Opart Thai House closed on February 26 at 1371 W. Chicago Avenue after a dispute between partners that included the landlord increasing rent. Mary Punmit, whose family founded the mini chain (which is best known for its old Lincoln Square location), says she’s opening a new West Town location soon inside the former Manee Thai, 1546 W. Chicago Avenue.

https://chicago.eater.com/2021/1/12/222 ... inter-2021

Kitchen United is opening a second Chicago location downtown in the old Wells Street Market (205 N Wells). There are a couple mentions of the N. Sedgewick address in last years openings: viewtopic.php?p=559985#p559985

Not sure how the north location is doing, but with the closed restaurants and food halls/courts all over downtown, this concept might work in the interim year or two until we get back to a more robust capacity downtown.

Cleaning and prepping of the North Wells address is going on now.

I checked out the site, https://www.kitchenunited.com/
interesting. Sure, a number of chains, but right now in this area we are near zero on options, other than a random Subway or Dunkin, not the best lunch options.

Bad Owl Coffee has opened a location in Chicago in Bridgeport across from the Zhou B Foundation (not the main center) on Morgan according to my permit snooping tied with their own social media posts (https://www.instagram.com/p/CMPyrZXsENA/). They are a company that has a main location in downtown Las Vegas (not the strip) and Henderson, NV. This week is soft opening mode from 6:30am - 3pm.

In addition to coffee, it also looks like they serve various types of sandwiches and maybe some things like quiche, waffles, etc. At least in Nevada they also serve alcohol there but no idea if they would in this Bridgeport location.

Bad Owl Coffee
3315 S Morgan St (Bridgeport)
https://www.badowlcoffee.com

marothisu wrote:A restaurant called Musi is supposed to open this spring at the former site of Walton Street Kitchen at State & Walton. Looks like some Gibsons people are behind this. Whether affiliated with them or a new entity, I have no idea.

I spoke too soon and so did Eater who had a blurb about this recently. It'll actually be called Adalina.

Otto Phan, the opinionated chef behind Kyoten — the ambitious and pricey sushi restaurant in Logan Square — is planning a second restaurant. Hinoki Sushiko, 1465 W. Willow St

https://chicago.eater.com/2021/3/23/223 ... phan-patio

Paladar is closed for good per Block Club. RIP to the Fidel, a really good sandwich.

marothisu wrote:Bad Owl Coffee has opened a location in Chicago in Bridgeport across from the Zhou B Foundation (not the main center) on Morgan according to my permit snooping tied with their own social media posts (https://www.instagram.com/p/CMPyrZXsENA/). They are a company that has a main location in downtown Las Vegas (not the strip) and Henderson, NV. This week is soft opening mode from 6:30am - 3pm.

In addition to coffee, it also looks like they serve various types of sandwiches and maybe some things like quiche, waffles, etc. At least in Nevada they also serve alcohol there but no idea if they would in this Bridgeport location.

Bad Owl Coffee
3315 S Morgan St (Bridgeport)
https://www.badowlcoffee.com

Las Vegas’ Bad Owl Coffee Picks Chicago For First Cafe Outside Nevada

https://chicago.eater.com/2021/3/23/223 ... tter-magic

gnarchief wrote:Paladar is closed for good per Block Club. RIP to the Fidel, a really good sandwich.

I was a fan of Cafe Bolero back in the day. And you may still be able to get your sandwich -- I believe it says in that same Block Club article they'll be offering many of Paladar's menu items at El Cid (right across Kedzie from the Logan Square bus depot).

Fairground Coffee will open in a new building at 306 W Erie (Erie & Franklin) in River North in a few months (Mid 2021). They received a permit yesterday to do the build out and their site says Mid 2021. They serve food as well.

https://www.fairgrounds.cafe/cafe-river-north/

It also looks like the people behind The Social Table and L&M Fine Foods will open a restaurant at 4356 N Leavitt at the site of Monty Gaels Tavern. Official address though is 2201 W Montrose, opening this summer:

Called L&M Parkside:
https://www.lmparkside.com/

1) Savanna Restaurant at 4111 N Lincoln Ave is opening a 2nd location a few miles north in West Ridge at 5657 N Lincoln Ave.

https://www.savannachicago.com

2) Kimchi Pop at at 939 N Ashland Ave is opening a 2nd location in Uptown at 4429 N Broadway not far from the Wilson Red Line stop

https://www.kimchipopbychefson.com/

3) Lito's Empanadas in Lincoln Park moved down the street to 2460 N Lincoln Ave in the former Chopo Chicken space, while another empanada shop took the previous Lito's spot - called Fons Empanadas. They are vegan empanadas, claiming to be the first vegan empanada shop in the world.

https://www.havingfons.com

4) A new Central Asian restaurant opened at 2245 W Devon, called Cafe Alif. They are Zabiha Halal.

https://www.instagram.com/cafealif

5) A new bubble tea shop is opening in Pilsen at 1856 S Ashland Ave, called Jay's Bubble Tea. Not much more is known - will they serve any sort of Chinese food?

6) A new middle eastern restaurant is opening on April 3 (Saturday) in Roscoe Village at 3224 N Damen Ave (near Belmont) called Sinya. Can't tell much on the menu besides falafel and kabobs, nor if it's tied to a specific country. This takes over the former Man-Jo-Vins spot.

https://www.eatsinya.com
https://www.instagram.com/eatsinya/

7) A new french bakery is opening in Lincoln Park at the old Ringo Sushi spot (2507 N Lincoln Ave) called Verzenay Patisserie. Their site says they are at the Green City Farmers Market and supply various restaurants in the area. Website says they're opening in the next few months

https://www.verzenaypatisserie.com
https://www.facebook.com/verzenaypatisserie/

Passed by the now-former Xiao Mei Xing on Halsted in Bridgeport (same strip as A Place by Damals and Taiwan Cafe). I liked their skewers, but I guess not enough other people did. However...

There's now a sign up for Mr. Deng's Bao Zi (Deng Family Baozi in Chinese). Xiao Mei Xing still appeared in small print in the sign, so maybe a reconcept? If so, bravo. I hope the Dongbei connection means these are Northern style baozi, as opposed to the more common char siu and xiao long varieties. I have yet to encounter a truly excellent Tianjin style baozi in this city, and hope Mr. Deng and family change that.

Sochi Saigonese Kitchen will replace Spanish Square near Belmont and Southport

https://chicago.eater.com/2021/4/1/2236 ... oming-soon
Sochi Saigonese Kitchen, 1358 W. Belmont Avenue, Scheduled to open April 20

Lao Sze Chuan applied for a liquor license at 616 S Wabash Ave today in the South Loop right near the Harrison red line stop. This was a known future location for them, but it appears as if it's still happening and probably soon enough will open.

A Lucha Libre (wrestling) themed cafe opened in Cragin serving up sandwiches (including a Cuban sandwich), empanadas, wings, coffee, danishes, cheesecake, and other drinks like milk tea, and agua de jamaica. This takes the place of the former American Chinese joint Chef's Kitchen.

Lucha Cafe
2637 N Central Ave
773-309-8378
https://www.luchacafechi.com
https://www.instagram.com/lucha_cafe/

Open M-F 7am - 5pm, Sat 7am - 4pm, Sun 9am - 4pm, and PPV Nights from 5:30pm - 11pm

Not sure if it's open, but a new Malaysian restaurant (Panang style) was supposed to open for carry out or delivery via DoorDash in suburban Wheeling on April 1st. Looks like staples like Nasi Lemak, Hokkien Mee, Assam Laksa, curry noodles, satay, etc. You'd probably have to call to see if they're actually open.

HD Cuisine ("Hawker Delights")
27 Huntington Ln, Wheeling
(224) 247-5277

https://www.facebook.com/hawkerdelights/
https://www.hdcuisine.com/

Barangaroos Aussie Pies opening soon in the French Market per a business license and their website

Barangaroos Aussie Pies (opening soon)
131 N Clinton St (French Market)

https://barangaroospies.com/#locations

Apolonia, finally has an opening date in the South Loop. The restaurant, which focuses on European-Mediterranean coastal fare, will open on Friday, April 16 at 2201 S. Michigan Avenue.
https://chicago.eater.com/2021/4/5/2236 ... ations-sky

An Algerian (mostly) restaurant opened in Irving Park. This is around the corner from another place that serves some Algerian food (Zebda). Looks like open for takeout at least.

Al Waleema
4304 N Elston St
https://www.facebook.com/Al-Waleema-%D8 ... 885167453/


-- Also, Rica Arepa Venezuelan Cuisine opened a 2nd location in Lakeview last month. Their now deemed original location is on Armitage in Hermosa.

Rica Arepan Venezuelan Cuisine
2913 N Lincoln Ave
(312) 730-0405
https://www.ricaarepachicago.com

This Patel Brothers store closed in November and has since been demolished.

Patel Brothers Hopes New $2 Million Store Restores Devon to Its Former Glory

https://chicago.eater.com/2021/4/7/2233 ... pening-may
2610 W. Devon Avenue.

The Whadda Jerk food truck, which serves Jamaican food, is switching gears to open up a brick and mortar restaurant on Division in Ukrainian Village near Pub Royale. Set to open this spring. It replaces Clever Rabbit. Reading about their schedule while running the food truck - crazy stuff. Wishing him and his son great success.

This will be the 2nd Jamaican restaurant opening soon in the Ukrainian Village/Wicker Park area this spring. Dr. Birds is another one which is set to open soon at 1215 N Milwaukee. I believe Mr. Brown's Lounge on Chicago Ave closed, though not 100% certain.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/04/05 ... restaurant

Whadda Jerk
2015 W Division St (near Damen)

Goddess And Grocer Coming To The West Loop This Summer. The gourmet grocer and deli will debut this summer at 911 W. Randolph St. The West Loop store will be the chain's fifth location in Chicago.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/04/08 ... is-summer/

New York isn’t the only city Andrés’s ThinkFoodGroup is focused on in 2021. The restaurant group has four dining spots slated to open in Chicago by the end of summer. Three concepts are located in the new Bank of America tower on the south branch of the Chicago River, operated in partnership with the famed steakhouse and martini experts Gibsons Restaurant Group. They include Bazaar Meat, the seafood-focused Bar Mar and Joe by the River, an all-day café.

The Chicago enterprise is ThinkFoodGroup’s first partnership with another restaurant. An outpost of the Spanish tapas spot Jaleo will also open in River North this summer.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... ium=social

Dave148 wrote:

New York isn’t the only city Andrés’s ThinkFoodGroup is focused on in 2021. The restaurant group has four dining spots slated to open in Chicago by the end of summer. Three concepts are located in the new Bank of America tower on the south branch of the Chicago River, operated in partnership with the famed steakhouse and martini experts Gibsons Restaurant Group. They include Bazaar Meat, the seafood-focused Bar Mar and Joe by the River, an all-day café.

The Chicago enterprise is ThinkFoodGroup’s first partnership with another restaurant. An outpost of the Spanish tapas spot Jaleo will also open in River North this summer.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... ium=social

I wonder if there will be a scenic view of Gibson's Italia from this location in the Bank of America building?

Eggrolly and Sweets Cafe, a new Filipino fast food restaurant has opened on Dempster street in Morton Grove in the former space of Guacamole Taqueria Restaurant.

EGGROLLY AND SWEETS CAFE
7023 W Dempster St
(847) 983-8945
https://www.eggrolly.com/

marothisu wrote:1) Savanna Restaurant at 4111 N Lincoln Ave is opening a 2nd location a few miles north in West Ridge at 5657 N Lincoln Ave.

https://www.savannachicago.com

Opening Wednesday (April 14)

marothisu wrote:6) A new middle eastern restaurant is opening on April 3 (Saturday) in Roscoe Village at 3224 N Damen Ave (near Belmont) called Sinya. Can't tell much on the menu besides falafel and kabobs, nor if it's tied to a specific country. This takes over the former Man-Jo-Vins spot.

https://www.eatsinya.com
https://www.instagram.com/eatsinya/

Now open. They have your standard shawarma, falafel, kabob, etc as well as fattoush, tabbouleh, spinach pie, Turkish coffee, mint tea, etc. Pictures actually look pretty legit.

https://www.eatsinya.com/menu

Breakfast and brunch stalwart West Egg Cafe has permanently after more than 30 years. Fans found it a reliable spot for omelets, skillets, and other eggy options. A for-lease sign in the window at 620 N Fairbanks Court.

https://chicago.eater.com/2021/1/12/222 ... inter-2021

marothisu wrote:Not sure if it's open, but a new Malaysian restaurant (Panang style) was supposed to open for carry out or delivery via DoorDash in suburban Wheeling on April 1st. Looks like staples like Nasi Lemak, Hokkien Mee, Assam Laksa, curry noodles, satay, etc. You'd probably have to call to see if they're actually open.

HD Cuisine ("Hawker Delights")
27 Huntington Ln, Wheeling
(224) 247-5277

https://www.facebook.com/hawkerdelights/
https://www.hdcuisine.com/

Grand opening looks to be May15th from their FB posting:

" We will be set to open for carry-out on May 15th, 2021. That is a Saturday! So mark your calendar and be sure to stop by for some grand opening specials & delicious eat"

https://www.facebook.com/pg/hawkerdelights/posts/

Nookies Edgewater is permanently closed.
https://www.edgevillebuzz.com/news/nook ... tly-closed

Dave148 wrote:Nookies Edgewater is permanently closed.
https://www.edgevillebuzz.com/news/nook ... tly-closed

Meanwhile, Phlour Bakery just west of this location has announced Phlour Diner on their Instagram and Facebook pages. They will be taking over the Nookies location. Not sure if that means closing their current bakery location. Either way, this is a win for the neighborhood.

bb.q Chicken A Korean fried chicken franchise has opened in Niles on Golf Road in the Golf Glen Mart Plaza in the same strip mall as Omega Restaurant.

bb.q chicken Niles
9106 W Golf Rd,
Niles, IL 60714
https://www.bbqchickeneats.com/niles
https://www.facebook.com/pg/bbq-chicken ... e_internal
https://www.instagram.com/bbqchickenniles/