Jefferson Park’s Famous Barbecue Ribs Are Coming Back

Jefferson Park’s landmark restaurant Gale Street Inn is gearing up for a December comeback under new ownership, just months after its abrupt closure surprised the local community, reports Nadig Newspapers.

Paulo Villabona, a longtime restaurant veteran and neighborhood resident, has purchased the business at 4914 N. Milwaukee Avenue. The 62-year-old spot, best known for its barbecue ribs and classic steakhouse fare, had closed in June after decades as a Northwest Side fixture. At the time, owner George Karzas cited staffing shortages as the primary reason for the shutter. When Villabona learned of the news, he reached out to Karzas. The two connected, and Villabona officially took ownership on November 1. He’ll reopen Gale Street Inn for dinner service in early December.

Fans can look forward to the return of menu favorites, including the signature tender ribs slathered in a sweet peppery sauce, along with a few new additions. Many of the former staff are being brought back, and previously issued Gale Street Inn gift cards will be honored. The restaurant also plans to host live jazz and blues several nights a week.

Gale Street Inn began in 1963 as a small tavern near Milwaukee Avenue and Gale Street, where founders George and Joan Chioles served sandwiches to Jefferson Park regulars. A couple of years later, cook Louie Artis introduced a baby back rib recipe that transformed the modest spot into a dining sensation. After relocating across the street in 1969 due to city construction, the restaurant continued to thrive under the Chioles family before being sold to the Karzas family in the 1980s. Over six decades, it became a beloved neighborhood institution with deep community roots.

For Villabona, Gale Street Inn is the opportunity to carry a legacy forward.

“To me, buying the restaurant is all about the community,” he told WGN News. “Our goal is to keep making amazing food, allow the phenomenal staff to continue to shine, and ultimately keep this pillar of the community alive for another 60 years.”

Gale Street Inn is located at 4914 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Reopens in early December.