Message from Patty

I was at Patty's diner today, and she (who isn't computer savvy) asked me to post the following to all:

With sadness and mixed emotions:

Patty’s Diner
3358 W Main Street
Skokie IL 60076

Will be closing December 31,2010

We wish to thank all of our loyal customers for their support,
and special thanks to: Gary Josephine and Steve.

20 years of service
“What a ride!”

Happy Holidays
Patty

Was in there about 12:15 and had what might be my last sloppy joe there. Place was more crowded than it had been my last few times.

2146 north wrote:Was in there about 12:15 and had what might be my last sloppy joe there. Place was more crowded than it had been my last few times.

I was there too at the same time.

sam9111 wrote:

2146 north wrote:Was in there about 12:15 and had what might be my last sloppy joe there. Place was more crowded than it had been my last few times.

I was there too at the same time.

I think I heard your name mentioned when you left, I was reading a book while eating, sat about in the middle of the counter.

We should all meet one day for one last fling. I never had the Joe or the Gary.

Any others heard this at the source?

Cogito wrote:Any others heard this at the source?

Yes. It's true. Patty asked me not to post anything about it until the details were worked out, but evidently it's official now. As a bittersweet bonus, the long missing Suzie is back and will be waiting tables for the duration.

Cogito wrote:Any others heard this at the source?

It was reported in Dish yesterday.


Only 23 Days Until the Best Corned Beef Hash Ever Disappears

“Right now I’m going to take a break, and then I’m going to think of what I’m going to do. . . . I just want to breathe a little bit and then I can think.” —Patty Tunk, the chef/owner of Patty’s Diner (3358 Main St., Skokie; 847-675-4274), who, after 20 years, will close her self-named restaurant on December 31st.

I am struggling to distinguish between this discussion and the one that took place weeks ago in the main Patty's thread. Has something new happened?

Kennyz wrote:I am struggling to distinguish between this discussion and the one that took place weeks ago in the main Patty's thread. Has something new happened?

No, nothing new has happened other than the fact that Patty has officially released the information.

I happened in there today for lunch and it is true. I was told as I was leaving and I completely missed the large sign stating the impending closure.

stevez wrote:

Kennyz wrote:I am struggling to distinguish between this discussion and the one that took place weeks ago in the main Patty's thread. Has something new happened?

No, nothing new has happened other than the fact that Patty has officially released the information.

The last post in that other thread, from Josephine only 12 days ago, said this:

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!

So is the latest information that Patty's is closing in its current location, but will be reopening in a better location?

riddlemay wrote:So is the latest information that Patty's is closing in its current location, but will be reopening in a better location?

We'll need to start a new thread to sort all this out.

I'm mad at myself that I didn't go here more often! (from downtown Chicago it's quite the hike,) Every time I've made the trip the ham hash with old potatoes with 2 eggs has made the trip well worth it. If they're closing for personal/health reasons or exhaustion, that's understandable, but if they're closing due to this economy and financial concerns I'm perplexed and saddened. A place like Patty's would KILL anywhere in the city limits of Chicago and I don't get why many people, (esp skokie residents) have never been to or even HEARD of patty's. I really wish they would have received more exposure, any exposure (even check please or yelp) because if they're closing because they didn't make enough $ to make this worthwhile then that's confusing to me. The best diner I've been to in the entire chicagoland area, and the closest thing I could find to Mickey's Diner in Madison. I really hope Patty, if her heart's in it and she's able to, decides to open another Patty's Diner in the West Loop or anywhere in the city, I don't see how it could fail once people get a chance to get a taste of some of the best diner food anywhere. Thanks to Patty's Diner and also LTH for introducing me to this place. I hope someone on LTH can keep in contact with Patty somehow so we'll know if she does decide to do something similar in the future, we can only hope.

FoodSnob77 wrote:I hope someone on LTH can keep in contact with Patty somehow so we'll know if she does decide to do something similar in the future, we can only hope.

You can be sure that when/if Patty decides to open another place, you'll hear about it here.

went today for the first time
but sad to see them closing , had a great meal
gary burger with egg,old potatos.
split a order of ham hash. great food

hope too get back before they close

AM Saturday joint was jumping Patty in rare form, spatula equal parts kitchen utensil, conductors baton and pirate cutlass.

Craved ham since reading the current issue of Garden and Gun, ham cut from the bone, grits and eggs scratched the itch.





Itroduced Phil W to Patty's, kind of mean as he lives a distance and its only two weeks to close.

Phil's Gary Burger with Old Potatoes



Had the pleasure of meeting Patty's Diner superfan Sam9111, who posted the note from Patty that started this thread.

I'm going to miss Patty and her grill skills, in that order, hope to see her back in the saddle after a period of rest and repair.

Patty



Enjoy,
Gary

It was great meeting you today...

That first picture is great of the Ham and Patty in the background... I love it...



Sam C

We had a great breakfast at Patty's this morning. Corned beef hash, ham hash, and biscuits and gravy.

Patty may open a new place in 6 months, or more. She is keeping an email list near the register if you want to be notified ASAP of future plans.

Is anyone aware of the hours Patty is keeping these days? I really need to get out there one last time before I travel for the holidays as it will be closed on my return.

Ursiform wrote:Is anyone aware of the hours Patty is keeping these days? I really need to get out there one last time before I travel for the holidays as it will be closed on my return.

Open Tues.-Sat. until 2:30 PM, Sunday until 1:30 PM. Probably closed Christmas. Call ahead.

Thanks, Steve! Calling ahead is always a good plan.

There will be booze on their last day. This has been a public service announcement.

They were very busy on Sunday, busier than I've ever seen them. Patty looked stressed. Prices also seemed to have been kicked up a bit, but I can't blame them for that.

I don't eat there often enough but it seems whenever i do eat there, breakfast or lunch, it does not seem to matter what I order my bill is always 9.50. (I then leave a 2.00 tip)

making my second (and hopefully not last) trip here tomorrow. any preferences between the corned beef hash and the ham hash? I know I'm going to get stuck on many options tomorrow, but perhaps some opinions from here will mitigate that.

Ham hash with old potatoes.

Stephen wrote:making my second (and hopefully not last) trip here tomorrow. any preferences between the corned beef hash and the ham hash? I know I'm going to get stuck on many options tomorrow, but perhaps some opinions from here will mitigate that.

Both great. Eat twice (or bring a friend to share).

I'm bringing two others, so I will make some 'strong suggestions.'

FoodSnob77 wrote:Ham hash with old potatoes.

QFT

To explain myself, if had to choose between the two, I'd go with Ham Hash with Old potatoes, since you're never going to find anything similar to this. Their corned beef hash is excellent, probably the best one I've ever had in chicagoland but where else can you get a ham hash? I don't even like Ham and potatoes in general much myself in fact, but I crave this dish all the time now and will truly miss this place. For all of those out there that have still never gone to Patty's diner, you really do need to go before they close if you appreciate great diner fare.