Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide

We reported last December that a new Middle Eastern restaurant was in the works for Division Avenue in the former home of Habitat and at long last Shawarma Garden is ready to open. 

Owner Mary Anne Mubayed is bringing her family's "secret" Middle Eastern recipes to Wicker Park and, based on the menu, it looks like a lot of traditional dishes will be available. You'll find favorites including: hummus, grape leaves, baba ghanoush, falafel, tabouleh salad, a variety of 'kabob' entrees, shawarma, and gyros. Approximately 25 menu items are available that offer affordable prices & generous portions. Prices start at $3.00 for falafel and work their way up. The highest priced item is the lamb kabob entree at $13.99. Sandwiches are in the $5.00 range.

Take out and delivery are also available. Shawarma Garden will be open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week.

Look for Shawarma Garden to open at 1951 W. Division Street this Wednesday November 20th .

Less than a year after opening at 1252 N. Damen Avenue, 312 Dining Diva is reporting today that The Haute and The Dog shuttered on Sunday November 10th....sort of. Although the storefront has closed up shop, they will continue the catering side of their business. But the owners would like more freedom to take on other projects. Following Bagel on Damen, it will be interesting to see what moves into this location at Potomac and Damen in the heart of Wicker Park's historic district.

The Haute and The Dog Shutters; Here's Why - (312) Dining Diva

photo courtesy of DNAInfo Chicago

According to a report published yesterday by DNAInfo Chicago, UnderDog is re-opening this year in the basement of the Flash Taco space 1570 N. Damen Avenue in Wicker Park.

Underdogg to Heat to Underdog Once Again

For those who may not know, UnderDogg (with 2 g's) was a late night hot dog spot that closed its doors to greasy fries and veggie dogs in 2009. The owners re-concepted and the space became Heat; a gourmet hot dog shop with an emphasis on game and other unique fare like duck and elk hot dogs and boar sausage. 

But now it seems the space is heading back to its former UnderDogg roots. The new concept is not only losing the extra "g", however. It's losing the gourmet spin and game hot dogs.This casual eatery is featuring a new menu including Mexican-style hot dogs, Vienna beef hot dogs and will eventually add an ice cream parlor and coffee. They will also be adding veggie dogs back onto the menu. 

Prices for the dogs will be $3 and that includes fries. Gyros and burgers will stay on the menu.

Sounds like the newer version of the original concept may just be a better fit for the late night crowd at North, Damen and Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park. UnderDog is in the middle of renovations but is looking to reopen in November of this year and will, once again, be open until 5am. 

Underdog - 1570 1/2 N. Damen Avenue - Wicker Park

UnderDog Returns to Neighborhood's Main Hub Below Flash Taco [DNAInfo Chicago]

Wicker Wire: New Restaurant Alert

image courtesy of Eater Chicago

Updated: Following our publishing of the information outlined below, Alderman Moreno confirmed with us directly that the rumor is true and Rick Bayless will, in fact, be opening a restaurant in the former Salud space 1471 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park. He has signed a 10 year lease for the space.

Published September 23, 2013 - Eater Chicago is reporting that Chef Rick Bayless may just have his sights set on the space formerly that of Salud in Wicker Park at 1471 N. Milwaukee Avenue. According to the report published earlier today, Bayless is opening a new restaurant but the location has yet to be disclosed. A number of sources have confirmed the spot will be in Wicker Park and a new tenant just signed a 10 year lease 2 months ago.

Bayless is a Bucktown resident and the host of Mexico - One Plate at a Time. He has also recently been focused on opening Fronteras Frescos and Tortas Fronteras in different locations throughout the country.

New Rick Bayless Restaurant Coming- Is it in Wicker Park? [Eater Chicago]

photo courtesy of Eater Chicago

We reported earlier that Cafe Con Leche at 1732 N. Milwaukee Avenue looked like they had closed up shop for good. And they have. Powerhouse restaurateur Brendan Sodikoff has taken over the space and is "sitting on it into next year" according to a report published recently by Eater Chicago.

According to Eater's report, Sodikoff has 3 new projects in the works ahead of the Bucktown space. Stay tuned for additional details.

Brendan Sodikoff Takes Over Shuttered Bucktown Cafe Con Leche [Eater]

image courtesy of Irazu via facebook

A very warm congratulations and happy birthday to Bucktown's Irazu who opened 23 years ago today at 1865 N. Milwaukee Avenue. After all these years they're still serving delicious affordable Costa Rican food and one-of-a-kind oatmeal shakes.

Keep up the great work guys.

Start your holiday weekend right with Ketel One martinis! Today ... and all day long, they're just $6 at Bucktown's Club Lucky.

Every 1st Wednesday of the month Club Lucky plays host to their martini party at 1824 W. Wabansia in Bucktown. Martinis are only $6 and you can have them with stuffed blue cheese, pimento and anchovy olives. A great deal and you can pair them with whatever you'd like including: brushettas, antipasti, calamari and the incredible entrees that are only Club Lucky. Don't miss this great deal each and every month.

 Photo Courtesy of Club Lucky.

Lillie's Q at 1856 W. North Avenue has been closed since last March due to a large fire that swept through this neighborhood eatery.

But Chef Charlie McKenna has announced the barbeque spot is targeted to re-open again this June:

Some GOOD NEWS! Our Lillie's Q Bucktown location is slated to re-open in mid-June --pending inspections and permitting. We can't wait to open up our doors again and feed all of you! We're all so grateful for the tremendous love and support you all have shown over the last few months following our fire. Please tell all your friends the good news! Share, retweet, shout it from your windows! We love you all!

Bucktown - Updated March 23, 2013

Apparently, business owners had attempted to sell the restaurant at the end of 2012 and early 2013. Asking price for the "turn key restaurant" was $130,000.00. After not being able to sell Clarke's on Damen, it appears the owners opted to shut down this location.

Bucktown -March 19, 2013

Yes, it's true. Clarke's on Damen Avenue  at 1704 N. Damen Avenue has officially closed up shop.

Most of us loved the fact that it was cheap, easy and 24 hours. But apparently there weren't enough of us to keep it going. And if you ever stopped in at lunchtime during the week, it was very quiet.

The other locations in Hyde Park, Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park are still open. Stay tuned for details on who the new tenant will be.