Illinois Restaurants That Closed Permanently In 2024

JOLIET, IL — In 2024, there were a number of restaurants across the Chicago area that turned off their lights and locked up their doors forever for various reasons.

Here are some of the Illinois restaurants that shut their doors permanently during 2024.

Joliet's Famous Route 66 Diner Sits Empty, Joe Clement Concerned

JOLIET — For the first time in many decades, one of the city's best known tourism destinations, The Joliet Route 66 Diner, remains shuttered. The downtown restaurant's windows are covered with brown paper so people can't look inside.

Back in April, Joliet Patch broke the news of The Joliet Route 66 Diner's demise. Google Reviews list the restaurant as permanently closed. The Route 66 Diner is located at 22 W. Clinton St., across from the Joliet Public Library.

Back in April, Patch reported that Mark Koenig, who owns The Koenig Group real estate services, was advertising the restaurant property at 22-24 W. Clinton St. on several websites for commercial properties.

At a Sept. 3 Council meeting, Joliet City Councilman Joe Clement told everyone he was deeply concerned about The Route 66 Diner.

On two recent occasions, Clement said, he saw out of town tourists, presumably on their Route 66 tour across the United States, stop and pose for photographs in front of the empty Route 66 Diner.

"It's a shame," Clement said. "It's very unfortunate the restaurant is closed. I would like to find out is it going to open or is it going to stay closed?"

Angie's Pancake House: Final Days Of Joliet Restaurant Are Here

JOLIET — If you are a supporter and a loyal customer of Joliet's Angie's Pancake House at 1119 Essington Road, you have only three days left to eat your favorite meals here. In July, restaurant owner Mario De La Torre told Joliet Patch he is shutting down Angie's Pancake House after this weekend. He will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and that's it.

Angie's is permanently closed starting next week.

De La Torre also ran his Loco's Mexican Restaurant out of the same location, operating as Angie's for breakfast and lunch and then serving as Loco's for the evening crowd. He said he shut down Loco's about two weeks ago in preparation for his departure.

De La Torre told Patch that he opened Loco's 12 years ago. Angie's Pancake House opened at the same location on May 10, 2021.

76-Year-Old Elmhurst Eatery Closes Over Weekend

ELMHURST — The last day for Mack's Golden Pheasant restaurant, which opened in 1948, was Dec. 15. The eatery at 668 W. North Ave. was advertised as the oldest continuously owned restaurant in DuPage County. The restaurant is believed to have closed to make way for the neighboring gas station's expansion.

According to its website, Czech immigrants Frank and Mae Mack converted a one-room tavern into the full-service Mack's Golden Pheasant. In 1962, a fire destroyed much of the building, leaving only the north balcony. Frank and his son, Donald, rebuilt Mack's into its current form, the website said.

The building endured another brush with fire as well as a major Elmhurst flood in 1987.

Last summer, a developer approached the city to expand the Shell gas station at the southwestern corner of Route 83 and North Avenue. The idea was to make room to offer diesel pumps for trucks, including semis. The developer plans to level Mack's Golden Pheasant to make way for the gas pumps.

The Last Highball At Petey's Bungalow Lounge

OAK LAWN — Illinois Patch reporter Lorraine Swanson wrote that she went over to Petey’s Bungalow Lounge in October to toast the last of the great South Side supper clubs, which closes this week after a 63-year run on 95th Street. It seemed that everyone else in Oak Lawn had the same idea because every space in Petey’s parking lot was taken.

Since the supper club’s owner and head chef — Petey Kattos, 92 — announced his retirement a few weeks ago, the dining room has been fully booked through the restaurant’s last day of its storied run, which is Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Swanson wrote how she managed to squeeze into the packed bar, where everyone seemed to know each other’s name and gathered one last time to socialize at the bungalow. She snagged a table and ordered a highball because somehow the occasion seemed to call for an old-school cocktail.

Italian Restaurant, Pizzeria Will Close After 45 Years In Oswego

OSWEGO — Danelli's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria will lock its doors for the last time Dec. 29 after 45 years of business, owners announced.

Self-dubbed "Oswego's hidden gem," the eatery has lived at 228 E. Washington St. since 1985 after first opening near the Fox River in Oswego. Owners John and Chris Daniels are retiring, according to a report from Shaw Local.

In an announcement on Facebook, the Daniels said "it is with heavy hearts" that they announce their restaurant's closure.

"We want to thank you all for all the wonderful years and beautiful friendships we have formed over the past 45 years," the owners wrote in an announcement on Facebook. "The laughter and all the memories we will cherish. You were all an integral part of our journey and your overwhelming support meant the world to us."

Bobby's Deerfield Closing After 12 Years In Deerfield: Owner

DEERFIELD — Saying making the decision has brought "mixed emotions," the owner of Bobby's Deerfield announced in January that the restaurant is closing next month. Owner Bobby Arifi said in a social media post the American-style bistro at 695 Deerfield Road will remain open through Feb. 17.

"Our journey has been filled with incredible memories, delicious meals, and the warmth of your company," Arifi said in a post shared on Facebook and Instagram.

Arifi invites customers to frequent Cafe Lucci, a sister restaurant of Bobby's Deerfield in Glenview. Arifi also mentioned that he and business partner, Carissa Shaffer, opened Patina Wine Bar in Park Ridge last year, and will open an establishment with the same name in Mount Prospect in March. Another endeavor, Patina Wine Shop, is set to begin business at the McHenry Riverwalk Shoppes in McHenry in May.

Elder Brewing Announces It's Closing Time For Good In Joliet

JOLIET — After several days of rumors that Elder Brewing Company was closing for good, the owners made the announcement official on January 3: Elder Brewing Company is done. It lasted for six years and two months. Its closure leaves Joliet with zero microbreweries.

Elder opened in November 2017, which was four months after MyGrain Brewing opened in the historic Union Train Station. MyGrain Brewing folded in August 2023 and its property remains empty.

"It is with sadness that we announce the closure of Elder Brewing Co. We are incredibly thankful for this experience and your support over the last 6+ years. Our lives, the world, and the economy have all changed drastically since we began this adventure, and we don’t have the resources to continue down the current path," Elder Brewing posted on its Facebook page.

Joliet Patch wrote a handful of stories on Elder during its first several years of operation. Elder was owned and operated by Andrew Polykandriotes and his wife Melissa.

TGI Fridays Turns Off Its Lights Forever At Louis Joliet Mall: Photos

JOLIET —The Louis Joliet Mall was busy — extremely busy — on Dec. 23 as thousands of people visited the mall to do their last-minute Christmas shopping. For many years, one of the popular places for families or friends to gather for a sit-down meal inside the mall was the TGI Fridays. TGI Fridays had a solid reputation, averaging 3.9 stars out of 5 stars, according to 1,380 Google Reviews posted over the years.

However, not a single Louis Joliet Mall shopper dined at the TGI Fridays. That's because the party is over. There are no more last calls. TGI Fridays is history. The sign on the vacant Joliet restaurant store informs shoppers that "Unfortunately, we've made the hard decision to closes this TGI Fridays restaurant.

In addition to the permanent closure at the Louis Joliet Mall, other locations around the Chicago area are becoming fewer and fewer for TGI Fridays.
On Dec. 17, Patch reported that the TGI Fridays at 2201 75th St. in Darien has closed its doors. It is in the Darien Towne Center, which includes Walmart.

Surf's Up Closes In Lockport

LOCKPORT —Surf's Up, a seafood restaurant in Lockport, announced on Sunday that it had closed its doors. The restaurant, at 16541 W. 159th St., opened in 2021 and served shrimp, chicken, fish, wings, lobster and more. Although it's closing in Lockport, the business said a new name and location would be revealed soon.

Orient Cafe In Homer Glen Closing At End Of The Month

HOMER GLEN — A beloved local restaurant, Orient Cafe, will be closing its doors at the end of the month, the business shared on its Facebook page. Orient Cafe, which serves Chinese food, will close its doors on Oct. 31, the business shared. The restaurant, at 14108 S. Bell Road, will also close from Oct. 18 to Oct. 21 before it reopens for business on Oct. 22 until the end of October.

2 More Restaurants To Close In Downtown Plainfield

Two more restaurants on Lockport Street in downtown Plainfield will close, their owners announced in January. Opera House Steak & Seafood and Irish Tyme Pub, both located in the historic circa 1899 Opera House Block Building, announced Thursday they'll close their doors after their final day of service on Jan. 20. In late November, the Lemont-based Barrel & Vine opened a second location, moving into the former Opera House location in Plainfield on Nov. 29.