Eater reports that Grand Tour is closed for reconcepting.

http://chicago.eater.com/2014/11/4/7154 ... ur-shutter

I have also posted in the Grand Tour thread.

Jim's Original, 24-Hour Restaurant Near 95th Red Line, To Close Monday

ROSELAND — A Roseland institution serving up sausages and burgers 24 hours a day steps from the 95th Street Red Line station will close Monday morning.

One of two locations of Jim's Original, a Chicago chain synonymous with the Maxwell Street Polish sausages, will close at 8 a.m. Monday as the CTA ramps up work on the $240 million overhaul of the nearby 'L' station, according to the restaurant.

Revival Social Club, replacing m. henrietta, announced its opening date Friday. The bar and restaurant plans to open on Wednesday at 1133 W. Granville Ave.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20141110 ... ening-date

Bummer. Pozoleria Dona Esther has closed.

Major bummer. Now where do I go for lunch when I make an ice run? Too bad Pizza Castle on 55th isn't open for lunch.

Stolen from Every Block:

"Anyone know whats going on at Endgrain?
Passed by this morning and a sign on the doors says "Closed Indefinitely" and having worked in the restaurant industry, this usually spells doom and gloom.
Love this local place."

And their farcebook page says:

We regret to inform you that Endgrain will be closed until further notice. Sorry for the inconvenience, and check back with us soon!
Thank you!

RIP, we'll miss you.

Mother Butter's on State & 35th has moved to 3342 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park. Please lord, put a decent lunch place there.

No such luck, it will be a frozen yogurt place with some really inventive name like Yogurt & Stuff.

Last night at a community meeting it was revealed that the long-empty property at the corner of Sheffield and Wellington--formerly City Dough, and before that Pompei--is going to be...Pompei again! Yay!

Ralph Davino, the Davino family member who operates the original Pompei location at Taylor St. and some others, spoke at the meeting. (At least I'm pretty sure that was him from the context of what he was saying. I arrived about thirty seconds late and missed his introduction.)

The community is happy. When it was Pompei, it always seemed to do a vigorous business at all times of day between Illinois Masonic medical personnel, neighborhood families, cops, and what not. I sensed a general gladness in the large turnout last night that the place will be back in the Davino Family again.

The owner said they hope to open before Christmas.

riddlemay wrote:Last night at a community meeting it was revealed that the long-empty property at the corner of Sheffield and Wellington--formerly City Dough, and before that Pompei--is going to be...Pompei again! Yay!

Ralph Davino, the Davino family member who operates the original Pompei location at Taylor St. and some others, spoke at the meeting. (At least I'm pretty sure that was him from the context of what he was saying. I arrived about thirty seconds late and missed his introduction.)

The community is happy. When it was Pompei, it always seemed to do a vigorous business at all times of day between Illinois Masonic medical personnel, neighborhood families, cops, and what not. I sensed a general gladness in the large turnout last night that the place will be back in the Davino Family again.

The owner said they hope to open before Christmas.

THIS made my day!!!!!!!!!! No one else's spaghetti and meatballs can compare. Best salads in town as well. Thanks for the good news riddlemay!

Worldwide chicken chain Nando's Peri-Peri will launch its Chicago expansion with three restaurants in the city slated to open next year, company officials said.

The privately held fast-casual chain, which began in South Africa in 1987 and has nearly 1,200 locations worldwide, plans to open its first store in the spring on the bustling restaurant row at 945 W. Randolph St. in the West Loop, followed by locations in the New City development at 1500 N. Clybourn Ave. in Lincoln Park and on 670 W. Diversey Parkway in Lakeview.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... tions-here

Dave148 wrote:

Worldwide chicken chain Nando's Peri-Peri will launch its Chicago expansion with three restaurants in the city slated to open next year, company officials said.

The privately held fast-casual chain, which began in South Africa in 1987 and has nearly 1,200 locations worldwide, plans to open its first store in the spring on the bustling restaurant row at 945 W. Randolph St. in the West Loop, followed by locations in the New City development at 1500 N. Clybourn Ave. in Lincoln Park and on 670 W. Diversey Parkway in Lakeview.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... tions-here

Nando's is great. A regular stop when I am in the DC area.

Takashi, the recipient of multiple accolades since opening in 2007, is closing at the end of the year, the Trib first reported.

http://chicago.eater.com/2014/11/13/7217223/takashi-shutter

Meanwhile, in Evanston, work proceeds on the Valli Produce which will be on the site of the former Dominick's store at Dempster and Dodge. They are using some additional space so the size will actually be significantly bigger than Dominick's was (69,000 sq ft vs 58,000). The interior will be entirely gutted and remodeled, with all new fixtures, etc. They are still in the planning stage, and are on schedule for an opening in June 2015. There's more info on the Valli website here.

Nearby, the now-closed Perla Café (formerly Pick-a-Cup Café) on Dempster has been bought by Curt's Café, which serves food (soups, salads, sandwiches) and has a social mission. The original location is on Central Street, and was the site of the Evanston Lunch Group lunch in September. This second location will be dedicated to helping teenage mothers and mothers-to-be, and is expected to open this January.

So excited by the Nando's opening - haven't had it since I was in Cambridge UK years ago and have missed it ever since. Truly tasty spicy goodness.

Hi- Thanks for the info on Valli. The last time I checked a month ago, it looked like they weren't doing any work on it yet. I don't know how much I will go there when the farmer's market is open, but I might go there a few times in the wintertime. Has anybody heard when the WF on Green Bay is going to open up? It looks like they are working on it, but I noticed that the house is still there sitting in the parking lot. I hope they find a new home for that house soon.

It's too bad that Perla could not make a go of it there. The Starbucks down the street seems to be doing okay though. I am not sure if Kurt's can make a go of it there. Thanks, Nancy

Meanwhile, in Evanston, work proceeds on the Valli Produce which will be on the site of the former Dominick's store at Dempster and Dodge. They are using some additional space so the size will actually be significantly bigger than Dominick's was (69,000 sq ft vs 58,000). The interior will be entirely gutted and remodeled, with all new fixtures, etc. They are still in the planning stage, and are on schedule for an opening in June 2015. There's more info on the Valli website here.

Nearby, the now-closed Perla Café (formerly Pick-a-Cup Café) on Dempster has been bought by Curt's Café, which serves food (soups, salads, sandwiches) and has a social mission. The original location is on Central Street, and was the site of the Evanston Lunch Group lunch in September. This second location will be dedicated to helping teenage mothers and mothers-to-be, and is expected to open this January.

Good info. This is my new neighborhood, and it's interesting watching the changes. (Parenthetical comment: Evanston sure has a lot of Starbucks - eight, I think? )

boudreaulicious wrote:

riddlemay wrote:Last night at a community meeting it was revealed that the long-empty property at the corner of Sheffield and Wellington--formerly City Dough, and before that Pompei--is going to be...Pompei again! Yay!

Ralph Davino, the Davino family member who operates the original Pompei location at Taylor St. and some others, spoke at the meeting. (At least I'm pretty sure that was him from the context of what he was saying. I arrived about thirty seconds late and missed his introduction.)

The community is happy. When it was Pompei, it always seemed to do a vigorous business at all times of day between Illinois Masonic medical personnel, neighborhood families, cops, and what not. I sensed a general gladness in the large turnout last night that the place will be back in the Davino Family again.

The owner said they hope to open before Christmas.

THIS made my day!!!!!!!!!! No one else's spaghetti and meatballs can compare. Best salads in town as well. Thanks for the good news riddlemay!

As an Illinois Masonic employee, this is great news! Their chopped chicken salad was the only salad I've found convenient to home or work that I can take home and it will fill me up for dinner. Their chicken ravioli is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. Alas, I'm not a fan of their pizzas and strudels but, hey, I'll be thrilled to have them back in the game.

NFriday wrote:I don't know how much I will go there when the farmer's market is open, but I might go there a few times in the wintertime.

It sounds like perhaps you are mistakenly assuming that Valli Produce is merely a produce market. It's not. They are a full-service supermarket, selling packaged goods, fresh meats and fish, wine/liquor, deli, dairy, imported foods, etc. You can check out one of their existing locations, in Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, Glendale Heights, and two more in/near Rockford. Or look at their weekly ad on their website.

nsxtasy wrote:Meanwhile, in Evanston,

...today sees the opening of a new restaurant on Central Street just east of the Metra tracks:

Take a Look Inside and Read the Menus as Ten Mile House Joins Evanston's Bustling Food Scene Today

The article concludes, "Stay tuned for updates on when weekday lunch and weekend brunch begins." At which time it will be a prime candidate for the LTH Evanston Lunch Group™.

Roxie's, a much anticipated pizza and beer joint from prolific restaurateur Brendan Sodikoff, could open by this Friday, according to the eatery's chef.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20141118/wicker-park/brendan-sodikoffs-roxies-pizza-joint-aims-open-friday-wicker-park

Chicago's blue-collar meatpacking district is getting a sandwich shop that will highlight its rough-and-tumble roots and its humble, but perhaps most-flavorful cuts.

The Corned Beef Factory Sandwich Shop plans to open in the coming months in the Fulton Market area, focusing on just four sandwiches: corned beef, pastrami, Italian beef and a hot dog.

The under-construction, cash-and-carry concept will anchor the small storefront at 1009 W. Lake Street, across from the Morgan Green Line El station.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20141118/BLOGS09/141119783

Frite Street is now open for all your french fry needs. From the makers of "The Slide Ride" food truck.

Frite Street
3006 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
[url]fritestreet.com[/url]

Yay! Another burger option in Chicago.

Celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn's burger restaurant Good Stuff Eatery is targeting a late summer/early fall opening of its second Chicago restaurant in the New City development near Lincoln Park.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... /141129965

nsxtasy wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:Meanwhile, in Evanston,

...today sees the opening of a new restaurant on Central Street just east of the Metra tracks:

Take a Look Inside and Read the Menus as Ten Mile House Joins Evanston's Bustling Food Scene Today

The article concludes, "Stay tuned for updates on when weekday lunch and weekend brunch begins." At which time it will be a prime candidate for the LTH Evanston Lunch Group™.

A group of us went there last night for dinner and we were thoroughly underwhelmed. I split a grilled cheese with bacon and roasted tomatoes and the smoked brisket sandwich with a friend. The brisket was dry and tough for brisket (was more like tri tip), and it was not smoked. I think they used liquid smoke. The grilled cheese was ok, but nothing special. My friend's poutine was a bad rendition, with potato slices and a gravy, but barely any cheese, and definitely no cheese curds.

The service was pretty poor as well. Granted we had a large group, but knowing you're getting auto-20%-tipped should not allow for slow, rude service. The waiter brought out 3 wrong dishes to my friends, and insisted they had ordered that, when everyone around them was positive they hadn't. My gin cocktail was pretty good at least.

I generally don't go to restaurants in the first month of opening, so maybe they'll turn things around.

walter wade wrote:Larry Tucker's new venture: Opened 9-1-14

Crazy Bird.
1138 S. California.

Great fried chicken.

Carry Out Only

Yes, I remember Larry from the old NN Smokehouse on Irving. His chicken is excellent. Try his wife's Ice Tea. That is delicious also.

Does anyone know what happened to Central Kitchen and Tap? They have been closed for at least a few months now. A sign says "Closed for renovations," but I don't know if that is true. They had great food and my taste buds are very sad...

Dave148 wrote:Yay! Another burger option in Chicago.

Celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn's burger restaurant Good Stuff Eatery is targeting a late summer/early fall opening of its second Chicago restaurant in the New City development near Lincoln Park.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... /141129965

These are the folks who won the "Hamburger Hop" competition in Chicago this past September, with the "Prez Obama Burger, which featured Amish gorgonzola chese, horseradish mayo and red-onion marmalade on a brioche bun."

Spike Mendelsohn wins Chicago's Hamburger Hop

Dirk Flanigan has zeroed in on a spot in the West Loop for his upcoming restaurant, Il Coniglio, and plans to open at the end of next summer. Flanigan, who left his post as executive chef of the Gage and the now-closed Henri in January 2013, has been planning his French-Italian restaurant for a couple of years.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... arget-date

nsxtasy wrote:

Dave148 wrote:Yay! Another burger option in Chicago.

Celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn's burger restaurant Good Stuff Eatery is targeting a late summer/early fall opening of its second Chicago restaurant in the New City development near Lincoln Park.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... /141129965

These are the folks who won the "Hamburger Hop" competition in Chicago this past September, with the "Prez Obama Burger, which featured Amish gorgonzola chese, horseradish mayo and red-onion marmalade on a brioche bun."

Spike Mendelsohn wins Chicago's Hamburger Hop

Good Stuff is a DC burger spot. Pretty good for fast food (Edzo's/Shake Shack/etc) burgers.

The Kappy's in Villa Park has closed and is replaced by something called "Park West" with a sign which appeared to start "BBQ and Breakfast." A quick check of their website via the power of Google yields a fairly standard breakfast menu, and a cross between a BBQ place and the sandwich section of a diner.

http://www.parkwestsmokehouse.com/