Say goodbye to these shuttered Chicago restaurants

It’s been a tough start to the year for the Chicago restaurant industry.

While Chicago Restaurant Week is a celebration of local cuisine, winter is typically the slowest period for restaurants, and the city has lost some big names just a few weeks into 2024. Many have already closed, but there's still time to check out a few before they're gone. From a Chinese standout to the second outpost of a popular local eatery, these are the shuttered spots we're mourning.

Big Kids: The Logan Square restaurant—and former Time Out Market Chicago vendor—known for its creative sandwiches, ‘90s-inspired flair and irreverent humor announced that it’s closing on February 4. In the meantime, chef Ryan Pfeiffer has brought back some old favorites and classics for fans to try one.

Etta (River North): The River North outpost of Etta shuttered abruptly after a three-year run. The New American spot focused on wood-fired fare plus pizzas and pastas. Etta’s original location in Bucktown remains open.

Jade Court: One of Chicago’s best Chinese restaurants will close February 29. Originally opened in University Village in 2016, Jade Court relocated to Hyde Park in 2020 after owner Carol Cheung took over the business from her late father. The Cantonese restaurant serves fresh seafood, highlighted by lobster and Dungeness crab that can be prepared in a variety of ways.

Marchesa: The French dining scene in Chicago got a little lighter with the closing of Marchesa. Opened in 2017, the River North spot was set inside a beautiful three-story building and featured a Champagne Cave.

BIG & little’s: The last standalone BIG & little’s, in Lakeview, has closed. The restaurant specializes in seafood tacos and once operated multiple outposts around the city. A branch inside Midway Airport is the only remaining location.

Broken English Taco Pub: The fiesta is over at Broken English Taco Pub in Lincoln Park. Adolfo Garcia and Phil Stefani’s Mexican cantina launched in 2017, and is survived by outposts in the Loop and Old Town.

Passion House: Logan Square residents will have to look elsewhere for their cups of java as Passion House Coffee Roasters has closed its cafe on Kedzie Avenue. The company still has a location in Goose Island and plans to open a cafe at its roastery in Garfield Park.