Overhangs at Restaurant Entrances

Okay -- this is not the usual request for this group -- not so interested in food as in protection. My mom is 92 and slow of movement (has a walker, but also not speedy even by walker standards -- and getting in and out of the car is difficult). When it rains, we have only two restaurants we can rely on -- Palm Court and Sun Shui, both in Arlington Heights, because both have drive-under overhangs so people can be dropped at the front door untouched by precipitation.

I can't really imagine that these are the only two restaurants with protected entrances. So does anyone know of other places that are protected like this? We're looking within roughly a ten-mile radius of her retirement home, which is at 1250 W. Central Rd. in Arlington Heights.

We have a much wider range of places we enjoy when weather is not an issue, but if it's raining or snowing, that becomes a major impediment.

Thanks for any suggestions.

This is a really good question. Not having much pop into my mind after a few minutes makes the fact that Sun Shui has one that much more of a blessing. I thoroughly love that place. You won't find better Chinese within 15 miles, awning or other criteria aside.

I haven't lived in Chicago in 4 years but remember the overhang at Mon Ami Gabi in Lincoln Park came in real handy a few rainy evenings.

Farther than your requested area, but Tom's Steakhouse in Melrose Park has the carport type entrance.

Just thinking: Not many doctors offices have overhangs.

We just took my mother to White Fence Farm in Romeoville and have similar limitations with the addition of needing to offload her from a wheelchair accessible van.

It's 20 miles beyond your radius, but a straight shot down 355.

The place is a Senior Citizen's dream, old school restaurant with pickled beets and everything.

All the places I can think of are either gone or are banquet-only places like Fountain Blue at Touhy and Manheim.
Frankly your best bet might be for a hotel-based restaurant. I hate to make that recommendation as you always pay a premium.

Cynthia, Andrew's is within your geographic area with a covered entryway but not covered for arriving vehicles. Andrew's caters to senior citizens, has better food than one might expect, get the wood roasted chicken, and a multitude of specials.
LTH Andrew's thread

Andrew's, Count me a Fan!

Andrew's Open Pit & Spirits
2610 Dempster St.
Park Ridge, IL

Thanks, all. Will probably start with Andrew's, as mom is not comfortable with long drives at this point. But I'll keep these all in mind.

Cynthia wrote:Thanks, all. Will probably start with Andrew's, as mom is not comfortable with long drives at this point. But I'll keep these all in mind.

Looking at gwiv’s photo it doesn’t appear to be a carport per se. more of a covered sidewalk.

In that case I will often drive right onto the sidewalk to provide a protected egress from the car.

Panther in the Den wrote:

Cynthia wrote:Thanks, all. Will probably start with Andrew's, as mom is not comfortable with long drives at this point. But I'll keep these all in mind.

Looking at gwiv’s photo it doesn’t appear to be a carport per se. more of a covered sidewalk.

In that case I will often drive right onto the sidewalk to provide a protected egress from the car.

I'll see if that's a possibility. Of course, another consideration is how hard it's raining. Total downpour, we'll probably pick the car port. But if it's just a shower, I can keep the umbrella over mom as she gets out -- because I don't care if I get a little wet.

G Wiv wrote:Andrew's caters to senior citizens, has better food than one might expect

I remember asking Burt Katz where he liked to go to eat out. His answer ... Andrew's.

JoelF wrote:Frankly your best bet might be for a hotel-based restaurant.

I was thinking the same thing. Hotels usually have overhangs where arriving overnight guests can unload, and their restaurants are often right off the lobby. One example not far from AH is Sam & Harry's in the Renaissance Schaumburg. It's quite good.

As another possibility, Shaw's Crab House in Schaumburg has an overhang. It doesn't quite reach over the cars at the drive-up entrance but it's right alongside (2-3 feet from the curb), so you're basically under it from the moment you step out of the car:

nsxtasy wrote:. It doesn't quite reach over the cars at the drive-up entrance but it's right alongside (2-3 feet from the curb), so you're basically under it almost as soon as you step out of the car.

As the owner of a 1921 model mother, I can tell you that the first three feet takes a very long time.

scottsol wrote:As the owner of a 1921 model mother, I can tell you that the first three feet takes a very long time.

Another fine vintage.

And yes -- long time for the first few feet. Actually, just getting out of the car can be an ordeal.

But having a couple of new possibilities, along with the previous options, I feel well armed for the rest of the winter into spring. Thanks, all.

Super H mart, possibly out of your range, has a LARGE drive through (some parking spaces covered too) and a food court, or a covered walkway (how far can she walk?) around the corner to Arirang Korean BBQ. If you want company, I might join you for the BBQ.

--Any strip mall with a LARGE supermarket may have a covered area for loading groceries, and a covered walkway to restaurants.

Mariano's at Golf and Waukegan has an awning extending out over the driveway and a food bar/area. Light rain and no wind only.

Joong Boo Market at Central and Milwaukee had signs for an underground garage (which I have not been in) and cafe restaurants on the 2nd floor (elevator was not yet working when I went, just after they opened), so research required.

The Glen in glenview has a parking garage from which you can at least get to the movie theater, and through it to ben and jerry's but I don't know about the adjacent restaurants (some may have a back entrance to the garage), so more research required...ans you could go to a movie too.

--Any shopping mall may with a garage may have covered access to restaurants.

--Let your mouse do your walking. Just scroll around in google maps, then if something looks promising (restaurant sounds good and parking looks promising) switch to satellite view and see if the pavement goes under, or at least right up to, an overhang. Double check by going to street view.

Thought of one that is in your area. I believe Cafe La Cave in DesPlaines also has the carport entrance.

I'm interested in this thread because a good friend and neighbor, over 70 himself, takes two of his older sisters out to eat once a week. They are both in nursing homes, one in Geneva, the other in Elmhurst; one needs a wheelchair, the other uses a walker. It is quite tiring for him physically; you can imagine. Any time it is snowing or raining or icy, it is that much harder. Any time I see any suggestions that I think would make it a little easier for him in bad weather, I forward them to him.

Is there enough need for a permanent GOR (great overhang restaurant) list?

Hi,

I drove past last night an Olive Garden on Army Trail Road with no overhang present. You are fortunate there is an overhang at the location you frequently visit.

Regards,
Cathy2

sicilianos wrote:Farther than your requested area, but Tom's Steakhouse in Melrose Park has the carport type entrance.

Had a very nice meal with a crowd at Tom's Sunday ------> Link



Tom's Steak House
1901 West North Avenue
Melrose Park, IL 60160
708-345-2766

Two locations popped to mind while getting caught up with this thread tonight. The first with a porte-cochère is White Eagle on Milwaukee Ave in Niles. The other, and I'm terribly sorry, is the food court entrance at Golf Mill, just up the street.

BrendanR wrote:The other, and I'm terribly sorry, is the food court entrance at Golf Mill, just up the street.

No need to apologize. At 92, one's taste buds are not what they were in youth. I suspect that a food court might appeal to her (I checked what was available, and either Panera or Sarku might work) -- except she probably wouldn't be able to handle the seating. But any idea is appreciated.

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

I drove past last night an Olive Garden on Army Trail Road with no overhang present. You are fortunate there is an overhang at the location you frequently visit.

Regards,
Cathy2

Indeed. To be safe, I now steer clear of the two reliably protected places if the weather is decent to save them for when it isn't.

Most elderly people like more comfortable seating than a food court provides. Also lower noise level. Getting to the actual food court itself is usually a problem as is carrying the food from the pickup to table. My mom always liked places like Tom's steak house or Ki's in Glendale Heights. White table cloths, comfy chairs, no loud music, no waiting in line, she like reservations only, good bathrooms and no buffets. My mom would not have been caught dead in a food court. Also we would consult the weather. If it was raining, snowing or too cold, we just would go another day.

This sort of leads into a need for a unified source of information about area restaurants. Someone (and I'm not volunteering), maybe even LTH, can create folders/tabs/database for identifying places that are kid/senior/group friendly (obviously not all 3 at the same time), but they seem to be topics that come up with some regularity here and on similar sites.

Cynthia wrote:(I checked what was available, and either Panera or Sarku might work)

The Panera is a separate, stand-alone building, out in the parking lot. There used to be a diner at Golf Mill but it doesn't appear to be there any more.

spinynorman99 wrote:This sort of leads into a need for a unified source of information about area restaurants. Someone (and I'm not volunteering), maybe even LTH, can create folders/tabs/database for identifying places that are kid/senior/group friendly (obviously not all 3 at the same time), but they seem to be topics that come up with some regularity here and on similar sites.

Lovely idea. I don't have the time to create it, but I'd certainly contribute as I find things. Things to consider other than noise level and comfy seating -- do they offer senior discounts -- and do they have handicapped-accessible bathrooms (not everyone does). Mom's favorite bathroom is at Palm Court, because it's narrow enough to have bars on both sides of the toilet, rather than the usual one side and behind the toilet. Plus it's right across from the cash register, rather than being all the way at the back of the restaurant, as they so often are. These things become deal makers/breakers after one gets a bit worn out.

Balkanika on Oakton east of Lee street has a full drive through overhang. Used to be Black Ram, IIRC.

diversedancer wrote:Balkanika on Oakton east of Lee street has a full drive through overhang. Used to be Black Ram, IIRC.

Thanks. I look forward to checking it out.