Are you looking for a place to eat, and you just can’t decide? This article is your guide to restaurants in Evanston that have survived the test of time.
Imagine Evanston “back in the day”. Remember the ‘60s? The first man landed on the moon, respect for parents was still absolute and unquestioned, and Sarkis Cafe, Gigio’s Pizza, Mustard’s Last Stand, and the Walker Bros Original Pancake House all opened their doors. Although time has passed, these restaurants are still in business. Read about them below.
In the 1970’s, the buzzword was Watergate, the first Apple PC was introduced, and black holes were all the rage while Dave’s Italian Kitchen, Dengeos, and Blind Faith Café began to influence daily life: they continue to do so to this day.
In the 1980s, the sound of Pacman, MTV videos, and the concept of Yuppies provided the backdrop for two more fledgling restaurants, Hecky’s and Cross Rhodes. And in the early 2000s, we needed clock radios to wake us in the morning, we watched movies on our DVD players, and we printed a paper map to show us the way to The Firehouse Grill.
Sometimes it is hard to choose a restaurant. Do you want a place that is tried and true? While you skim the following list of Landmark Restaurants, consider these questions:
Does this restaurant spark my interest?
Why has this restaurant survived the test of time?
What kind of food do I feel most like eating?
Walker Bros Original Pancake House
(A restaurant in Wilmette, bordering Evanston, and worthy of an Honorary Mention).
The Era:
Established in 1960
The Menu:
Pancakes plus
The Atmosphere:
One-of-a-kind stained-glass windows, Tiffany-style lamps, wooden beams, large windows, sunlight.
The Philosophy:
A commitment to excellent service and quality, personal warmth.
The Current Owner:
The current owner is Ray E. Walker, the son and nephew of the original owners, Victor Walker, and his two brothers, Everett and Dick.
The History:
The first Walker Brothers Pancake House opened in Wilmette, and it remains the busiest and highest earning pancake restaurant in the 135-unit Walker Bros franchise.
Awards:
Food Networks “The Best Thing I Ever Ate”
TripAdvisor’s 2014 Certificate of Excellence
Nation’s Restaurant News as “#1 for Family Dining”
USA Today “Top Ten Pancake Restaurants in the Nation.”
Chicago Magazine’s Critic’s Choice Award for the “Best Breakfast”.
The Address:
Sarkis Cafe
(A restaurant in Wilmette, bordering Evanston, and worthy of an Honorary Mention).
The Era:
Established in 1965
The Menu:
Signature Sandwiches and Unique Cuisine
The Atmosphere:
Outdoor heated seating, comfortable, welcoming
The Philosophy:
Supporting the health and well-being of employees, customers, and community
The Current Owner:
Jeff Cramin
The History:
Sarkis Tashjian was the original owner of Sarkis, from 1965 until 2000. Originally from Armenia, he was well-known in the community for his humor and outgoing approach. His entertaining personality was one of the reasons why his customers and employees remained loyal to Sarkis throughout the years. In 2000, Jeff Cramin purchased Sarkis.
Address:
2632 Gross Point Road, Evanston
Gigio’s Pizza
The Era:
Established in 1965
The Menu:
Pizza plus
The Atmosphere:
Community focused, casual, family-oriented
The Current Owners:
Dennis and Franny Clarkson.
The History:
Gigio’s is the oldest pizza restaurant in Evanston. Julio Andino, the first owner, originally came from Ecuador and delivered pizzas for Gigios until 1980, when he bought the restaurant. He successfully owned and ran it for the next 35 years. He recently sold it and is enjoying quality time with his family.
The Address:
Mustard’s Last Stand
The Era:
Established in 1968
The Menu:
Hot Dogs and more
The Atmosphere:
Small, casual, clean, fast-food style, housed in single family building, walk-up service, indoor and outdoor seating.
The Philosophy:
Consistency in customer service, quality, finest product sources.
The Current Owners:
Steve Starkman now runs the business with his brother Lonnie Starkman, who are the sons of Jerry Starkman, the original owner.
The History:
Jerry Starkman, the original owner, bought the hotdog stand with the intention of evolving it into a pizza restaurant. In early 1969, he opened Mustard’s Last Stand, and it has provided quality hotdogs and fast food ever since.
Awards:
Vienna Beef Hall of Fame, 2006.
The Address:
1613 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201
Dave’s New Kitchen
Originally Dave’s Italian Kitchen
The Era:
Established in 1972
The Menu:
Italian plus Cuisine
The Atmosphere:
Family-run, no indoor dining until after the Pandemic,smaller seating capacity, carry-out.
The Philosophy:
Delicious homemade food, affordable prices.
The Current Owner:
Sara Glatt (who is the daughter of the original owner, Dave Glatt, and is now the legal owner.)
The History:
From 1972- 2016, Dave Glatt owned and operated Dave’s Italian Kitchen. It evolved into Dave’s New Kitchen in 2016.
The Address:
815 Noyes St, Evanston, IL 60201
Dengeos
(A restaurant in Skokie, bordering Evanston, and worthy of an Honorary Mention).
The Era:
Established in 1972
The Menu:
Greek Cuisine
The Address:
3301 Main St, Skokie, IL 60076
Blind Faith Café
The Era:
Established in 1979
The Menu:
Vegetarian Cuisine
The Atmosphere:
Casual, tasteful, comfortable décor, high quality food, welcoming atmosphere, community resource.
The Philosophy:
Inspired by food around the world, certified “green” restaurant.
The Current Owner:
David Lipschutz
The History:
In 1979, Ivan Newell and Fran Welch bought the restaurant. David Lipschutz joined them later that year. The restaurant was a success, and it grew and changed. In 1982, David bought the restaurant from them, and in 1985, the restaurant moved to its current site. Its success continued, and another dining room and a bakery was added.
The Address:
525 Dempster St., Evanston, IL 60201
Hecky’s
The Era:
Established in 1983
The Menu:
BBQ Cuisine
The Atmosphere:
Take away, high quality, fast food, Creole inspired
The Philosophy:
Excellent and authentic food, community service and support, happy customers and staff.
The Current Managers:
Gigi Powell, the daughter of Hecky Powell, and Aracely Rodriguez.
The History:
Hecky Powell, a significant figure in the Evanston community and an inspiration for black business owners, was the original owner of Hecky’s. He was a captivating, charismatic man who created a menu based on his mother’s and grandmother’s Creole recipes. Thanks to Hecky and his wife, the restaurant is also known for its support of philanthropic causes in the community. After his death in 2021, his daughter Gigi and long-time administrative assistant Aracely Rodriguez have been running the restaurant.
The Address:
1902 Green Bay Road, Evanston, IL 60201
Cross Rhodes
The Era:
Established in 1984
The Menu:
A fusion of Greek and American cuisines
The Atmosphere:
Alive, buzzing, friendly
The Current Owner:
Maria (the daughter of Jeff Russell, the original owner).
The History:
Jeff Russell was the original owner of Cross Rhodes and became inspired to open Cross Rhodes when he visited Greece. He was known to be a charismatic, funny, and caring man. Jeff’s death in 2012, his daughter, Maria, proudly runs the restaurant in the tradition of her father.
Cross Rhodes was built in one of Evanston’s oldest buildings in 1895, and the site originally housed a meat packing plant.
Awards:
Jeff Russell was given the “Service Above Self Lighthouse Rotary Award” in 2011.
The Address:
913 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60202
The Firehouse Grill
The Era:
Established in 2000
The Menu:
American classic with a twist
The Atmosphere:
Friendly, family-style, expansive outdoor or cozy indoor dining, interesting décor.
The Philosophy:
Belief in the importance of fostering relationships with customers and community.
The Current Owners:
Pat & Molly Fowler
The History:
Formerly Evanston Fire Station #2 since the early 1900’s,the Firehouse Grill opened in 2000, and was purchased in 2017 by Pat and Molly Fowler.
The Address:
750 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60202
You have arrived at the end of the list, and it is time for you to decide. From Greek to Italian to BBQ to Vegetarian, don’t worry. You really can’t go wrong with any of these unique and timeless Evanston eateries. Which one do you choose?
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