G Wiv wrote:LTH,

Stopped at Patty's for a light meal, just a couple of eggs and grits, was not going to even get toast. As I headed toward my favorite solo spot at the counter, just to the right of the grill, a burger flared sending sweet scented beef char across the room. I was lost, never even a contest, one med-rare Gary Burger and Old Fries please. Had a diet coke if that counts for anything.

Enjoy,
Gary

I heard that if you're craving something, that means your body is deficient in that particular nutrient. So you just saved yourself from succumbing to hypoburgeremia.

First time visit today.
Enjoyed the ham hash with two eggs.
Why did I wait so long?

chainey wrote:First time visit today.
Enjoyed the ham hash with two eggs.
Why did I wait so long?

Almost a Patty's Haiku.

I hadn't been to Patty's in a while but managed to sneak in at around noon last Saturday for an 'indulgence' breakfast with the wife . . .


Wife's order - Ham Hash with Old Potatoes



My order - Ham & Cheese Omelet with Old Potatoes and Rye Toast

This really hit the spot. The eggs were delicious and the old potatoes were super crispy and peppery. I don't get Patty's as often as I like but when I do get there, it never fails to satisfy.

=R=

Like Ronnie, I hadn't been to Patty's in a while, so I stopped in for an early breakfast on Saturday. Not knowing the hours, I learned that 6:30 AM was too early on a Saturday. No worries, a walk along the channel would help me work up an appetite. Soon enough, I had a lovely plate of corned beef hash, eggs over easy, toasted homemade bread and coffee in front of me. A fine breakfast. I have to say though, I prefer the ham hash. Next time...

Made my maiden voyage to Patty's today, and I was one of two other folks in there. I overheard Patty expressing concern to one of the other employees regarding the, "slow, past two weeks," and that she really needed things to pick up. This place is a classic diner, and my ham and cheese was amongst the best I have ever had. Next time, I will have to try the burger.

Well, if Patty needs us we'll just have to go again. Great excuse. Thanks.

Hi,

I am always happy to encourage anyone to go there.

I have come round to thinking Patty is a glass half empty personality. Where things are never quite right or as good as she'd like it to be. She's a perfectionist, thank goodness because her food makes anyone optimistic.

Regards,

Because of worktime constraints, I had to take a ham hash to go the other morning, and although it was grand, it still tastes better on one of Patty's weathered plates with a few drops of El Tapatio hot sauce rather than a styrofoam container.

And you 're always drawn into Patty's conversations, about every topic under the sun, maybe even some outside the universe. She did remark to me how business has been hit or miss, but is VERY grateful to the LTH'ers for finding & supporting her. Yes, maybe water-glass-half-empty, but a very warm person overall--it's her house & Patty welcomes all.

jnm123 wrote:Yes, maybe water-glass-half-empty, but a very warm person overall--it's her house & Patty welcomes all.

I don't pay attention to her doom-and-gloom fixations anymore. She's about as close to going out of business as Walmart.

Finally checked out this place this past sat and it was amazing! I will return again for the ham hash. (*didnt know I could get it with old potatoes!) I ordered a split order of ham and corned beef hash, so I could try both. Skokie is 30 min or so from me but I will return, there isn't anything quite like this diner downtown sadly.

Despite the current title of this thread, I was at Patty's today and they said they're closing at the end of the year.

Get your ham hash while you can. (It's as good as ever.)

eelton wrote:Despite the current title of this thread, I was at Patty's today and they said they're closing at the end of the year.

Get your ham hash while you can. (It's as good as ever.)

That would be their annual New Year's Day closing. Back on Jan 2.

Cogito wrote:That would be their annual New Year's Day closing. Back on Jan 2.

I don't believe that's the case, although it's true that their plans have changed before.

Patty's Diner will never close as long as it has the support of LTH members.

The rumor I heard was that they are closing because Patty has carpal tunnel. Perhaps someone would like to confirm first-hand.

I heard that they're closing to open a diner-themed gastropub in the West Loop. But I could be wrong.

jesteinf wrote:I heard that they're closing to open a diner-themed gastropub in the West Loop. But I could be wrong.

KennyZ, please refrain from using other LTHers posting names. Thanks

G Wiv wrote:

jesteinf wrote:I heard that they're closing to open a diner-themed gastropub in the West Loop. But I could be wrong.

KennyZ, please refrain from using other LTHers posting names. Thanks

Josh thanks you for the compliment, but I would never suggest that I could be wrong.

Come on now, Kenny doesn't have a monopoly on snark around here

I must be slow because I thought that the snarkiest comment in the thread was that Patti, grill-lady, burger-flipper extraordinaire, was quitting due to carpal tunnel syndrome. *

*Still awaiting confirmation of that rumor.

cookiemahnster wrote:The rumor I heard was that they are closing because Patty has carpal tunnel. Perhaps someone would like to confirm first-hand.

That is partially true, but the actual cosing date is still in flux.

Had breakfast at Patty's today and as many times as I've been there, today might have been the best it ever was. I ordered the Garbage Omelet (first time for me), which was perfectly cooked -- yellow and tender throughout and nary a touch of brown -- with cheese just oozing out of it (along with a trove of breakfast meats and veggies). Old Potatoes were perfection . . . piping hot, light, supremely crispy and seasoned aggressively. I can't remember a better meal here, even though I've had many great ones.

I didn't ask about the rumored closing because I just wanted to get my grub on. If they stay open, great; I'll continue to visits a few times a year. If not, I'll miss it and treasure the many tasty memories.

=R=

It is official, Patty's Diner is scheduled to close December 31,2010

Between the 20 years of business, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and some stuff with the building.. she figures its time.

stevez wrote:

cookiemahnster wrote:The rumor I heard was that they are closing because Patty has carpal tunnel. Perhaps someone would like to confirm first-hand.

That is partially true, but the actual cosing date is still in flux.

There's no doubt that, even with multiple stays of execution over the last year or so, Patty just looks TIRED of it all, and with the economic downturn, there's no way her margin's been any good lately, maybe not ever. Thing is--and I'm only a 5-year veteran--all this time the quality of her burgers, her specials and especially her ham hash have remained absolutely, consistently top-notch. And she really knows her way around an egg. Basted comes out BASTED, dammit! Good ingredients & fantastic expertise throughout, some of the best comfort food I've ever experienced, always with a dollop of Patty's weary--albeit a little pessimistic--commentary.

Sometimes it IS just time. The killer part of this all is that this kind of place will never be replaced. We wish you well, Patty...

jnm123 wrote: The killer part of this all is that this kind of place will never be replaced. We wish you well, Patty...

Not so fast, folks. I have it on good authority (that is, Patty herself) that after a period of R&R our favorite "female grill cook" plans to look for a new place, perhaps a smaller one, in a better location than the current Patty's Diner. Let's hope she finds just the right spot!

Just saw this on Facebook:

Patty's Diner-Skokie
Patty is opening another restaurant... In WISCONSIN!!!! more news as I have it

Cathy2 wrote:Just saw this on Facebook:

Patty's Diner-Skokie
Patty is opening another restaurant... In WISCONSIN!!!! more news as I have it

As I was schlepping stuff between my soon-to-be old office in Highland Park and my soon-to-be new office in Niles over the weekend, I was absolutely craving Patty's and missing it very much. Not sure if this news makes that better or worse...

=R=

At least Ted's Snack Shop isn't that far .... it's kind of Patty's lite, minus the ham on the bone.

Facebook:

Patty's Diner-Skokie She spole to me before she left yesterday. We had some personal business to take care uf.. she says that it is 4 hours from Skokie.. I think Green Bay... I will get all of the details from Margaret this week and share them with you all.

If it were just over the border, it would be a weekend option. Green Bay? A road trip I am not likely to take anytime soon.

Regards,