zoid wrote:

DKoblesky wrote:Back Alley Burger is now open on st charles near 83 in elm hurst. Very near portillos and the new smash burger. It is in what used to be a KFC. Signs say 'hand spun shakes' and 'fresh cut fries'. Looked pretty crowded. But as my wife says 'back alley burger' is not exactly an appetizing name but who knows?

Wait - there's a Smashburger in Elmhurst now?

Southeast corner of 83 and St. Charles, in the new strip mall next to the Verizon store. It opened last fall.

Back Alley Burger opened last week.

Dave148 wrote:

Bonnie_Blue wrote:

cito wrote:It appears that George's What's Cooking ( Deerfield ) will be closing at the end of the week.

I have never eaten at this location but it is especially noticeable due to the closure of the What's Cooking at Lincoln Village just weeks ago.
I wonder if there is a connection between the two, aside from the poor economy.

The referenced article explains the connection between the two restaurants.

I know they used to own the one at Lincoln Village. For some reason, I seem to remember the owners of the two places were brothers, but I might be mistaken about that.

I was wondering if there was a connection in the timing of the closures. It just seems strange to me that both places would fold within weeks of each other, after all these years.

Cross posted from the "Tortas Frontera (O'Hare)" thread

...

For those that don't want to trek out to O'Hare, you have a new option....

LINK

From Chicagoist
If Rick Bayless opens a restaurant but doesn't send out a press release, can it still serve sandwiches? Apparently, the answer is yes—reminding us once again that, if you make tasty tortas, they will come. Tortas Frontera, the sandwich shop that is the highlight of every trip to O'Hare airport, has come downtown.
Normally, we're pretty informed about openings and closings, but we hadn't walked by the Chase Building lately. Yesterday, Rick Bayless tweeted: "Loop-ers: Tortas Frontera (like airport) is now open in Urban Market of Chase Tower! Serving breakfast & lunch" and the internet exploded. Well, the part of the internet that likes tasty sandwiches.

SSDD

Bonnie_Blue wrote:
I was wondering if there was a connection in the timing of the closures. It just seems strange to me that both places would fold within weeks of each other, after all these years.

Bonnie, I was wondering if there was still a connection between the two as well for those same reasons. I read the article that was posted. All I can say is, pretty sad. My heart really goes out to them for losing the business and their home.

Walking down the 1500 block of Montorse last night, the old "Ranalli's Up North" spot now has a "Chilapan" sign. It looks a couple of days away from opening.

Assuming this is related to the Logan Square/Bucktown version, it's interesting that they would open an new one basically across the street from Mixteco Grill.

Walking down the 1500 block of Montorse last night, the old "Ranalli's Up North" spot now has a "Chilapan" sign. It looks a couple of days away from opening.

Assuming this is related to the Logan Square/Bucktown version, it's interesting that they would open an new one basically across the street from Mixteco Grill.

Interesting, yes. It was reported in Chicago Magazine here:
http://www.chicagomag.com/Radar/Dish/Fe ... avenswood/

Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels is closing Café Twist, its Lincoln Park restaurant, to focus on the food-service market. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... od-service

Steers, 5777 N. Milwaukee, is closed.

A cafe is coming soon to the space formerly owned by a Russian deli at about 6251 N. Milwaukee.

Mo Dailey's, an Irish pub, is now open at 6070 N. Northwest Highway. http://modaileys.com/

KajmacJohnson wrote:

Bonnie_Blue wrote:I was wondering if there was a connection in the timing of the closures. It just seems strange to me that both places would fold within weeks of each other, after all these years.

Bonnie, I was wondering if there was still a connection between the two as well for those same reasons. I read the article that was posted. All I can say is, pretty sad. My heart really goes out to them for losing the business and their home.

Damn, I hate this economy! Both What's Cooking restaurants served markets that are now going to be bereft. They weren't trendy or haute cuisine, but both were solid places for sandwiches, breakfast and Jewish dishes.

Nobody's really opening new restaurants of this sort.

I was in the Omega in Niles the other night and there was very little business. I took a look around the dining room and noticed it was getting shabby.

LAZ wrote:Damn, I hate this economy! Both What's Cooking restaurants served markets that are now going to be bereft. They weren't trendy or haute cuisine, but both were solid places for sandwiches, breakfast and Jewish dishes.

Nobody's really opening new restaurants of this sort.

I was in the Omega in Niles the other night and there was very little business. I took a look around the dining room and noticed it was getting shabby.

Easy alternatives to WC in Deerfield:
http://www.maxandbennys.com/
http://maxs-deli.com/

Easy alternatives to WC in Deerfield:
http://www.maxandbennys.com/
http://maxs-deli.com/

Slight correction(s): Neither place is located in Deerfield. Max's is in Highland Park, and Max & Benny's is in Northbrook.

LAZ wrote:

KajmacJohnson wrote:

Bonnie_Blue wrote:I was wondering if there was a connection in the timing of the closures. It just seems strange to me that both places would fold within weeks of each other, after all these years.

Bonnie, I was wondering if there was still a connection between the two as well for those same reasons. I read the article that was posted. All I can say is, pretty sad. My heart really goes out to them for losing the business and their home.

Damn, I hate this economy! Both What's Cooking restaurants served markets that are now going to be bereft. They weren't trendy or haute cuisine, but both were solid places for sandwiches, breakfast and Jewish dishes.

Nobody's really opening new restaurants of this sort.

I was in the Omega in Niles the other night and there was very little business. I took a look around the dining room and noticed it was getting shabby.

I agree. I don't need haute cuisine breakfasts myself but I am going to miss What's Cooking for their feta cheese omlettes which were good. They were not the only type of family style dining restaurant I have frequented in recent years that have closed either. Sad.

Just before my husband and I got married a couple of years back, we began to frequent an old haunt of my dad's LeSabre on Montrose and Damen. Great coffee, good breakfasts and very sweet waitresses. One day we struck up a conversation with one of our servers and she remarked on how business had declined considerably (They were no longer a 24 hour establishment) due to so many factors and changes. About a year or so later, the place closed up shop.

sundevilpeg wrote:

Easy alternatives to WC in Deerfield:
http://www.maxandbennys.com/
http://maxs-deli.com/

Slight correction(s): Neither place is located in Deerfield. Max's is in Highland Park, and Max & Benny's is in Northbrook.

Also, both of them are delis, not family restaurants with a Jewish slant.

I last had What's Cooking in Deerfield a couple of years ago for lunch. My meal was pretty average and it was not really crowded. I used to be a big fan of places like this (Sunmist in Addison, Omega, Full Moon, and I grew up with Jack's in Skokie) but overall, none of them really were that good, except for breakfast. I did love the cream of chicken rice soup at Sunmist every Thursday when I worked down the street. Omega and Full Moon went downhill for me in recent years, so I'm not going back to them. I still love breakfast at Jack's, it definitely takes me back to my youth when I'm there, although I am sure a lot of people get turned off by the 1980's decor. I remember when they expanded in the 80's, got rid of the 1960's Vegas sign:cry:, and it was all new and modern. The old Jack's before that was so vintage, a little grimy, and had lots of cigarette smoke. Life goes on...

KajmacJohnson wrote:

LAZ wrote:
Damn, I hate this economy! Both What's Cooking restaurants served markets that are now going to be bereft. They weren't trendy or haute cuisine, but both were solid places for sandwiches, breakfast and Jewish dishes.

Nobody's really opening new restaurants of this sort.

I was in the Omega in Niles the other night and there was very little business. I took a look around the dining room and noticed it was getting shabby.

I agree. I don't need haute cuisine breakfasts myself but I am going to miss What's Cooking for their feta cheese omlettes which were good. They were not the only type of family style dining restaurant I have frequented in recent years that have closed either. Sad.

Just before my husband and I got married a couple of years back, we began to frequent an old haunt of my dad's LeSabre on Montrose and Damen. Great coffee, good breakfasts and very sweet waitresses. One day we struck up a conversation with one of our servers and she remarked on how business had declined considerably (They were no longer a 24 hour establishment) due to so many factors and changes. About a year or so later, the place closed up shop.

My parents like those kind of places, they used to alternate between Seven Brothers and Kappy's but now favor Marilyn's. It's close to the Edens for those not in immediate area.

http://www.allmenus.com/il/niles/223379 ... rant/menu/

Marilyn's Restaurant
5900 Dempster St
Morton Grove, IL 60053
(847) 663-1900

PortPkPaul wrote:

My parents like those kind of places, they used to alternate between Seven Brothers and Kappy's but now favor Marilyn's. It's close to the Edens for those not in immediate area.

http://www.allmenus.com/il/niles/223379 ... rant/menu/

Marilyn's Restaurant
5900 Dempster St
Morton Grove, IL 60053
(847) 663-1900

My parents are very picky and these are the only type of places they will eat at. I will keep Marilyn's in my radar. But I don't think it is the Jewish type of deli restaurant LAZ is looking for. I can'r even think of any that were similar to What's Cooking in that regard.

Right, I meant that LeSabre ilk.

Rene G wrote:

KajmacJohnson wrote:Was driving down Foster on my way to work today and saw something in part of the old Cafe Victoria space at 3232 W Foster, Asian Kitchen. Not sure if it is open yet but it has this generic chain look from the looks of it but not even sure this is a chain.

Could you mean 2 Asian Brothers at 3222 W Foster? A few days ago Kevin Pang wrote about the 6-month-old restaurant: 2 Asian Brothers' story is more than plate deep.

I had a bahn mi, the pork belly one, last week. Excellent. In the same league as Nhu Lan, IMHO. Nice place to sit down at, fast casual service. Free Wifi. Clean as a whistle too. Lots of seating. Once the professors leave for the school day you can park in the lot right next door, but not during the middle of the day.

Smokey Bears BBQ, in North Park, on Foster Ave., is closed. Windows papered over. Sign said closed for cleaning open in one week.

Five Guys has opened their 30th location in the Chicago area.

This one's in Downers Grove (NE corner of Ogden Ave. & Fairview Ave.)

Five Guys Burgers & Fries
340 Ogden Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515

Phone: 630-963-1550
Hours: 11am-10pm Every Day

http://www.fiveguys.com/

WCIBN wrote:Five Guys has opened their 30th location in the Chicago area.

So, that's actually like 150 Guys then, right?

I've still never been to one but I did see one in Edens Plaza in Wilmette the other day and thought, "who knows, maybe someday."

=R=

edb60035 wrote:It appears that one-time GNR-winner Maria's Bakery in Highwood is a goner. "Closed for remodeling". As if anyone couldn't predict that when Maria sold the place off and it moved, it would lose all of the appeal.

HI,

Maria's in Highwood has reopened under new ownership today.

Regards,

KajmacJohnson wrote:

PortPkPaul wrote:

My parents like those kind of places, they used to alternate between Seven Brothers and Kappy's but now favor Marilyn's. It's close to the Edens for those not in immediate area.

http://www.allmenus.com/il/niles/223379 ... rant/menu/

Marilyn's Restaurant
5900 Dempster St
Morton Grove, IL 60053
(847) 663-1900

My parents are very picky and these are the only type of places they will eat at. I will keep Marilyn's in my radar. But I don't think it is the Jewish type of deli restaurant LAZ is looking for. I can'r even think of any that were similar to What's Cooking in that regard.

Have they tried Sanders on Touhy or Sally's on Harlem?

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm pretty sure Neu Uber Buger in donwtown Evanston has finally kicked it. It's been dark and desolate for weeks, despite a sign promising a revamp (which I think was supposed to occur around Valentine's Day). The website is nonexistent. My experiences there were always resoundingly "meh," even the first time around when it was just Uber Burger. Even though it preceded Edzo's and Five Guys in Evanston, it never seemed to fully take hold.

618 1/2 Church St.
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 864-4400
http://www.uber-burger.com/

Cathy2 wrote:

edb60035 wrote:It appears that one-time GNR-winner Maria's Bakery in Highwood is a goner. "Closed for remodeling". As if anyone couldn't predict that when Maria sold the place off and it moved, it would lose all of the appeal.

HI,

Maria's in Highwood has reopened under new ownership today.

Regards,

Is Maria involved again?

AlexG wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:

edb60035 wrote:It appears that one-time GNR-winner Maria's Bakery in Highwood is a goner. "Closed for remodeling". As if anyone couldn't predict that when Maria sold the place off and it moved, it would lose all of the appeal.

HI,

Maria's in Highwood has reopened under new ownership today.

Regards,

Is Maria involved again?

Sadly, I don't think so.

LPython wrote:Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm pretty sure Neu Uber Buger in donwtown Evanston has finally kicked it. It's been dark and desolate for weeks, despite a sign promising a revamp (which I think was supposed to occur around Valentine's Day). The website is nonexistent. My experiences there were always resoundingly "meh," even the first time around when it was just Uber Burger. Even though it preceded Edzo's and Five Guys in Evanston, it never seemed to fully take hold.

618 1/2 Church St.
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 864-4400
http://www.uber-burger.com/

Welcome. Thanks, for the intel.

=R=

Drover wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:That Irish Place, formerly known as The Blue Angel at 5310 N. Milwaukee, is still closed, but they have an awning up with a shadow outline of their new name: Annegans.

Now the awning is gone and there is a metal stamped sign that says Finnegans. I swear there was an A before.

I liked "Annegan's" better. Sounded less conspicuously Paddy-Irish.

There is some interesting apparent shilling going on on Yelp. For several weeks, they were averaging one star, but recently five-star reviews have been popping up as fast as they can be filtered, all in a similar writing style and very defensive in tone.

Ha! That page is hilarious. Nothing but one-star reviews until those very well-written ones at the top.
Unfortunately, I'd have to give a low review too, maybe 2 stars.

We were in the other day, maybe Tuesday. I would have opened a thread, but the details on the meal are fuzzy, plus we came so late on a weeknight I figured that's hardly a good way to judge a new restaurant. I first ordered the pork shoulder, I can't remember the dish exactly but it came with rosemary mashed potatoes, but they were out of it. Okay, it was late. So I ordered the Alfredo pasta with Brussels sprouts and chicken instead. Thankfully, the sauce was not as heavy, thick, and heart-clogging as a typical Alfredo, but it was much too watery. It was interesting having sprouts in a dish; I think sprouts are underrated. There was something going on with the chicken...it reminded me of the stuff in the salad at Red Robin.. All in all, not a dish I'd go back for. Mr. Pie had a panini of some sort, also with chicken, that he adored. It came with fries that looked hand-cut, skin 'n' all, and those were delicious.

I'd also have to agree with the comment on the stank. I believe I likened it to the inside of a diaper. Not a full diaper, but a fresh, plastic, slightly funky prefab Luvs. It permeated the place and was really unpleasant, and we couldn't figure out where it was coming from. As for our waitress, she was nervous but friendly. The place was nicely revamped with dark polished wood, but it was very spare and could use some decorating. We tried to find "our booth" but they seem to have opened the space more, leaving a lot of empty space in the front. Strangely, the booth we were in left little belly room between us and the table.

I wouldn't avoid the place, but I'd wait awhile before returning. I usually don't go to new places this early on because the bugs need to be worked out. I will, however, keep up on the yelping since it's proving to be quite entertaining.

[cross posted in First Slice Cafe thread]

I'm sad to report that the First Slice Cafe location in the water tower pumping station has closed. It was one of my regular lunch spots.

First Slice Pie Cafe [CLOSED]
811 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611