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As winter arrives in Chicago, restaurants and bars are preparing for the New Year with an additional splash of uncertainty as the country continues to deal with COVID-19.
Below, Eater is cataloging both temporary and permanent restaurant closures in Chicago. If you know of a restaurant, bar, or other food establishment that has closed since the start of the pandemic, please email chicago@eater.com. We will continue to update this post.
For the summer and early fall’s closures, go here.
Andersonville: Bird Cage, the LGBTQ-friendly restaurant and nightclub, has closed after a year at 5310 N. Clark Street. Block Club Chicago first reported the story. Owner Martin Cournane (Wilde. Lady Gregory’s) had previously operated a Mexican restaurant, Octavio Cantina & Kitchen, in the space.
Avondale: An Instagram post from ownership announced that Kiosk Balkan Street Food, 3517 N. Spaulding Avenue, is “closed for the foreseeable future” due to a death in the family. The restaurant opened in April.
Jefferson Park: El Sabor la Michoacanita, 4442 N. Milwaukee Avenue, is closing on Sunday, December 19, after two years. Block Club Chicago has details.
Lincoln Square: After 45 years in Lincoln Square, Rosded Thai (2308 W. Leland Avenue), has closed, according to Block Club Chicago. Rosded was part of a large Thai community in the area — one that explains why restaurants like Spoon, Rainbow, and Thai Room are clustered in the neighborhood.
Magnificent Mile: Bandera, a popular Michigan Avenue restaurant, has remained closed since March 2020. There’s no official confirmation, but signs point toward this being permanent. There’s a property listing for the space at 535-541 N. Michigan Avenue.
Wicker Park: Michigan State University favorite Conrad’s Grill, where the speciality was late-night wraps filled with tater tots, closed in November at 1422 N. Milwaukee Avenue. The 1,600-square-foot space with basement is on the market, according to broker Michael Weber.
South Deering: Taco Mex, 10658 S. Torrence Avenue, is closed, according to food writer Titus Riscutti.
Wheeling: Tuscany, Phil Stefani’s Italian restaurant chain, will close its suburban Wheeling location on January 2, according to the Daily Herald. This ends a 22-year run.
