nr706 wrote:But what was the name of the fine dining place that was in that building before it became The Big Nasty? As I recall, the sommelier was married at the time to Jackie Chen, who had her own place just a few blocks up the street.

I believe it was called Cafe Figaro. It was a great little French place until it switched over to The Big Nasty in 1984 or so.

--j

I found a copy of Chicago Magazine from December 1981, Cafe Figaro was located at 2242 N. Lincoln. Chicago Magazine described it as having elegant decor and professional service in tiny, cramped quarters. They also said the half dozen entrees abd 3-4 appetizers are fresh and carefully made. They offered a Sunday brunch.

Cafe Figaro! Exactly right ... oh, the memories ...

Matchbook collection / Restaurant & Bar's:

Hennessy's..12 W. Elm
Ruggles..233 E.Erie
Chez Paul..Erie & Rush
LaCheminee..N. Dearborn
L'Epuisette..W.Goethe
Sain's..Rush
The Cousins Club..E. Superior
The Flying Frenchman..Wabash&Chestnut
Rush Over & Rush Up..907 & 900 Rush
Bill & Charlie's..Lake Point Tower
Eli's..E. Chicago
Champs Elysees..E. Chestnut
Sage's East..E. Lake Shore Dr.
The Pickle Barrel..In Old Town
Cornoa..Rush
Mammy's..Rush
Colony East..E. Walton
Gate of Horn..N. Broadway
LaCoquille
Club Boyer..E. Delaware
Nakanoya
Oliver's Pub..N. Dearborn
The Carriage House..E. Chicago Ave.
The Embers..on Walton & on Dearborn
LePub..N.Clark
Armando's..Rush & Superior
KonTikiPorts..Sheraton-Chicago Hotel
Jovan
Erie Cafe..N.WellsCafeDeParis..Dearborn Parkway
Jay's..Rush
FarEast..Hashikin..Singapore
Ghisela's..N. Wells
Arnie's
Ramond's..E.Oak
The Red Carpet..W. Elm
Giannotti's..Forest Park
Armand's..Elmwood park
The Yellow Submarine..N.State
Back Room..N.Rush
Phil Smidt & Son..Hammond Ind.
The Flame

Anyone remember Cafe Azteca at the corner of North and Wells? They had great margaritas, a pretty courtyard and delicious chicken chiliquiles. Oh yeah, and great salsa too

sueintc wrote:Matchbook collection / Restaurant & Bar's:

Hennessy's..12 W. Elm
Ruggles..233 E.Erie
Chez Paul..Erie & Rush
LaCheminee..N. Dearborn
L'Epuisette..W.Goethe
Sain's..Rush
The Cousins Club..E. Superior
The Flying Frenchman..Wabash&Chestnut
Rush Over & Rush Up..907 & 900 Rush
Bill & Charlie's..Lake Point Tower
Eli's..E. Chicago
Champs Elysees..E. Chestnut
Sage's East..E. Lake Shore Dr.
The Pickle Barrel..In Old Town
Cornoa..Rush
Mammy's..Rush
Colony East..E. Walton
Gate of Horn..N. Broadway
LaCoquille
Club Boyer..E. Delaware
Nakanoya
Oliver's Pub..N. Dearborn
The Carriage House..E. Chicago Ave.
The Embers..on Walton & on Dearborn
LePub..N.Clark
Armando's..Rush & Superior
KonTikiPorts..Sheraton-Chicago Hotel
Jovan
Erie Cafe..N.WellsCafeDeParis..Dearborn Parkway
Jay's..Rush
FarEast..Hashikin..Singapore
Ghisela's..N. Wells
Arnie's
Ramond's..E.Oak
The Red Carpet..W. Elm
Giannotti's..Forest Park
Armand's..Elmwood park
The Yellow Submarine..N.State
Back Room..N.Rush
Phil Smidt & Son..Hammond Ind.
The Flame

Great list, although Armand's in Elmwood park is still there.

I have fond memories of being in KonTikiPorts as a child, what a fun and wierd place that was . Crazy nautical tropical theme with streams and other oddities Arnie's was also a Chicago legend along with Chez Paul, who can forget the Blues Brothers dining there? How about the Mel Markon's location near Lincoln Park Zoo? anybody remember the baseball videogame at the bar there?

Apple wrote:

Erika wrote:My favorite food items from childhood that are gone:
Ice Cream from Vala's on Broadway near Aldine with actual fudge in it
Candy from Martha's on Broadway nr Roscoe

Vala's ice cream! My favorite was pistachio! And, there would be the name of the woman who packed it stamped on the bottom of the carton! We used to buy Vala's at the Shop and Save on Diversey. I think it's now called the Marketplace? Interesting food store. Many years ago, I bought a can of Lyle's Golden Syrup there.

I don't remeber Vala's but I do remembr the Roundup, was this the same place but the name changed? The Roundup ice cream shop had a western motif. I also remember the Margies candies , Evergreen foods and Ricky's in that area.

saps wrote: Yankee Doodle Dandy, various locations

They had a Yankee Doodle Dandy on Clark near Diversey where the Golden Nugget is now, I think, I was young. Anybody elde remember that diner on the corner of Clark/Diversey where Coconuts records is now? Also, Steak and Egger and the Superbowl Grill? on Clark near there? All greasy spoon places.

and while you're in that neighborhood, don't forget:

Paris Inn, a chop suey joint at Clark and Diversey;
Wing Yee, same but better at Clark and Wrightwood;
O'Connell's, at Diversey and Cambridge;
Drugstore/luncheonette in the Park Lane Hotel, Sheridan and Surf.

And in Evanston, the fountain at Hoo's Drugs and the Welsh rarebit at B&G Snacktime. (Not to mention the Valencia and Varsity theaters.)

Cynthia wrote:And in Evanston, the fountain at Hoo's Drugs and the Welsh rarebit at B&G Snacktime. (Not to mention the Valencia and Varsity theaters.)

Let alone on the same block, The Hut's chili, simmering in the same vat for 20 years without being emptied. Now it's a Taco Bell Express.

A place right out of the 1950's - I don't think they ever redecorated.
I was a regular with my best friend from 1973 for many years.
We usually had a really heavy-set woman wait on us Friday and Saturday nites.
Their pizza was really unique - the crust, sauce and shape - indescribable in words but I can taste it right now.
They were never too neat or careful about how they cut the slices. Just took a pizza cutter and zinged away!
What's there now, anyhow?

Alberti's Pizza was our local Niles West after basketball games hangout in the early 60's. During college in the mid 60's, Alberti's gave way to The Inferno in Evanston.

In Cal City John's Pizza, and the Jack in the Box.In Michigan City I miss Maxine and Heine's.

Where was the Inferno in Evanston. I have vague Childhood memories of it, but I can't place where it was. thanks.

I believe that Inferno was on Central Ave. in Evanston, almost directly under the 'L' tracks, and right across the street from the old Evanston Community Golf Course, the little gem that still winds its way through the streets of Evanston, with the Baha'i Temple as a backdrop.

I also believe (and Buddy Roadhouse would be able to verify this) that Inferno was owned at one point by Burt of Pequod / Starback / Burt's Place fame.

Ah, yes. Evanston Community Golf Course, otherwise known as Canal Shores Country Club. . . .

AP Deli, Oak Park has closed and the phone disconnected.

I did manage to visit there once not too long ago and had a good sandwich.

There is something there now (something) burgers.

rdstoll wrote:For anyone who lived in the Buffalo Grove/Long Grove/Mundeline area in the 1970's and 80's - does anyone remember a place call the Smokehouse on Route 83 and either 22 or Gilmer Road? My dad used to go here religiously while working in Long Grove and I remember being in there a few times as a youngster. He still talks about how good their sandwiches were, particularly pastrami and roast beef. I think it closed down in the very early 90's but was wondering if anyone knows what happened to the proprietors of that place - or even remember the place at all?? Was the best deli I can remember.

I think it was called The Country Smokehouse and it was on 83 at Gilmer road. You could smell the smoke in your car with the windows closed about a quarter mile before you came to it.

I think it was called The Country Smokehouse and it was on 83 at Gilmer road. You could smell the smoke in your car with the windows closed about a quarter mile before you came to it.

Oh, the memories growing up of breakfast at the Smokehouse. The atmosphere was just perfect; middle of nowhere, packed full of people, kitschy but not corny, and an orgy of delicious aromas. The Smokehouse property was sold and the actual deli/restaurant was torn down. Right now, Gridleys of Long Grove sits on the location and is a restaurant/bar that is unimpressive in my opinion. From speaking with the manager of Gridleys when it opened, I was told the smokehouse itself is still functional and they had invested a decent amount of money to make sure it would stay functional. However, from what I can gather, they have yet to actually use the smokehouse. If anyone has any other info, it would be greatly appreciated.

Does anyone remember a LEYE place with a BBQ/Cajun theme. I believe it was on Wood near the intersection of Clyburn and Halstead. It was in a warehouse with a bar to the right and a large main eating area to the left of the entrance. Very popular place, always crowded and had good shrimp and crab.

Searched thru all 14 pages and didn't see any reference to it, but could have missed.

thanks

Marshall K wrote:Does anyone remember a LEYE place with a BBQ/Cajun theme. I believe it was on Wood near the intersection of Clyburn and Halstead. It was in a warehouse with a bar to the right and a large main eating area to the left of the entrance. Very popular place, always crowded and had good shrimp and crab.

Bub City BBQ on weed street?

d4v3 wrote:Bub City BBQ on weed street?

I'm almost certain Dave's right. Amazingly, even though it's been closed for years, you can still find it on some dining websites, e.g.

http://dinesite.com/info/rstrnt-6156/?&t=2173824

nr706 wrote:

d4v3 wrote:Bub City BBQ on weed street?

I'm almost certain Dave's right. Amazingly, even though it's been closed for years, you can still find it on some dining websites, e.g.

http://dinesite.com/info/rstrnt-6156/?&t=2173824

Thanks, that is the place. Weed St.! at least I got the first and last letters right. Never tried the BBQ but enjoyed the Shrimp dishes.

And does anyone remember Ichiban for tempura, where they had plasticized food in the window???? I think it might have been on Clark or Lincoln. I loved that place for tempura....anyone know a place like that now?????

Does anyone remember Capri Pizza on Howard (near Sheridan road)? The owner was Vince. His pizza is the gold standard by which all others are judged. The restaurant closed sometime in the mid to late 60's. Another superlative place that has not been mentioned is Mr. Lee's Chinese take out on Clark Street. This place too, has no equal when it comes to Chinese food. (I think his son became a professional photographer) I never regret my age but consider myself lucky to have grown up in the early 60s and enjoyed quality food, television, soda pop in a glass bottle with sugar (not corn syrup) and some of the greatest baseball ever played -- Banks, Williams, Hubbs and Rodgers... (not to mention the opposing players such as Clemente, Koufax, Mays ...) Now thats baseball!!

toria wrote:And does anyone remember Ichiban for tempura, where they had plasticized food in the window????

Broadway south of Belmont, circa 1971.

The Hansa Club
Psistaria on Lawrence
Longy's in Glen Ellyn
El Adobe in Warrenville - Great salsa and chips
Earl of Sandwich in Naperville

Paul SL wrote:Broadway south of Belmont, circa 1971.

Speaking of which, The Brewery. (Or has that been mentioned? I have this awful feeling that it's not only been mentioned, but mentioned by me.) The other place that had the "world's first salad bar." (If memory serves.)

I didn't see Lawry's Tavern mentioned. While they only served food on Friday Saturday and special occasions, they cloesd in May affter being owned and run by the same family since 1934.

What about the Gold Coin around Howard St. near Evanston. And what was the name of the pizza place serving deep dish in the sixties way in the back of Piper's Alley in Old Town?

Also Broker's Inn in the Financial District.