The shuttered Joe Caputo & Sons grocery store at 959 E. Oakton in Des Plaines will reopen under a new name after closing in July, city officials confirmed. Caputo expected to open new Des Plaines grocery next month (Feb. 2017).

A shuttered Joe Caputo & Sons grocery store in Des Plaines will soon be back in business.

Des Plaines city officials confirmed that Nat Caputo, owner of the grocery business, has received building permits to open Joe's Fresh Market at 959 E. Oakton St. The new market could open by the first week of February or sooner, officials said. Joe Caputo & Sons -- separate from suburban franchise Angelo Caputo's Fresh Markets -- was forced to close the store last summer after 27 years in business.

Before the closure, the company had been mired in financial troubles. It closed stores in Elk Grove Village, Arlington Heights and Northbrook and faced a federal lawsuit seeking payment of $4.6 million in produce bills.

In a May public auction, the owners of Butera and Piggly Wiggly grocery stores won a $32 million bid for some of the Caputo's assets. The property included The Oaks Shopping Center at the northeast corner of Oakton and Lee streets, along with the fixtures, equipment and inventory of the 10,200-square-foot store at 959 E. Oakton St.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/2017 ... 170119127/

In Evanston, the former site of Phoenix Inn will become a hot pot place. (The okay hot pot place around the corner, Tsim Sha Tsui Cafe, seems to have closed sometime last year.) The menu in the window promises different varieties of hot pot: Korean, Sichuan, Thai, Taiwanese, etc.

I look forward to trying it out during their six months in business.

'Rodent Infestation' Helps Shut Jerky Jerk Shop On Devon

EDGEWATER — The owner of a Caribbean jerk restaurant on Devon Avenue is weighing whether or not his shop will reopen after it was shut down by the city's health inspector earlier this month.

Jerky Jerk, 1217 W. Devon Ave., had its license suspended by the city's Department of Health on Jan. 5 after the department got a complaint about the Jamaican-inspired restaurant, city records show.

Naf Naf Grill in Downtown Naperville is no more.

The location on Chicago Ave was less than ideal, but this particular location had been going down hill for a while.

Never were there crowds in there even during peak times, which is rare for that area. Right around the other side of the same building had Chipotle and Five Guys consistently getting the stream of customers.

Last order was late November or early December, everything ordered had been held for far too long in covered steam table trays. The shwarma spinning in the background looked like the auto bot hadn't sliced it in ages. One bite, the entire meal went right into the garbage.

Not surprising, but wished it could have worked out. I like the quick options as compared to the more full dinners menu at Fox Valley, but the high turnover at FV makes that location stand out, for me.

bfolds wrote:I was saddened to see this posting on Schuba's weekly email. Don't know the details, but looks like neighborhood standby Harmony Grill's days are numbered.

Come say your last goodbye to Schubas' beloved Harmony Grill! We've gathered eight rad Chicago artists to display their work as we honor our restaurant's 19 years in business. Art! Food! Fun!

They’ll replace Harmony with a new restaurant called Tied House, according to a Facebook post.

http://chicago.eater.com/2017/1/19/1432 ... tied-house

Sign on the door yesterday at GNR New Asia: "Notice to Our Patrons The restaurant will be closed from Jan 5, 2017 to further notice due to remodelling. Sorry for any inconvenience. Thank you"

La Riviera Maya on Elston at Irving Park (former Latin Sandwich Cafe/Rapa Nui space) is papered over with a sign indicating that another Mexican seafood place is taking over soon. I'll try to remember the name next time I roll by.

Smassey wrote:Sign on the door yesterday at GNR New Asia: "Notice to Our Patrons "

Ouch, this one hurts more than a little.

clogoodie wrote:Signage up indicating a new Benjyehuda location is coming soon in the loop, at the former Fresha Place spot:

171 W Randolph
(actually on Wells, south of Randolph, between the Starbucks and Halsted St Deli)

Make that, the former Halsted Street Deli

Windows are papered up with graphics for Soup Barz homemade soups and chili.

Pie Lady wrote:The Panera at 635 N. Fairbanks is closed, as of 12/27.

The interesting thing about that is that a similar place across Fairbanks also closed.
There were three similar places on that same corner (Panera was on the corner just west on Ontario, Lyfe Kitchen on the corner, and third place across Fairbanks).

Of the three, only Lyfe Kitchen is still open.

Torino Ramen will be opening in downtown Wilmette 2/4/17
Soft opening happening this week (lunch during week and Saturday dinner)

Let's hope the north shore can get some good ramen!
www.torinoramen.com

tkoo wrote:Torino Ramen will be opening in downtown Wilmette 2/4/17
Soft opening happening this week (lunch during week and Saturday dinner)

Let's hope the north shore can get some good ramen!
http://www.torinoramen.com

1162 Wilmette Ave
Wilmette, IL 60093

Chicago Q Owners Taking Over Reza’s River North Space

http://chicago.eater.com/2017/1/24/1437 ... rio-street

Tuscan Hen Market opened quietly on January 8. The market part has fresh pastas and sauces made in-house while the cafe part offers sandwiches and salads in addition to coffees and some sweets. There are not a lot of tables, just a few two-tops inside the windows overlooking Damen. They have been selling at the Green City Market.

I happened to be walking by and saw that they were open. I bought some spaghetti, which is fairly thick with lines to hold sauce better. Our initial reaction was that it is almost as good as Pasta Fresh. It is a lot closer to home and not worth the drive to Pasta Fresh unless we are on Harlem Avenue for other reasons. The selection is much less than at Pasta Fresh. That may be subject to change once Tuscan Hen is past the shakedown stage.

The sandwich menu looks interesting, so we plan to go there for lunch in the not too distant future.
Edited once to correct name.

Winter hours:
Closed Monday and Tuesday
Open 11 to 7 Wednesday through Saturday, 9 to 3 on Sunday

Tuscan Hen Market
4019 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 446-2380
http://www.tuscanhenmarket.com/

Kitsune Restaurant and Pub is now open at 4229 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago IL 60618. This is the new project of Michelin-starred chef Iliana Regan (Elizabeth).

They offer a Japanese-influenced seasonal menu with an emphasis on Midwestern ingredients. There are only 20 seats, so I'd be interested to know how challenging it is to get in. Walk-ins are welcome, according to the website.

http://www.kitsunerestaurant.com/

http://chicago.eater.com/2017/1/25/1439 ... ersonville

Acre and Ombra closing this Saturday; Anteprima remains open.

tarte tatin wrote:http://chicago.eater.com/2017/1/25/14390270/acre-restaurant-ombra-bar-closing-closed-andersonville

Acre and Ombra closing this Saturday; Anteprima remains open.

I'll buy Anteprima before I see it closed.

tarte tatin wrote:http://chicago.eater.com/2017/1/25/14390270/acre-restaurant-ombra-bar-closing-closed-andersonville

Acre and Ombra closing this Saturday; Anteprima remains open.

That makes me sad. Acre has been my Andersonville spot when I need an oyster fix.

Drover wrote:La Riviera Maya on Elston at Irving Park (former Latin Sandwich Cafe/Rapa Nui space) is papered over with a sign indicating that another Mexican seafood place is taking over soon. I'll try to remember the name next time I roll by.

OK, so the name of the forthcoming "new" restaurant is "Mariscos Costa Grande." Then underneath it says "estilo Riviera Maya." Meanwhile when it was Riveria Maya the sub-script on the awning said "Mariscos Estilo Costa Grande." So I don't know if this is just a refresh with re-branding or a new restaurant under new ownership or what. I know the building was for sale but the For Sale sign is now gone so I don't know if that's tied into any of this.

Mariscos Costa ([re-?]opening soon)
4009 N. Elston Ave

A new place in Highwood called Marco's Northside Grill opened in December. It's in a space next to the Toadstool Pub and it has a small bar with four stools. It's attached to the Toadstool and you can order food from Marco's as well. They have a simple menu featuring burgers, apps, salads, and daily soups. I stopped there to meet a friend and had some of the fresh cut fries which were tasty.

Marco's Northside Grill
329 Waukegan Ave
Highwood IL
847-748-8557
http://www.marcosnorthsidegrill.com/

Probably not worth mentioning, but Papa John's is coming to Highland Park in the old Pizza Hut/Domino's/Moccio's space across from Jewel. If it had to be a chain, I was hoping it would be Jet's Pizza, which is decent. I have only had Papa John's once a long time ago and can't remember anything about it. Everyone I know hates it.

Ram4 wrote:Probably not worth mentioning, but Papa John's is coming to Highland Park in the old Pizza Hut/Domino's/Moccio's space across from Jewel. If it had to be a chain, I was hoping it would be Jet's Pizza, which is decent. I have only had Papa John's once a long time ago and can't remember anything about it. Everyone I know hates it.

Should go without saying but in a pizza city like Chicago (Highland Park counts) there's no excuse to go with crap chain pizza, unless you're really hungry and there's nothing else open for miles around.

In that same category (why is this important?) - another Habanero Baja Grill is opening in the old LaCocina spot at Franklin/Lake. That makes them, Chipotle and Costa Vida all within hurling distance of one another....

Atrain53 wrote:All the Bow Truss closed indefinitely as Tadros' deal falls through. Of course, it isn't Phil's fault. It never is. And even though he said payroll and rent were most important, he thought a loan was coming so he allegedly paid some bills that didn't include rent, payroll, or employee insurance. If that is to be believed.

I wonder how many of these stories we have to read before everyone gets the hint Phil Tadros is someone that you should avoid.

I live by the Mariano Park /Viagra Triangle area. A good man had that stand for 12 years and then the City gave it to Phil. They still are awaiting their first rent payment.

More Tadros shenanigans.....

Tadros' Aquanaut lacked a brewing license for 5 months

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... r-5-months

spinynorman99 wrote:

Ram4 wrote:Probably not worth mentioning, but Papa John's is coming to Highland Park in the old Pizza Hut/Domino's/Moccio's space across from Jewel. If it had to be a chain, I was hoping it would be Jet's Pizza, which is decent. I have only had Papa John's once a long time ago and can't remember anything about it. Everyone I know hates it.

Should go without saying but in a pizza city like Chicago (Highland Park counts) there's no excuse to go with crap chain pizza, unless you're really hungry and there's nothing else open for miles around.

Which is why I continue to be amazed that the random Pizza Hut at North and Western goes on year after year. I just keep thinking "who eats there?"

I ask those same questions. People with kids and limited budget. People that eat to live (vs us live to eat people). I have an employee who will each the microwave packages for lunch. I give him loads of crap. I actually make soup most Sunday mornings and bring some in for him so I don't have to smell or see that plastic packaged frozen stuff. Really, many people do not understand good food. Hence, the sheer amount of chain joints. I go out of my way for good food (never go to chains). As I told friends who ask how I know so much about food and the food joints - I study the field (including this site).

I did a search and did not see any mention that MASH at 4535 N. Lincoln is papered over. I used to go when it was the Bad Dog but haven't been their since the name change in 2015.

Mod edit: https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2016120 ... ant-closed

A husband-and-wife team is opening what they say is the nation's first certified organic drive-thru restaurant. Nic's Organic Fast Food is set to open next month in Rolling Meadows. The 2,700-square-foot restaurant on Plum Grove Drive will offer drive-thru and indoor dining service.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... ng-meadows

The Simple Greek in Highland Park, Marcus Lemonis' "Greek Chipotle" has closed.

AlexG wrote:The Simple Greek in Highland Park, Marcus Lemonis' "Greek Chipotle" has closed.

I guess he wasn't able to make Lemon(is)ade.

=R=