Maple Tree Inn owner Charlie Orr R.I.P.

Just found out Charlie Orr, owner of the Maple Tree Inn passed away Monday night.

Maple Tree Inn
13301 Old Western Ave, Blue Island
(708) 388-3461

Charlie Orr was a man of great character and passion,whether you agreed with him or not. He always followed his passion and stuck to he beliefs. He was a great culinary influence in chicago, no one here has ever done cajun like Charlie. He will be missed! I will miss him, I am proud to have known him and call him my friend. I can't believe he's not here. Au revoir mon ami

Maple Tree Inn owner Orr dies

Charlie may not be here any more,however, The Maple Tree Inn lives on. Charlie's daughter Katie is continuing his legacy, she has been running the business for a while now and the restaurant is as wonderful as always. It's comforting knowing that Charlie's Hickory Buttered Shrimp will still be around.

Never met Charlie, the first and only time I was there I did ask for him but he was not around.
I got the idea to go there a few months back from LTH and the meal and this place over all was great. We sat at one of those cool tables for two with the large seats. Had some great brews on tap and had a good slab of ribs. Wife has a few cherry cheesecake martini's and the blackend sea scallops. Food and drinks were great. Wife still talks about this place and wants to go back soon. Will do it up again soon.

http://blueislandbiz.com/mapletree.html <--menu/web site
Just noticed they have organic beef brisket on the menu.

I was sad to read the news of his passing.

On my handfull of visits Charlie was always present and stopped by tables to chat, and talk about dishes on the menu.

Charlie Orr. What an amazing person. He used to drive to a chicken farm just to get the quality of chicken he wanted for his dishes. When he had muffulettas on the menu he had D'amato's make the perfect bread for the sandwich. He bought a gas smoker from an old Polish place on Archer Ave, converted it to a wood smoker and installed it at the Tree. He taught himself how to cook by watching Julia Child videos. I miss him already. He is a beloved person.

We used to frequent his short-lived barbeque joint across the street from Maple Tree, Snaker Jake's. My daughter, who was about 10 at the time, asked him quite seriously why it was called Snaker Jake's. He told her it was his barbeque name. That didn't sit well with her and she told him sternly he should have called the restaurant Snaker Charlie's.

My husband was in love with the Wee Heavy Kilt Kicker Charlie got from Flossmoor Station and had on tap at Snaker Jake's. We were sorry when he closed it and started devoting his time to Maple Tree again.

Suzy

We went to the Maple Tree last weekend food and drinks as great as always! Service very personable and knowledgable. Longtime chef Tom cooking as always, Katie out in front,Charlie would be pleased!