From my Alderman Ameya Pawar's Facebook page:

Great new restaurant coming to 3819 N. Ashland (formerly Centro)! Zia's has been in Edison Park for many years and we are hoping they will be a great addition to our neighborhood. Come out to hear about their concept on Thursday, November 15th, 7pm at AJ Hudson's (another great neighborhood spot), 3801 N. Ashland. Meeting is hosted by Block Club 14.

Stashs Closes After 44 Years in Highland Park
One of Highland Park's oldest restaurants abruptly closed on Tuesday, putting an end to a long history of multiple locations, attempts at reinvention and french fries.

http://highlandpark.patch.com/articles/ ... hland-park

Dave148 wrote:

Stashs Closes After 44 Years in Highland Park
One of Highland Park's oldest restaurants abruptly closed on Tuesday, putting an end to a long history of multiple locations, attempts at reinvention and french fries.

http://highlandpark.patch.com/articles/ ... hland-park

I find reading the comment section quite interesting. Grandpa Bob was there as recently as Friday. Someone hinting there are other reasons why Stashs closed without any substantative information.

Regards,

I noticed that a new Nayarit style mexican seafood place is opening on the corner of Montrose and Spaulding. The former spot of Pupuseria Las Delicias, then Mariscos El Caribe. I stopped in and picked up a menu, which is unsurprisingly identical to most Nayarit style Mariscos restaurants. They told me me they are planning to open this weekend.

After grilling them on the details (no pun intended), I got little information. I don't think they'll be using real charcoal, and it doesn't look like pescado zarandeado is on the menu. The guy I spoke with said it would be available, but he didn't seem too sure what I meant. He informed me that the owners are from Nayarit, and the food will be delicious. I think, maybe he was trying to get me in the door. He insisted that i take a stack of menus to give to all of my friends, then forced me to take about 20. I didn't want to be rude to I obliged. Hopefully 20 people read this to make up for his loss of menus.

As desolate as that spot has been, and as many restaurants as have closed down in a short period of time, it's difficult to imagine yet another seafood place to survive. I wish them the best, Mariscos en estillo Nayarit is among some of my favorite food. Though I doubt I'll make it in this weekend, I'll be sure to post about it when I do. That is if someone doesn't beat me to it!

AL's Beef and Nancy's Pizza
5321 LaGrange Rd, Countryside

Closed.

Lil' Joe's (next door) was just too good.

mattshafferHP wrote:Drove by Stash's of Highland Park this evening (which also includes 2nd Street Bistro and 2nd Street Enoteca) and there was a sign saying something to the effect of "Closed. Thank you for 44 years". An d this was 2 weeks after the had Wedeals for all three restaurants. Wow.

Although I preferred Michael's, Stash's was also a big part of growing up in HP. I'm of an age where I only remember the Port Clinton location... I knew they'd moved a few years back and had been to Real Urban Barbecue in the former Stash's space not long after it opened, but never even saw or noticed the new Stash's location (living in the city, I don't get to downtown HP too often these days). From the comments on the Patch article, it appears they'd been in decline for a while... too bad to see an institution disappear like that. First Shelton's, not Stash's... at least Michael's and Piero's are still around.

Thai Thai in Irving Park (my favorite little hole-in-the-wall Thai place) has the dreaded "Under New Management" sign in its window. We'll see how long the new owner hangs on...

3922 N Elston
(773) 478-1079

Panther in the Den wrote:AL's Beef and Nancy's Pizza
5321 LaGrange Rd, Countryside

Closed.

Lil' Joe's (next door) was just too good.

Right on johnnie, Nice to see the mom and pop place win this head to head matchup.

Cathy2 wrote:

Dave148 wrote:

Stashs Closes After 44 Years in Highland Park
One of Highland Park's oldest restaurants abruptly closed on Tuesday, putting an end to a long history of multiple locations, attempts at reinvention and french fries.

http://highlandpark.patch.com/articles/ ... hland-park

I find reading the comment section quite interesting. Grandpa Bob was there as recently as Friday. Someone hinting there are other reasons why Stashs closed without any substantative information.

Regards,

Correct - Stash's sudden closing cost local coupon company $16,000.
http://highlandpark.patch.com/articles/ ... tc00000001

And it seems that Stash's owner Bobby Dubin has a checkered past...
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985 ... -agreement

The paper is off the windows at the new Ba Le in the Loop. The interior looks finished, the cooking area looks like a little more work/installations might be required, but its looking very close to opening.

...the new Ba Le in the Loop.

What's the address, please? Google search reveals nothing, turning up only addresses on Broadway and S. Archer Ave., and 'Ba Le' is unsearchable here. Thanks.

sundevilpeg wrote:

...the new Ba Le in the Loop.

What's the address, please? Google search reveals nothing, turning up only addresses on Broadway and S. Archer Ave., and 'Ba Le' is unsearchable here. Thanks.

My google search pointed me to Eater which said 166 W Washington.

Thanks! That's just a block or so due south from my workplace at MegaLaw LLP. Much obliged!

I put up a trip report for the newly reopened Kaufman's deli (Skokie).
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=891&p=432262#p432262

The bottom line: better than before. SO HAPPY.

Kaufman's Deli
4905 Dempster Street
Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 677-6190

Pazzo's is in the former Emil's Bar & Grill space at 101 N. Wacker Dr. Open weekdays for lunch and dinner and on all opera nights

Coming soon to Uptown will be the third location for north suburban-based Dengeos Restaurant. Dengeos originally opened in 1972 and offers a variety of high quality Greek and American specialties like gyros, ribs, Greek and BBQ chicken, burgers, housemade baked goods, and plentiful salads.

Dengeos will taking over the space occupied by longtime Uptown restaurant The Best Steakhouse at the southwest corner of Wilson and Broadway. The location will be completely remodeled and a target date for Dengeos opening is yet to be determined. To get a sense of Dengeos' offerings, visit www.dengeos.com.

http://www.uptownupdate.com/2012/11/greek-is-word.html

Taketei, a sushi restaurant, has opened in Edgewater.

Taketei
1111 W Berwyn
Chicago, IL 60640

The GP wrote:Taketei, a sushi restaurant, has opened in Edgewater.

Taketei
1111 W Berwyn
Chicago, IL 60640

Talk about a micro-space. Glad to have some more life on that block.

AlekH wrote: Talk about a micro-space. Glad to have some more life on that block.

I completely agree on both counts. I haven't seen the interior yet, but my husband said it looked nice. Now that the Berwyn L stop has reopened, the foot traffic will get back to normal. I know that Kitchen Sink Cafe really felt the impact of not having the commuters.

stevez wrote:

NFriday wrote:Anyone been to That Burger Joint just down the street from Kaufman's in Skokie? It got lukewarm reviews on Yelp, but most of the complaints were about service the first week. I saw there menu, and it seemed like it was expensive to me. $6 for just a hamburger at a fast food place seems like a lot of money. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks, Nanccy

I went the other day and left unimpressed. The burgers were cooked to oblivion and much too small for the size bun they use, though the bun is of good quality. Fries fared better. They were very thin, approximately the size of food service fast food chain fries, but were hand cut with bits of peel still attached.

I'll be heading just a few blocks east to Poochies the next time i get a burger craving in that neighborhood.

I agree with Steve Z. Over priced, over cooked, and a 15 minute wait for a cheeseburger. There was only one other order ahead of mine.

Artie wrote:

Dengeos will taking over the space occupied by longtime Uptown restaurant The Best Steakhouse at the southwest corner of Wilson and Broadway. The location will be completely remodeled and a target date for Dengeos opening is yet to be determined. To get a sense of Dengeos' offerings, visit http://www.dengeos.com.

http://www.uptownupdate.com/2012/11/greek-is-word.html

Very cool. 100 Skokie and Evanston cops can't be wrong. As much as I hate to see another uptown landmark like The (not) Best Steakhouse close, Dengeo's will be a great fit to that rapidly improving neighborhood. It is just the kind of place that formerly blighted intersection could use. It will make a decent alternative to McDonald's and Dunkin Donuts for Truman College students and residents of the nearby CHA seniors' building. On the downside, for what is basically fast food, their suburban prices seem a little high for that neighborhood. I hope they add a few lower cost items or combinations to that menu.

Signs would seem to indicate that Phoebe's Cupcakes has gone out of business. If so, it's a shame because after 3 or 4 years down the block, earlier this year they expanded their menu and moved to the corner of Broadway & Roscoe.

I walked past today & there's a closed sign on the door. The cases are empty--and not just in the "let's toss the perishable stuff since we're closed for Thanksgiving" kind of empty. Even the refrigerated drink case was bare.

And--even more telling--every piece of equipment has a big handwritten piece of paper on it with "Property of [various leasing and financing companies]."

Unless they're doing a very odd type of inventory, I think they're done.

sundevilpeg wrote:CJ Arthur's in Wilmette, a long-time downtown fixture, has closed. It will, unfortunately, always have a place in the town's infamy.

Interesting, and very sad. I had not heard of this tragedy before you posted the link to the story. My husband played drums in a band that performed there.

chgoeditor wrote:Signs would seem to indicate that Phoebe's Cupcakes has gone out of business.

Oof. I had hopes when they expanded past just a cupcake business, but to be honest I don't remember much about the one sandwich I had there. They were never too busy. Still, it's a shame.

send9 wrote:

chgoeditor wrote:Signs would seem to indicate that Phoebe's Cupcakes has gone out of business.

Oof. I had hopes when they expanded past just a cupcake business, but to be honest I don't remember much about the one sandwich I had there. They were never too busy. Still, it's a shame.

Indeed. When the cupcake explosion started, these guys were my favorites.

Looks like something called Shaman by Chilam Balam had a pre-opening inspection recently at 1438 W. Chicago
http://chicago.everyblock.com/business- ... m-5540765/

Another loss to Chicagoans with a sweet tooth: Beard Papa closed on Nov. 24. Their cream puffs were a recent addiction of mine, and one I indulged infrequently given their distance from my home & office.

Looks as if Triple 1 Chinese on State Street is gone, according to Yelpers. I got carryout a number of times and felt some of the dishes were quite passable. Never ate in - was not a fan of the atmosphere. I'm sure the 2nd floor location did not help foot traffic.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/triple-1-chines ... nt-chicago
177 N. State
2nd floor

chgoeditor wrote:Another loss to Chicagoans with a sweet tooth: Beard Papa closed on Nov. 24. Their cream puffs were a recent addiction of mine, and one I indulged infrequently given their distance from my home & office.

IMHO this is a huge loss. I really enjoyed their cream puffs, and they were different from anyone else's (thanks to being filled when you order, so they were always slightly crispy, never soggy - also their pastry cream was superb).

Oh well, I guess I'll need to get them when I'm visiting other cities.

nsxtasy wrote:

chgoeditor wrote:Another loss to Chicagoans with a sweet tooth: Beard Papa closed on Nov. 24. Their cream puffs were a recent addiction of mine, and one I indulged infrequently given their distance from my home & office.

IMHO this is a huge loss. I really enjoyed their cream puffs, and they were different from anyone else's (thanks to being filled when you order, so they were always slightly crispy, never soggy - also their pastry cream was superb).

Oh well, I guess I'll need to get them when I'm visiting other cities.

I only hit them once, but I was extremely disappointed and never returned - stale pastry, cloyingly sweet filling. Maybe the wrong day, maybe the wrong location, or maybe the reason they failed.