lola wrote:did you see on toc?

no, but i went to a party the other night where the manager's goal was to consume all open alcohol. the party was planned in anticipation of the deal closing that day but it just happened today.

in another Interwebs in a land far, far away, she has reported that as of 2:30am the deal was finalized... so i guess it's really no longer a secret!

lola wrote:did you see on toc?

No, I live around the corner and walk by there on my way to the bus stop every day

My Customary Dining Companion was out in Oak Park for a book fair over the weekend, and when we were speaking last night about our respective weekends, he asked if Petersen's Ice Cream was the place that I talked about upon occasion, fondly recalling many pleasant and very tasty visits there with my late Grandma Hegstom as well as my mother, during my childhood. Lemon custard ice cream....cinnamon ice cream, on hot apple pie....mmm-mmm. I confirmed the name and location. He hesitated, and said, "I think it's...ummmm....closed."


I shrieked, as I'm wont to do at shocks such as this, and made a mental note to follow up. I just clicked on my Petersen's file in my Favorites list - and nothing. No website, no nothing, just "file not found." Can anyone confirm or deny? I'll have to tell my mother if this is in fact the case, which ain't gonna be easy.

Windows are papered over at "Cafe Wicked Desserts" in Bucktown (corner of Armitage and Leavitt).

fj123 wrote:This is the first I've heard about the Monte Cristo sandwich and after checking out the sandwich's Wikipedia page, I'm intrigued. With Bennigan's closing, does anyone know any other Chicago restaurants where I could try one?

Just about any Greek Coffee Shop/Diner worth its salt should have one on the menu. there is a truly disgusting restaurant near my office where, for some reason, a favorite client likes to go for lunch when we meet at my place. After a few years of choking down a burger or a hot turkey sandwich, I tried their Monte Cristo. Now it's my go to sandwich when I visit this place, which shall remain nameless. I'm 92.35% sure that GNR Winner White Palace Grill has one on their menu.

stevez wrote: Now it's my go to sandwich when I visit this place, which shall remain nameless.

Come on Steve, give us a hint.

gp60004 wrote:

stevez wrote: Now it's my go to sandwich when I visit this place, which shall remain nameless.

Come on Steve, give us a hint.

This place is so bad, it doesn't deserve a mention. It's not a place that's even on the LTH radar (for good reason).

stevez wrote:This place is so bad, it doesn't deserve a mention. It's not a place that's even on the LTH radar (for good reason).

The place Steve refers to is about equidistant from his house and mine and, I agree, dead up boring renditions of Greek coffee shop fare.

Glad I finally found LTHForum with the help of a friend! Thanks for your helpful posts!

When did the pizza place Bubamara close? Their pizza was delish, though expensive. Does anyone know if the owner is going to open a new spot?

fj123 wrote:This is the first I've heard about the Monte Cristo sandwich and after checking out the sandwich's Wikipedia page, I'm intrigued. With Bennigan's closing, does anyone know any other Chicago restaurants where I could try one?

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/111539

Just to reiterate: There are two ways of making a Monte Cristo sandwich. Grecian diners typically make one that's like French toast with fillings. They tend to be soft and spongy at the best of times and often grease-soaked.

The Bennigan's variety, on the other hand, is deep-fried and crispy and delectable.

When did the pizza place Bubamara close? Their pizza was delish, though expensive. Does anyone know if the owner is going to open a new spot?

As it happens I've talked a lot with Satko lately. Which is an interesting experience. To give you an example, when asked about the possibility of opening a new restaurant, his answer was, "I want to open the first Bosnian vegetarian restaurant. There are many great Bosnian vegetarian dishes. Like lamb salad."

In short, not immediately, but if and when he does, it will undoubtedly be interesting.

Mike G wrote:

When did the pizza place Bubamara close? Their pizza was delish, though expensive. Does anyone know if the owner is going to open a new spot?

As it happens I've talked a lot with Satko lately. Which is an interesting experience. To give you an example, when asked about the possibility of opening a new restaurant, his answer was, "I want to open the first Bosnian vegetarian restaurant. There are many great Bosnian vegetarian dishes. Like lamb salad."

In short, not immediately, but if and when he does, it will undoubtedly be interesting.

Yikes . . . that sounds like a redux of a particular Seinfeld episode.

I remember Satko from his days at Satko's Kitchen. Somewhat like Divine on too much caffeine. He's from Banja Luka, and when I told him I'd briefly studied at the University there, I instantly became his new best friend. I hope he opens a new place soon.

Mike G wrote:"I want to open the first Bosnian vegetarian restaurant. There are many great Bosnian vegetarian dishes. Like lamb salad."

Lamb's lettuce, perhaps?

No, I think he was just making a joke about the meat-based diet of Bosnians.

I think.

bananasandwiches wrote:Windows are papered over at "Cafe Wicked Desserts" in Bucktown (corner of Armitage and Leavitt).

That is not a surprise.

Mhays wrote:Sorry if this has been posted previously, but as we left the Evanston Lunch Group at the Pupuseria, I noticed this near Clark and Touhy...



Fulton's Chicken didn't appear to be opening soon - looked like they were still undergoing major construction. Signs mention ribs as well as chicken.

Just to note: it's open now. I went a week or maybe two ago. It was still pretty disorganized. I ordered a half-chicken dinner and was generally underwhelmed. This restaurant is affiliated with East of Edens.

"90 Miles" Cuban restaurant is coming soon in the old Lulu's (?) hot dogs, around 3100 N. Clybourn, on the east side of the street. They've repainted the building and have a sign up. There was still paper on the windows, though. Didn't have time to stop to see what the time frame is for opening.

Had a taste for Afghani food, so I cruised over to Kabul House on Dempster & McCormick in Skokie.

As Hawk Harrelson says, 'He gone'. The store was black as night with a handwritten note stating some sandwich shop to open in its place. Just what we need---another panini haven.

This was a real shame. Kabul House had good people & authentic Afghani fare, kind of a cross between Indian & Middle Eastern. Must be some tough economy.

But...I did recover & tried Larsa's down Dempster Street for the first time. Hadn't been in this place since I lived in the vicinity and it was La Rosa Pizzeria, home of the round thin pizza on the rectangular pan.

Lqarsa's was just an excellent, excellent lunch. Assyrian cuisine, I think. Fine lentil soup, a vibrant Mediterranean salad with crisp onion, tomatoes & cucumber in a yummy viniagrette with parsley & mint. This was followed by lamb shishkebab which was very high-quality grilled meat, accompanied by sliced tomatoes and onions, and lightly spiced Basmati rice. It was like a healthier Pita Inn taken to the next quality level. I'll be back soon.

Larsa's
3724 W. Dempster St.
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 679-3663

jnm123 wrote:Had a taste for Afghani food, so I cruised over to Kabul House on Dempster & McCormick in Skokie.

As Hawk Harrelson says, 'He gone'. The store was black as night with a handwritten note stating some sandwich shop to open in its place. Just what we need---another panini haven.

This was a real shame. Kabul House had good people & authentic Afghani fare, kind of a cross between Indian & Middle Eastern. Must be some tough economy.

Actually, it's relocating down the street a few blocks west. Its been mentioned upthread.

Didn't know about the sandwich shop.

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

There is a second alternative: Afghan Kabob on Montrose at Elston.

Regards,

You may want to check this place out. A friend who has been a Kabul House regular, thought Afghan Kabob was better.

Regards,

That's good to hear---I probably passed it on the way to Larsa's.

sundevilpeg wrote:Petersen's Ice Cream ... "I think it's...ummmm....closed." ...Can anyone confirm or deny?

Rumor denied. Petersen's ice cream parlor is open; they just answered the phone.

www.petersenicecream.com
1100 Chicago Ave.
Oak Park
(708) 386-6131*

(The Web site is working, but the number given there -- 6130 -- is wrong.)

The Bar-B-Que Shack in St. Charles has become Billy's Roadhouse & Saloon. I would have provided more details, but their Web site makes my browser crash.

sassafrass wrote:

sundevilpeg wrote:Petersen's Ice Cream ... "I think it's...ummmm....closed." ...Can anyone confirm or deny?

Rumor denied. Petersen's ice cream parlor is open; they just answered the phone.

http://www.petersenicecream.com
1100 Chicago Ave.
Oak Park
(708) 386-6131*

(The Web site is working, but the number given there -- 6130 -- is wrong.)

They closed the resturant portion which bordered on both Marion and Chicago. The entrance to the Ice Cream shop is on Chicago Ave a little west of the big Peterson's sign. If you blink you will miss it and assume the whole place is shuttered.

sassafrass wrote:

sundevilpeg wrote:
Petersen's Ice Cream ... "I think it's...ummmm....closed." ...Can anyone confirm or deny?

Rumor denied. Petersen's ice cream parlor is open; they just answered the phone.

http://www.petersenicecream.com
1100 Chicago Ave.
Oak Park
(708) 386-6131*

(The Web site is working, but the number given there -- 6130 -- is wrong.)

Marshall K wrote:
They closed the resturant portion which bordered on both Marion and Chicago. The entrance to the Ice Cream shop is on Chicago Ave a little west of the big Peterson's sign. If you blink you will miss it and assume the whole place is shuttered.

Whoooo-hooooo! This is outstanding - what really threw me off is that they've changed the website address, hence my panic. Thank you so much to both of you for this wonderful news. I'll have to tell both my Customary Dining Companion and my Mom!

One more off the loop rotation, closed....

Mallers Deli
5 S. Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60603

Nooo! The coffee shop in the Mallers Building has been on my to-try list for about a year now, but it kept losing out to Miller's Pub's open-faced prime rib sandwich...now I'm really sorry I missed it. Any reason as to why?

Just thanks for your business sign on the door. I guess they were always in a bit of trouble when he bought it from the original deli owner. I was there once when the waitress was making the soup because the cook had to go to Mexico to get his family or some such story. The guy never came back and then all of a sudden, it was closed. It was my go to Greek salad with chicken place. Not a great location up on the third floor, and with the contsruction site in front, I can see how it might not make it. I will miss it.