Openings, Closings, Comings & Goings - 2023

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For a look back at 2022's Openings and Closings, please visit this thread:
Openings, Closings, Comings & Goings - 2022

The owners of Mr. Greek Gyros, a 24-hour counter-serve Greak-American restaurant in Greektown, are opening a new restaurant in New West Side. While ownership recently applied for a liquor license under the name Mr. Greek Gyros at 1416 W. Taylor Street, these details were not confirmed.

https://whatnowchicago.com/owners-of-mr ... estaurant/

Here's some that are coming in 2023:

* Desert Hawk - 2049 W Division St in Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village. Not much is known about this other than those behind it are behind some bars/tavern/etc in Los Angeles/West Hollywood. This replaces Pub Royale (RIP)

* Happy Lamb Hot Pot - 2707 N Clark St in Lincoln Park. Signs are up for it finally and they applied for a liquor license

* Kurimu - 2668 N Halsted St in Lincoln Park. Another location of the small local Asian ice cream chain.

* Sinya Mediterranean - 3725 W Chicago Ave in Humboldt Park. This is the 2nd location of the same restaurant in Roscoe Village.

* Afternoon - On Wentworth Ave in Chinatown. Korean concept only in NYC that serves up mochi donuts, coffee, croffles (croissant waffles), Korean food (i.e. breakfast sandwiches), etc. Will be very close (maybe next door) to the upcoming Paris Baguette.

* Paris Baguette - On Wentworth Ave in Chinatown. Big Korean chain of bakeries. They're opening up a few other locations downtown too soon. Next to or very close to the upcoming Afternoon (see above).

* Kilwins - 737 N Dearborn in River North. Ice cream..

* Oro Chocolate Cafe - 1553 N Milwaukee Ave in Wicker Park. The company is from Nicaragua with a founder from Chicago who operates hostels and other things down there.

* The Void - 2937 N Milwaukee Ave in Avondale. Not sure what this is, but one of the guys behind this is the head chef of Wyler Road.

* Dimo's Pizza - 4647 N Lincoln Ave in Lincoln Square. Another location of the small chain in town. They applied for a liquor license recently

* Pearl Club - 495 N Milwaukee Ave in River West. Not much info here other than Boka Group is behind this.

* Bistro Monandock - 53 W Jackson Blvd in The Loop. A French bistro.

* Unknown - 36 S Michigan Ave in The Loop. An unknown named bubble tea cafe.

* River North Bistro - 660 N State St in River North. A French bistro at Eurostars Hotel.

* Te'amo Boba Bar - 835 N Michigan Ave in Gold Coast/Streeterville, in Water Tower Place. Another location of the small local bubble tea/Asian dessert chain.

* Unknown - 341 W Armitage Ave in Lincoln Park. An unknown named pizza take out spot.

* 2AM Izakaya - 2218 N Lincoln Ave in Lincoln Park. A Japanese restaurant that may stay open late (what does this mean in the COVID era?). Replaced Xi'an Dynasty (RIP)

* Gong Cha - 2233 N Lincoln Ave in Lincoln Park. A location of the international bubble tea chain

* Taco Maya - 3053 N Ashland Ave in Lakeview. A location of the small local chain of Mexican eateries.

* Pizzeria Uno - 1970 W Diversey Pkwy in North Center.

* Boulevard Bistro - 2753 N Western Ave on the Logan Square/Lincoln Park border. Not much is known about this other than it replaces Cornerstone Cafe.

* Almost Home Tavern & Grill - 3801 N Clark St in Wrigleyville. Replaces Aurelio's Pizza.

* Fulla Bologna - 2101 W Touhy in Rogers Park. Another location of the suburban Italian deli.

* Magnifico Coffee - 3063 N Milwaukee Ave in Avondale. A Colombian coffee shop/cafe.

* PTCI Express - 2136 W North Ave in Wicker Park. Another location of the health food cafe (sandwiches, smoothies, etc) that exists in Austin (Chicago, not TX).

* Jordyn's Soul Cafe - 1160 W Grand Ave in West Town. Replaces Crazy Bird Chicken. Will be a soul food cafe that also has jerk chicken, some seafood, pasta, etc. I wonder if the same people behind Jordyn's Hibachi & Pizzeria that opened recently in Bronzeville are behind this. My money is on yes..

marothisu wrote:Here's some that are coming in 2023:

...

* Taco Maya - 3053 N Ashland Ave in Lakeview. A location of the small local chain of Mexican eateries.

...

This location of Taco Maya will be next to Redhot Ranch, sharing the parking lot.

--
edc

marothisu wrote:* Paris Baguette - On Wentworth Ave in Chinatown. Big Korean chain of bakeries. They're opening up a few other locations downtown too soon.

Too soon?

marothisu wrote:Here's some that are coming in 2023:

* Desert Hawk - 2049 W Division St in Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village. Not much is known about this other than those behind it are behind some bars/tavern/etc in Los Angeles/West Hollywood. This replaces Pub Royale (RIP)

* Happy Lamb Hot Pot - 2707 N Clark St in Lincoln Park. Signs are up for it finally and they applied for a liquor license

* Kurimu - 2668 N Halsted St in Lincoln Park. Another location of the small local Asian ice cream chain.

* Sinya Mediterranean - 3725 W Chicago Ave in Humboldt Park. This is the 2nd location of the same restaurant in Roscoe Village.

* Afternoon - On Wentworth Ave in Chinatown. Korean concept only in NYC that serves up mochi donuts, coffee, croffles (croissant waffles), Korean food (i.e. breakfast sandwiches), etc. Will be very close (maybe next door) to the upcoming Paris Baguette.

* Paris Baguette - On Wentworth Ave in Chinatown. Big Korean chain of bakeries. They're opening up a few other locations downtown too soon. Next to or very close to the upcoming Afternoon (see above).

* Kilwins - 737 N Dearborn in River North. Ice cream..

* Oro Chocolate Cafe - 1553 N Milwaukee Ave in Wicker Park. The company is from Nicaragua with a founder from Chicago who operates hostels and other things down there.

* The Void - 2937 N Milwaukee Ave in Avondale. Not sure what this is, but one of the guys behind this is the head chef of Wyler Road.

* Dimo's Pizza - 4647 N Lincoln Ave in Lincoln Square. Another location of the small chain in town. They applied for a liquor license recently

* Pearl Club - 495 N Milwaukee Ave in River West. Not much info here other than Boka Group is behind this.

* Bistro Monandock - 53 W Jackson Blvd in The Loop. A French bistro.

* Unknown - 36 S Michigan Ave in The Loop. An unknown named bubble tea cafe.

* River North Bistro - 660 N State St in River North. A French bistro at Eurostars Hotel.

* Te'amo Boba Bar - 835 N Michigan Ave in Gold Coast/Streeterville, in Water Tower Place. Another location of the small local bubble tea/Asian dessert chain.

* Unknown - 341 W Armitage Ave in Lincoln Park. An unknown named pizza take out spot.

* 2AM Izakaya - 2218 N Lincoln Ave in Lincoln Park. A Japanese restaurant that may stay open late (what does this mean in the COVID era?). Replaced Xi'an Dynasty (RIP)

* Gong Cha - 2233 N Lincoln Ave in Lincoln Park. A location of the international bubble tea chain

* Taco Maya - 3053 N Ashland Ave in Lakeview. A location of the small local chain of Mexican eateries.

* Pizzeria Uno - 1970 W Diversey Pkwy in North Center.

* Boulevard Bistro - 2753 N Western Ave on the Logan Square/Lincoln Park border. Not much is known about this other than it replaces Cornerstone Cafe.

* Almost Home Tavern & Grill - 3801 N Clark St in Wrigleyville. Replaces Aurelio's Pizza.

* Fulla Bologna - 2101 W Touhy in Rogers Park. Another location of the suburban Italian deli.

* Magnifico Coffee - 3063 N Milwaukee Ave in Avondale. A Colombian coffee shop/cafe.

* PTCI Express - 2136 W North Ave in Wicker Park. Another location of the health food cafe (sandwiches, smoothies, etc) that exists in Austin (Chicago, not TX).

* Jordyn's Soul Cafe - 1160 W Grand Ave in West Town. Replaces Crazy Bird Chicken. Will be a soul food cafe that also has jerk chicken, some seafood, pasta, etc. I wonder if the same people behind Jordyn's Hibachi & Pizzeria that opened recently in Bronzeville are behind this. My money is on yes..

Thank you, Marothisu, for all of this info! I will keep my eye on several of these. Will hope that the waiting times, process, and space for Happy Lamb will be better than the Chinatown location

nsxtasy wrote:

marothisu wrote:* Paris Baguette - On Wentworth Ave in Chinatown. Big Korean chain of bakeries. They're opening up a few other locations downtown too soon.

Too soon?

More proof of the importance of punctuation, as in:
Let's eat Grandma!
Let's eat, Grandma!

Dollop General Store & Cafe is now open in downtown Evanston. It's on Sherman in downtown Evanston, next door to Mid Kitchen and in the high-rise that occupies the space where Prairie Moon and Tommy Nevins used to be.

nsxtasy wrote:

marothisu wrote:* Paris Baguette - On Wentworth Ave in Chinatown. Big Korean chain of bakeries. They're opening up a few other locations downtown too soon.

Too soon?

Right. They're opening too soon.


Jk. Nice catch LOL. Punctuation matters.

The Hot Dog Box Will Resurface in a Downtown Food Hall
https://chicago.eater.com/2023/1/3/2353 ... -hall-loop

The upcoming restaurant of Doug Psaltis, owner of Andros Taverna, in River North at 214 W Erie St will be called Asador Bastian. Not much officially known yet, but if indications are anything with the name then it's probably going to be something dealing with grilled meat

Dulce de Leche Cafe seems to be getting ready to open (what I assume is) a second location at 4054 N Western Ave, where Hurricane Coffee Co. used to be. Signs are up indicating it's coming soon.

Dave148 wrote:The vacant Stained Glass on Benson will become Fonda, a Mexican dining establishment owned by Michael Lachowicz.

Nice article on this in Eater.com:
A Creative Mexican Restaurant Will Arrive in Evanston

The downtown diner Clarke’s Off Campus has closed after 37 years of serving college students and Evanston residents. Originally located at 720 Clark St., the restaurant moved to a larger space at 804 Davis St. in 2019, only to face closure for portions of 2020 and 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://evanstonnow.com/downtown-restau ... -long-run/

Smylie Brothers has closed its Evanston brewpub, just a few months after closing its Lakeview location.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/01/05 ... -location/

The Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., plans to open a restaurant next door — the former spot of The Grafton Irish Pub and Grill, 4530 N. Lincoln Ave. They hope to open by late summer, school CEO Jim Newcomb said.
https://flip.it/6h_lDP

Something called "Hideaway 8" applied for a liquor license at 11 W Illinois in River North. This was the home of Flora Fauna, and Bohemian House before that. I believe Flora Fauna closed at the end of 2021 or early 2022.

The person listed on the application is Giulia Sindler who owns and operates Kamehachi (Japanese, in Old Town and Northbrook). Still looking for more information on what will be going into this space specifically from her.

Paris Baguette: I thought I had seen these somewhere. Sure enough, there's one in the strip mall adjoining, but not part of, the Glenview HMart. Not the HMart at Oakton & Waukegan, the other one. The PB has been open for more than a year.

tjr wrote:Paris Baguette: I thought I had seen these somewhere. Sure enough, there's one in the strip mall adjoining, but not part of, the Glenview HMart. Not the HMart at Oakton & Waukegan, the other one. The PB has been open for more than a year.

Close = it’s across the parking lot of Joong Boo at Central and Milwaukee.

Dave148 wrote:

tjr wrote:Paris Baguette: I thought I had seen these somewhere. Sure enough, there's one in the strip mall adjoining, but not part of, the Glenview HMart. Not the HMart at Oakton & Waukegan, the other one. The PB has been open for more than a year.

Close = it’s across the parking lot of Joong Boo at Central and Milwaukee.

So it's roughly a third of the way from the HMart on Milwaukee in Glenview, to the HMart at Oakton and Waukegan in Niles.

According to the Paris Baguette website, there's another location right at the HMart in Niles.

Mexican Street Food place and art gallery Zentli recently opened in Evanston — I've been watching the space for a while as they've been developing the storefront that was formerly Curt's Place South.

Zentli
1813 Dempster
Evanston, IL 60201

Is Zentli by the same folks who run Libertad?

bw77 wrote:Is Zentli by the same folks who run Libertad?

I think Marcos Rivera is an owner of both.

bw77 wrote:Is Zentli by the same folks who run Libertad?

On a somewhat related note we ate at Amerikas in Oak Park recently and did a double-take at the menu, which appeared to be a clone of Libertad's. The chef/co-owner was the chef at Libertad for many years.

AJ's Taqueria and Grill has opened for business in Park Ridge. Previously Frosty Penguin was in this space who closed last year due to staffing issues. On Busse hwy just north of Oakton.
1056 Busse Hwy Park Ridge IL.

Steps away from Aloha City Ukes if your looking for all things Ukulele.

Raising Cane’s is kicking off 2023 by officially planting its roots in downtown Chicago, with the opening of its Flagship Restaurant located at 2 N. Michigan Avenue.
Doors will open on Tuesday, January 10th, at 10 a.m.

https://whatnowchicago.com/raising-cane ... n-chicago/

Dave148 wrote:

Raising Cane’s is kicking off 2023 by officially planting its roots in downtown Chicago, with the opening of its Flagship Restaurant located at 2 N. Michigan Avenue.
Doors will open on Tuesday, January 10th, at 10 a.m.

https://whatnowchicago.com/raising-cane ... n-chicago/

I'm seeing the words but they don't make sense. "Flagship," "Michigan Avenue." This is still just chicken fingers? Are there that many 6-year olds with disposable income around?

spinynorman99 wrote:

Dave148 wrote:

Raising Cane’s is kicking off 2023 by officially planting its roots in downtown Chicago, with the opening of its Flagship Restaurant located at 2 N. Michigan Avenue.
Doors will open on Tuesday, January 10th, at 10 a.m.

I'm seeing the words but they don't make sense. "Flagship," "Michigan Avenue." This is still just chicken fingers? Are there that many 6-year olds with disposable income around?

Tourists wanting to shut up their whiny kids with some high mark-up chicken fingers seem ripe for the picking if you ask me.

Raising Cane’s is kicking off 2023 by officially planting its roots in downtown Chicago, with the opening of its Flagship Restaurant located at 2 N. Michigan Avenue.
Doors will open on Tuesday, January 10th, at 10 a.m.

I'm seeing the words but they don't make sense. "Flagship," "Michigan Avenue." This is still just chicken fingers? Are there that many 6-year olds with disposable income around?

The audience is larger than you think. My 9 year old is a budding foodie (he likes Korean-style fried chicken, as well as a spicy steak dish at Kapitan), but his go-to is chicken fingers. LOL.

Dave148 wrote:Close = it’s across the parking lot of Joong Boo at Central and Milwaukee.

Thanks, I confused my Korean megagrocers. I remember being impressed by how high-end that little strip mall looked, with a freestanding Shiseido cosmetics store etc.

Cane's Chicken Fingers: People in Gurnee went absolutely bonkers when Cane's first opened there, so much so that the adjacent Menards entrance became a nightmare for a month. It was really big with teens & 20's in addition to younger kids. Now business has definitely slowed down, and as far as I know the Waukegan store by Fountain Square didn't go nutso when it opened. Predict the "flagship" may be relatively short lived. If you go, I recommend subbing extra Texas toast for the chemical-tasting cole slaw. The toast is really good.