Grubhub recently made headlines by awarding cash prizes to 31 Chicago area restaurants that opened during the tumultuous year of 2020 and are still thriving five years later.
With most winners receiving $2,500 and two standout establishments taking home $5,000 each, the program highlighted the incredible diversity of culinary offerings across 25 neighborhoods in Chicago, featuring cuisines such as Korean, Thai, Colombian, barbecue, soul food, and more.
In a statement, Grubhub emphasized the remarkable courage displayed by these restaurateurs who launched their businesses amidst the uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 2020, when the pandemic brought unprecedented changes to everyday life, Grubhub launched its Established 2020 program, marking the fifth anniversary of that pivotal time.
Grubhub CEO Howard Migdal acknowledged the challenges faced by the restaurant industry during an awards reception at BiXi Beer in Logan Square, stating: “We all remember what March 2020 felt like. Overnight, life changed, and the restaurant industry was hit especially hard.
Yet, amid that chaos, the people we’re honoring tonight made the bold decision to start something new. Opening a restaurant is never easy. In fact, 80% of new restaurants close within the first five years. But doing it in 2020? That took extraordinary vision, commitment, and heart.”
One of the award winners, Tastee Rolls, opened its second outlet in Greater Chatham in November 2020. Co-owner Angel Williams remarked, “We did well during COVID,” highlighting their strategy of operating as a carryout venue from the beginning at their first location in Bellwood, situated west of Chicago.
Offering 21 different types of egg rolls with diverse fillings, including jerk chicken and Philly steak, Tastee Rolls has captured a broad customer base.
“Everybody loves eggrolls, from my six-year-old customer to my 60-year-old one,” said Williams, emphasizing their commitment to providing living wage jobs and creating a meaningful work environment for the community.
About 85% of Tastee Rolls’ 15 employees live within walking or biking distance of the restaurant, fostering a strong local connection.
Another award-winning restaurant, Flippin Flavors, opened in April 2020 in Beverly. Owners Linda and Brian Flippin pivoted from careers in dentistry and real estate, respectively, to venture into the restaurant business.
Despite the pandemic, they experienced significant success with their healthy sandwiches and salads.
Linda Flippin shared, “We had a line down the street, like Portillo’s,” attributing their visibility to effective social media promotion.
Since their inception, Flippin Flavors has expanded catering services and now also sells products at Living Fresh Market in Forest Park.
The financial boost from the Grubhub award enabled them to purchase more inventory and repair damages from a burglary.
Both Tastee Rolls and Flippin Flavors have relied on Grubhub since day one, utilizing the platform to adapt to delivery and takeout models.
During the pandemic, Grubhub provided vital support by cutting or waiving diner fees and enhancing marketing efforts for restaurant partners.
Migdal noted, “We worked side by side with restaurant owners to help transition menus, retrain staff, and in some cases, even build websites from scratch.
In Chicago alone, we saw delivery orders spike by nearly 100%, illustrating the dramatic shift in the restaurant landscape.”
In March, Grubhub also announced the early winners of two $5,000 awards, KFire, a Korean barbecue restaurant in Logan Square, and Doughboy’s Chicago, a wings and catfish establishment that has recently relocated to the South Loop.
Doughboy’s co-owner Chris Fryison expressed gratitude for the award, stating it provided crucial support as they transitioned to a new location.
“The award gave us a shot in the arm to do the new location. It gave us the mindset to go forward with it,” Fryison explained, noting how their recognition can help them grow further.
Remarkably, restaurants were not required to partner with Grubhub to qualify for the awards, showcasing the inclusivity of this initiative.
image source from：https://chicago.suntimes.com/small-business/2025/06/05/grubhub-awards-80000-chicago-restaurants-launched-pandemic
