clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Wrigleyville’s Taco Bell Could Be a Goner and More Intel

Plus, the Bottled Blonde license revocation hearing should start next month

Taco Bell in Wrigleyville
Bandcamp
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.

— Time to write that obituary for Wrigleyville’s Taco Bell at Addison and Clark, as the fast-food spot could close in July 2018 when its lease is up. Crain’s reports there’s a proposed project to raze the Taco Bell at 1111 W. Addison St. The project is a three-story complex that would include restaurant space. The neighborhood in March 2016 waved good-bye to the McDonald’s across the street from Wrigley Field, as the Cubs and the Ricketts family continue to advance new construction (including the Hotel Zachary). Seriously, folks were crying over the loss of the Golden Arches. Thank their chalupas that The Bell saw a World Series win.

— City officials and attorneys from the Bottled Blonde met on Tuesday at City Hall to discuss possibly revoking the the embattled River North spot’s license. That’s the place with the disturbing dress code that’s also annoying neighbors who have noise, traffic, and safety concerns. They’ll convene again on at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 5 at City Hall, according to a city rep. They’ve had three status updates, so September’s date should see the start of the actual hearing.

— The CTA is continuing the recent surge of Chicago hot dog news. They’ve partnered with Oscar Mayer. The CTA is painting select Blue and Brown Line trains cars to look like Wienermobiles. The special cars will be part of the CTA’s active fleet starting this week through early September. It’s the first time Oscar Mayer has pulled off such a stunt in any city. Oscar Mayer, of course, is owned by Kraft Heinz, the very same company that trolled Chicagoans by foolishly telling them ketchup would make a Chicago-style hot dog taste better.

— It appears the saga involving McFadden’s Saloon, 1206 N. State Parkway, near Rush and Division, has concluded. The bar is closed, as a Facebook post blames a new owner who is struggling paying workers and rent. The bar rolled back hours last month, as many customers already thought it was shuttered.

We are closed due to the new owner's inability to pay employees, rent, licensing fees, and food/ liquor distributors....

Posted by McFadden's Saloon Chicago on Monday, July 31, 2017

— Tea don’t seem to be working for Starbucks. After scrapping plans for their line of Teavana cafes, the coffee company is shutting down their Teavana retail locations, according to multiple sources, including Restaurant Business. That means will close all 13 of its Illinois stores including its one Chicago store inside Water Tower Place.

— The owners of Chris’ North Land Tavern and Grill appeared in front of a city hearing in hopes of keeping the bar open. Police shut the bar, 1610 W. North Ave., down last month in Wicker Park after an undercover drug sting. DNAinfo reported there will be another meeting on Aug. 15.

— And finally, Rob Levitt and his butcher shop inside Local Foods, Butcher & Larder, will host another Charcuterie Happy Hour (a.k.a. a meat and booze party) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the store, 1427 W. Willow St., near Lincoln Park. It will feature meats from B&L, items from Local Foods’ Stock Cafe, and bread from Publican Quality Bread. Roger Landes from The Loyalist in West Loop will be the guest bartender and customers can witness a butcher/curing demo of a heritage breed hog. A charcuterie board costs $25, with wine’s available for $5 and beer’s for $3 each.

The Loyalist

177 North Ada Street, , IL 60607 (773) 913-3774 Visit Website

Water Tower Place

835 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 440-3166 Visit Website

Starbucks

4365 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641 (773) 736-5226 Visit Website

Local Foods

1427 West Willow Street, , IL 60642 (312) 432-6575 Visit Website

Bottled Blonde

504 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654 (480) 970-1112 Visit Website

Wrigley Field

, Chicago, IL 60613

Teavana

3428 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 (773) 472-8596 Visit Website

North Bar

1637 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 697-3563