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Lillie's Q Owner Adds Companion Cocktail Bar To New Bucktown Restaurant

Charlie McKenna wants to challenge perceptions of southern cuisine

Future site of Dixie and 1952½
Future site of Dixie and 1952½
Barry Brecheisen
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.

Lillie's Q owner Charlie McKenna plans on opening his southern-focused restaurant, Dixie, in either late May or early June inside the Takashi space. Now comes news of a companion cocktail bar called 1952½. McKenna wants to challenge diners' perception of southern cooking, moving past fried chicken and barbecue, he told Crain's.

McKenna announced the restaurant in October and he envisions upscale small plates with fresh vegetables, seafood and rice. Dixie's dining room will include 64 seats, while 1952½ will feature 20 seats and center around bourbon cocktails.

They've transformed Takashi, which closed in 2014. McKenna wants to take diners back to larger southern cities like Charleston, S.C. and Atlanta with a carriage house feel. Stay tuned for more in the coming months.

Takashi

1952 N Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647 773 772 6170 Visit Website