A New African Restaurant Could Be Heading to the South Loop

The owner of the shuttered Bolat African Cuisine in Lakeview and Iyanze in Uptown have plans to open a restaurant in the South Loop, according to city permits. Emmanuel Abidemi, owner of the two restaurants, is named on permits for a building at 2101 S. State Street. Chicago Cityscape first noticed the permits.

Messages to Abidemi weren’t immediately returned so it’s unknown if this new restaurant will serve West African cuisine like his two other restaurants. Abidemi is Nigerian and the restaurants feature items like fufu (a starch that’s been pounded in a mortar and pestle, boiled, then made into a round shape).

The new restaurant is near Reggie’s Rock Club. The space has been on the market for a few years. Bolat closed in 2016 and the block has since been demolished as developers continue to redefine the area surrounding Wrigley Field with new restaurants, shops, and hotels.

Stay tuned for any updates from Abidemi.