Johnny's Grill in Logan Square has reopened under new ownership

Johnny's Grill in Logan Square has reopened under new ownership.

Sarah Jordan (Blackbird, Cicchetti, Boka Restaurant Group) has kept the diner feel with all-day breakfast, burgers, club sandwiches, etc. Changes include Irish menu items that reflect Jordan's heritage (fish and chips, bacon bap, Irish breakfast), as well as a new bar in the neighboring space that has been expanded into.

Stopped by on Tuesday, very good. I'll post some more details, but couldn't find a thread for the old Johnny's, maybe will start a new one after some more thorough searching.

Johnny's Grill
2545 N Kedzie Blvd
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 278-2215

Hey LV, thanks, for the report. We moved your post over here and started a new thread with it.

Here's some additional information that was posted at dnainfo.com

"I want to have the best damn fish and chips in the city," said chef and owner Sarah Jordan, who previously worked as a pastry chef in some of the city's top restaurants.

The new grill has expanded into the former Fleur flower shop that was previously next door to the diner.

Johnny's Grill Promises Best Fish and Chips in Chicago, Plans Sidewalk Cafe

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We stopped in tonight; enjoyed some of the meal but found the overall situation not ready for primetime. There are no signs anywhere indicating that you have to order at the counter; when we walked in and weren't greeted, we walked to the bar and the bartender told us to sit anywhere; no menus arrived; we asked the bartender how to order and eventually menus arrived; then when a waitperson visited our table it was eventually apparent that one orders food at the counter, and must pay there, but drinks from the waitperson, and must pay there. Very awkward rigamarole. Why have a waitstaff for table service if they can't take an order? Who wants to pay twice?

Food was ambitious for a diner, which we very much appreciate, but had some issues. Gem lettuce salad was drenched in dressing to the point of being inedible. Fish and Chips: very nice fish; chips were exclusively odds and ends from the bottom of the fryer, bespeaking a lack of coordination between the frying times / frying supplies. Gazpacho not quite balanced on the garlic. Black Pudding tasty and surprisingly light. Club Sandwich a very nice specimen.

The atmosphere inside left much to be desired - air temp was hot as fire on the early side of the evening (i.e. with only a few parties seated/ only a few orders to cook); music too loud to hear dining companions.

Here's hoping they work out the kinks; could have a good thing eventually!

How were the prices? A while back I'd heard some chatter about the rent for this space being very expensive and I'm wondering if that's reflected at all in the pricing.

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ronnie_suburban wrote:How were the prices? A while back I'd heard some chatter about the rent for this space being very expensive and I'm wondering if that's reflected at all in the pricing.

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Eater posted their menu here. They keep the sandwiches under $10 but no fries. $12 for fish & chips will run you cheaper than any of the other nearby options (Revolution, Owen & Engine), but I'd be interested in the portion size.

Stopped in for lunch on Thursday with my son. We were greeted the minute we walked in. Guy gave us menus informed of what they didn't have and told to order at the cashier when ready. We were given a number on a stand ala Culver's. On the restaurant side seating was only at counters while on the bar side their were high-tops. Very small menu ( which I like. Better to do a few things really good than a lot of things mediocre )

The food was brought to us thus the number. The son had the Turkey Club, a good size sandwich which we both agree might be the best we have ever had.

I had the double cheeseburger and it was an excellent flattop fried sandwich. The burger was served Rare which was fine with me however I wasn't asked how I wanted it cooked.

I believe all of the sandwiches were $9 Fries were extra and nothing special. Also felt the soft drinks served in plastic glassware were on the small side.

All in all I will return for both the cheeseburger and the turkey club

Went last night because I wanted to try something new and my girlfriend wanted fish n chips. I had the burger, which was just OK. They were clearly aping the lauded Au Cheval burger to a detriment because the Johnny's burger didn't have enough of a beef flavor or browning from the flat top. It's a risky move being so similar to the most hyped burger in the country right now. The fish was delicious and definitely worth a repeat trip. Fries were inconsistent. My order was fried nicely but my girlfriend's were undercooked.

I want to go back for an Irish breakfast.

A few of us went for lunch last week and I can confirm that the Irish breakfast was great. My only complaint was that the eggs were the opposite of what diner eggs should be. They clearly weren't fried in butter or anything like that, bearing no crispy edges.

fropones wrote:A few of us went for lunch last week and I can confirm that the Irish breakfast was great. My only complaint was that the eggs were the opposite of what diner eggs should be. They clearly weren't fried in butter or anything like that, bearing no crispy edges.

Ha!

I lived in Cardiff, Wales for a while. Fried eggs were nearly always fried as in fried as in dropped into a lot of oil (and always oil), it both looked and smelled gross, but the results always tasted fine. I guess the traditional way is to cook the eggs in the fat rendered from the bacon and bangers, but I don't think this was done that often.

i havent been yet: just wanted to report they've added some simple wooden picnic tables outside. those are much more appealing to me than the small, round stools inside...

Came here today for lunch with my sister. She had eggs benedict with back bacon and friend potatoes; I had a back bacon BLT with a green salad. The salad came with a tart buttermilk dressing on Bibb lettuce, just a nicely dressed pile of greens on a plate. The BLT was craftily constructed, the bacon neither greasy nor salty. I kind of like my back bacon greasy and salty, but I think with the mayo and tomato it made for a much slicker sandwich, if that makes sense. My sister's potatoes were perfectly crispy and I liberated several from her plate to verify.

This sounds like nothing special but overall the stuff we got was solidly executed no-frills diner food. They have a section of a few different toasts ranging from Nutella-banana to avocado -- I'm eager to go back and try some of these. The vibe in the dining room/bar area was chill and unfussy. Lula is my favorite day spot to crash with a book when I want something beautifully composed, and walking up to Johnny's I was worried that they would have a hard time coexisting, or I might have a hard time patronizing both. Overall, though, the feel and offerings are different enough that I think they complement each other nicely.

Stopped by last Sunday and was amused by "boilermakers." Especially liked Carolyn's Apex Predator/Green Chartreuse combo:



Though our server suggested we shoot the shots, that seems like an incredible waste when you have a good liquor, and the Green Chartreuse was an unexpected complement to the AP: the licorice-y sweetness of the liquor worked well with the slight sweetness of the ale.

The Avocado toast is great, as is the Eggs Benedict, Irish Breakfast and Breakfast pie. Good selection of Moody Tongue on tap is a plus.

Dig the place, and a good alternative to when I don't feel like waiting for Lula's or just want something more chill.

If its ramen is on the menu, give it a shot. It was the bowl which topped my ballot at Ramenfest back in November.

Johnny's Grill Is Closing, Last Day Set For Nov. 3

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2017102 ... s-last-day

Dave148 wrote:

Johnny's Grill Is Closing, Last Day Set For Nov. 3

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2017102 ... s-last-day

Dang! We liked the latest incarnation. Not too many 'Old School' grills out there anymore. Having the bar next door deliver drinks was an awesome touch (good drinks too).

I am sure the next owners (wishing) will do a great job as well.

For posterity's sake, here's the burger (perfectly fine) and a blueberry pop tart (excellent):