1930s Uptown Chicago Restaurant Reviews

"You may brush shoulders with college boys and boys who don't go to college in the Uptown district..."

Editor's note: What a gem of a find! The excerpts below are from "Dining in Chicago" by John Drury.

Six miles north of the Loop lies Uptown, a sort of miniature Loop. Tall terra cotta office buildings, hotels, business houses, movie palaces, amusement centers and restaurants, as well as orange huts, photomatons, chop suey parlors and $1.88 women's hat shops, abound in the district and give it a sort of gay carnival air. It is quite definitely a night life pleasure area and serves the entire north side and, more particularly, the romming house and apartment hotel district immediately surrounding it. The beaches of Lake Michigan are at its feet; street-cars and elevated trains lead to it; and at night it is the Great White Way of the north side.

From among the many restaurants of this lively area, we have selected the following as being most notable for good foods. Some of them are famous all over the city for certain specialties, while others offer a general menu worthy of the attention of any gourmet...

SALLY'S WAFFLE SHOP

4650 Sheridan Road Chicago

(Editor: Building later housed Mi Rancho Supermercado; currently Fresh Harvest Market)

The best waffles in town. This shop has been here for many years, and people come from all over the city to this famed uptown eating establishment—especially for late supper or a snack in the wee small hours. Other dishes are exceptionally good here, too. Ashton Stevens drops into this place frequently during the spring months for the delightful asparagus tips served at the Sally board. The heroine of John Gunther's novel, "The Red Pavilion," ate her waffles and bacon at Sally's. In other words, everybody thinks of Sally when they vision waffles. Located in the heart of the uptown district.

KRISTENSEN

4017 Sheridan Road Chicago

(Current home of Nick's Uptown)

Alfred Kristensen is one of the most interesting restaurateurs in Chicago. He was born in the United States, of Danish descent, but served his apprenticeship in the culinary art in Germany, France, and England. In 1910 he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the University of Chicago. Once he was chief steward for the United States Shipping Board. After holding various positions with the Astor and Vanderbilt Hotels in New York City, and the La Salle and Blacksone Hotels and the Canadian Pacific Railway in Chicago, he resigned from such work and set up this important uptown restaurant. As recently as a few months ago he received an honor diploma from the Societe de Cuisine de Paris in recognition for laboratory research work in connection with foods. So, with such a background, Mr. Kristensen ought to be expected to serve good foods—and he does. He has no specialties on his menu since every item on it is a specialty. Worth trying.

SKOOGLUND CAFETERIA

1136 Wilson Avenue Chicago
(Building currently houses Nick's on Wilson and 7-11)

Although a cafeteria, Skooglund's is an uptown culinary landmark. The cuisine is both Swedish and American and you can get a large assortment of food items—baked goods, vegetables, salads, meats, and fish. Here you can also eat the delicious Dundee cake and those savory little wafer pancakes that the house specializes in. The Swedish hors d'oeuvres alone would make a meal. A bakery and delicatessen is conducted in connection with the cafeteria.

EDGEWATER BEACH HOTEL

5349 Sheridan Road Chicago

The Marine Dining Room is the principal dine-and-dance center of the uptown area. Here, in a large and attractively decorated room, located in a hotel which stands right on the shores of Lake Michigan, you may dance every night except Sunday night. Special nights are featured during the week—Monday is Celebrity Night, when theatrical stars are usually present; Friday is Fraternity Night, with plenty of frat members at the tables, as well as co-eds; and Saturday is Formal Night, a time of starched linen and red velvet wraps. Always there is plenty of fun, the music is lively, and the walks along the terrance between dances are pleasurable and refreshing. The Marine Dining Room serves luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and late supper. Similar service is rendered in the Grill, another dining room of the Edgewater Beach.

ALICE BAUM'S DINING ROOM

5200 Sheridan Road Chicago

(Current home of Sheridan Edgewater Apartments)

A high-toned and well-known eating parlor, located in the high-toned and well-known part of Chicago. The mansions of the wealthy are on all sides and directly across the street are the grounds and low builings of the Saddle and Cycle Club, one of the most fashionable and exclusive clubs in Chicago. Alice Baum offers genuine home cooking, with plentiful portions, and her seasonings are notable. The room is tastefully decorated and the atmostphere is restful and dignified. Table d'hote luncheons are 65 cents, and similar dinners are $1.00 and $1.50.

Lincoln Tavern Town Club

4806 Broadway Chicago

(Current home of Fiesta Mexicana)

Where the uptown sun-dodgers go. Texas Guinan used to have this place. Diverting revues, plenty of fun, and "hot music." Jack Huff, who conducts the Lincoln Tavern outside the city limits during the summertime, is host.

Via Lago

837 Wilson Avenue Chicago

Earl Hoffman's music, plus several revues, plus a glass dance floor, plus colorful surroundings, plus prices within the means of high school kids...

Treasures from the Uptown Theatre

From the Uptown Adviser
SAVE THE DATE!

A special day at the Sanfilippo Estate
2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009 (Rain or shine)

Friends of the Uptown will host a special day of sightseeing and musical amusement at the one-of-a-kind Sanfilppo Estate in Barrington Hills, Illinois, in honor of the late designer and theatre historian Joe DuciBella, of Chicago.

We are fortunate to be able to offer this opportunity because Mr. Sanfilippo was one of Joe's two dream clients; the other being Willis and Shirley Johnson of Tivoli Enterprises/Classic Cinemas.

If you have not seen the Sanfilippo collection, if you have not seen it lately, or if you have friends, neighbors or family members who have not seen it at all, then we highly suggest that you put this date on your calendar and make plans to attend. You will not see anything else like it on Earth, particularly in the niche of American Victorian, Jazz Age, steam-driven and mechanical and musical amusements. The quality and scale of the things you will see are truly beyond description.

In addition, the collection features many historical artifacts from Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis, including UPTOWN treasures. What estate would be complete without a Pullman Palace Car and a French nouveau carousel?

We will spend the afternoon enjoying the Sanfilippos' artistic presentation of historical artifacts, musical machines, art, sculpture, furniture and chandeliers. We will also be treated to a theatre organ concert in the musical hall at 3:30 p.m.

More details about the event and the collection will follow in the coming weeks with carpool information. Tickets are $40. Business casual attire requested. RSVP to: uptown1925@hotmail.com

Your participation is requested. We can think of no better way to celebrate Joe and his work than to enjoy what he helped restore and create "for all time" at the Sanfilippo esate.

Come with us, and get lost in Xanadu!

Related links:

http://www.placedelamusique.org/index.html
http://www.uptowntheatre.com/Pages/JoeDuciBella.html
http://www.fishernuts.com/ibhp.asp
http://www.classiccinemas.com/

1922 Press Club of Chicago Article on Rainbo Gardens

MANN'S RAINBO GARDENS MAGNIFICENT

MANN'S RAINBO GARDENS MAGNIFICENT strikes a new note in American entertainment—bringing to Chicago the sumptuous, cultivated forms of gaiety heretofore found only in the capitals of the Continent.

Located at Clark street and Lawrence avenue, near enough to Lake Michigan to have the pleasant lake breezes without the disadvantage of sudden climatic changes, Mann's Rainbo Gardens Magnificent achieves its every justification. Entering the outdoor gardens, one finds himself in a realm of exotic loveliness. In the afternoon sunlight, the green hedges stand out in sharp contrast to the shining expanse of the dancing floor, the brick walks and the gay massed flowers. The gardens are entered through broad French windows at the west end of the Rainbo room opening directly on a veranda. The stage opens on both the Rainbo Room and the Gardens and the entertainment is offered simultaneously. Below the stage is the wide dancing floor surrounded by low terraces and, at the far end, a rich and glowing grotto with trickling cascades, illuminated by colored lights, forms a rare background for the entire scene. Hedges cut up the Gardens into small areas for serving private parties and tiers of tables are ranged along the paths and at the sides of the dancing floor.

The story of how the Rainbo Gardens got its name is timely and interesting. After operating for a time under the name of Moulin Rouge, Mr. Fred Mann, the proprietor, determined in 1918 that the character of the Gardens demanded a name more appropriate to a city so essentially American as Chicago. At that time, his son, Alexander Mann, serving as a Signal Corps photographer with the A. E. F., wrote his father that he had been attached to the Rainbow Division during the Meuse-Argonne drive. Mr. Fred Mann, forthwith, gave the name Rainbo Gardens to the place.

The management holds a high ideal for the Rainbo Gardens. It is primarily for the pleasure and comfort of its patrons and nothing is spared to this end-

Original Advertisement for the Sheridan Plaza Hotel

From Scribner's Magazine, 1920.

(1966) People Are Talking About the Cheetah Lounge

"People Are Talking About the Big Blast they had at the preview opening of Chicago's newest, biggest, and brassiest discotheque, Oliver Coquelin's and Bordon Stevenson's Cheetah. The North Side spa (located in the old Aragon Ballroom) was the scene of Windy City's gathering of the swinging society set, many attired in the weirdest Mod dress, the way out, 'with it' styles. They consumed oceans of enlivening beverage, munched tasty tidbits, and danced wildly to the hot beat of two rock bands."

From "Jet Magazine" November 3, 1966.

American Home Service Company, 4539 Broadway, Uptown, Chicago, IL

Editor's note: Way back in 2007, we posted about the Rice Bowl, a restaurant that used to exist in the approximate location of the Harris Bank on Broadway. Recently, we learned a little bit more about the location. From a 1922 article:

American Home Service Company

J.W. Mclaughlin, B. O. Larson And H. W. Pellage have given Uptown Chicago, in whose growth they have played leading parts, another great enterprise in the American Home Service Company.

The American Home Service Company consists of the Lincoln Hand, Paragon and Clark Street Wet Wash Laundries. The merger was effected in April, 1922, with Mr. McLaughlin, representing the Lincoln Hand Laundry, as president; Mr. Larson, of the Paragon Laundry, as treasurer; and Mr. Pellage, of the Clark Street Wet Wash Laundry, as secretary.

The plant of the new corporation will be a five-story edifice, costing $200,000, to be located on a site adjoining the Paragon Laundry at 3543 North Ashland avenue. The plant will be one of the largest laundry plants in the world and will contain all of the latest methods for improving and expediting the handling of wash. It will stand as a monument to the efforts of Messrs. McLaughlin, Larson and Pellage to enhance the industrial as well as residential and scenic possibilities of Chicago's North Side.

Of one thing, the American Home Service Company is already assured— a well-balanced management, backed by a definite policy and years of achievement in the laundry trade. Each of the three officers has been affiliated in one capacity or another with this business since he stepped out of the period of adolescence.

Mr. McLaughlin is among the North Side pioneers who had faith in the potentialities of his district. He began in the laundry business in an humble way, opening a tiny laundry at 1447 North Halsted street in 1893. Two years later, he moved to a store at 2007 North Halsted street, next to the Bismarck Gardens, opening the same week as this well-known resort.

When he began talking of moving to Broadway, then Evanston avenue, his friends presupposed that he was suffering from arterio-sclerosis but, nothing daunted, he built a three-story building at 1886 Evanston avenue, now 4539 Broadway, the first building in the block between Wilson and Sunnyside. The first floor was occupied by the Lincoln Hand Laundry and the upper floors were rented to families and for office purposes. Here the laundry was operated by five persons, including the proprietor, Mr. McLaughlin.

Ten years later, Mr. McLaughlin reached another turning point, with the erection of the first building of the group which is now known as one of the finest laundry properties in Uptown Chicago. The main laundry, the last section built, was added in 1913.

The wisdom of Mr. McLaughlin's move in locating on the North Side is attested to by the steady growth of his business.

Mr. McLaughlin organized the North Side Dyers and Cleaners in 1910 and served as president and manager for several years. He was president of the Chicago Laundrymen's Club in 1919 and 1920; member of the executive committee of the Chicago Laundry Owners' Association in 1920, president in 1921 and unanimously re-elected in 1921.

Mr. Larson, treasurer of the new concern, operated the Paragon Laundry, in partnership with Mrs. Amalia Threedy. For the past thirty-five years, the Paragon Laundry has confined its efforts to the North Side and, by dint of hard work and determination to treat its customers with the utmost consideration, has gained an enviable reputation. Mr. Larson was associated with Mr. McLaughlin in the organization of the North Side Cleaners and Dyers on Broadway, serving as treasurer for many years.

Mr. Pellage, the secretary, introduced the wet wash laundry to Chicago housewives. His departure so caught the fancy of housewives that no other designation was needed, it simply being known as the Wet Wash Laundry. Since then, the plan has been found so good that wet wash laundries have sprung up on all sides and Mr. Pellage has taken the name of the Clark Street Wet Wash Laundry. His plant is located at 4507-09-11 North Clark street.

Uptown on the Upswing

Uptown neighborhood on an upswing

Steeped in history, diverse neighborhood witnessing a renaissance

By Jeffrey Steele |Special to the Tribune

April 3, 2009

There was a time, in its Roaring '20s heyday, when Uptown lived up to its name in more than one way. Yes, it stood higher than the Loop on the Chicago city map, but it also represented a glamorous step up from much of the rest of the Windy City.

In his book, "Guide to Chicago Neighborhoods," author and Tribune reporter Ron Grossman recaptures that age. "Between the World Wars, Wilson and Sheridan marked the center of what the Chicagoan magazine of the day called 'a city within a city,' a glittery district dotted with big movie palaces, fancy department stores and dance halls hosting Glenn Miller, the Dorsey Brothers, Jan Garber and all the other famous names of the swing era."

Go here for rest of story.