A Sad Farewell ...
The 107 year old Berghoff Restaurant is closing down on the Feb. 28, 2006!
That is ... One week from now, a century old institution; will close down forever ...
I had thought about covering this topic later; but revised my decision for those few Chicago-residents ... who regularly visit this Blog [though never leave comments, but drop mails sometimes] ...There’s still one week left ...
Go, enjoy this place ... before it closes down forever ...
Though I’ve lived in Chicago for only 4 years, and been to Berghoff just once; I still can very-well relate to the sad feeling of its closure. It’s name is woven in the fabric of Chicago culture … were father-n-son share their first beer together, were grown-ups meet with their old school-time friends, where people gather to chat idly on good ole days! Losing Berghoff is like losing a part of family-tradition, losing a symbol of grandparent’s days, losing the great eating experience in warm friendly atmosphere at unbelievably reasonable price … no garish lighting, no jarring music, no overpriced serving ... But delicious food and delirious beer in a delightful ambience!
Its stone facade is beige colored with red-trimmings. There are rows of old-fashioned brass lanterns and the windows display collectibles like beer glasses, t-shirts, hats … Inside there is high ceiling, wooden paneling, beautiful chandeliers, and scores of frames pictures of old time Chicago. Its a family-run restaurant where the waiters still wear black jackets, white aprons and black bows!. No wonder it’s been a traditional stop for generations of food-loving Chicagoans.
PART OF THE CITY-LORE ...
# Berghoff was started by Herman Joseph Berghoff's in 1898 to showcase his Dortmunder-style beer.
He sold it for "A Nickel A Mug" and offered sandwiches for free.
# How it survived the “prohibition” years ????
[ Prohibition Years: 1920-33; when manufacture, import-export & sale of alcoholic beverages was declared illegal ]
By serving “near” -beer and soda-pop! Near-beer is malt beverages where the alcohol content is removed. However; as soon as America’s dry-spell ended, Mr. Berghoff went straight to the City-Hall and obtained Chicago liquor permit "No. 1". Thus restaurant became the first Chicago establishment to get liquor license after the prohibition ended in 1933; which is still on display in its dining room!
# It is said to have an ALL MALE clientele bar, till 1969 ... when a group of women from the “National Organization for Women” ... stormed in and demanded to be served drinks. And they were!!!
My friend and I ...
Been there very recently on Jan. 26, 2006!
What a hearty meal we had!!!
Just for $39 … we had everything: appetizers, main course, desserts, beer and coffee!
Here’s what we ordered:
- Chicken satay
- Grilled marinated Portobello mushroom
- Broiled, herb-marinated chicken breast, served with mashed potatoes & creamed spinach
- Butter-pecan ice-cream
- Berghoff root-beer
- Cappuccino coffee
Though that’s what we had, Berghoff offers quite a selection of food…
For the food-loving Chicagoans ...
There are different types of soups, garlic escargot, smoked salmon, a sausage plate of bratwurst and knockwurst, schnitzel, creamed herring, creamed spinach, salad options … and quality drinks, especially beer !!! Well Germans make for a large section of Chicago populations and are famously beer-lovers!!!
So before its too late … make it there …
One big consolation ...
The restaurant is not closing down for some corporate takeover!
But, Herman Berghoff's 70-year-old grandson [ who now runs the place] and his wife decided to RETIRE and turn the business and the building over to their daughter Carlyn Berghoff's ... "Artistic Events" catering company .....
At least, It's all in the family ...
posted by Intern @ 2/20/2006 10:27:00 PM
16 comments
16 Comments:
You should have ordered German classics like Wiener Schnitzel, Sauerbraten and Apple Strudel.
The news of Berghoff closing down is such a bummer. Its a part of Chicago heritage. Soon Marshall Fields will change into Macy's. Whats happening to old traditions?
The last shot is very well taken.
Wonderful shots those! Except that the third one has a very low resolution uploaded and has the whole building. A bigger photo, perhaps? :D (Thank you!)
You do a wonderful job of describing the place. You might as well write about it and post the photos at the end with just a small caption. It will be just as good!
The Prohibition stories are fun! There's a bar here called Harry's Chocolate Shop, which was named so during the Prohition while they still carried drinking underground. The upper floor was an ice cream parlor and so was renamed to a chocolate shop.
It's been a draining one week, but I am so looking forward to going to Berghoff and catch some before it closes! Thank you!
PS - Bloglines was showing a wonderful evening shot of -22 degrees, but didn't see it here when I finally came here?
wish we knew of this place when we came to chicago...had to spend one evening in a vague place...
Anon ->
O Yeah, should have settled a classic German platter!
Yups I guess Chicagoans are very upset with two old institutions closing down: Berghoff & Marshall Fields.
Sanity -> Thank You!
I too am very fond of Prohibition era stories. It was the time when AlCapone became famous/notorious for street crimes.
Have you seen the movie "Chicago"? Its based on true story of Prohibition Era Chicago! then of course there is "Untouchables"...on Al Capone!
Talking about Berghoff; I think there is very long waiting lines these days ... I wonder if coming down just to dine at Berghoff would be such a wonderrful idea! For Chicago-"residents" its okay ...
I didnt understand the PS bit :(
jay-san ->
Yups there is always a regret!
We always miss something good ...
I'm glad it's not a corporate takeover forcing closure. But sad, nevertheless. What about the Berghoff's at O' Hare? Will that close too?
m (tread softly upon)
Well you're right; the bottomline is; its still closing down ...
And the good news is that Berghoff at O'Hare will carry on as usual! So you can have German delicacies & beer at O'Hare!
But since you've lived in Chicago, you'll probably understand there's a lot of resentment over Chicago's "Marshall Fields" being taken over by NewYork's "Macy's". So I wrote that at least Berghoff is not a victim of any corporate takeover ...
Over past few days I've totally become a Chicago blogger, I'll probably cover Marshall Fields, before its name is changed!
Damn, that would be really sad!
Marshall Fields is so typically Chicagoan!
The minimum waiting time is
2n1/2 - 3 hours for lunch or dinner. And if you're still in line outside when the clock strikes closing time, be prepared to be turned away.
Diners wanting to eat at the Berghoff one last time need to be patient, arrive early -- the restaurant opens at 11 a.m. -- and wear comfortable shoes
- Sun Times.
You are my window into Chicago these days :) And thanks!
The Marshall Fields takeover is horrible. We always made it a point to go see the holiday windows at Fields. Can't believe it won't be the same anymore.
Hey Jyoti!
Yeah, I have seen both :)
Was thinking of dropping by at the O'Hare Cafe, but got a deal through Denver at half the price, so skipped that. And boy am I glad the O'Hare one will stay open.
Will they keep brewing their beer too?
m (Tread softly upon) ->
Guess by fall 2006 Marshall Fields name would be changed to Macy's.
I'm happy if my Chiicago-rants refreshes your memories!
Sudip ->
I'm sure at O'Hare they will brew their own beer! I just dont like beer; but somehow I had loved the Berghoff beer!
About the one at Adam's Street; which is closing down, probably they've passed everything to their daughter's catering company, including the recipes ...
You have disabled the Anon. comments from PhotoBlog, so I'm commenting here.
Rookery, Marquette and Cultural Centre, close ups are very interesting. Excellent! Keep them coming.
everytime i go to downtown i see a looong line next to this restaurant. Have you ever dined there?
Fortunately, i've dined there!
I know exactly how it feels to lose a restaurent you love. But since its in the family hopefully you won't loose the dishes on the menu.
Yeah Akshay ...
its closure is a very sad news for many residents. A place which is so old as to have the legacy of serving beer at "a nickle a mug" and "sandwiches-for-free" ... these are heard only in graddad's stories!
Greetings fellow Berghoff lover!
There is a link to this post at The Berghoff Memorial Blog. If you would like it removed, please let me know.
The Berghoff Memorial Blog is a place to share stories and memories of this beloved eatery. The Berghoff may be gone, but it will never be forgotten.
Cheers and auf wiedersehen.
http://berghoffmemorial.blogspot.com/
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