Gene & Georgetti, Chicago’s Steakhouse Legend, Reopens for Carryout and Delivery

Here’s some positive news on day 10 of the state’s stay-at-home order, a move that has closed non-essential businesses through April 7: Chicago icon Gene & Georgetti steakhouse resumes operations starting today, albeit for only takeout and delivery. The venerable Chicago haunt had been closed since October after a kitchen fire ravaged the 79-year-old restaurant. The River North steakhouse, which opened in 1941, is Chicago’s oldest chop slinger.

Ownership planned to fully reopen this week, but Gov. Pritzker’s order that closed all restaurants dining rooms to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus changed those plans. Under a second order, Pritzker mandated non-essential businesses to close. But restaurants were still free to offer carryout and delivery. The Dupretti family owns Gene & Georgetti, one of Chicago’s independent steakhouse chains. A second location continues business in suburban Rosemont, near O’Hare International Airport.

Gene & Georgetti launched a new to-go website where, and according to a news release, the restaurant’s full menu is available. There are also family-style meals and a pantry section that includes precooked pasta and uncooked steaks for home preparation (the site suggests having good olive oil, salt and pepper, and perhaps a good bottle of wine at home). There’s also meals kits including steak and peppers; and “Sausage alla Joe.” Takeout is available via the website or phone. Customers can also order via a third-party delivery service.

The restaurant has also set up a fundraising campaign to help employees who have been out of work due to the fire and the outbreak. The closure lasted six months. It was unusual for Chicago to be without one of its revered restaurants. Time hasn’t brought normalcy thanks to the pandemic, but Gene & Georgetti has persevered: “Our building was built from wood scrap found after the Chicago fire. [founder Gene Michelotti] opened this restaurant with Georgetti [chef Alfredo Federighi] at a time of war. We have been closed for six months due to own fire — and here we are,” the restaurant’s Instagram account reads.

Gene & Georgetti, 500 N. Franklin Street, (312) 527-3718, open for takeout, curbside service, and delivery for lunch and dinner starting at 10 a.m. daily.