I’d Mourn If This Restaurant Ever Closes

Sometimes after walking out of one of my favorite go-to restaurants, when everything seemed to hit on all cylinders on that particular day, I’ll get a warm, fuzzy satisfied feeling – one that creates a “this-is-what-it’s-all-about”-type contentness throughout my soul. Lately, however, one question seems to always come up in my mind after getting into one of these almost spiritual food mindsets:

If ONE particular favorite restaurant of mine were to, God forbid, close up, which one would cause me to experience the greatest period of mourning – maybe approaching the grief you’d feel if you’d just lost a good friend?

I’d love to know what places resonate with other LTHers, regardless of whether it be a neighborhood shaved ice stand or Alinea. But please don’t post a personal Top Ten list, some recent last great meal, or a restaurant that’s already closed (we already have that thread). That’s not at all what I’m talking about.

Mine: Khan BBQ

Als-Marios on Taylor-last meal type of deal.

Rob, before I even read your last line, I too was thinking Khan BBQ. It hurts to even imagine a world without it.

=R=

Jazzfood wrote:Als-Marios on Taylor-last meal type of deal.

Sorry, Alan. You have to choose just one of them.

No can do. They overlap. Need special dispensation on this one.

Chef Ping's (noodle platter)

For me, there would be several places I'd mourn for different reasons (nostalgia, great food, unique experience, etc.). I know you're not looking for a list, so if I had to pick one, as much as I'd also mourn the loss of Khan BBQ, it would have to be Katy's original location in Westmont.

I think for me it would be Los Barrilitos, even though I don't get there as much as I should. I just feel that Chicago is a much better place with their al pastor in it.

I live at ATK and Nha Hang when I'm in Chicago. Losing either would be a terrible blow - I can't even get similar quality Thai and Vietnamese in NYC. Khan or Salam (I still love the latter) are also up there.

*edit: OK, in line with the OP, if I had to choose one it would actually be Salam, I think. More for nostalgia than anything. But I think Salam already kinda went away, so...

Hot Doug's

Coalfire. This has as much to do with proximity to our place & nostalgia (wife's favorite food is pizza, so we've logged in more dates here than any other restaurant by miles) as the (exceptional) food.

Lao Laan-Xang in Madison. An essential part of my Madison road trips for years. There are a lot of very fine restaurants in Mad City, but this place is unique, and very special.

If we're talking nostalgia, I would be heartbroken if Herm's Palace in Skokie closed. Over 20 years ago, I would go there with my father (now deceased) with a roll of quarters and play videogames while my dad smoked a pack of cigarettes watching Jordan's Bulls dominate.

Working in Evanston now, I still make regular appearances.

When asked what my favorite restaurant in Chicago is, I've always responded with The Purple Pig. I hope this restaurant endures the tenure that Bannos Sr's Heaven on Seven has enjoyed. Though it's difficult to procure a space on Michigan Ave for that long (especially a restaurant), I hope to god Purple Pig defies the odds.

Bob Chinn's Crab House...

The place has never been an LTH favorite, but I would be heartbroken if it ever closed. We've been going there since the second week of its existence, and it has always been reliable and predictable.

Forum dwellers may now proceed with expected scorn, derision, and mocking...

Charlie Beinlichs

Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa. I've been going there since I was in utero and it remains my favorite place to celebrate anything and nothing. Bern's closing would be like losing a family member.

Frontera Grill

Manny's Deli & Cafeteria
1141 S. Jefferson
Chicago, IL 60607

Poochies.

I grew up a few blocks away, and make a point of going back a handful of times a year even though I haven't lived nearby for over 25 years.

Katy's.

I could find a suitable replacement for Las Asadas, so Katy's.

Many are justifiably thinking distinction or nostalgia. I'm thinking, putting food on my family. That brings the Freddy's Pizza Cicero vs. Yum Thai Forest Park bracket up, and the beloved aunt / John Brown that emerges is Yum Thai.

Definitely Nha Hang for me. They treat us like we're family every time we visit. It'd be like losing part of the family if they were to close. Fortunately their business has been booming on recent visits.

WaSC

I don't go very often, but it's comforting to know that creative fried food is right down the street.

Anyone could guess my answer. Rainbow Cuisine is my 2nd home and 2nd family.

Awash. There was a time when I might have considered Chicago's Ethiopian restaurants to be interchangeable, or at least similar enough in quality that I would not mourn the loss of one restaurant. But the food at Awash has elevated my esteem for Ethiopian cuisine. Would be sad to regress to pre-Awash levels.

(This choice also made easier by the discovery of Aquí Está “Pit” in Mexico City as a contingency replacement for Zaragoza.)

Alinea
Hot Doug's (looks like I'm SOL on this one)
Pita Inn
Barnaby's Pizza in Niles
Hackney's on Lake
Meier's Tavern on Lake
Grace

Michael, in Winnetka.

I was tempted to say Anteprima because I've been eating there so frequently lately, but there are decent substitutes available. Whereas if I were naming my very best dinners over the past five years in Chicagoland, more were at Michael (by far) than anywhere else.

For me -- I've already had this happen. As so many have said, while I admire and love many restaurants, the ones that I consider "family" are places I go weekly or biweekly -- and for me, that's really breakfast restaurants. I simply don't have the cash to go out that frequently. So -- my beloved Ann Sathers in Andersonville closed this January and I am still very sad they're gone. It wasn't the most amazing food (although they did have some lovely things) but they all knew me and I knew them. It was a great place for me to hang out on Saturday am and get my thoughts in line for my errands. Going to the remaining Sathers is just not the same at all.

With that said..I would probably bet that if Anteprima closed, I would be very fricking sad.

Naf Naf Grill.
I haven't found better shawarma in the Western hemisphere. Too many places don't get the spices right or use only white meat chicken which leads it being bland and dry. Not to mention the fluffy fresh baked pita (yes, I'm in team fluffy pita, those soggy or dry bagged pitas are gross).

lodasi wrote:Not to mention the fluffy fresh baked pita (yes, I'm in team fluffy pita, those soggy or dry bagged pitas are gross).

I also like the "Israeli" style fluffy pita (which is common in NYC). But don't begrudge Chicago's other pita bakeries: when fresh, their pitas are some of the finest in the US. The key is to either get them fresh or reheat them properly. Sadly many restaurants (and people) neglect these important steps, and end up munching on cardboard.