Italian Stalwart La Gondola Leaves Lakeview and Two More Restaurant Closures

Summer is generally a bustling season in Chicago hospitality, though bars and restaurants close for myriad reasons, even during the balmiest time of year. Below, Eater is cataloging both temporary and permanent restaurant closures in Chicago. If you know of a restaurant, bar, or another closed food establishment, please email chicago@eater.com. We will continue to update this post.

For spring closures, go here.

July 31

Andersonville: Tiny neighborhood cocktail spot Marty’s Martini Bar will close on Labor Day, Monday, September 2, after two decades at 1511 W. Balmoral Avenue ahead of a relocation to a new space blocks away. Marty’s founder Marty Rogo has sold the bar to 2Bears Tavern Group owners Mike Sullivan and Mark Robertson, also behind LGBTQ-focused 2Bears Tavern in Uptown, Andersonville’s SoFo Tap and Meeting House Tavern, and Jackhammer in Rogers Park, the trio announced on Facebook. They also shared Marty’s new location about 10 minutes from the original at 1477 W. Winnemac Avenue but an opening date is not yet available.

Bucktown: Char-broiled chicken specialist Nick’s Pit Stop is permanently closed after 27 years in business, the owners announced on Facebook. Owner Yolanda Resendiz, who has operated the restaurant for a decade at 2023 N. Damen Avenue, and her landlords couldn’t agree on terms to cover a possible property tax increase, according to Block Club Chicago. “While this may be goodbye for now, we are exploring the possibility of returning in the future,” owners write. “Please stay tuned and support us as we navigate this new chapter.”

Lakeview: Red sauce Italian stalwart La Gondola is closed after 40 years at 2914 N. Ashland Avenue, owners announced on Instagram, much to the dismay of fans who poured sorrows into the comments section. But the restaurant’s story isn’t over, as the team is serving hit dishes (and eventually pizzas) out of Mirella’s Tavern on Division Street in Wicker Park.

July 16

Lakeview: Meaty neighborhood restaurant Select Cut Steakhouses will permanently close on Wednesday, July 31 at 2808 N Halsted Street after nearly three decades in business, owners announced on Instagram. “After almost 30 years Select Cut will be closing by the end of July,” they write in part. “It’s bittersweet to say the least, but we’re excited to see what the next chapter brings!”

Uptown: Adored chicken wing destination BadaBing Wings is permanently closed following the death of owner Jose Lopez, 42, a hospitality veteran who died on Friday, June 14, according to Block Club Chicago. Remembered by friends and family as a committed business owner and “loving presence” in his community, Lopez opened Badabing Wings (named after Tony Soprano’s nightclub in hit HBO series The Sopranos) in 2022 at 4754 N. Clark Street. He rapidly made a name for himself with wet and dry-rubbed halal chicken wings in a variety of flavors. Before his death, Lopez was working to open a second location in south suburban Blue Island.

South Loop; 3 Little Pigs, the Chinese American restaurant that’s emerged from a pandemic-era virtual restaurant, has closed its South Loop location inside Molly’s Cupcakes. That location, 3LP’s first brick-and-mortar, debuted in October 2023 at 1150 S. Wabash Avenue. Owner Henry Cai tells Eater the fact they couldn’t have outdoor signage hurt the business, and they’re focusing on their new Bridgeport location, next to Kimksi and Maria’s Community Bar. They’re hopeful to open a new ghost kitchen for delivery later this year in River North.

Evanston: Mexican bar and restaurant Fonda Cantina is closed after nearly a year and a half in business at 1735 Benson Avenue in suburban Evanston, owner Michael Lachowicz tells Eater. Lachowicz, chef and owner of lauded French restaurant Aboyer in suburban Winnetka opened Fonda in February 2023 with his longtime business partners chef Miguel Escobar, sous chef Carlos Cahue, and wine director Sergio Angel. It featured a menu of dishes inspired by Escobar and Cahue’s respective grandmothers’ cooking throughout their childhoods in Huandacareo in Michoacan and Huitzuco in Guerrero. Stay tuned for more news from Lachowicz and the team.

Evanston: Chinese restaurant Lao Sze Chuan is closed after a decade in business at 1633 Orrington Avenue in suburban Evanston, according to Evanston Now. Originally launched in 2014 as part of restaurateur Tony Hu’s Chicago-area culinary empire, the location was purchased by new owners in 2016.

Oak Park: Suburban breakfast staple Cozy Corner Restaurant will permanently close on Sunday, July 28 at 138 N. Marion Street after 65 years in business, according to the Sun-Times. Owners Peter Gerousis and Georgia Dravilas tell reporters that between the financial hit of the pandemic, an increase in rent, and $500,000 in unpaid taxes from a previous owner, the restaurant faced an untenable situation. Though they have no plans to reopen in the immediate future, Gerousis and Dravilas say they are open to the possibility of an eventual return.

June 27

Bucktown: Yolk Test Kitchen, a six-year-old outpost of brunch restaurant chain Yolk, permanently closed on Sunday, June 23 at 1767 N. Milwaukee Avenue, according to Block Club Chicago. A roomy, industrial-style space favored by fans for plentiful plates of eggs Benedict and red velvet French toast, the test kitchen also provided the company a place to try out new recipes and get feedback from patrons. Yolk, originally founded in 2006 in Chicago’s South Loop, has grown significantly over subsequent decades. It now operates nearly a dozen locations in the Chicago area and spots in Indiana, Florida, and Texas.

Lakeview: Aquarium-laden cocktail spot Lost Reef will permanently close on Saturday, June 19 after a year and a half, owners announced in early June on social media. Founded by the team behind Cheesie’s Pub and Grub, Lost Reef brought fancy cocktails — not to mention 2,500 gallons of fish and coral inside eight saltwater fish tanks — to the former home of Slice of Cheesies at 964 W. Belmont Avenue. On Instagram, reps encourage fans to “drink the bar dry” ahead of the closure with deals on reserve wines and premium liquor.

Lincoln Park: Argot, an intimate French bistro inside the Chicago outpost of retail mini-chain Verve Wine, is permanently closed after less than a year in business at 2349 N. Lincoln Avenue, reps announced Wednesday, June 19 via Instagram. The wine shop remains open and the team plans to use the former Argot space for public and private events. “We have the utmost gratitude for all of the love and support of our amazing guests over these last nine months,” they write in part. “Unfortunately, the level of business that we have been experiencing simply cannot support continued operations.”

Humboldt Park: Booze-free drink retailer Bendición Bottle Shop closed its permanent location on Saturday, June 15 after two years inside the Succulent City plant shop at 2540 W. Division Street, according to Block Club. Owner Cristina Torres tells reporters that she’s moving the business online with local delivery and pickup after struggling through low sales and foot traffic over recent months.

Evanston: 527 Cafe, a suburban restaurant specializing in bubble tea, Taiwanese food, and Chinese dishes, permanently closed in early June at 527 Davis Street after 15 years in business so its owners can retire, they announce on Facebook.

Evanston: Suburban Thai stalwart Cozy Noodles & Rice will permanently close at the end of June after over two decades at 1018 Davis Street, according to Evanston Round Table. Owners Bee Nanakorn and Yee Muenprasittivej founded the restaurant in 2001 and filled it with an extensive collection of eclectic memorabilia, including vintage lunchboxes, Pez dispensers, and a life-size statue of Elvis. Nanakorn tells reporters that rising rent costs forced the closure, though she and Muenprasittivej are interested in reopening in a new location.