3 days ago Khyber Pass reopened in their old space.



The buffet is about the same size but laid out with more room.

The space is not as cozy but cleanly laid out.

Khyber Pass
1031 Lake St
Oak Park, IL 60301
(708) 445-9032

jennydran wrote:This location is new-the Cru space is closing and that is becoming a Feast restaurant in the Gold Coast.

Build It And They Will Come Department: Walked past this new Feast that's at the back of Goddess and Grocer at Wabash and Delaware around 7:15 last night, and the view through the glass gave us the impression the place was doing land-office business just two days after its opening. Heartening.

Feast
25 E. Delaware
312 337 4001

P.S. I just realized that these days, "land-office business" could mean no business, since nobody's buying real estate. I mean it in the old sense, when people did.

Cafe Bella has opened in Logan Square at 3311 Fullerton. From what I can tell on their site and elsewhere, they are currently only open for lunch, but plan to expand to fancier weekend dinners. They've "enlisted Ambria alum Cesar Casas as executive chef."

Ronna

driving past the old torpedo subs on diversey a couple of weeks ago, it looks like lp express (la pasadita) is taking over this location.

also, closed for remodeling is the omega restaurant in niles.... opening sometime in march.

The place on Lincoln a little north of Diversey that was the late, lamented Calliope Cafe, and then became the ill-fated (from the start) Parmigian, now has a sign on it saying Muqdisho, East African Cuisine. (I apologize if I got the spelling or wording wrong in some detail as I was driving past it.) I see, consulting Google Maps, that Muqdisho is the capital of Somalia and is an alternate (perhaps more authentic) spelling of Mogadishu. May they have success!

A Somali place in Lakeview!!!!!! Holy crap - this is the reverse Colonialism I have been dreaming about for ages!!!!!! Very possible that it will be a cabbie joint as that area draws a lot of East Africans ferrying drunk yuppies (and occasionally me) around.

The recently discussed Apollo Burger in Bensenville has closed due to O'Hare expansion, per the Trib.

gus wrote:The recently discussed Apollo Burger in Bensenville has closed due to O'Hare expansion, per the Trib.

Dang! Thanks for the heads up!

Apollo was near the top of my list for a few weeks but didn't make it up there.

I hope they can reopen at another location as mentioned in the article but it doesn't sound good...

Munoz, who lives with his family in Elmhurst, originally was given three months to vacate the building and has been signing one-month extensions since May. He said he's leaving for financial reasons and hopes to open in another location, but doesn't know where or when.

Munoz, who lives with his family in Elmhurst, originally was given three months to vacate the building and has been signing one-month extensions since May. He said he's leaving for financial reasons and hopes to open in another location, but doesn't know where or when.

Judging by the quote, it sounds like the place didn't close because of the O'Hare expansion (although that day would have eventually come). It sounds like business is bad and he just decided to close up shop.

Anyone know what's up with Shui Wah? I've been in Chinatown about five times since Chinese New Years and each time it has been closed. This was at night. We stopped by Sunday morning for dim sum and it was open. Are they no longer open at night?

Shui Wah
2162 S Archer Ave
(312) 225-8811

It looks as though the popular D.C based Peruvian chicken chain El Pollo Rico is setting up shop in Chicago down on North ave in a little strip mall. I drove by last night and it looked close to opening with all the signs up and the walls with the decals of the specials and what not. It looked like a fast food spot and not an independent little chicken shack so I'm assuming its a franchise from the D.C chain although the website doesn't mention it.

El Pollo Rico
3323 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 384-6778
Website...careful of the corny music

Terrasini wrote:Anyone know what's up with Shui Wah? I've been in Chinatown about five times since Chinese New Years and each time it has been closed. This was at night. We stopped by Sunday morning for dim sum and it was open. Are they no longer open at night?

Shui Wah
2162 S Archer Ave
(312) 225-8811

In light of my pending Dim Sum lunch tomorrow, I just got off the phone with Shui Wah. They are open for business.

stevez wrote:

Munoz, who lives with his family in Elmhurst, originally was given three months to vacate the building and has been signing one-month extensions since May. He said he's leaving for financial reasons and hopes to open in another location, but doesn't know where or when.

Judging by the quote, it sounds like the place didn't close because of the O'Hare expansion (although that day would have eventually come). It sounds like business is bad and he just decided to close up shop.

I work in the area and the expansion is the cause for the financial problems. I used to frequent the area for lunch, now I avoid it since most of the businesses and homes are boarded up.

Panther in the Den wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Taste of Brazil
906 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park


I had talked to the owner and soon means a week or two if all goes well.

Pictures on the walls, chairs upended on the tables...

Talked to the owner's wife and they are shooting for an opening next week on Monday if all goes well.



Opening Flyer

She also mentioned that there is no relation to Taste of Brazil Steakhouses in California and Florida.

Rene G wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Not a total loss as I saw this on the way home.



Mmmm... Coon! (I wonder if Cathy2 knows? )

Cathy has been there (but she didn’t buy a raccoon). Please see Raccoon Shopping in Chicago: Scottie’s Fish Market.

I'm not sure what to think. I stopped today midafternoon, and despite the declaration "Open 5:00 am to 8:00 pm" both doors were locked. Peering in, I could see that the big tank had no water, though the smaller tank seemed to be liquified. A dim light was on, but noone seemed to be in. Due to clutter that seems endemic, and various things blocking the view, it was tough to see whether there was any merchandise. I'm in the area regularly, so I'll stop back again sometime soon.

But this is the weekend the gf is away, so I thought maybe I could sneak in a meal of 'coon while she was gone. Darn.

Rick's Cafe seems to be closed.. and a few doors down the shuttered sushi joint Katachi is now a pan-asian place (that's open til 4am). I can't think of the name. something like OTH. I could be crazy though

I was really surprised last night to find out that Otafuku-Tei in the Mitsuwa shopping center will be closing for good this Saturday (3/7/09). This was a constant "go to" kind of food stall for their okonomiyaki and their katsu curry. Heard something of a rumor about a hamburger (?) place opening in their location??? That will mean the balance has shifted with more non-Japanese food stalls in this Japanese market.

KagaTakeshi wrote:I was really surprised last night to find out that Otafuku-Tei in the Mitsuwa shopping center will be closing for good this Saturday (3/7/09). This was a constant "go to" kind of food stall for their okonomiyaki and their katsu curry. Heard something of a rumor about a hamburger (?) place opening in their location??? That will mean the balance has shifted with more non-Japanese food stalls in this Japanese market.

Is that the one with the takoyaki (octopus balls)? Their leaving will indeed be tragic, as their $5 katsu curry is one of the great cheap eats in the burbs.

That's the one! And, yes, my sentiments exactly. I had the katsu curry last night and thought that from now on a similar dish will cost me twice as much at other Japanese restaurants.

JoelF wrote:

KagaTakeshi wrote:I was really surprised last night to find out that Otafuku-Tei in the Mitsuwa shopping center will be closing for good this Saturday (3/7/09). This was a constant "go to" kind of food stall for their okonomiyaki and their katsu curry. Heard something of a rumor about a hamburger (?) place opening in their location??? That will mean the balance has shifted with more non-Japanese food stalls in this Japanese market.

Is that the one with the takoyaki (octopus balls)? Their leaving will indeed be tragic, as their $5 katsu curry is one of the great cheap eats in the burbs.

Do they still carry the octopus balls? I ate them there when I was a little kid, and then in my more recent trips to Mitsuwa, thought they no longer make them.

abe_froeman wrote:Do they still carry the octopus balls? I ate them there when I was a little kid, and then in my more recent trips to Mitsuwa, thought they no longer make them.

Well, at this point it's moot, they're closing.
I'd had the takoyaki there about two years ago, I think... maybe four. I usually just go straight for the katsu curry, but I was extra hungry, and my squid-loving sons said they'd try them too. I can't say I was that impressed -- kinda spongy fish stuff, and the bonito flakes waving back at me is NOT an appetite enhancer.

The Century Public House at the Morse Theatre closed last night. There is some spat between the owners and silent investors. It's quite the shame because it was a great addition to the Rogers Park scene. Hopefully it reopens.

ryanwc wrote:I'm not sure what to think. I stopped today midafternoon, and despite the declaration "Open 5:00 am to 8:00 pm" both doors were locked. Peering in, I could see that the big tank had no water, though the smaller tank seemed to be liquified. A dim light was on, but noone seemed to be in. Due to clutter that seems endemic, and various things blocking the view, it was tough to see whether there was any merchandise. I'm in the area regularly, so I'll stop back again sometime soon.

But this is the weekend the gf is away, so I thought maybe I could sneak in a meal of 'coon while she was gone. Darn.

Happened to be driving by again today and the place is cleaned up, the open sign was lit and the door open.

I think this was mentioned elsewhere, but Calvin's at Armitage and Stave has closed. 90 Miles has taken over the space and should be opening soon.

Also Fuego Grill looks about ready to open at 2047 N. Milwaukee. I'm not really sure if the area needs, or can support, another Mexican place.

Has Rock Star Dogs (Chicago & Ashland) bit the dust? I went by two Saturdays ago and they were closed, a sign in the window proclaiming that the grill was broken. Grill must still be broken as they were closed a few nights ago. Hmmm....

aschie30 wrote:Has Rock Star Dogs (Chicago & Ashland) bit the dust? I went by two Saturdays ago and they were closed, a sign in the window proclaiming that the grill was broken. Grill must still be broken as they were closed a few nights ago. Hmmm....

Yep - just saw a couple articles mentioning it today.

Seems like their location on Sedgwick/Armitage has also closed down. I drive by every day and it's been dark for the past week or so.

Chicago's Home of Chicken and Waffles.

In Oak Park?

Yup. Slated for an autumn opening on Madison. I believe this was an auto insurance / repair lot formerly.

http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants ... 03/content

Yup!

Panther in the Den wrote:

ucjames wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Just noticed a sign in the windows announcing the opening for Chicago's Home of Chicken & Waffles‎ on Madison just east of East Ave.

Sign said Fall 2009. Why so long? Peeked inside and there is nothing going on other than the signs.

Eep. That's 543 Madison. My parents rented that warehouse space back when they ran their own business, call it roughly 1983-1997. I spent many after-school hours there since both parents worked there. Barring massive overhauls since then, there is one small, single-toilet bathroom at the very back of the property. One additional sink about 2 feet away. Other than that, the majority of that property was pure warehouse space with 2 loft areas. The front area served as desk/work space, separated by some drywall iirc.

Even if they started work today, I can understand why they're looking at fall '09 for their opening. That space is going to need a total overhaul.

543 W Madison was right on. That is the place.



Just waiting on the remodel. Should be better than the Popeye's not fat away (although I love their gravy).

Santander wrote:Chicago's Home of Chicken and Waffles.

In Oak Park?

Yup. Slated for an autumn opening on Madison. I believe this was an auto insurance / repair lot formerly.

http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants ... 03/content

Go back 1 page for further discussion of that space. The building itself is owned by the insurance agency at the corner, but for many years was rented out as warehouse space - including by my parents. In more recent years it had served as extra space for the insurance agency while the owner tried to find someone else for the property.

edit: Oh, well la-di-da-di-da Panther