Welcome, Markypoo. I merged this into the thread that, believe me, it WANTS to be part of.

markypoo wrote:The Cart on Wabash

Welcome markypoo. You've posted a pretty interesting list. Some of the places on the list have been mentioned earlier in the thread. A few comments on The Cart, though.

My father owned the Harrison Hotel for a number of years. The cart was located in the hotel on the corner of Harrison & Wabash. I have many happy memories of eating prime rib (carved tableside in the manner of Lawry's, although The Cart predated Lawry's Chicago location) and twice baked potatoes with a side order of twin lobster tails as a young child. Thanks for remembering this restaurant which played a large role in teaching me about fine dining (and how to properly behave in a restaurant).

BTW, I drove by that location the other night and there was a sign in the window that said, "Coming Soon - Thai Spoon".

Hold on, guys. As a former regular at the place, (we were married in the 70s and lived in Rogers Park), it was Jonathan Livingston Seafood. Located on the basement/ground level of the Edgewater Plaza high rise on Sheridan. Awesome seafood buffet, and all we've figured is that Melman got tired of the punn-y concepts like this one ("Seagull" was the book title) and the old Fritz in Evanston.
>>Brent

[size=24]Best hotdog place around wrigleyfield...
Franksville...11 different kinds of hotdogs.

Classic hotel soda fountain/coffeeshop...
Pinsky's...in the Belmont Hotel

Another classic cofeeshop/diner ..
Rickys...good for late night snacks right next to the LakeShore Theater


One of the first groovy '70's type restaurants on Broadway...
The Brewery...salad bar wise-cracking waitresses[/size]
I heard it was on the site of the old folk music club , The Gate of Horn
but I am not entirely sure about that...


Another classic soda fountain on Broadway ..
Bergers

Oh for the good old days...

Mekong Restaurant--Argyle & Broadway--closed 1999


Mekong's food was my first foray into what I think is the most interesting of all Asian cuisines, Vietnamese. I remember having their lunch special in the 1980's--first, a small bowl of pho, that wonderful piping-hot chicken broth with beansprouts, codfish, chicken shards & cilantro. Then on to the lemon grass chicken--marinated dark meat in almost a chili sauce with tiny pieces of lemon grass, served over lettuce and white rice, with one tightly-wrapped fried spring roll. This and a steaming pot of fragrant jasmine tea for $2.95! Unbelievable--after a couple years, they raised it to $3.95. If I had time after this great lunch, I'd finish off my meal with a killer Vietnamese iced coffee. Truly attentive service as well.

I think they opened a second Mekong near the Gold Coast in the late 80's or early 90's. I don't think either one exists today, a real shame. Living in the far northern suburbs, if I get a craving for Vietnamese cuisine it's a lo-o-o-o-ong drive!

It was too nasty to be Denny's ...

All the press articles I'm seeing about the redevelopment of Devon/Sheridan mention that the Loyola Fine Arts Department is housed in a building that used to be a Denny's restaurant. I grew up there, ate in the joint with my parents, and while I don't miss its loss I recall it as being a non-chain place -- my guess is Sherwood Forest or William Tell restaurant from the architecture and something back in my noggin that it had a robin hood theme, but I could be wrong. It sure doesn't look like even an early Denny's. Does anyone remember?
>>Brent

brotine wrote:It was too nasty to be Denny's ...

All the press articles I'm seeing about the redevelopment of Devon/Sheridan mention that the Loyola Fine Arts Department is housed in a building that used to be a Denny's restaurant. I grew up there, ate in the joint with my parents, and while I don't miss its loss I recall it as being a non-chain place -- my guess is Sherwood Forest or William Tell restaurant from the architecture and something back in my noggin that it had a robin hood theme, but I could be wrong. It sure doesn't look like even an early Denny's. Does anyone remember?
>>Brent

Before Loyola took over, it was a Wag's - Walgreen's family dining chain. Don't know what it was before that, but I have fond memories of dining (or was it just eating?) at the Robin Hood near the Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge. Could it have been a Robin Hood restaurant?

Nope, the place was named Sir Whoopie's.

jnm123 wrote:Mekong Restaurant--Argyle & Broadway--closed 1999
Mekong's food was my first foray into what I think is the most interesting of all Asian cuisines, Vietnamese...

For me it was Hue, just east of Broadway on the north side of Argyle. One bite of Banh Xeo and I was a goner.
Shortly thereafter, so was Hue.

So a few pages back in this thread I talked about the old places with their murals which I read about in the John Drury book, and wondered what happened to them all.

Well, I found one. Alas, it's not in the Drury book, but nevertheless. I saw a 30s-ish looking canvas of a rural scene in Sweden hanging on the wall of the third floor of the Swedish Museum in Andersonville, and immediately thought... that looks like it hung over a bar. Which indeed it did; the Swedish Bar, on Lasalle.

One found, dozens more whose fate remains a mystery...

brotine wrote:It was too nasty to be Denny's ...

All the press articles I'm seeing about the redevelopment of Devon/Sheridan mention that the Loyola Fine Arts Department is housed in a building that used to be a Denny's restaurant. I grew up there, ate in the joint with my parents, and while I don't miss its loss I recall it as being a non-chain place -- my guess is Sherwood Forest or William Tell restaurant from the architecture and something back in my noggin that it had a robin hood theme, but I could be wrong. It sure doesn't look like even an early Denny's. Does anyone remember?
>>Brent

Yes, you are correct. I'm blanking on the exact name, but it definitely had a Medieval theme to it (but served pretty standard Greed diner fare.)

stevez wrote:Yes, you are correct. I'm blanking on the exact name, but it definitely had a Medieval theme to it (but served pretty standard Greed diner fare.)

I guess I should have put the first post with a quote. The name was Sir Whoopie's. The food itself was average, but they had a great ice cream section.

Franksville! There is an exact replica of the Wrigley Field Franksville somewhere on the far northwest side. I have only seen it 2, maybe 3 times, driving by.

Lawrence of Oregano -- my first bracciole! What a fun restaurant! The cabbage rose carpeting, the singing waitresses, the huge display of food as you entered and the bar with the wacky drinks. It was near a very good Mexican restaurant that I also frequented but the name escapes me. Beautiful tile decor. Skylight. Jorges?

The Brewery, for some reason, made me think of Ratso's on Lincoln and their $3 Sunday brunch.

Loyola-wasn't there a coffee shop called Cindy Sue's across the street visible from the el and a nightclub near by with Baby Huey on top of the doorway awning? Didn't Cheap Trick play there?

South Pacific on Randolph--thanks for the clarification; I got it mixed up with the Shangri-La.

Apple wrote:Franksville! There is an exact replica of the Wrigley Field Franksville somewhere on the far northwest side. I have only seen it 2, maybe 3 times, driving by.

Addison and Harlem.

Loyola-wasn't there a coffee shop called Cindy Sue's across the street visible from the el and a nightclub near by with Baby Huey on top of the doorway awning? Didn't Cheap Trick play there?

Yep, Cindy Sue's. They had so many fires there that we called it Cinder Sue's.

It was on Belmont and Halsted. I think the owner also operated an antiques shop next door that outlived the restaurant for a time.
I was only there once (early 1981) and it was for a theater party Sunday brunch buffet. Really good. Remember it as being kind of dark inside. Terrific fried chicken legs (maybe they were wings).
Why did it close? Seemed to be really popular. It deserves to have had more longevity. Don't know what's there now. Rarely go around there. [/b]

midas wrote:Yep, Cindy Sue's. They had so many fires there that we called it Cinder Sue's.

A highschool classmate worked at Cindy Sue's one summer. Whenever asked about the experience, she'd wrinkle her nose and mimic a customer dissatisfied with the oatmeal.

"Waitress! Waitress! There's BUTTER in my oatmeal!"

I remember Victorian House well. They served their bloody marys in huge hurricane glasses - and they served us w/ out carding. One of our favorite places back when.

Edited for hasty typing.

One that is NOT missed: Pluton. That had to be the most over-rated place in Chicago. It was an ugly loud room with average food.

One that is missed (although it did not last long): Spruce. Great food, great location, great service.

It's not gone yet, but as of New Years Eve, Trader Vic's will be closing the doors at the Palmer House. I have never had dinner there just foo foo drinks and pupu platters always after a CSO concert. It will be deeply missed. 1957- 2005

it looked suspiciously dark in both Rodan & Tre Via last night around 5:30. There was miscellaneous audio equipment junk sitting on a table in Tre Via.

My guess is that Tre Via was killed off by Francesca's Forno. I went to both a couple times and was never really very impressed.

I'll double check again tonight.

Does anybody remember "Carmie's Watermelon Stand" at the northwest corner of Western and Taylor? Allegedly great beef... an old fashioned kind of joint with clams, crabs, sausage and watermelon... I've heard some interesting stories about this place...

Antonius

I just thought of one that I can't believe no one remembered yet ..

Phil Johnson's on Lake-Cook & Waukegan in Northbrook. Can't remember when it closed, but it was open in 1992 as Google says there was a Village of Buffalo Grove Planning Comission meeting there in Jan of '92.

I remember going there many times as a kid. "We're going to Phil Johnson's" (or Fanny's) was the usual answer when eating out w/ Grandma in the mid 70s & 80s. They were famous for the fried chicken and I loved looking at all the old-time photos on the walls. Maybe it was just my wide-eyed childhood perspective, but it seemed like a huge place.

HI,

Phil Johnson's was a rambling roadhouse type structure. What I remember most and liked best was their ghost white cabbage salad, while sweet and sour was also very crunchy and not limp.

Regards,

Pete & Mike Fish's (sp?) which was I believe on Ontario east of Michigan Ave - great shrimp de jonghe. Also over the top ice cream please on southside called Melody Lane - towering productions!!

Talking to my older brother reminded me of Casimer's Custard Corner. Best curley-q fries ever!
51st street just West of Western across from what used to be an A&P's.

My mom and brother-in-law all drooled!

delk wrote:Talking to my older brother reminded me of Casimer's Custard Corner. Best curley-q fries ever! 51st street just West of Western across from what used to be an A&P's.

Would that have been on the southeast corner of 51st and Artesian? Mary’s Lemonade is there now. I never went to Casimer’s but I thought Mary’s was pretty darn good. I only went once and need to revisit.

Barnew wrote: Also over the top ice cream please on southside called Melody Lane - towering productions!!

I think I remember Melody Lane. Was it in South Shore?

Yes Rene....
It really had some good fries. I was scratching my head over the name for a while. Big brothers have some purpose!

Nobody however remembers the name of the pizza joint I worked at during 76-77. It was on 51st and Rockwell, Southside of the street. My first job; I cut cheese!

Thanks, Delk, for the info. I always find it interesting knowing the progression of businesses. It looks like Mary’s Lemonade has recently expanded their food offerings (Mexican of course).

I’m sure it isn’t the same but there’s now a Piezano’s Pizza on the southwest corner of 51st and Rockwell. I tried one of their slices a few months ago. Really vile.

That's the spot, but not the name. BTW, there was a great record store across the street: Rockwell Records.

Now I'm trying to remember the chili place on the West side of State St. just North of Archer.