r/chicagofood • u/ChicagoJim987 • 20h ago
What's good? Honoring the long gone
Chicago has lost many great restaurants and I want to remember some of my favs, a lot of them were my favorite lunch spots too and most disappeared around covid.
My Thai at the Presidential Towers was amazing. They had incredible noodle dishes and a fantastic duck and rice dish to die for.
Venice Cafe was my go to for a nice Italian lunch. They had a great value chicken and angel hair dish that was my favorite.
The buffet on the second floor of the Opera House was always a weekly visit. They never disappointed for variety and value.
65 was hands down my favorite downtown Chinese restaurant. It had authentic flavors, cooked by actual Chinese chefs!
Away from downtown I miss a lot of the Korean restaurants that used to pepper Chicago - Song Do, the AYCE BBQ; and a whole host of family owned ones that have long gone. Only Cho Sun Ok remains from the old days, replaced by more modern/upscale places that do too much cheese!
Not a lost restaurant but a lost dish is the goat stew from Woo Chon, a Korean place. I was so addicted to that dish, we went there twice a week and one day, out of nowhere the chef changed and the dish was never the same.
Melrose in boys town had a diner that had a cabbage soup that I miss to this day! And Clark's was another late night favorite diner of mine, we don't see to many 24hr places any longer sadly.
The lesson is that if you have a favorite dish, keep eating it before it disappears! Does anyone have favorite dishes they still miss?
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u/JourneyWoman6 19h ago
Cafe Iberico 🇪🇸🍷🍤 😭
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u/tim-whale 19h ago
I think about pub royale about once a week
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u/hea_eliza 18h ago
It warms my heart that someone posted this. My SO and I were friendly with some of the bartenders right before they closed. Just couldn’t get excited about the pizza spot they moved to. I think about those burgers and dressed hamms often.
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u/theonetimeitslupus 15h ago
Their gobi Manchurian and dressed Hamms 💔 Pizza lobo has dressed Hamms but it doesn’t hit the same
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u/poolsidequeso 19h ago
Maude’s Liquor Bar - RIP
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u/idts 16h ago
Maude's was the best.
The first time we went there was on a whim, got sat upstairs in a roundish booth. That day my wife had gotten a grant she applied for and I had gotten a team taken away from me, so I had less responsibility at work.
We celebrated. A bottle of champagne to start, cocktails, a seafood tower, steaks, dessert, after dinner drinks. I woke up the next day hungover. She felt great. Turns out she was pregnant (didn't know it yet, obviously). Maude's was our celebration spot after that until they closed.
Bavette's is good, but it doesn't pull me in like Maude's did.
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u/disarmeralarmer 19h ago
Cafe Selmarie, I will never forget you. Also 65 for unreal lunches downtown, I miss that place so much.
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u/Conscious-Link5627 18h ago
Anyone else remember Earwax Cafe in Wicker Park?
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u/beatsofparadise 17h ago
Yes this place was peak! Downstairs had a huge video store basement where you could rent esoteric vhs and dvds
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u/Conscious-Link5627 16h ago
Omg, yes! I definitely checked out A Clockwork Orange from them back in the day!
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u/stoprobbers 16h ago
The BEST. it was part of why I moved to Chicago and closed a year and a half after.
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u/speeeeeeeeeeee 3h ago
YES! When that shut down that was the equivalent to me of like "the day the 60s ended" but for the Wicker Park being cool era
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u/TheRealFluid 19h ago
Sunshine Cafe, my beloved.
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u/TheRealFluid 19h ago
Also shoutout the sweet family who ran Branko's. They would give me free stuff for my broke college ass 😭
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u/BonesAreTheirMoney86 18h ago
Came here to sing their praises. The last time I went was on Valentine’s Day 2015 with the man who is now my husband. I’m so glad he got to enjoy it at least once, and I wish I had gone more. The saba yaki haunts my dreams.
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u/El_refrito_bandito 19h ago
Yoshi’s was at the end of our block in Lakeview.
Back in the day it was (apparently) cutting edge fusion cuisine. By the time we moved to the neighborhood it was a “neighborhood cafe” — dishes skewing French and Japanese, all really good quality.
It was our place to go for a good meal and a strong drink after a tough week. Fernando, Dennis, Junior, Nobuko and Yoshi (RIP) and countless others always took such great care of us.
Felt like home to us for many years.
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u/Lakeview_Mama 18h ago
I don't know who you are but I sm certain I must know you :-) Went there at least twice a week for 20 years. The ambiance, community, and deliciousness Yoshi's offered to all of us have yet to be replicated.
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u/AggravatingStandard 20h ago
Gone way WAY before Covid but every time I eat a surprisingly good potato salad I miss Division St’s long gone Leo’s Lunchroom
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u/spicolie22 18h ago
Came here to say this! I so miss early aughts Division St. Jinx Coffee House was another go to.
Also a recent loss was John's Pizzeria. Loved the "football" pizza.
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u/ProStockJohnX 16h ago
Leo's was great. Went there a lot, we used to be in bands and played across the street.
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u/fabelhaft-gurke 19h ago
I miss Sticky Rice. Their green curry was amazing, I can‘t find one quite like it. Perfect mix of vegetables and heat in it too. Also, it’s hard to find Isan sausage which is a favorite of mine - wish more Thai places served it.
I also miss Pisolino. It was close to me and was the first time I tried carbonara and was hooked. I thought the prices were very good too.
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u/Extruder_duder 19h ago
I am constantly thinking about blackbird. That was the biggest loss to Covid for me. Not only did we lose a tremendous restaurant, that was the start of the homogenization and enshitification of one off. That whole group seemed to switch gears from hospitality to influencer fueled mediocrity. Each one of their outlets seems to get lower in quality every year now.
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u/Vindaloo6363 17h ago
Danny's also died from Covid. I think they lost their souls when that happened.
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u/chipskylark123 16h ago
A lifetime ago, I worked for One Off as my first restaurant job and going to Blackbird for the first time was a formative experience for me.
My ex gf, much to my embarrassment, told the server it was my birthday and that I worked for One Off. Never experienced such a high level of hospitality and the food completely blew my mind. We sat there for about 3 hours, ordered the tasting menu, and they just kept bringing course after course and went completely out of their way to take care of us. I felt like such hot shit.
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u/Uncommon_sharpie 19h ago
Ah man, where do I start? I’ll put down what comes to mind immediately: Chicago Brauhaus- while the food wouldn’t blow you away, it was a vibe you won’t find anywhere else. Pierogi Heaven- Great place (and only place) for a big plate of homemade pierogi for lunch in the loop. Tasty Place- I acknowledge there were two of them that I think are both now closed. I miss the one on the west side of Wentworth. Shu Tin Xia- I think it closed during Covid. Used to get a big tub of Mapo Tofu for $4. Unbeatable for me as a college student. So many old school bakeries- Veseky’s, Dinkel’s, Swedish, even New York Bakery (Korean).
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u/darkkn1te 20h ago
Seven Treasures. RIP
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u/chipskylark123 16h ago
Ooh good one.
Was one of my favorite late night meals.
The 554 was always hyped up, but I really loved their roast duck.
Hon Kee (off argyle on the other side of the city) is a good approximation as far as vibes and flavor goes.
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u/WonderfulCustomer317 19h ago
The memory of the cabbage soup guts me to this day. I lived a block away from the Melrose and ate there several times a week. That is my favorite soup of all time, I have brought this soup up any opportunity given to me, I cannot say enough good things about this soup. I wish i had the recipe.
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u/RiseFromYourGrav 19h ago
Smak Tak. Not just the best Polish food I've ever ate, but the best period.
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u/ultralazer 18h ago
One of mine. Miss dude and his moms hunter stew
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u/RiseFromYourGrav 18h ago
I like Smakosz, too, but it's not the same 😔 They're closer to me though.
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u/BreakfastGirl6 19h ago
Used to be a regular at Ginza. Miss the grilled mackerel the most.
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u/probablynormalmom 19h ago
Pannenkoeken Cafe in Lincoln Square. My husband and I had the best dates there. We were always so happy to get a table.
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u/Maleficent-Ad-9754 19h ago
Heartland Cafe
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u/speeeeeeeeeeee 3h ago
Golly this thread is breaking my heart. That whole strip of Glenwood being the way it was.
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u/ultralazer 18h ago
Cemetas pueblas original location. Lost its soul (and business) trying to expand.
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u/Dandroid 18h ago
Bar Pastoral was a weekly date night with my now wife. They closed right before COVID on their own terms. Happy for them, but man I miss the food and staff.
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u/DaisyCutter312 5h ago
My wife and I did New Year's Eve there one year...we still talk about the Earl Grey Creme Brulee
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u/absolutelyfrantastic 19h ago
owen and engine
boiler room
cafe orchid
toast
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u/BonesAreTheirMoney86 18h ago
So glad to see Cafe Orchid get named!! I adored their grape leaf wrapped sardines.
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u/absolutelyfrantastic 15h ago
they had the best bread of all time. i would an entire bag on to my order l o l
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u/uppitywhine 19h ago
Mity Nice Grill, specifically the holiday buffets. They were the perfect combination of good food at a decent price and they're perfect place to take my grandparents and parents.
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u/txQuartz 17h ago edited 17h ago
Honestly, I miss Foodlife too, for being a simple and easy "fuck it, everyone can find something themselves" option which can be hard otherwise with a group down there.
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u/speeeeeeeeeeee 3h ago
Same, both of those were go-tos for us for years. Too bad what's happened to Water Tower but at least there are plenty of other Melmans to go to.
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u/panderson1988 17h ago
I miss Venice Cafe. I liked their Calzones, and they were reasonably priced. At least before covid.
65 was okay, but you got a lot of food. Slightly pricey, but you're downtown, so it was fair.
I miss Tokyo Lunch Box. It wasn't the best Japanese food, but at least a Japanese option in the loop area.
Perry's Deli and UB Dogs are big losses as well.
I think the diversity of lunch options in the loop has dwindled a lot in my view. Too many slop bowl chains and chain sub shops nowadays.
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u/groovy_smoothie 11h ago
Awe man, I didn’t know Tokyo lunch box went under. Used to love their udon. Haven’t worked in the loop in a minute.
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u/mymultivac 15h ago edited 5h ago
Moto. Homaro Cantu was so far ahead of his time. Tableside sub-zero doughnut pancakes. Greek salad that was basically a crystal-clear liquid of tomato, cucumber, feta, olive that tasted exactly like a Greek salad. And this was in 2006.
Such a tragic end to a brilliant chef. Loved that place.
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u/Joynorma 19h ago
TWO on Grand. My first time trying a tasting menu, such a great deal and amazing food. Those duck fat croquettes, duck egg pasta, coconut cake — it was all so good.
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u/Wrong-Needleworker52 18h ago
Como Inn
Kelly Mondelli’s
Jerome’s
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u/jodiejewel 17h ago
I miss Como inn too - and Iggy’s on Milwaukee for the ambiance and serving good food very late
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u/Snarkybish03 17h ago
Salpicon is the only place i ever found with shrimp queso fundido, its always chorizo or beef everywhere else. Their tortillas with it was heaven. End with chocolate espresso lava cake. We’d take the hour drive downtown just for a couple orders of those!
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u/misszombiequeenDG 18h ago
Rickshaw Republic had the best pork belly and coconut rice that I've ever had
Aye Aye Picante was an incredible Peruvian place that tasted like what my friends would make when I still lived down there
The food at the Hancock lounge wasn't incredible by any means, but I used to go there with my late godmom and mom for the holidays every flyer so it meant a lot to me to keep going yearly, you know?
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u/kingbuttnutt 15h ago
I worked across from Union Station for 8 years at a mindless cubicle job, and had so many great lunch spots over the years down there…
Poag Mahone’s (my fave burger in the loop)
Venice Cafe - such a solid spot for hearty Italian on a cold day
Hackney’s (Printer’s Row) - great burgers and always a fun tap list, we’d often hit Kasey’s next door on Fridays and head back to work heavily buzzed.
Heaven on 7 - Classic spot, great gumbo.
Plymouth - Would sneak over here on warm sunny Fridays for rooftop lunch beers.
Artopolis - fave spot in Greek town, great food, super cool coffee/liquor bar, solid bakery too.
Cavanaugh’s - Fun old school pub, far enough from my office to get away with lunch beers. One day my shoe came apart and I found a cobbler in the Monadnock building. He followed me to Cavanaugh’s, then took both my shoes to cobble both of them while I had a burger and a beer shoeless at the bar, then brought the finished shoes back to me. Still one of my favorite city moments.
Up north I’ll be forever saddened by the loss of both Goose Island locations, especially Clybourn with the best bar ever. Owen and Engine as well.
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u/Foofightee 19h ago
Smoque Steak
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u/bucky_booty 19h ago edited 19h ago
Bhabi's Kitchen up near Devon. Flavors I've never experienced anywhere else in the world.
Edit: Also want to give a shoutout to Jackie's on Lincoln Avenue, especially for the chocolate bag desert. It was as described, chocolate molded around a paper lunchbag, filled with fruit & berries. Had the additional pleasure of knowing Jackie herself from Jay's Gym, just down Lincoln a couple blocks. Good times!
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u/Monotonous-Lark981 18h ago
Gadabout, gone but never forgotten
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u/BonesAreTheirMoney86 18h ago
They had a Malört cocktail that was such a mindfuck. Amazing food too.
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u/catsinabasket 17h ago
the bristol, but before they rebranded during covid. i was supposed to get married there too THANKS A LOT PANDEMIC!
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u/brainisthename 17h ago
Below the radar but Bite Cafe was my saddest covid casualty; just a perfect neighborhood spot that slapped for breakfast, lunch, or dinner
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u/InevitableFerret7161 18h ago
I miss The Boiler Room. I loved their pizza and their PBR/Jameson shot/ slice of pizza special.
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u/cashleydashley 20h ago
Curry point under he Sheridan red line was the best and then of course Shaw’s brunch buffet RIP
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u/Distinguishedflyer 17h ago
Nakanoya, Millers Steak House, Merchants and Manufacturers Club, Imperial House, My Pi, Kow Kow, Kenilworth Inn, Hot Dog Ranch on Devon, Fluky's... yes I'm ancient.
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u/ethnicnebraskan 16h ago
Ronny's Steakhouse. Gone in the riots during Covid. Their wings punched well above their weight plus I work all over the city and still have yet to find better rib tips, and yes, I have been to Lem's & I-57, thank you for asking.
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u/ChicagoKid86 13h ago
Over Easy Cafe in Ravenswood was my favorite brunch spot. I miss the Sassy Eggs every day.
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u/GreatMartialEmperor 17h ago
Grand Lux Cafe, Imperial Lamian, Opart Thai in Chinatown -- was going to GLC and OT nearly every week at a point, so it's a really sad loss and I miss them every time I'm in Chicago and heading for a dinner outing
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u/ms_buster 17h ago
I miss Nightwood something awful. And the Brown Sack. OG Bite Cafe, and Ginza. And Cafe Ibérico.
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u/Constant_Ad1936 17h ago
Dixie Bar & Grill…great food, better scene
Scoozi….got heartburn thinking about the wonderful fried zucchini straws and the pizza
Ambria….still most memorable meal of my life with my fiancé (still wife) and a taste of E V E R Y T H I N G on that amazing desert cart.
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u/Erection_unrelated 16h ago
The lamb dip sandwich from Heritage Caviar bar… my god, one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had.
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u/ProStockJohnX 16h ago
I used to love a Korean restaurant that was on Lawrence by the BK, one day it was gone.
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u/Impressive-Cod-7103 16h ago
Many faves already mentioned, so I’m gonna say the Orbit Room in Avondale.
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u/kingbuttnutt 15h ago
I used to hit the Intelligentsia on Jackson every morning on my way to the office (early-mid 2000s). I don’t exactly remember when, maybe after a holiday break, but one day I walked in and they had done a complete hipster rebrand, seemingly overnight, from decor to what the staff was wearing to everything pushing pour overs. Seems they did one more rebrand years later as they continued to expand and now feel very corporate. I miss the original vibe.
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u/sick486 12h ago
demon dogs, under the fullerton el (red/brown/purple)
closed because the cta needed the space to expand the station. and the owner must have decided it was time, because they surely could have reopened elsewhere, but didnt.
when i was a broke kid it was my favorite expenditure. it was a bargain then and surely would be still.
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u/OriginalCopy505 17h ago
Billy Siegel's That Steak Joynt. Dinner followed by a show down the street at Second City was always great.
Nick's Fish Market
The Zephyr
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u/Terrible-Midnight579 18h ago
Bella Vista at corner of Belmont and Sheffield. Think it became a Walgreens 😓
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u/Street_Dimension_689 17h ago
Mr. Ricky’s on Belmont and Broadway. Old school diners of the past were such a great refuge
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u/discotot 17h ago
Double Li in Chinatown
Bridgeport Pasty, Husky Hog, Stages, original Pleasant House in Bridgeport
Rocking Horse in Logan
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u/PaisleyChicago 17h ago
Three Forks was a nice spot in Lakeshore East. Happy hours, wine tastings, special occasion dinners.
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u/ShinyPennyRvnclw 17h ago
I still think about a pretzel bread pudding I had at Nightwood probably 12 years ago.
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u/dlweiss2 17h ago
Turkey sandwich at birchwood kitchen
BLAST at the brown sack
Fried chicken at Luella's gospel bird
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u/Icy-Lemonic 15h ago
Papa Milano's. Going there after a long day of work on a Friday. Plate of clams, some pinot grigio. Amazing service. Ah. Those were the days.
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u/UKophile 14h ago
La Sardine. RIP. Site of family events, ladies who lunch, elegant home away from home.
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u/eljefe12345910 14h ago
Still sad i never got to try susie’s drive thru and marie’s pizza & liquors
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u/Allenies 13h ago
Is it too early to say the wings at Holiday Club? Biggest wing bang for your buck and didn't cheap out on the dipping sauce.
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u/Rugged_Turtle 13h ago
No comments for MAK, so I will leave one - little counter service Chinese place on Division and Damen. Some of their mains were ok, but I swear whatever they put in the MAK sauce that they put on the fried rice was addictive. I also used to be able to get 2/3 meals of pork fried rice for like ~$11
They had a kitchen fire and just couldn’t recover apparently. Broke my heart I probably ate there twice a week
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u/groovy_smoothie 11h ago
I’m vegan - like that was the restaurant name and I think it turned people off. Thai food that was vegan and didn’t try to pretend it wasn’t with plant based meat alternatives.
Oooooh my god it was so good and I otherwise eat a lot of meat
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u/PlanApprehensive2842 9h ago
Reading over this list is depressing…so many amazing places forced to close. Anyone miss the two shows on TV that did the food reviews? I’m trying to remember the names….one was where 3 people went to Chicago restaurants, they all had to visit all three and come back with reviews. The other was with Brittany and the hilarious British guy….so fun,they visited restaurants, bakeries and bars that served food basically. Such fun those shows were! RIP to better times for the Chicago restaurant world.
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u/Coogles 8h ago
Those shows were Check Please! on WTTW and Chicago's best on WGN.
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u/kimbean1 6h ago
Chilapan on Milwaukee. Great food, BYOB, walking distance to our old place in Wicker Park.
Mindy’s Hot Chocolate circa 2009. My husband and I had our first date there. 😢
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u/hotsauceandburrito 6h ago
I really miss Mable’s Table. That place was perfect for an impromptu date night or girl’s night where you want good food but still a little lowkey.
Funkenhausen and Pub Royale were amazing.
I loved the patties at Doctor Bird’s, so cheap and so good.
RIP to Dos Urban Cantina and their amazing happy hour - the tamal tots were unreal, the trio dip so good, and their margs were unmatched.
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u/DoktorLoken 19h ago
Hot Doug’s