Hey, I'll be appearing here all week! And all next month, and the rest of the year...

Crown Liquors ‘Slashie’ Is Closing For Good, Had Survived Since Prohibition
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/24 ... ohibition/

Dave148 wrote:Crown Liquors ‘Slashie’ Is Closing For Good, Had Survived Since Prohibition
https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/04/24 ... ohibition/

No idea what was going on with them, but they were closed even before the pandemic forced everything to shutdown. It seemed like they were always trying something new with the liquor store part, but nothing really stuck unfortunately. Always liked the bar though and I hope whoever takes it over keeps it the way it is.

scottsol wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:You neglected to mention the obvious headline:

Toast Is Toast

If you keep posting puns you may be as well.

It was getting kinda stale anyways.

Am I getting a rise outta you?

I’m on a roll!

Beginning April 29, Fat Rice will become Super Fat Rice Mart and pivot to selling meal kits, per this NY Times story.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/28/dini ... virus.html

Octarine wrote:

scottsol wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:You neglected to mention the obvious headline:

Toast Is Toast

If you keep posting puns you may be as well.

It was getting kinda stale anyways.

Am I getting a rise outta you?

I’m on a roll!

That should be “anyway”, not “anyways”.

Hewn posted this on their online ordering site.

“Please note that we are moving the bakery to our new location at 1733 Central Street Monday, April 27th. Pickups will begin at the new location Friday, May 1st, 8am-noon. Pick-ups will be suspended from Monday, April 27th through Thursday, April 30th. The Dempster location will be open through this weekend, and then closed permanently beginning April 27th. Please contact us with any questions and thank you!”

Link to their online store.
https://hewnorders.square.site/s/shop?page=1&limit=60

Afghan Kabob has opened/moved from 4040 W. Montrose in Chicago to the former Rayan Halal Mediterranean restaurant space in Morton Grove on Dempster Street.

Afghan Kabob
6002 Dempster St
Morton Grove, IL 60053

https://www.yelp.com/biz/afghan-kabob-m ... =date_desc

polster wrote:Afghan Kabob has opened/moved from 4040 W. Montrose in Chicago to the former Rayan Halal Mediterranean restaurant space in Morton Grove on Dempster Street.

Afghan Kabob
6002 Dempster St
Morton Grove, IL 60053

https://www.yelp.com/biz/afghan-kabob-m ... =date_desc

That's great news. Thanks for highlighting this.

Regards,
CAthy2

Jeri’s Grill, Beloved North Center ‘Greasy Spoon’ For 6 Decades, Closes Amid Pandemic: ‘It’s A Sad End’

Just opened Monday by the grandson of Dave Thomas of Wendy's. Fresh Stack Burger 20413 N Rand Rd Kildeer.

https://www.freshstackburger.com/

Picked up lunch today. It was very good.

A sign is up for a new restaurant in the Aurora/Naperville Rte 59 corridor. Pho Shack, with one location in California, is opening its second and third locations in Naperville (the old Yu's location) and Yorkville.

Pho Shack 2
658 IL-59
Naperville, IL 60540

Pho Shack 3
1218 N Bridge St
Yorkville, IL 60560

Signage is now up for Mis Moles, the latest Geno Behana venture, in the former Little Bucharest spot on Elston and Spaulding. Lots of work going on inside as well -- looks to be opening in the near future in whatever capacity the circumstances will allow.

Mis Moles
3661 N. Elston
(773) 604-8500
https://www.mismolesrestaurant.com
https://www.facebook.com/Urovica3535/

Ditka's Restaurant has permanently closed their downtown Chicago location. This move will leave them with three locations still in operation (Pittsburgh, Oakbrook Terrace, & Grill 89 in Westmont),

https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-ditka-restuarant-chicago-closes-20200519-iunes7koq5e7ffdwpm2akigmze-story.html

https://www.ditkasrestaurants.com/

Fausto's Italian Kitchen announced their closing on their Facebook page. Last day 5/30. Sad.

16 S Evergreen Ave
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005

“The rent, bills and business taxes were not taking a pause and the sales were only enough to cover inventory."

Pilsen Taqueria Sabor Y Sazon Closing After 7 Years Because Of Coronavirus Shutdown

Tinto & Tapas on the 7900 block of W. Belmont has thrown in the towel. In a separate posting in a community FB group the proprietor cites the mayor's refusal to even allow outdoor dining as the last straw.

"Good morning

It is with great sadness that I have decided to close the restaurant immediately. The current positions of local authorities and the inducement of fear based decision making promoted through media sources does not allow me to serve my community as I intended. Furthermore, the outline of new impositions for reopening going forward are not the business model I agreed to follow when my license was approved. I thank you all for your support."

https://www.facebook.com/tintontapas/

Xocolo, formerly Xelva Mayan Cuisine, formerly Taco Bout It, at the "cursed location" of
8819 Ogden Avenue in Brookfield, is closed. Confirmed via Yelp after passing it the other day and seeing a For Sale sign and the papered-overed windows. The struggle is real.

I'm so disappointed to hear the one of my favorite live music venues, The California Clipper, and my favorite coffee shop, C.C. Ferns, are closing. These really hurt, but I'm sure there will continue to be a lot more truly great places closing for good.

https://chicago.eater.com/2020/5/28/21273155/california-clipper-cc-ferns-closed-hogsalt-humboldt-park

Al Ehrhardt wrote:I'm so disappointed to hear the one of my favorite live music venues, The California Clipper, and my favorite coffee shop, C.C. Ferns, are closing. These really hurt, but I'm sure there will continue to be a lot more truly great places closing for good.

https://chicago.eater.com/2020/5/28/21273155/california-clipper-cc-ferns-closed-hogsalt-humboldt-park

Some of the worst news I've heard so far. Sadly, it won't be the last.

Al's Beef in River North is moving from 169 W Ontario to 548 N Wells St, a block away after losing their lease. Should open back up in the fall:

https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/05/28 ... lock-away/

Now, what the article fails to mention is finding out that they lost their lease because the new landlords signed with "Big Star River North, LLC" (One Off Hospitality). Everyone can guess what that is. Of course, that was back in February, so we'll see what happens, but all indications are that River North is getting a Big Star and I'm sure that parking lot will be converted into some big patio.

http://ccrecorder.org/recordings/record ... /81084765/

Adding to the pile of Coronavirus Casualties...

Vegan Pizzeria Chicago House of ‘Za Closing For Good In North Center Because Of Coronavirus

Apparently unnoticed in all the COVID madness and wave of closings was the highly-regarded Mesa Urbana of Northbrook opening a second location at Six Corners. Right now it's dubbed as a "Pop-up" but so is their original location, I guess in reference to their temporary status as take-out only and the resulting pared-down menu. However this looks intended to be a permanent second location when circumstances permit.

Mesa Urbana Dos
4024 N. Milwaukee Ave
(773) 334-7711
http://www.mesaurbana.com
http://www.facebook.com/mesaurbanabar/

Drover wrote:Apparently unnoticed in all the COVID madness and wave of closings was the highly-regarded Mesa Urbana of Northbrook opening a second location at Six Corners. Right now it's dubbed as a "Pop-up" but so is their original location, I guess in reference to their temporary status as take-out only and the resulting pared-down menu. However this looks intended to be a permanent second location when circumstances permit.

Mesa Urbana Dos
4024 N. Milwaukee Ave
(773) 334-7711
http://www.mesaurbana.com
http://www.facebook.com/mesaurbanabar/

I live very close to the Northbrook location and enjoy it occasionally (although basic, better, cheaper tacos can be had nearby). However, their current limited carry-out menu is rather dull, with none of the cheffy things they do on the regular menu. I hope they come back strong.

Chez Benoit in Highland Park will not be re-opening. I saw a sign in their window walking through downtown HP this week.

Lefty's Pizza Kitchen (Wilmette) has been doing great during this shutdown and still plan on opening their second location in the old Blaze Pizza spot in Highland Park. I spoke with them over the phone last night. They said some nights they are so busy they run out of dough. Great to hear from a small local business.

I eagerly await their opening in HP. We love Lou Malnatis but wouldn't mind some other options.

Ram4 wrote:Chez Benoit in Highland Park will not be re-opening. I saw a sign in their window walking through downtown HP this week.

I was underwhelmed, especially by the service, in my initial visit shortly after their opening. After getting subsequent positive reports was looking forward to giving it another try. Sad to hear about the closing.

Another Coronavirus Casualty...

"We are so honored to have had the pleasure of serving this neighborhood for 10+ years. In light of recent events, we have come to the difficult decision of closing our doors as Pitchfork food and saloon. This was not an easy decision. Over the years we’ve made relationships and memories we’ll never forget. Our patrons aren’t just customers to us. You are our friends and family and we would like to thank you for all of the support over the years. We are excited to keep you posted on our hopes for the space for the future!"

https://www.facebook.com/pitchforkfoodandsaloon/

Ram4 wrote:They said some nights they are so busy they run out of dough.

Lots of restaurants are running out of dough these days, but at least for them that's a good thing.

Latest entry on the Coronavirus Casualty list: Andersonville's Hot G Dog. They hold out hope of re-opening elsewhere at some unspecified date if/when the restaurant industry recovers sufficiently.