23 businesses Chicagoans want to bring back from the dead

Chicago’s iconic department chain is gone but certainly not forgotten by countless Chicagoans. Founded in 1852 as a dry goods store, Marshall Field’s was a local institution. Its flagship location on State Street, housed inside a landmark building, spanned 13 floors and an entire city block. It was also where the company’s signature Frango mints were produced. In 2005, New York-based Macy’s purchased Marshall Field’s and rebranded it the following year. The famous green corner clocks are still on display, though, serving as a symbol of what once was.

This famous hot dog stand in Avondale drew large crowds on a daily basis, with customers often waiting several hours in line. Those who toughed it out were greeted by a smiling face—owner Doug Sohn—at the counter along with a menu of unique encased meats, such as a duck sausage topped with foie gras mousse. Sohn made waves when he decided to close up shop in 2014 at the peak of its popularity. Though it’s not quite the same as the original, there’s now a Hot Doug’s concession stand in the bleachers section of Wrigley Field.

If you wanted a refreshing tropical drink, this Logan Square bar was one of the best places to go. Owners Paul McGee and Shelby Allison created an oasis for fans of rum-based cocktails, such as the Mai Tai and the daiquiri, and there very few establishments like it in Chicago. Sadly, despite offering several at-home options and adding an outdoor patio, Lost Lake became a pandemic casualty in early 2022.

Home to all sorts of after-hours hijinks, Neo was one of the oldest running nightclubs in Chicago. Opened in 1979, the venue was notable for fostering a community of partygoers who danced to new wave, punk and goth hits. It was also allegedly the inspiration behind the Matrix franchise’s main character, Neo. The club lost its lease in 2015 but Neo alumni continue to come together for a reunion every summer at the Metro.

Boasting sweeping, unparalleled views of the city, the Signature Room and its sibling the Signature Lounge were popular destinations for both tourists and locals alike. Located on the 95th floor of 875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hancock Center), it was also the highest rooftop restaurant in Chicago. The food may not have been anything to write home about but that didn’t stop guests from filling the dining room every night for special occasions. Nonetheless, the Signature Room suddenly closed in September of 2023, citing economic hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the inability to negotiate a new lease.

Founded in 1918, Dominick’s was one of Chicagoland’s largest grocery chains. The company was purchased by Safeway in 1998, yet failure to innovate and retain a loyal base of customers led to the closure of dozens of stores over the next 15 years. The final blow was landed at the end of 2013, when Safeway announced it was shuttering all remaining locations. Former Dominick’s president and CEO Bob Mariano would go on to launch Mariano’s and Dom’s Kitchen & Market.

The One Off Hospitality empire began in 1997 with the opening of small-but-mighty Blackbird. Showcasing chef Paul Kahan’s contemporary Midwest cuisine, the restaurant was at the forefront of the city’s fine dining scene and earned a Michelin star every year from 2011 to 2020. It was also an incubator for burgeoning culinary talents like Anna and David Posey, Dana Cree and Ryan Pfeiffer. Whether it was a power lunch or celebratory dinner, Blackbird was a place for all occasions (and offered a stellar prix fixe lunch menu). Like many others, the West Loop landmark fell victim to the pandemic in 2020.

Long before there was Six Flags Great America, Kiddieland reigned supreme. The amusement park located in Melrose Park offered thrills geared toward children like bumper cars, locomotive rides and a German carousel. In 1950, the Little Dipper wooden coaster was added and became the signature attraction. Failure to come to an agreement on a new lease led to Kiddieland’s closure in 2009, followed by its demolition. Many of the park’s rides were auctioned off—today, the Little Dipper can be found at Six Flags.

One of the longest-running businesses in Chicago, Dinkel’s Bakery was a family-owned, North Side institution. The shop was famous for its assortment of German baked goods, from stollen and strudels to cookies and cakes. It was immensely busy during the holiday season and on Paczki Day, and also operated a mail-order business. After 101 years, owner Norm Dinkel made the tough decision to retire, resulting in the closure of Dinkel’s.

American fine dining would not be where it is today without the late Charlie Trotter. The groundbreaking, complicated chef put the local culinary scene on the map in 1987 when he opened his namesake Lincoln Park restaurant. The iconic institution would go on to popularize a lot of modern concepts, like the tasting menu, farm-to-table dining and focus on sustainable sourcing. Countless titans in the industry, including Grant Achatz, Curtis Duffy and Mindy Segal—just to name a few, also got their starts here. The restaurant closed in August 2012 after 25 years of service; Trotter unexpectedly passed away in November of the following year.

An old-school Italian spot on the Northwest Side, Sabatino’s had a retro charm that couldn’t be replicated. Waiters dressed in formalwear would serve diners while violinists and guitarists helped set the mood. Classics like chicken Vesuvio and shrimp DeJonghe never disappointed, but the baked Alaska—flambéed tableside—was a must. The owners sold the building to a developer in 2018 after 49 years in business and the restaurant was demolished. 

Stocked with toys, novelty items and gag gifts, Uncle Fun wasn’t just for kids. Adults loved going to this Lakeview shop and picking up a whoopee cushion or fake poop to prank their friends with. The kitschy and nostalgic spot could make anyone laugh, but the fun times ended in 2014 when owner Ted Frankel retired to Baltimore.

For a number of Chicagoans, their first experience with tapas came at Cafe Iberico. The River North spot was established in 1992 and encouraged folks to come with a large group in order to try a little bit of everything. The traditional Spanish small plates included everything from croquetas de pollo to gambas al ajillo, while the dining room was always lively and filled with pitchers of sangria and screens playing engrossing music videos. Unfortunately, the pandemic put an end to the good times.

European-style baked goods attracted customers far and wide to this beloved Andersonville fixture for decades until its closing in 2017. It was also the city’s last surviving Swedish bakery and one of the few places to load up on items like cardamom coffee cakes and the Princess Torte, a triple-layered cake wrapped in green marzipan. 

An intimate, candle-lit dive in Bucktown, Danny’s was beloved for its crowded dance floor, cheap beer and genre-spanning DJ sets. Lines down the block were common on weekends and nights dedicated to the Smiths, but the bar lived life on the edge—first almost closing in 2015 before ultimately ending its run after 34 years in 2020.

In a city filled with Italian restaurants, Tony Mantuano’s Michelin-starred stalwart overlooking the Mag Mile stood above the rest (literally and figuratively). In contrast to the classic red sauce joints, Spiaggia was a more refined experience, built on luxury, execution and attention to detail. Top Chef alums Sarah Grueneberg (Monteverde) and Joe Flamm (Rose Mary) also honed their skills here under the tutelage of Mantuano before venturing out on their own. The pandemic shut the restaurant down in 2020, and the inability to come to an agreement with its landlord marked the permanent end of Spiaggia in 2021 after 37 years.

Ten-scoop sundaes and 64-ounce milkshakes brought all the boys and girls to Zephyr, a diner and ice cream parlor that dated back to 1976. It was a staple for many local kids growing up and fondly adored for its unrestrained offerings. But childhood memories are regrettably all that remain now as Zephyr shuttered in 2006 over a dispute with its landlord.

While it’s now found in most Greek restaurants, flaming saganaki was originally invented at the Parthenon in 1968. The iconic dish involves lighting a block of cheese on fire at the tableside, shouting “opa!” and extinguishing the flames with a squirt of lemon juice. Alas, the place where it was born bid adieu abruptly in 2016 after 48 years. 

You typically don’t associate seafood with diners, but this eclectic Ravenswood spot offered some of the city’s best fresh catch. The day’s selection was written on a chalkboard menu lining the wall, and guests could also feast on weekly specials like AYCE shrimp and crab legs, as well as bowls of cereal at all hours. Following a legal dispute with his business partners, original owner Glenn Fahlstrom split from the restaurant in 2012 and went on to open Fahlstrom's Fresh Fish Market in Lakeview. Glenn’s Diner would last another decade until it closed for good in 2022.

The Italian concept from Boka Restaurant Group and B. Hospitality Co. was a fan favorite in Lincoln Park, located near the Steppenwolf Theater and the now-shuttered Royal George Theatre. With an all-star team of Chris Pandel and Amanda Rockman leading the way, the kitchen turned out housemade pastas (the tagliolini nero was a standout), wood-burning pizzas and awe-inspiring desserts. A fire in 2017 caused extensive damage to the space, and the restaurant never recovered.

New York-style pizzas and PB&Js (slice of pizza, PBR tall boy and a shot of Jameson) made this Logan Square spot beloved by locals for over a decade. Its abrupt closure in 2022 caught both customers and staff alike by surprise, and offered no opportunities for goodbyes. The StopAlong took over the space in 2023.

This historic establishment in the Southport Corridor was part tavern and part bowling alley. The bar was initially built in 1900 by Schlitz Brewery before four bowling lanes were added in 1922. It served as a speakeasy and brothel during Prohibition, but in modern times customers could knock down some pins or play a game of pool while sipping on craft beers. Unfortunately, the pandemic had a huge impact on operations and owner Steve Soble called it quits in 2020.

Everybody loves a good steak but it’s typically an expensive endeavor if you’re dining out. This steakhouse was a rare exception, catering to the working class. You could order an eight-ounce steak with garlic toast, baked potato and a side salad for $10 during lunchtime. Or stop in for a hearty breakfast in the morning. Ronny’s last location in the Loop closed in 2020 as a result of the pandemic keeping office workers at home.