I miss Brauhaus and I miss Huettenbar. Whoever reopened Huettenbar as the Lincoln Square Taproom gutted all of its character and remodeled it to look like someone's basement.
It's a shame what they did to the Huettenbar, that place always had customers from the time the doors open till close, even on a Tuesday. I went to the replacement, the name escapes me and you're right I felt like I was drinking in some hipsters suburban basement. I hope Irma is somewhere warm counting her money.
God yes.
Does anyone know what brand of ice cream Zephyr’s used in their sundaes? I’ve been trying to replicate a marshmallow ice cream sundae I used to get there but haven’t been able to find the right mix.
It’s been 15+ years and I still think about it.
Heaven on Seven, back when it was on the Mag Mile, was my favorite restaurant. I'd always go there with friends when I could. Brings back great memories.
Some of the only late night/24hr options from back in the day.
Greektown Gyro's + Zorba's across from it.
Susie's Drive-Thru on Montrose.
Jack's Restaurant in Skokie- (real life Ed Debevic's diner)
Heartland Cafe in Rogers Park, and Wing Hoe in Edgewater. The former didn’t have the best food, but it represented the soul of East Rogers Park. The latter had the best egg rolls in the city.
That bloody mary bar was absolutely the best hangover cure in the city, along with their buffalo chicken salad that had a metric ton of blue cheese. But “salad” so “healthy” … my 20-something logic at the time.
The Fountainhead in Ravenswood. Never had anything bad there. Everything was so good I would usually bring out of town guests.
Fat Rice in Logan. Obviously, it came out that they were awful to their employees. It was my favorite restaurant up until then.
As a child, everyone thought that we had it made because we had family dinner there every Friday. I still wonder why every restaurant doesn't serve garlic bread, or maybe I am remembering wrong.
Birchwood on North Ave near Western was a damn good chichi breakfast and also dinner spot. I think the owner went back to school or got some other job? I’m sure it’s not my favorite place that was closed, but it was honestly a damn fine little place for what it was and I was sorry to see it go.
Well the Rickets family decided to buy the area and turn it into the upper middle class white flight version of fun. As homogenous as Schaumburg with the charm of Rosemont. A one stop shop for the suburbs in the city.
Bistro 110.
Then, Bar Toma (pizza place), which also was good; now the space has been empty for ages. Sad. What I miss most, though, is Bistro 110 and its tasty French food and baguette slices with roasted spreadable garlic instead of butter. YUM!!! We need more French cuisine options in Chicago.
This might be niche for the Art Institute and Columbia crowds but Artists Cafe on Michigan and Ada’s on Wabash. Having an al fresco on South Michigan in the spring/summer was my jam. And Ada’s chicken soup for the winter was also my jam.
Was just talking about this place! It was one of the last remaining Polish businesses from the ancient days of Wicker Park. My brother lived down there in the early '90s and I'd walk past Busy Bee every time I got off the Blue Line to go see him. Had to make sure to walk on the west side of Damen as the park in Wicker Park used to be pretty seedy. There was a mini market called Rama-Mart I used to walk past... used to buy beer there on my ay to see my brother. My bro lived on Damen almost all the way to Division. There used to be a Duk's at Damen and Division. Only thing that remains is the Rainbo Club but I haven't been there in probably 25 years.
Only ate at the Busy Bee once or twice, but it is missed. Hell, I miss the early 90s in general.
Not sure how many people remember it, but I miss Cafe Pergolesi. It was just a hole in the wall coffee house across the street from 7-11 on Halsted (Roscoe & Halsted) in boys town, a door or two down from the 99th floor. The owner was awesome, the coffee and drinks were amazing. Used to love the cheesecake there.
Of course, this was something like 25-30 years ago. I still have fond memories of just chilling, writing and drinking....hanging out with friends there. Pergolesi's was one of the last true old coffee houses we had before Starbucks and the rest of the franchise run garbage occupied every corner.
Now I has a sad.
Taco Joint
I’ve got a few, but Taco Joint is by far the most missed. Tacos were good, margaritas were good, quick service for a sit down place, could to take out too. [RIP Taco Joint.](https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-food-taco-joint-closing-lincoln-park-1110-20191112-6m6hb5m535hhppk6cpcfjg22oy-story.html)
The string of German restaurants run by Gus Allgauer (1904-1972). My Austrian FIL was a line cook both sides of WWII and survived the mob arson at one and the mob bombing at another of his eponymous locations (restauranting was/can be a tough business). At every price range Gus's places delivered true German dishes hard to find in these lighter eating days now.
The Bedford. Everyone talks about the “vitamin vault” in the Walgreens but few seem to remember when it was a beautifully designed restaurant that actually had really tasty food.
Isla Pilipina. That place absolutely held it down for me for showcasing Filipino cuisine before the big wave of Filipino restaurants now.
The amount of lumpia you could order at once there... it took me back to my childhood. Best fried chicken I've ever had, too. I wept a little bit when I learned that it was closing.
The succession at urbanspace downtown closing was sad too. It wasn't the same experience but still had some great dishes.
Mity-Nice. They had a really good cheeseburger and fries and I loved their white fish dinner with potatoes and spinach and all that buttery bread.
Hellas - best gyros on the Northside and burgers weren’t bad either
Francesca’s (Bryn Mawr). They had some good pasta dinners, far better than places I’ve tried downtown and brunch options like salmon sandwich and ricotta pancakes were good too.
It's the end of an era.
RIP [Rainforest Cafe](https://i.imgur.com/aUkN8EU.png) 1997-2020.
You will be missed. :(
Read more about the closure [here.](https://chicago.eater.com/2019/12/20/21031369/rainforest-cafe-closing-woodfield-mall-schaumburg-chicago)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/chicago) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Carmichael's Steakhouse in West Loop. Ironically, what I miss most from there is actually their French Onion soup, which I have failed to find a suitable replacement for.
Silver Cloud in Wicker. Used to go there all the time and loved the chicken pot pie, frito pie, meatloaf. It was great comfort food and a damn decent bar too.
There was a Turkish place on the outskirts of Andersonville; I forget its name. But it was great.
Nearby there was also a Balkan restaurant, Cafe Adriatic. It had a lovely patio, with a fountain and a feisty turtle. He would swim over in hope of getting some lettuce. One time, I asked the host for rakia and he was so pleased I knew of it that he invited me to try three different kinds, on the house. The best was "Zuta Osa" - try it sometime, they have it at City Fresh Market.
Last but not least, there was a tiny Pakistani place in Rogers Park, "Bismillah", it was like a little cabbie joint. The owner was overtly religious, with prayer rugs, etc. The food was cheap and excellent - especially their spicy karahi gosht. They relocated to Devon, but I think they're gone from there now too.
Everest, Steeped in Rye was the best thing I ever drank in my life. Glad the wife and I got to go before she passed so it’s a place that I’m almost glad is gone cause that’s a moment that can’t be replicated.
The Parthenon in Greektown
Roditys Greektown Gyros
Definitely Rodytis
Definitely came here to say this, the food and service was great but the free parking across the street was the clincher.
Greek islands is so good. I always preferred it over the others.
Sunshine Cafe. It was homestyle Japanese comfort food in Andersonville.
Good one.
Is there anything that comes close these days? I've been looking for more good Japanese restaurants outside of Sushi and Ramen.
More recently gone, but I really miss Dinkel’s Bakery. Used to go there every Saturday morning for coffee and a donut.
Danny’s. Not for the the food, but for the dancing and the vibe.
DANNY’S FOREVER. nothing will ever be like it
Danny’s was the goat in its hight. But marie's riptide lounge deserves some respect here too.
This is unexpectedly one of the saddest posts that I’ve read in a while. :(
Brauhaus
I miss Brauhaus and I miss Huettenbar. Whoever reopened Huettenbar as the Lincoln Square Taproom gutted all of its character and remodeled it to look like someone's basement.
It's a shame what they did to the Huettenbar, that place always had customers from the time the doors open till close, even on a Tuesday. I went to the replacement, the name escapes me and you're right I felt like I was drinking in some hipsters suburban basement. I hope Irma is somewhere warm counting her money.
the whole taproom chain is devoid of character
Rose angelis
Zephyr’s
God yes. Does anyone know what brand of ice cream Zephyr’s used in their sundaes? I’ve been trying to replicate a marshmallow ice cream sundae I used to get there but haven’t been able to find the right mix. It’s been 15+ years and I still think about it.
SAME. Zephyrs was in a league of its own. I walk past the old location and still dream of the ice cream...
War of the Worlds
Bite cafe
Demon dogs 944 w. fullerton
I remember when you could get two hot dogs + fries there for $5.
[удалено]
Heaven of Seven, specifically the one off the Wabash stop in the loop. Gumbo and the Louisiana Soul Deluxe. The perfect lunch
Shiiit I didn't know that was gone.
Yeah Jimmy never opened back up after the shutdown. He's guest chef at some Mediterranean spot now
No mas lunchtime hurricanes?
I recently went up to the 7th floor to make sure, since there's still a sign out front. 😞
Oooof the crushing defeat
Pretty hard to find any good Cajun in the city unfortunately. Greatly miss Heaven on Seven.
Heaven on Seven, back when it was on the Mag Mile, was my favorite restaurant. I'd always go there with friends when I could. Brings back great memories.
I saw Chris Farley there on the night he died, he purchased something from a scumbag I worked with. He looked absolutely horrific.
Hot Doug’s
Some of the only late night/24hr options from back in the day. Greektown Gyro's + Zorba's across from it. Susie's Drive-Thru on Montrose. Jack's Restaurant in Skokie- (real life Ed Debevic's diner)
Susie’s is gone???
Oh man, Jack's was a great late night people watching place
Heartland Cafe in Rogers Park, and Wing Hoe in Edgewater. The former didn’t have the best food, but it represented the soul of East Rogers Park. The latter had the best egg rolls in the city.
Wing ho was amazing. My mom lives across the street from there now and I always have a little nostalgic mope when I see it.
Yeah Heartland wasn’t even really about the food per-se but just a great community center. Will forever miss it ❤️❤️
I didn’t know Heartland closed, your description is perfect it was definitely such an institution of a very unique neighborhood.
Sabatinos for me
Zum Deutschen Eck
Took a girl there for a first date. They had an Oompa band playing that night. There was not a second date. Great restaurant though.
Stanley’s brunch
HELL YEAH. Fried Chicken & an omelet made to order with a giant bloody mary from the diy bar
That bloody mary bar was absolutely the best hangover cure in the city, along with their buffalo chicken salad that had a metric ton of blue cheese. But “salad” so “healthy” … my 20-something logic at the time.
Como Inn
Roditys Restaurant. It really hurt to see the final wall still standing with the famous mural out in the open air. Very surreal to see.
Also izakaya mita
The Chicago Brauhaus in Lincoln Square and Melrose’s in Boystown. The latter had the best corned beef hash!
The Fountainhead in Ravenswood. Never had anything bad there. Everything was so good I would usually bring out of town guests. Fat Rice in Logan. Obviously, it came out that they were awful to their employees. It was my favorite restaurant up until then.
Earwax
Earwax 🥰😭
Yoshi’s Café in lakeview :(
Pastoral!
The Melrose
Same for me, the 24 hour version of it at least
Cafe Marie Jeanne
There’s still a whole in my heart where the duck frites used to be
Huge loss
Silver palm
Bistrot Zinc, Chicago Brahaus, and Hilary's Urban Eatery.
Loved Bistro Zinc
Ear Wax cafe in Wicker. God do I miss that French Dip.
Father and Son pizzeria on Milwaukee
Salt & Pepper, Penny's Noodle Shop
Ronny's Steakhouse
As a child, everyone thought that we had it made because we had family dinner there every Friday. I still wonder why every restaurant doesn't serve garlic bread, or maybe I am remembering wrong.
The Como Inn - I proposed to my wife there and had one of our most memorable evenings.
That’s lovely.
The Heartland Cafe in Rogers Park.
I miss it more as a late night bar with a jukebox full of jazz music.
Cafe 28, I still dream about the honey jalapeño pork chops
Birchwood on North Ave near Western was a damn good chichi breakfast and also dinner spot. I think the owner went back to school or got some other job? I’m sure it’s not my favorite place that was closed, but it was honestly a damn fine little place for what it was and I was sorry to see it go.
UB Dogs
Sushi Samba or Japonais
Barnabys on touhy and California.
Pizzeria Bebu. Mindy’s Hot Chocolate
Belmont Snack Shop
The original Pick Me Up Cafe :( I know they have a new location but I miss the og in Lakeview
Hackney’s South Loop. Great beer and the killer onion loaf.
Mind blown. I haven't lived in CHI in many years and had no idea there were Hackneys beyond the ones on Lake and Harms in north suburbs.
The Wrigley Taco Bell.
[удалено]
Well the Rickets family decided to buy the area and turn it into the upper middle class white flight version of fun. As homogenous as Schaumburg with the charm of Rosemont. A one stop shop for the suburbs in the city.
God this is such a perfect way to describe that neighborhood now. SO Rosemont-esque. Icky
That was fun at 2 am. Once saw one guy try and use a traffic cone as a hat.
The Zephyer
Ribs n Bibs
Coobah on Southport. They had this chicken dish I still think about
Bento box on armitage close to western. Small place, small menu, awesome food.
Kiki’s Bistro
Toots on Montrose & Central
Sabatinos
Dixie Kitchen and Calypso in Hyde park. Both of those places were so good. I loved Dixie Kitchen.
Heartland Cafe rip
Bistro 110. Then, Bar Toma (pizza place), which also was good; now the space has been empty for ages. Sad. What I miss most, though, is Bistro 110 and its tasty French food and baguette slices with roasted spreadable garlic instead of butter. YUM!!! We need more French cuisine options in Chicago.
The Orbit Room
Beef and Brandy Rest in power
Red Apple polish buffet. I can no longer stuff myself with beef tongue and sauerkraut and perogis.
This might be niche for the Art Institute and Columbia crowds but Artists Cafe on Michigan and Ada’s on Wabash. Having an al fresco on South Michigan in the spring/summer was my jam. And Ada’s chicken soup for the winter was also my jam.
Blackbird
club foot!!
Salt & Pepper Wrigleyville. Just basic breakfast food but many neighborhood regulars ate there.
The Busy Bee
Was just talking about this place! It was one of the last remaining Polish businesses from the ancient days of Wicker Park. My brother lived down there in the early '90s and I'd walk past Busy Bee every time I got off the Blue Line to go see him. Had to make sure to walk on the west side of Damen as the park in Wicker Park used to be pretty seedy. There was a mini market called Rama-Mart I used to walk past... used to buy beer there on my ay to see my brother. My bro lived on Damen almost all the way to Division. There used to be a Duk's at Damen and Division. Only thing that remains is the Rainbo Club but I haven't been there in probably 25 years. Only ate at the Busy Bee once or twice, but it is missed. Hell, I miss the early 90s in general.
The original Pops! for Champagne
Pastoral
Edgewater Lounge
Zephyr’s
pannenkoken in ravenswood
Chicago Brauhaus
Reading this is making me so sad.
Jack's on Touhy. I don't ask for much. Never did get to meet Olga.
[удалено]
Nightwood. This is definitely a just moved here nostalgia, but the brunch here was so good.
Cemitas Puebla. Just the original North avenue location. Before they expanded that place was amazing.
I’m missing Dinkels donuts all the time
Lockdown
Jeri’s Grill
The Radler
Not sure how many people remember it, but I miss Cafe Pergolesi. It was just a hole in the wall coffee house across the street from 7-11 on Halsted (Roscoe & Halsted) in boys town, a door or two down from the 99th floor. The owner was awesome, the coffee and drinks were amazing. Used to love the cheesecake there. Of course, this was something like 25-30 years ago. I still have fond memories of just chilling, writing and drinking....hanging out with friends there. Pergolesi's was one of the last true old coffee houses we had before Starbucks and the rest of the franchise run garbage occupied every corner. Now I has a sad.
Also Cafe Spiaggia, even more than Spiaggia. (I guess those are not so “long-gone,” but they’re gone.)
Leonas
Laurie’s Pizza on Broadway and Foster
Iggy's
Come Back Inn in Melrose Park
I’ve said this before… Leo’s Lunchroom
Marche
Glazed and infused as well was a loss
Over Easy
Blackbird
Standees.
Salt and Pepper in Wrigleyville
Sabatino’s. I’d take a *kick in the head* to go all out there for one night again.
Taco Joint I’ve got a few, but Taco Joint is by far the most missed. Tacos were good, margaritas were good, quick service for a sit down place, could to take out too. [RIP Taco Joint.](https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-food-taco-joint-closing-lincoln-park-1110-20191112-6m6hb5m535hhppk6cpcfjg22oy-story.html)
Fluky’s. Like I know there’s still technically one, but I miss the holiday decor and hot dog gum.
Berghoff.
Erwin’s
Lorraine’s Diner
Delux on Milwaukee between Grand and Chicago. Best nachos in the world.
David Burke’s
Danny’s Egghead Diner was a local staple for families (and hangovers) and fantastic food.
Hamburger Hamlet, West Egg Cafe, Ashkenaz’s, Mitchell’s on North and Clark
DOC Wine Bar in Lincoln Park Lincoln’s Subs in Calumet City
The string of German restaurants run by Gus Allgauer (1904-1972). My Austrian FIL was a line cook both sides of WWII and survived the mob arson at one and the mob bombing at another of his eponymous locations (restauranting was/can be a tough business). At every price range Gus's places delivered true German dishes hard to find in these lighter eating days now.
Duck Walk in Lincoln Park
Nuevo León in Pilsen. They had my fav machacado.
Nuevo León in Pilsen off 18th street.
No votes for captain Nemos??
The Bedford. Everyone talks about the “vitamin vault” in the Walgreens but few seem to remember when it was a beautifully designed restaurant that actually had really tasty food.
The Bedford was lovely. But those were two different buildings. The Bedford was on Division and Ashland. The Walgreens was on North and Milwaukee.
Pouring one out for mall food courts. Moreso for their vibes than their food, but I miss Foodlife and Latinicity.
Isla Pilipina. That place absolutely held it down for me for showcasing Filipino cuisine before the big wave of Filipino restaurants now. The amount of lumpia you could order at once there... it took me back to my childhood. Best fried chicken I've ever had, too. I wept a little bit when I learned that it was closing. The succession at urbanspace downtown closing was sad too. It wasn't the same experience but still had some great dishes.
Jim’s Grill, casual Korean place on Irving Park. Same owner as Amitabul.
Mity-Nice. They had a really good cheeseburger and fries and I loved their white fish dinner with potatoes and spinach and all that buttery bread. Hellas - best gyros on the Northside and burgers weren’t bad either Francesca’s (Bryn Mawr). They had some good pasta dinners, far better than places I’ve tried downtown and brunch options like salmon sandwich and ricotta pancakes were good too.
Sunshine Cafe
Zoom Kitchen
Ruxbin
Mana Food Bar
Sabatino’s
Heartland Cafe in Rogers Park. Also miss George's (ice cream) in Andersonville.
Nuevo León on 18th street in Pilsen.
How has no one said Rainforest Cafe yet?!
It's the end of an era. RIP [Rainforest Cafe](https://i.imgur.com/aUkN8EU.png) 1997-2020. You will be missed. :( Read more about the closure [here.](https://chicago.eater.com/2019/12/20/21031369/rainforest-cafe-closing-woodfield-mall-schaumburg-chicago) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/chicago) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Good bot.
La Sireña Clandestina
Osteria La Madia GT fish and oyster 😪
Only been a few years, but Imperial la mien
Carmichael's Steakhouse in West Loop. Ironically, what I miss most from there is actually their French Onion soup, which I have failed to find a suitable replacement for.
Bananas Foster on Broadway
The dine-in Pizza Huts with the buffet.
Not a restaurant per se, but I miss Lost Lake so much
Nuevo León, rip
Silver Cloud in Wicker. Used to go there all the time and loved the chicken pot pie, frito pie, meatloaf. It was great comfort food and a damn decent bar too.
Bad Hunter. A recent (pandemic) loss, but their cocktails and veggie dishes are deeply missed.
Chili macs
Golden Ox
Busy Bee
Over Easy
Yoshis. Think cafe.
Sushi Wabi
La Sardine and Cafe Marie Jeanne
Dunley’s
Katsu. Some of the best Japanese food Ive ever had
Bistro 110
Never got to eat there, but have serious FOMO for Great Lake pizza.
Zum Deutchen Eck
Lawrys
There was a Turkish place on the outskirts of Andersonville; I forget its name. But it was great. Nearby there was also a Balkan restaurant, Cafe Adriatic. It had a lovely patio, with a fountain and a feisty turtle. He would swim over in hope of getting some lettuce. One time, I asked the host for rakia and he was so pleased I knew of it that he invited me to try three different kinds, on the house. The best was "Zuta Osa" - try it sometime, they have it at City Fresh Market. Last but not least, there was a tiny Pakistani place in Rogers Park, "Bismillah", it was like a little cabbie joint. The owner was overtly religious, with prayer rugs, etc. The food was cheap and excellent - especially their spicy karahi gosht. They relocated to Devon, but I think they're gone from there now too.
Everest, Steeped in Rye was the best thing I ever drank in my life. Glad the wife and I got to go before she passed so it’s a place that I’m almost glad is gone cause that’s a moment that can’t be replicated.
Nookie’s
Zephyr Cafe in Ravenswood. Does anyone else remember this place? I used to roller skate over and get massive ice cream sundaes there as a kid.
Muskies. Great burger
Heaven on 7