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UPDATED: No Word When Adobo Grill Will Re-open After Old Town Fire

Inspectors continue to assess damage in blaze that destroyed Second City offices.

Adobo Grill
Adobo Grill
Ashok Selvam
Ashok Selvam is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.

UPDATE: Added comments from Adobo owner.

The door at Adobo Grill remains boarded up two days after a kitchen fire tore through the Old Town restaurant, causing a roof collapse. The blaze spread upstairs, destroying the second-floor offices of The Second City comedy club. Chicago Fire Department inspectors arrived at the site Friday morning to tour the damage.

Adobo management isn't sure when they can reopen, as they're still assessing the damage. The front of the restaurant didn't look severely affected through the window facing Wells Street. Chicago fire spokesman Larry Langford told the Tribune the fire ignited inside a grease chute above the restaurant's kitchen.

The building is more than 100 years old, with some pegging it as a survivor of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Prior to Adobo's arrival, it housed That Steak Joynt, a Victorian era-decorated restaurant that closed in 1996. Those who dabble in that stuff claim it's haunted. When Adobo opened, it quickly made a name for itself drawing raves for its table-side guacamole. They jumped on the modern Mexican bandwagon years before the trend really became popular.

A call to Adobo owner Paul LoDuca wasn't immediately returned. He also owns Vinci in Lincoln Park, and there's also an Adobo in Indianapolis. They're asking anyone with reservations to call the restaurant's corporate office.

LoDuca called back and said it would be a few months before Adobo could reopen, as workers first have to repair the roof. The restaurant suffered extensive water damage, but escaped fire damage, as there were no charred boards, LoDuca said. He hopes to know specifics later next week.

"We've been here for 15 years, and we want to be here for at least 15 more. This is a little setback for us and we hope to serve Mexican food for many, many more years in Old Town," LoDuca said.

Adobo Grill

1610 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60614 (312) 266-7999 Visit Website