The Restaurants We Remember

Restaurants are often the most memorable businesses in any community. They're where families celebrated birthdays, where teenagers hung out after school, where couples had their first dates. When a beloved restaurant closes, it takes a piece of the community with it.

Our interactive map documents hundreds of restaurants that have come and gone throughout the Chicago suburbs. From the fancy supper clubs of the 1950s to the pizza delivery spots of the 1990s, we're preserving the memory of where our communities gathered to eat.

"I can still taste my grandmother's favorite booth at that old diner. The place is a nail salon now, but in my mind, it's still serving the best pancakes in town."

- Local history contributor

Types of Restaurants We Document

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Diners & Drive-Ins

Classic American diners, burger joints, and drive-in restaurants from the golden age.

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Pizza & Italian

Neighborhood pizzerias, Italian family restaurants, and beloved pasta houses.

🍽️

Family Restaurants

The places where families gathered for Sunday dinner and special occasions.

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Taverns & Bars

Neighborhood taverns, sports bars, and watering holes with character.

🥡

Chinese & Asian

Chinese restaurants, sushi spots, and Asian cuisine that shaped local tastes.

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Mexican & Latin

Taquerias, Mexican restaurants, and Latin American eateries.

Browse Restaurants by Era

Restaurant trends have changed dramatically over the decades. Explore different eras of dining history:

1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s

Types of Restaurants People Remember Most

🍦 Ice Cream Parlors

Found throughout the suburbs

Sweet shops and ice cream parlors were community gathering spots, especially in summer. Many families have fond memories of these treats.

Peak Era: 1950s-1980s

🍝 Supper Clubs

Popular in the mid-century

Upscale dining establishments where locals dressed up for special occasions. Prime rib, cocktails, and live entertainment.

Peak Era: 1950s-1970s

🍟 Fast Food Pioneers

Various locations

Early fast food restaurants and regional chains that predated the national brands we know today.

Peak Era: 1960s-1980s

☕ Coffee Shops

Downtown locations

Before Starbucks, local coffee shops and lunch counters served the morning crowd and business lunches.

Peak Era: 1940s-1990s

Remember a Restaurant That's Gone?

Do you have photos, menus, or memories of old restaurants? Help us preserve these important pieces of local food history.

Share Your Memories