In the heart of Chicago, conversations frequently revolve around two key topics: traffic and the weather.
However, if you seek to ignite a dialogue filled with nostalgia and strong opinions, the question of which closed restaurant Chicagoans miss the most is sure to do the trick.
Block Club recently posed this very question to its readers, and the responses poured in, with over 700 comments expressing their sentiments about once-beloved dining spots.
The results indicate that many residents cherished their favorite eateries, which played integral roles in their dining habits and memories.
Topping the list of restaurants Chicagoans wish to see resurrected is none other than Hot Doug’s, the renowned hot dog and sausage emporium located in Avondale, previously operated by Doug Sohn, who endearingly referred to each customer as “my friend.”
Whether driven by nostalgia or a craving for long-gone dishes, here’s a compilation of the most-missed restaurants based on the responses gathered from Block Club readers, organized by the number of mentions each establishment received.
**Hot Doug’s**
3324 N. California Ave.
Closed in 2014
By a wide margin, Hot Doug’s in Avondale emerged as the most-missed restaurant among Block Club readers.
Doug Sohn opened Hot Doug’s in the Roscoe Village neighborhood in 2001.
After a fire in 2004, the restaurant relocated to Avondale, where it gained a loyal following for its adventurous menu.
Celebrities, including the late Anthony Bourdain, flocked to the eatery, and long lines were a common sight.
When Sohn decided to close Hot Doug’s in 2014, he stated, “There really is no overwhelming reason other than it’s time to go do something else.”
**Zephyr Cafe & Ice Cream**
1777 W. Wilson Ave.
Ravenswood
Closed in 2006
Another beloved establishment was Zephyr Cafe & Ice Cream, an Art Deco-style ice cream parlor founded by Greek restaurateur Byron Kouris on the corner of Wilson and Ravenswood avenues in 1976.
Patrons cherished its colossal sundaes, perfect for sharing, alongside diner fare.
Kouris operated the cafe for 30 years until its closure in 2006, shortly after he passed away in March of that year.
**Stanley’s Kitchen and Tap**
1970 N. Lincoln Ave.
Lincoln Park
Closed in 2018
Stanley’s Kitchen and Tap, a Lincoln Park staple, delighted guests for over 25 years, especially with its extravagant brunch on weekends.
Known for attracting locals, college grads, Cubs players, and celebrities alike, the restaurant was co-founded by Donnie Kruse.
Friendship with other local personalities, including Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, cemented its place in the community until Kruse’s passing in 2017, followed by the restaurant’s closure in 2018 due to a landlord dispute.
**Café Marie-Jeanne**
1001 N. California Ave.
Humboldt Park
Closed in 2020
Café Marie-Jeanne, an all-day café on California and August avenues, was a beloved spot run by husband-and-wife duo Mike Simmons and Valerie Szafranski.
Customers loved its homemade breads, pastries, oysters, and dinner options reminiscent of Parisian cafes.
Unfortunately, after a successful five-year run, the couple decided to close in November 2020 due to pandemic pressures, expressing that they faced an “impossible decision” regarding their establishment.
**Sabatino’s**
4441 W. Irving Park Road
Old Irving Park
Closed in 2018
Sabatino’s, an Italian American restaurant run by the Pagni brothers for 41 years, provided patrons with classic steak and pasta dishes along with a supper-club ambiance featuring a live violinist.
Its closure in 2018 affected many in the community, with one loyal fan calling it “a damn shame. It’s classic Chicago.”
Despite this, Sabatino’s fans can find solace in knowing that the restaurant’s former chef opened a new establishment, Avvio Italian Kitchen, nearby.
**Pub Royale**
2049 W. Division St.
Ukrainian Village
Closed in 2022
Opened in 2015, Pub Royale was initially envisioned as a “drink-forward” establishment located at the intersection of Ukrainian Village and Wicker Park.
It quickly garnered the attention of food critics and was featured in Bon Appetit’s list of America’s best new restaurants in 2016.
The restaurant was known for its unique menu that blended British and Indian cuisine, attracting many patrons until its closure in 2022 spurred by the sale of its building.
**Heaven on Seven**
111 N. Wabash Ave.
The Loop
Closed in 2020
Chef Jimmy Bannos established Heaven on Seven in 1980, introducing Chicagoans to the flavors of New Orleans cuisine.
Situated on the seventh floor of the Garland Building, it became a lunchtime favorite for many in the Loop.
In 2020, Bannos decided to close the original location in light of the pandemic, hoping the closure would be temporary, but ultimately opted to sell the business two years later.
**Blackbird**
619 W. Randolph St.
West Loop
Closed in 2020
Blackbird set the standard for new American cuisine when it opened in 1997, founded by chef Paul Kahan and his partners.
The minimalist backdrop paired with innovative dishes earned it a Michelin star and influenced many emerging chefs.
Regrettably, Blackbird joined the ranks of many restaurants forced to shut down amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
**Army and Lou’s**
422 E. 75th St.
Grand Crossing
Closed in 2011
Army & Lou’s was a significant soul-food establishment in Chicago, established in 1945 by William and Luvilla Armstrong.
Throughout its years of operation, it drew a diverse clientele, including notable figures like Smokey Robinson and Martin Luther King Jr.
Its closure in 2011 left a void in the neighborhood after a decline in business, and despite discussions of reopening, the beloved eatery has remained closed.
**Busy Bee Diner**
1546 N. Damen Ave.
Wicker Park
Closed in 1998
The Busy Bee, managed by Sophie Madej, was a staple diner that operated from 1965 until 1998, serving comforting staples such as homemade soups and pierogi.
As Wicker Park underwent gentrification, many were saddened by the diner’s closure and the loss of a cherished community place.
Madej passed away in 2014, but memories of the Busy Bee endure among Chicagoans.
**Won Kow**
2237 S. Wentworth Ave.
Chinatown
Closed in 2018
Also making the list is Won Kow, Chinatown’s oldest restaurant, which sadly closed its doors in 2018 after 90 years of service.
Its distinctive sign and tradition of serving Chinese American classics attracted generations of patrons.
The restaurant’s closure marked a bittersweet end to a part of Chicago’s vibrant culinary heritage.
**Passerotto**
5240 N. Clark St.
Andersonville
Closed in 2020
Open for only two years, Passerotto quickly made a name for itself under the guidance of chef Jennifer Kim, who innovated with small plates that fused Korean and Italian flavors.
The restaurant was another casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic, closing in 2020 along with several other establishments in the Clark Street corridor.
**Snaggletooth**
2819 N. Southport Ave.
Lakeview
Closed in 2017
Snaggletooth was a deli specializing in cured fish and was chef Jennifer Kim’s first venture.
Opening in February 2016, it quickly garnered acclaim but closed a little over a year later in April 2017.
**Sticky Rice**
4018 N. Western Ave.
North Center
Closed in 2024
Sticky Rice offered a unique twist on Thai cuisine but announced its closure in October 2024 after two decades of operation.
Changing customer preferences and rising operational costs played key roles in this decision, yet the owners continue to operate their sister restaurant, Sweet Rice, in Bucktown.
**Lokal**
1904 W. North Ave.
Wicker Park
Closed in 2019
Lokal specialized in brunches, featuring live jazz performances and favorite dishes.
Despite the popularity, Lokal closed its doors in 2019 after ten years of service, directing patrons to its Lincoln Park location, which has since also closed.
**VPT Grill**
5754 N. Western Ave.
West Ridge
Closed in 2022
Opening in 1968 as Vince’s Pizza and Taqueria, VPT Grill adapted over the years, eventually introducing the deep-fried burger that attracted a new fan base.
After relocating and rebranding in 2015, VPT Grill closed in 2022, a victim of pandemic-related financial burdens and an inability to recover thereafter.
As the memories of these establishments linger, Chicagoans are reminded of the unique flavors and experiences they brought to the city.
Whether due to nostalgia, cherished moments, or a longing for favorite dishes, the impact of these closed restaurants continues to resonate deeply within the community.
image source from：blockclubchicago
