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Southeast corner of 83 and St. Charles, in the new strip mall next to the Verizon store. It opened last fall.

Back Alley Burger opened last week.

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"The only thing I have to eat is Yoo-hoo and Cocoa puffs so if you want anything else, you have to bring it with you."

I know they used to own the one at Lincoln Village. For some reason, I seem to remember the owners of the two places were brothers, but I might be mistaken about that.

I was wondering if there was a connection in the timing of the closures. It just seems strange to me that both places would fold within weeks of each other, after all these years.

Cross posted from the "Tortas Frontera (O'Hare)" thread

...

For those that don't want to trek out to O'Hare, you have a new option....

LINK



SSDD

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He was constantly reminded of how startlingly different a place the world was when viewed from a point only three feet to the left.

Deepdish Pizza = Casserole

Bonnie, I was wondering if there was still a connection between the two as well for those same reasons. I read the article that was posted. All I can say is, pretty sad. My heart really goes out to them for losing the business and their home.

Walking down the 1500 block of Montorse last night, the old "Ranalli's Up North" spot now has a "Chilapan" sign. It looks a couple of days away from opening.

Assuming this is related to the Logan Square/Bucktown version, it's interesting that they would open an new one basically across the street from Mixteco Grill.

Interesting, yes. It was reported in Chicago Magazine here:
http://www.chicagomag.com/Radar/Dish/Fe ... avenswood/

Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels is closing Café Twist, its Lincoln Park restaurant, to focus on the food-service market. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... od-service

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"A fruit is a vegetable with looks and money. Plus, if you let fruit rot, it turns into wine, something Brussels sprouts never do."
-- P. J. O’Rourke"

Steers, 5777 N. Milwaukee, is closed.

A cafe is coming soon to the space formerly owned by a Russian deli at about 6251 N. Milwaukee.

Mo Dailey's, an Irish pub, is now open at 6070 N. Northwest Highway. http://modaileys.com/

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I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert. ~ Jason Love
There is no pie in Nighthawks, which is why it's such a desolate image. ~ Happy Stomach
I can't go to Hollywood. I got biscuits to make. ~ Dwight Henry

Late-Nite Eats Database

Damn, I hate this economy! Both What's Cooking restaurants served markets that are now going to be bereft. They weren't trendy or haute cuisine, but both were solid places for sandwiches, breakfast and Jewish dishes.

Nobody's really opening new restaurants of this sort.

I was in the Omega in Niles the other night and there was very little business. I took a look around the dining room and noticed it was getting shabby.

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LAZ
Dining Chicago
Index to LTHForum Recipes, 2004-2008

Easy alternatives to WC in Deerfield:
http://www.maxandbennys.com/
http://maxs-deli.com/

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"A fruit is a vegetable with looks and money. Plus, if you let fruit rot, it turns into wine, something Brussels sprouts never do."
-- P. J. O’Rourke"

Slight correction(s): Neither place is located in Deerfield. Max's is in Highland Park, and Max & Benny's is in Northbrook.

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Food & Flowers: Andre Jordan's sweet doodle for a cold winter's day; diary of an unhappy restaurateur, circa 1881; winter project - try a terrarium

I agree. I don't need haute cuisine breakfasts myself but I am going to miss What's Cooking for their feta cheese omlettes which were good. They were not the only type of family style dining restaurant I have frequented in recent years that have closed either. Sad.

Just before my husband and I got married a couple of years back, we began to frequent an old haunt of my dad's LeSabre on Montrose and Damen. Great coffee, good breakfasts and very sweet waitresses. One day we struck up a conversation with one of our servers and she remarked on how business had declined considerably (They were no longer a 24 hour establishment) due to so many factors and changes. About a year or so later, the place closed up shop.

Also, both of them are delis, not family restaurants with a Jewish slant.

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LAZ
Dining Chicago
Index to LTHForum Recipes, 2004-2008

I last had What's Cooking in Deerfield a couple of years ago for lunch. My meal was pretty average and it was not really crowded. I used to be a big fan of places like this (Sunmist in Addison, Omega, Full Moon, and I grew up with Jack's in Skokie) but overall, none of them really were that good, except for breakfast. I did love the cream of chicken rice soup at Sunmist every Thursday when I worked down the street. Omega and Full Moon went downhill for me in recent years, so I'm not going back to them. I still love breakfast at Jack's, it definitely takes me back to my youth when I'm there, although I am sure a lot of people get turned off by the 1980's decor. I remember when they expanded in the 80's, got rid of the 1960's Vegas sign:cry:, and it was all new and modern. The old Jack's before that was so vintage, a little grimy, and had lots of cigarette smoke. Life goes on...

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LADIES - Please check out my girlfriend's clothing site that might be of use to someone you know PM me for coupon

My parents like those kind of places, they used to alternate between Seven Brothers and Kappy's but now favor Marilyn's. It's close to the Edens for those not in immediate area.

http://www.allmenus.com/il/niles/223379 ... rant/menu/

Marilyn's Restaurant
5900 Dempster St
Morton Grove, IL 60053
(847) 663-1900

My parents are very picky and these are the only type of places they will eat at. I will keep Marilyn's in my radar. But I don't think it is the Jewish type of deli restaurant LAZ is looking for. I can'r even think of any that were similar to What's Cooking in that regard.

Right, I meant that LeSabre ilk.

I had a bahn mi, the pork belly one, last week. Excellent. In the same league as Nhu Lan, IMHO. Nice place to sit down at, fast casual service. Free Wifi. Clean as a whistle too. Lots of seating. Once the professors leave for the school day you can park in the lot right next door, but not during the middle of the day.

Smokey Bears BBQ, in North Park, on Foster Ave., is closed. Windows papered over. Sign said closed for cleaning open in one week.

Five Guys has opened their 30th location in the Chicago area.

This one's in Downers Grove (NE corner of Ogden Ave. & Fairview Ave.)

Five Guys Burgers & Fries
340 Ogden Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515

Phone: 630-963-1550
Hours: 11am-10pm Every Day

http://www.fiveguys.com/

So, that's actually like 150 Guys then, right?

I've still never been to one but I did see one in Edens Plaza in Wilmette the other day and thought, "who knows, maybe someday."

=R=

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I just wanna live until I gotta die. I know I ain't perfect but God knows I try. --Todd Snider

Twitter: ronniesuburban

HI,

Maria's in Highwood has reopened under new ownership today.

Regards,

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Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

Have they tried Sanders on Touhy or Sally's on Harlem?

_________________
I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert. ~ Jason Love
There is no pie in Nighthawks, which is why it's such a desolate image. ~ Happy Stomach
I can't go to Hollywood. I got biscuits to make. ~ Dwight Henry

Late-Nite Eats Database

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm pretty sure Neu Uber Buger in donwtown Evanston has finally kicked it. It's been dark and desolate for weeks, despite a sign promising a revamp (which I think was supposed to occur around Valentine's Day). The website is nonexistent. My experiences there were always resoundingly "meh," even the first time around when it was just Uber Burger. Even though it preceded Edzo's and Five Guys in Evanston, it never seemed to fully take hold.

618 1/2 Church St.
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 864-4400
http://www.uber-burger.com/

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"If this sauce was a person, I'd get naked and make love to it." - Sophia Petrillo, The Golden Girls

Is Maria involved again?

Sadly, I don't think so.

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Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

Welcome. Thanks, for the intel.

=R=

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I just wanna live until I gotta die. I know I ain't perfect but God knows I try. --Todd Snider

Twitter: ronniesuburban

There is some interesting apparent shilling going on on Yelp. For several weeks, they were averaging one star, but recently five-star reviews have been popping up as fast as they can be filtered, all in a similar writing style and very defensive in tone.

Ha! That page is hilarious. Nothing but one-star reviews until those very well-written ones at the top.
Unfortunately, I'd have to give a low review too, maybe 2 stars.

We were in the other day, maybe Tuesday. I would have opened a thread, but the details on the meal are fuzzy, plus we came so late on a weeknight I figured that's hardly a good way to judge a new restaurant. I first ordered the pork shoulder, I can't remember the dish exactly but it came with rosemary mashed potatoes, but they were out of it. Okay, it was late. So I ordered the Alfredo pasta with Brussels sprouts and chicken instead. Thankfully, the sauce was not as heavy, thick, and heart-clogging as a typical Alfredo, but it was much too watery. It was interesting having sprouts in a dish; I think sprouts are underrated. There was something going on with the chicken...it reminded me of the stuff in the salad at Red Robin.. All in all, not a dish I'd go back for. Mr. Pie had a panini of some sort, also with chicken, that he adored. It came with fries that looked hand-cut, skin 'n' all, and those were delicious.

I'd also have to agree with the comment on the stank. I believe I likened it to the inside of a diaper. Not a full diaper, but a fresh, plastic, slightly funky prefab Luvs. It permeated the place and was really unpleasant, and we couldn't figure out where it was coming from. As for our waitress, she was nervous but friendly. The place was nicely revamped with dark polished wood, but it was very spare and could use some decorating. We tried to find "our booth" but they seem to have opened the space more, leaving a lot of empty space in the front. Strangely, the booth we were in left little belly room between us and the table.

I wouldn't avoid the place, but I'd wait awhile before returning. I usually don't go to new places this early on because the bugs need to be worked out. I will, however, keep up on the yelping since it's proving to be quite entertaining.

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I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert. ~ Jason Love
There is no pie in Nighthawks, which is why it's such a desolate image. ~ Happy Stomach
I can't go to Hollywood. I got biscuits to make. ~ Dwight Henry

Late-Nite Eats Database

[cross posted in First Slice Cafe thread]

I'm sad to report that the First Slice Cafe location in the water tower pumping station has closed. It was one of my regular lunch spots.

First Slice Pie Cafe [CLOSED]
811 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611

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-Mary