced items on the menu (8 meals under $4).

And, indeed, their sign now advertises eight meals for under $4. As well as FREE R. BEER WITH AN YR EG BURGR.

I have always thought Blue Tops burgers rival Minor-dunns or Schoops. I have not tried anything else on their menu.Their true strong point is their excellent made in house rootbeer. The best I have ever had.

Rene G wrote:And, indeed, their sign now advertises eight meals for under $4. As well as FREE R. BEER WITH AN YR EG BURGR.

HA!

use to go out here back in my hot rod days with my chevelle blown 68.
have not been in years ,have to try it again

I drove past Pumps yesterday and saw that the auction is Jan. 11th.

They're closed for the winter?

Curb service has (obviously) always been suspended for the season, but in years past the indoor dining room (and carryout) was open year-round.

Went past yesterday, and the sign out front (which usually lists specials and such) has nothing on it except the words "4 sale." Their website says "Blue Top Drive-In 1936-2013."

It's history.