ews wrote:Where in Northcenter?

Metromix says 3830 N. Lincoln.

Also new in Evanston - Soulwich - http://www.soulwich.com/.

Soulwich
1634 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
tel: (847) 328-2222

eric2

nsxtasy wrote:

Dr. K wrote:Austin's Tacos is open in Evanston

That's in the former Al's Beef location.

Speaking of Evanston, Hota has replaced Jacky's on Prairie. Hota, which is the Spanish word for the letter "J", has menus featuring global fusion (I guess it's more properly called "pan-global") cuisine.

Hmm. Well, on the website, they have a long-vowel mark over the o, so maybe we could make that work by extending it a bit - hota is the English pronunciation of jota, which is the Spanish word for the letter "J".

Whatever the etymology, the menu is very enticing. I want to try the Chilpachole.

Not far from Lincoln Square. It's around Laschet's, Lutz Bakery, etc.

It was widely reported today that Bottleneck Management (Boundary, Sweetwater, South Branch) has leased space in the Tribune Tower, however the Crains article also mentions they leased out the old 33 Club space as well. I don't think I had seen that reported before. That will be a good addition to Well's street. I thought 33 Club was too expensive and the food was kind of bland.

I like the restaurants in this group, they have a nice, fun atmosphere and good food at reasonable prices. I'm excited to see the new additions.

The article is here: http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20120111/CRED03/120119936/solid-guys-with-no-attitude-have-2-new-eateries-in-works

Pie Lady wrote:Not far from Lincoln Square. It's around Laschet's, Lutz Bakery, etc.

If you're referring to Big Bricks, here are some much closer landmarks: it's just north of Trader Joe's, and just south of Sola and Community Home Supply.

Could Pie Lady have misread the question as where is North Center as opposed to where in North Center? As a former resident, even many Chicagoans are unfamiliar with the name (many call it St. Ben's), so it would not be an unusual question. Big Bricks couldn't be near both Lutz and Laschet's because one is at Montrose near Western and the other is Irving Park near Damen.

This isn't great but here's a City Neighborhood Map

http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/da ... poster.pdf

Whats Cooking at Lincoln and McCormick in Chicago has closed its doors...

It appears that the current owner is not reopning.


Sam C
Evanston,IL

sam9111 wrote:Whats Cooking at Lincoln and McCormick in Chicago has closed its doors...

It appears that the current owner is not reopning.


Sam C
Evanston,IL

Wow, that's a real kick in the head.
For some reason, I thought that they would be around forever.

PortPkPaul wrote:As a former resident, even many Chicagoans are unfamiliar with the name (many call it St. Ben's), so it would not be an unusual question.

Ah! Thanks for the explanation. I thought St. Ben's was the proper name for that neighborhood.

sam9111 wrote:Whats Cooking at Lincoln and McCormick in Chicago has closed its doors...

It appears that the current owner is not reopning.


Sam C
Evanston,IL

Wow! That is a real shocker! I wonder what happened.

I cannot remember a time when my family did not eat at What's Cooking, going back over 40 years now.

When they moved to the new spot after Lincoln Village was redesigned, I felt they lost a lot of their soul. In the last 3 years, we did not go there nearly as often as we used to. Whenever I passed the place though, it looked to be as busy as ever.

They had some waitresses who had been there a long time. I hope they will be ok!

The Glenview location of Gulliver's Pizza, 4520 Lake Ave, has closed.

This seems to be one of those "haunted" spots that can't keep a business open.

nsxtasy wrote:

Dr. K wrote:Austin's Tacos is open in Evanston

That's in the former Al's Beef location.

Speaking of Evanston, Hota has replaced Jacky's on Prairie. Hota, which is the Spanish word for the letter "J", has menus featuring global fusion (I guess it's more properly called "pan-global") cuisine.

Also in Evanston, I noticed a sign for a place called Todoroki across the street from Joy Yee's at 526 Davis St.. The only info I can find is on the downtown Evanston website.

Description: Opening January 2012!

sdbond wrote:The Glenview location of Gulliver's Pizza, 4520 Lake Ave, has closed.

This seems to be one of those "haunted" spots that can't keep a business open.

My son was in there shortly before New Year's and they said they're relocating, I think to somewhere near Waukegan and Golf.
Their website has "Glenview: Coming soon"

In terms of the spot being cursed -- it hasn't been that many businesses, most of which fell into the "Greek Diner" category, Gulliver's being the exception. However, losing one of the hotels on that property, for which it served as the nearest resto can't have helped.

incite wrote:Also in Evanston, I noticed a sign for a place called Todoroki across the street from Joy Yee's at 526 Davis St.

Clearly, those two (and 527 Cafe) are right where they belong - in the Far East part of downtown Evanston.

PortPkPaul wrote:Could Pie Lady have misread the question as where is North Center as opposed to where in North Center? As a former resident, even many Chicagoans are unfamiliar with the name (many call it St. Ben's), so it would not be an unusual question. Big Bricks couldn't be near both Lutz and Laschet's because one is at Montrose near Western and the other is Irving Park near Damen.

I also noticed that my response is so far down from the original question that it doesn't make sense. But I was reading it wrong, I did think it said where IS North Center.

cito wrote:

sam9111 wrote:Whats Cooking at Lincoln and McCormick in Chicago has closed its doors...

It appears that the current owner is not reopning.


Sam C
Evanston,IL

Wow, that's a real kick in the head.
For some reason, I thought that they would be around forever.

I'm kind of sad over this, even though what I had there was incredibly bland. They had a lot of soup, which is always a plus for me.

cito wrote:

sam9111 wrote:Whats Cooking at Lincoln and McCormick in Chicago has closed its doors...

It appears that the current owner is not reopning.


Sam C
Evanston,IL

Wow, that's a real kick in the head.
For some reason, I thought that they would be around forever.

Probably inevitable: their core demographic probably couldn't keep them in business much longer in that community. That reduces the number of old-style Jewish restaurants and delis in the city to under a half dozen: Ashkenaz, Ada's, The Bagel on Broadway, Manny's, and Steve's Deli (an import). Am I missing any or is that really it?

KajmacJohnson wrote:As I stated in another thread, I for one do not think Manzo's had to update the decor to atract people, particularly with the food being really good. Besides the pizza, pasta was a standout as well and on Fridays they served a pretty yummy clam chowder. We did not go there often but we did go once every couple of months or so and we almost always dined in. We usually saw the same staff (hostess and waitresses) and they were always stellar, super nice and knew our names and preferences despite the fact that we were not daily or even weekly visitors. Manzo's will sorely be missed in our household.

I suppose you'd have a case if the place weren't empty on the verge of abandoned every time I stepped foot in the place no matter the time of day. It was clear their focus had shifted to take-out/delivery service and the dining room & bar had become largely superfluous. If indeed they intend to re-open with a renewed focus on dine-in, you can bet it will be with a much fresher interior space and updated menu. I have my doubts about it re-opening at all, and if it does, it will almost certainly be nothing like the old Manzo's -- it will either be much more contemporary, or it will be almost exclusive carry-out/delivery done out of a smaller space.

There will not be a new restaurant where Manzo's was. Signs on construction fence advertise a Chase Bank branch coming soon.

Pomegranate in Evanston is now closed, and so is the salumeria next door.

Not sure if it has been mentioned but Chipotle is coming to the "Strip mall" at Lincoln & Peterson Avenues across from Walgreens. The sign is up but they are still working on the interior.

Also from the Lincolnwood website, they are developing 2 outlots at Lincolnwood Towncenter and a Chipotle may be one of the tenats there as well
http://www.egovlink.com/public_document ... ebsite.pdf

Allium, a name that makes reference to its focus on local ingredients and Chicago, will take over the former Seasons Lounge & Bar spot on the 7th floor of the hotel at 900 N. Michigan Ave.
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... n-february

Bonnie_Blue wrote:

sam9111 wrote:Whats Cooking at Lincoln and McCormick in Chicago has closed its doors...

It appears that the current owner is not reopning.


Sam C
Evanston,IL

Wow! That is a real shocker! I wonder what happened.

I cannot remember a time when my family did not eat at What's Cooking, going back over 40 years now.

When they moved to the new spot after Lincoln Village was redesigned, I felt they lost a lot of their soul. In the last 3 years, we did not go there nearly as often as we used to. Whenever I passed the place though, it looked to be as busy as ever.

They had some waitresses who had been there a long time. I hope they will be ok!

So much for me to comment on. Going to have to do it all one at a time. I am completely shocked that What's Cooking is closed. In college we used to frequent this along with the Golden Nugget and Whistler but like Bonnie I definately think the place lost charm when the shopping center was redeveloped and the restaurant relocated. However, they always served a solid breakfast and had some great old time waitresses who looked like they had been there a long time. I am going to miss those feta cheese omelettes.

But I have to say the last couple times I was there maybe about two years or so ago, both times I went with my parents for Sunday night dinner and had less than stellar experiences. The first time we had a waitress who barely looked old enough to be qualified for employment who disappeared quite a few times during our meal in very long stretches. It took her half an hour to come back and give us our check after we were through eating and the restaurant was pretty dead. The second time, the quality of the food seemed lacking somehow and I was not too fond of our server though she was better than the last girl. Despite that, this place was always packed around breakfast and lunch so I am wondering, did somethign change the last few years? Did less people patronize the establishment?

ekreider wrote:There will not be a new restaurant where Manzo's was. Signs on construction fence advertise a Chase Bank branch coming soon.

That may be, but so far they've only torn down half the building, namely the half that's been vacant for the better part of a decade. The Manzo's side is still intact. So it remains to be seen what will become of that space, whether Manzo's will re-open there, or somewhere else -- or at all. It also remains to be seen whether the Manzo's half of the building is coming down.

WestRidgeFoodie wrote:Not sure if it has been mentioned but Chipotle is coming to the "Strip mall" at Lincoln & Peterson Avenues across from Walgreens. The sign is up but they are still working on the interior.

Also from the Lincolnwood website, they are developing 2 outlots at Lincolnwood Towncenter and a Chipotle may be one of the tenats there as well
http://www.egovlink.com/public_document ... ebsite.pdf

Is that in the same lot as Walgreen's? Chipolte has to be the mosy unimaginative chain spreading like wildfire having recently been placed at the Jewel by me at Elston and Kedzie. If only the Corner Bakery was as aggressive in expansion instead.

Drover wrote:

KajmacJohnson wrote:As I stated in another thread, I for one do not think Manzo's had to update the decor to atract people, particularly with the food being really good. Besides the pizza, pasta was a standout as well and on Fridays they served a pretty yummy clam chowder. We did not go there often but we did go once every couple of months or so and we almost always dined in. We usually saw the same staff (hostess and waitresses) and they were always stellar, super nice and knew our names and preferences despite the fact that we were not daily or even weekly visitors. Manzo's will sorely be missed in our household.

I suppose you'd have a case if the place weren't empty on the verge of abandoned every time I stepped foot in the place no matter the time of day. It was clear their focus had shifted to take-out/delivery service and the dining room & bar had become largely superfluous. If indeed they intend to re-open with a renewed focus on dine-in, you can bet it will be with a much fresher interior space and updated menu. I have my doubts about it re-opening at all, and if it does, it will almost certainly be nothing like the old Manzo's -- it will either be much more contemporary, or it will be almost exclusive carry-out/delivery done out of a smaller space.

Honestly, I don't have much high hopes they will reopen elsewhere. If they do it will be a bare bones takeout/delivery similar to Amato's and Armand's. And I can't enjoy old school Italian dining in a nondescript stripmall or storefront space so it definately won't be the same. The charm of the old place and the people will sorely be missed.

Drover wrote:

ekreider wrote:There will not be a new restaurant where Manzo's was. Signs on construction fence advertise a Chase Bank branch coming soon.

That may be, but so far they've only torn down half the building, namely the half that's been vacant for the better part of a decade. The Manzo's side is still intact. So it remains to be seen what will become of that space, whether Manzo's will re-open there, or somewhere else -- or at all. It also remains to be seen whether the Manzo's half of the building is coming down.

Actually, no. I pass by on my way to work daily and as of yesterday the back part of Manzo's was being torn apart. Didn't look today because I was focused on snow driving.

Sapore di Napoli - closed.