On the cusp of Portage Park and Jefferson Park here on the Northwest side, on the corner of Montrose and Milwaukee, in the old Mrs O'Leary's spot, which was the really old Bellini's Restaurant, a permanent lit sign has been installed for:

La Margarita

'fine mexican dining'

Did a search and don't find any recent business licenses approved for the location. But there's activity in and out of the building with worker bees.

WILD! My uncle used to manage a La Margarita when I was a kid about a millennium ago.

knitgirl wrote:WILD! My uncle used to manage a La Margarita when I was a kid about a millennium ago.

I'm pretty sure this venture isn't connected to any previous successful operations. These guys are using hot chartreuse and orange poster boards from the Dollar Store with Sharpie handwritten messages (looks like health department stickers) affixed to their building and now have hung used car lot marketing streamers to seek attention. So far we're underwhelmed over by here, but hopeful.

Last thing this neighborhood needs is another place with succulent huge dusty plants with popped open cans of frijoles and crumby serapes with a piece of chipped glass on the tables. I really hope that's not what will be inside. We want something special.

"Prasino Shutters, Leaving 50 Staffers 'Heartbroken,' Worker Says"

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140818 ... orker-says

Drover wrote:"Prasino Shutters, Leaving 50 Staffers 'Heartbroken,' Worker Says"

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140818 ... orker-says

The big hit they took over the short-lived Rosemont location certainly didn't help.

A city-backed plan to turn old newsstands into fresh food kiosks is officially underway.

The first of four initial kiosks debuted today at Madison Street and Wacker Drive in the Loop. The menu, filled with items like breakfast tofu scramble wraps and Asian kale salads, was created by Shaw Lash, formerly a chef at Rick Bayless's Frontera Grill. The kiosk will be open from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... ood-kiosks

On Milwaukee just north of Lake Cook Rd in Buffalo Grove, the former site of Adam's Ribs (and then another rib joint whose name I've forgotten), there are signs up for Grill on the Rock, Korean Fusion

JoelF wrote:Korean Fusion

Does that work anywhere else around town? Many white people (BUffalo Grove) have a real tough time with Korean cuisine. I can't imagine it will ever get the traction Thai food has these past 30 years.

Haven't seen it mentioned yet but Burger Philosophy in Andersonville has been papered over for a month or so. Looks like something else may already be lined up for that space (Bryn Mawr between Clark and Ashland) but I couldn't make out what it was as I was driving by.

Drover wrote:Haven't seen it mentioned yet but Burger Philosophy in Andersonville has been papered over for a month or so. Looks like something else may already be lined up for that space (Bryn Mawr between Clark and Ashland) but I couldn't make out what it was as I was driving by.

Will reopen as Little Bad Wolf it appears: http://edgevillebuzz.com/news/burger-ph ... -bryn-mawr

Chang's at 3718 N. Elston Ave. has a sign that says they're closed for retirement.

Coquito Cocina Puertorriquena at 3824 N. Kedzie has a sign that says, simply, "we are now closed". They have not been open for at least three Saturdays.

kenji wrote:

JoelF wrote:Korean Fusion

Does that work anywhere else around town? Many white people (BUffalo Grove) have a real tough time with Korean cuisine. I can't imagine it will ever get the traction Thai food has these past 30 years.

Funny, I noticed the sign for Korean Fusion when my husband and I were on our way home from Wooil, another Korean restaurant less than a half mile down the road. We're white Buffalo Grove residents, but we've really embraced Korean food. I saw more non-Korean diners in Wooil this time than I have in past visits. Maybe the cuisine's time in the NW suburbs has come! Although, I do agree it probably won't be the next Thai. I wonder what other food they will "fuse" it with.

Fogo’s Peri Peri in downtown Skokie is now opened with a soft opening and there official grand opening Saturday Sept 6th.

Peri Peri Chicken is fresh- never frozen and made to order every time! Choose from Lemon & Herb, Mild, Medium, Hot or if you're brave enough- EXTRA HOT!

Official Grand Opening! Saturday 6th September 2014!
Keep it free in your diaries! Plenty of free giveaways and discounts on offer! Can't wait? The soft opening has already started! Come on over!

https://www.facebook.com/fogosperiperi
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fogos-peri-peri-skokie

Fogo’s Peri Peri
4915 Oakton Street
Skokie, IL 60077

La Margarita Mexican restaurant opened at the corner of Milwaukee Ave. and Montrose Ave.

Tavernita and Barcito have closed for good due to huge overdue tax bills. Shame, I was a huge fan of both.

Nhu Lan at the corner of Belmont and Broadway has been replaced by a Pan Asian dine-in/take-out named Nannan (a palindrome) or perhaps NANnan. It serves Ramen, Banh Mi, Pho, Gyoza, Bi-Bim-Bap, Asian Taco Wraps, and Poutine . One can order Kimchi and Bacon Poutine! Or Lemongrass Chicken Poutine.

I was told that the Banh Mi tastes the same as that served at Nhu Lan and my Sugarcane Shrimp and Pork was certainly quite good. I didn't try the Poutine.

According to Monica Eng, it's still their place--they just changed the concept/name. They also opened another Nhu LAN at Lawrence and Sheridan.

claypoolfan wrote:Tavernita and Barcito have closed for good due to huge overdue tax bills. Shame, I was a huge fan of both.

Deadbeat carpetbaggers

=R=

Cicero Ave near Belmont, Butcher Block Specialties, which was the old Chicago Meat Market, shuttered. I think the Walmart nearby on Diversey killed them off. The cows are gone too.

http://imgur.com/JFiOVetl

I noted this afternoon that the former Evanston Central St. site of the abruptly-closed Homemade Pizza Co. location is now being turned into. . .

. . . Bake 425, an organic bake-at-home pizza store. Upon further investigation at home, I see that they are opening multiple sites, primarily in the north 'burbs, but also in Hinsdale and at Jackson & Federal, possibly in the Monadnock Building. From what I've been able to figure out, at least three other locations (Dempster & Chicago Ave. in Evanston, Lincoln Ave. in Winnetka, and Park Ave. in Glencoe) were also former Homemade Pizza Co. sites. The only location actually up and running at the moment is the Highland Park location, on Central St.

A cursory Google searched reveals it is based in White Plains, NY, and that there was another location in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, which opened in 2011. . .and which is now closed. Same logo, very similar menu. Weird.

Bulletins as events warrant.

Hi- I used to go past the Dempster one, and the one in Winnetka fairly regularly, and I never saw any customers in any of the Homemade Pizza locations. . I can't see this taking off. If the new company could not make a go of it with the first location, what makes them think they can here? I have to go to downtown Winnetka on Tuesday. I will check it out. Speaking of downtown Winnetka, has anybody been to Cafe Aroma where the Depot used to be? I went to their old location a few times where they just served coffee and a few pastries and the last time I went there I got cold coffee, and so I never went back, and went back to Caribou. Cafe Aroma is now a restaurant, and they have a sign up that they have a new pastry chef. Is the restaurant any good? I don't think they open up until something like 5:00pm, and I am never in the neighborhood at that time. Thanks, Nancy

Nancy - Cafe Aroma in Winnetka is actually closed by 5:00 PM.....it is strictly a breakfast and lunch place now. They have tried at least twice to make a go of it for dinner, but it has not worked out. As for breakfast and lunch there, it is decent. I have more experience with the lunch menu - salads and sandwiches - and they are generally well prepared with fresh ingredients.

My first impression reading about Bake 425 was, "If the concept of Homemade Pizza failed, why would the exact same concept turn out any different?" (In a variation of the old saw, "Insanity is doing the same thing every time and expecting a different result.") But then I thought, well, if all the ingredients being organic really results in a fabulous tasting pizza at home, better than Homemade Pizza's and better than I can get from any delivery pizza, who knows, maybe it'll work. But I think it really needs to rise that to level.

More Evanston stuff. . .the long-vacant (and I mean LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG - like, 7+ years, at least) former CVS/Osco at Asbury and Oakton in south Evanston is finally being repurposed, after the failed attempt By America's Market a few years ago. The new business? Little Beans Cafe; there's another location at Webster & Elston, just west of the Metra tracks, near the Clybourn station.



Here's the menu. It sounds. . . noisy.

But they do carry Homer's Ice Cream!

Hi- Don't forget it was originally Asbury Street Market. The Little Beans Cafe is not a good fit for that neighborhood. I think it would fit in better in Winnetka maybe, or even another part of Evanston. It is right down the street from Aldi's, which is a good fit for that neighborhood. I took a look at their website, and I notice that they charge for the use of the indoor play area. I wonder if you have to buy a ticket to the play area to just go in to purchase a cup of coffee. I can't see people in that neighborhood paying for Intelligentsia, even at the drive through. Speaking of Homer's they have peach ice cream now, but not for long. BTW-The Starbucks on Dempster and Dodge is open now. They don't have the drive up open yet though. They did have four cars in the parking lot though.

NFriday wrote:The Little Beans Cafe is not a good fit for that neighborhood. I think it would fit in better in Winnetka maybe, or even another part of Evanston.

Sounds like you're stereotyping the neighborhood as lower income, which it most certainly is not; like most of Evanston, that area is economically diverse, with millionaires and retired folks and young families all living side by side. The problem with that location is not the neighborhood, but rather, that coffeehouses tend to thrive on commuter traffic, with proximity for those who are on their way to work, usually driving or taking public transit. And that location is not near an el or commuter train station, and is not on a major driving route for those commuting into or out of Evanston (contrasted with the four coffeehouses clustered in the similarly diverse neighborhood at Dempster and Dodge, or those right next to each of the train stations). You would have the same problem with a location in Winnetka, if it's not a location with high traffic of commuters heading to work.

nsxtasy wrote:

NFriday wrote:The Little Beans Cafe is not a good fit for that neighborhood. I think it would fit in better in Winnetka maybe, or even another part of Evanston.

Sounds like you're stereotyping the neighborhood as lower income, which it most certainly is not; like most of Evanston, that area is economically diverse, with millionaires and retired folks and young families all living side by side. The problem with that location is not the neighborhood, but rather, that coffeehouses tend to thrive on commuter traffic, with proximity for those who are on their way to work, usually driving or taking public transit. And that location is not near an el or commuter train station, and is not on a major driving route for those commuting into or out of Evanston (contrasted with the four coffeehouses clustered in the similarly diverse neighborhood at Dempster and Dodge, or those right next to each of the train stations). You would have the same problem with a location in Winnetka, if it's not a location with high traffic of commuters heading to work.

I basically agree, except that I think the draw of the place will be that it's somewhere parents can take their kids to play - the coffee aspect is just something for the parents, while their kids are playing. So, in that sense, it's not a traditional coffee shop. (Of course, when I was a kid - centuries ago - we'd just play in the street, and sometimes parents would come out and watch, coffee cups in hand. But apparently, those days are long gone.)

As for that neighborhood - I used to live about two blocks away from this location, and Ken's right - it's a very diverse area - not super-upscale, but certainly better off economically than a number of other Evanston neighborhoods that I'll choose not to mention. (Recognizing that I'm getting into controversial territory here ....)

nr706 wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:

NFriday wrote:The Little Beans Cafe is not a good fit for that neighborhood. I think it would fit in better in Winnetka maybe, or even another part of Evanston.

Sounds like you're stereotyping the neighborhood as lower income, which it most certainly is not; like most of Evanston, that area is economically diverse, with millionaires and retired folks and young families all living side by side. The problem with that location is not the neighborhood, but rather, that coffeehouses tend to thrive on commuter traffic, with proximity for those who are on their way to work, usually driving or taking public transit. And that location is not near an el or commuter train station, and is not on a major driving route for those commuting into or out of Evanston (contrasted with the four coffeehouses clustered in the similarly diverse neighborhood at Dempster and Dodge, or those right next to each of the train stations). You would have the same problem with a location in Winnetka, if it's not a location with high traffic of commuters heading to work.

I basically agree, except that I think the draw of the place will be that it's somewhere parents can take their kids to play - the coffee aspect is just something for the parents, while their kids are playing. So, in that sense, it's not a traditional coffee shop. (Of course, when I was a kid - centuries ago - we'd just play in the street, and sometimes parents would come out and watch, coffee cups in hand. But apparently, those days are long gone.)

As for that neighborhood - I used to live about two blocks away from this location, and Ken's right - it's a very diverse area - not super-upscale, but certainly better off economically than a number of other Evanston neighborhoods that I'll choose not to mention. (Recognizing that I'm getting into controversial territory here ....)

At last there is a place for people who aren't welcome at Taste of Heaven to go.

Hi- The reason why I mentioned Winnetka, was because just from looking at their website, it seemed like they were trying to attract mothers that took their kids to the park or wherever. They could take their children here, and their children could play with the other children, while the mothers sat down and visited while drinking coffee. I am in downtown Winnetka 1-2x a month, and I often stop in at Caribou coffee on Chestnut and Elm after my appointment is over, and I see mothers with strollers in there all the time. The person that started this said that she was looking for a job where she could also take her children to work, and the marketing job that she had would not let her do that. I could be wrong, but I do not think that they are expecting to get a lot of walk in business from people just driving by. The Dempster/Dodge area gets a lot more traffic, but half the walk in business that McDonald's gets in the morning is Seniors that are there to socialize, and it also helps that you can get a senior cup of coffee with free refills for $.64. I was just in there last week, and I saw the same regulars.

nr706 wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:

NFriday wrote:The Little Beans Cafe is not a good fit for that neighborhood. I think it would fit in better in Winnetka maybe, or even another part of Evanston.

Sounds like you're stereotyping the neighborhood as lower income, which it most certainly is not; like most of Evanston, that area is economically diverse, with millionaires and retired folks and young families all living side by side. The problem with that location is not the neighborhood, but rather, that coffeehouses tend to thrive on commuter traffic, with proximity for those who are on their way to work, usually driving or taking public transit. And that location is not near an el or commuter train station, and is not on a major driving route for those commuting into or out of Evanston (contrasted with the four coffeehouses clustered in the similarly diverse neighborhood at Dempster and Dodge, or those right next to each of the train stations). You would have the same problem with a location in Winnetka, if it's not a location with high traffic of commuters heading to work.

I basically agree, except that I think the draw of the place will be that it's somewhere parents can take their kids to play - the coffee aspect is just something for the parents, while their kids are playing. So, in that sense, it's not a traditional coffee shop. (Of course, when I was a kid - centuries ago - we'd just play in the street, and sometimes parents would come out and watch, coffee cups in hand. But apparently, those days are long gone.)

As for that neighborhood - I used to live about two blocks away from this location, and Ken's right - it's a very diverse area - not super-upscale, but certainly better off economically than a number of other Evanston neighborhoods that I'll choose not to mention. (Recognizing that I'm getting into controversial territory here ....)

I live on Brummel/Dodge. About 25 kids on the block, often running up and down the street. Neighbors even had benches built on the parkway so they could sit outside as kids played up and down the street (though not literally in the street itself). On fridays those parents get together and sit in one place and schmooze. So, times haven't changed all that much!

That said, I'm rather skeptical about a place like this doing well. Maybe in the colder months when you can't take kids to the park it'll do better. But why pay $12 per kid per visit to have them play? Seems crazy to me to do that with enough regularity to make it worth it, and the membership seems rather steep for that purpose, unless you're there almost every day. In denser, more upscale neighborhoods in the city, maybe I could see that working. Not so much here.