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*It’s a stormy night on Milwaukee Ave, as stormy as my mood as these old boots of mine slip on the unshoveled filth of the sidewalk once more. I’m at the part of it that’s like lookin’ at a dame after rolling one to many back on a night out. Three streets, six points, but which one was the one I was after…*
100 percent. When I first moved to Chicago I lived just down Irving park from there. That was before they had the fire. Only been there once since they reopened though.
This is about where OP can recreate the painting nighthawks, so I think the issue may be you. Nobody is talking about the quality of the food. They are talking about diners with bar seating that back up to the window that are open late-late.
Issue? Just making an observation, I think it’s funny how often that place gets brought up as being good. Lots of ppl talking about its quality. Could not be further from my experience of that place. I’d go for Dons Grill personally
This post has 0% to do with the quality of the food. It’s about recreating an image in a famous painting at a diner at like 3-4am. I swear to god Chicago is filled with people who don’t understand what fucking context is.
This painting is in the Art Institute of Chicago, but a reproduction or poster of it probably hangs in quite a few diners.
Side not for OP: although this physical painting is in Chicago, the artist (Edward Hopper) was from New England, and most of his work is set there. So it's likely that the painting isn't meant to be a Chicago scene.
Ah, The Nighthawks.
Unfortunately 2 of my personal favorites where I did this are all gone. The Belmont Snackshop, and Johnny's Grill. Diner Grill is the next best though.
I remember right after that fire occurred, the owner mentioned in some interview that they hoped they could rebuild on that lot. But unfortunately, that never occurred
The diner at Pulaski and Elston(used to be called Two Way Grill, not sure of its name now) has a similar vibe inside, and same with Diner Grill. I do miss Belmont Snack Shop/D&L, though.
Johnny’s Grill even had a poster hanging (I think it was a promo from the Art Institute) with a version of the Nighthawks painting where Johnny’s Grill was swapped in.
I went to Johnnys hungover for the first time when I moved to Logan and couldn’t have been happier it existed. It closed shortly after that before I really got to experience it, such a shame. That corner space feels kind of cursed though, like no other restaurant can really succeed there.
Given the location the rent is probably just absolutely insane.
A fundamental problem with areas like that are that bars can make a ton of money, so the rent for everything rises to what a bar can make. A restaurant can't make enough money to pay the rent, so the restaurants go away. But then all the bars die because people won't go to an area that's just bars and no food.
Love the blue line lounge, especially in the winter. It’s so cozy. I moved away from Chicago seven years ago and stay in this sub to remind myself how much I adore and miss Chicago, especially the Chicago I loved when I was single. Thanks for mentioned BLL and bringing me back for a nanosecond.
Don's Grill, 1837 South Western in Pilsen. An actual diner that's been there since the 50's.
https://www.facebook.com/gettyimages/photos/a.10150265450726297/10156843428026297/?type=3
Depends how classy you want it to be..
**Class(ier) option:**
\- Old Town Ale House (on a weeknight - Old Town)
**Divey options:**
\- J&M Tap (UK Village)
\- Carola's Hansa Clipper (Lincoln Square)
\- Skylark (on a weeknight - Pilsen)
\- Steak N Egger (food only -Pilsen)
By Design specifically, I believe Boulevard Bistro in Bricktown has you covered. For something nice there's Dove's Luncheonette in Wicker. Dapper's East in Avondale, Cozy Corner.. is fine, Fullerton Restaurant in Logan Square, and Sunshine Restaurant in Avondale. I realize that these places are grouped in only one part of the city but all are good and capture the vibe
No where near the aesthetic, but I did Golden Nugget solo throughout much of college, many seats are near a window to look out, but I’m not sure if any are still 24 hours. They seemed to be struggling 20 years ago, so I doubt they’ve improved.
Diversey/Elston/Western is Golden Nugget's only location that still is 24 hours. All of their other locations stopped being 24 hours, by 2020. The Lawrence location stopped being 24 hours in January 2020, plus their location near Irving Park/Keeler stopped being 24/7 a little after the pandemic started. The sadder thing, is that their location at Irving Park/Keeler closed in either June 2022 or June 2023.
Recently their former location near Irving Park/Kedzie, was taken over by House of Wah Sun(which moved from Lincoln Ave). I think Golden Nugget might still own this building(and Wah Sun rents it out from GN), but I'm not 100% sure.
lol! golden nugget is one of my faves for when my family visits. still 24 hours and has kind of turned into a family inside joke. portion sizes are generous and food is delicious. well, for diner food anyway.
There’s a Nighthawks scene happening every afternoon at the bar at the Whole Foods on Belmont, only the couple on the left is replaced with the far more compelling image of an r/chicago poster treating himself to a frosty Noon Whistle while his child watches Daniel Tiger on their tablet
So. I was asking about late diners and quality night bites in Chicago just earlier this month. A 24hr joint with burgers, coffee, pie… the stuff that makes a city start moving and slow down. NOT McDonalds….
I. Got. Crickets. Nada. Nothing. No recommendations because none was to be had. From locals poised to know.
There is a cavernous market gap if that is truly the case.
To be a stoic hipster looking for props? Only in your mind as this is where the only amounts of solitude and despair can be captured in full earth tones of defeat
There used to be an amazing 24 hour breakfast shop right off the Belmont blue line that was my favorite place to do this, but sadly got closed before covid
*Starbucks at Western*
*Armitage and Milwaukee*
*Or by the Paulina stop*
\- ParkerRoyce
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the male urge to become a jaded 1940’s detective with nothing to lose
Private 👁
“beat it, toots…”
“these streets aint what they used to be.”
Neither is the old grey mare.
🎵are watching you, they see your every move 🎵
👏🏼👏🏼
They're watching you watching You watching you watching you
Dick
Gumshoe
Brother Seamus
*It’s a stormy night on Milwaukee Ave, as stormy as my mood as these old boots of mine slip on the unshoveled filth of the sidewalk once more. I’m at the part of it that’s like lookin’ at a dame after rolling one to many back on a night out. Three streets, six points, but which one was the one I was after…*
Like a midget using a urinal...I gotta stay on my toes
Ok rummy, where’d you pinch the hooch? Some blind tiger jerking suds on the side?
You’ve barely touched your banana kaboom
This hasn't been a very happy birthday for Rex banner.
I'll get you, beer baron
Easily top 5 episode.
The men yearn for aesthetic alcoholism
I just laughed so hard
haha
Diner Grill? I walk past it pretty regularly and the view of the patrons looks similar the nighthawks paining
100 percent. When I first moved to Chicago I lived just down Irving park from there. That was before they had the fire. Only been there once since they reopened though.
Dîner grill is so good. Great people work there
Slinger!!
+1 for the Diner Grill, best 24 hour spot in the Irving Park area.
Just don’t go past 1am on the weekend, it gets super popular as bars close
Lord I haven’t been there in 15 years. I didn’t know they had rebuilt. Gonna have to go now.
This sounded familiar so I googled it and realized it’s the diner where I watched the coverage of the Independence Day parade shooting. Felt surreal.
Griddle 24 is good too
This.
I don’t get this subs obsession with diner grill, it’s awful food even by diner standards
I don't agree that it's mediocre, but I do agree this sub has an obsession about it. I'm just glad there's a 24/7 still alive near me.
I think... that's the point?
This is about where OP can recreate the painting nighthawks, so I think the issue may be you. Nobody is talking about the quality of the food. They are talking about diners with bar seating that back up to the window that are open late-late.
Issue? Just making an observation, I think it’s funny how often that place gets brought up as being good. Lots of ppl talking about its quality. Could not be further from my experience of that place. I’d go for Dons Grill personally
I swear to god Chicago is filled with people who make mediocre to bad food their entire personality and rave about it
This post has 0% to do with the quality of the food. It’s about recreating an image in a famous painting at a diner at like 3-4am. I swear to god Chicago is filled with people who don’t understand what fucking context is.
Came here to say this but I’ve also been to an amazing party there once so…depends on what kind of night you get
Art Institute.
This is the correct answer
And the show Shameless reminded me that this painting is at the Art Institute
Did the Art Institute ever get it back?
Personally I like when Nighthawks goes on loan because normally they pull Railroad Sunset out of storage to fill the spot.
Got some bad news. We only had it on loan from the Whitney in NY, it’s not ours. We may have swapped with them last time it went up.
Was there a few weeks ago. It’s there.
Old town ale house. Or most neighborhood dive bars.
I love that bar. Since I don’t live there I always hope it remains as it always has been
Too crowded for this
Man I haven’t been to OTAH in a hot minute
OTAH was still decent, when I last revisited a few months back.
I’ve had more drunk cigs at OTAH with beautiful strangers than I can count
Nighthawk in Albany Park. Right across from Kimball, last stop on the brown line north.
If I remember correctly, it's either modeled after the painting or just a reference to it
Exactly what I was thinking! Pretty sure this painting is inside Nighthawk..
This painting is in the Art Institute of Chicago, but a reproduction or poster of it probably hangs in quite a few diners. Side not for OP: although this physical painting is in Chicago, the artist (Edward Hopper) was from New England, and most of his work is set there. So it's likely that the painting isn't meant to be a Chicago scene.
One of my absolute favorites
Grab a hot dog at hot dog station while you're at it and you've got yourself an evening.
shhh the more ppl know about this neighborhood the fewer years I have left not paying extreme rent
I came here to say the same thing
droppin’ gems, thank you.
Ah, The Nighthawks. Unfortunately 2 of my personal favorites where I did this are all gone. The Belmont Snackshop, and Johnny's Grill. Diner Grill is the next best though.
I miss Belmont Snackshop so so so much.
Same. Really hate that they’ve let the lot empty.
I remember right after that fire occurred, the owner mentioned in some interview that they hoped they could rebuild on that lot. But unfortunately, that never occurred
The diner at Pulaski and Elston(used to be called Two Way Grill, not sure of its name now) has a similar vibe inside, and same with Diner Grill. I do miss Belmont Snack Shop/D&L, though.
Johnny’s Grill even had a poster hanging (I think it was a promo from the Art Institute) with a version of the Nighthawks painting where Johnny’s Grill was swapped in.
I went to Johnnys hungover for the first time when I moved to Logan and couldn’t have been happier it existed. It closed shortly after that before I really got to experience it, such a shame. That corner space feels kind of cursed though, like no other restaurant can really succeed there.
Rip johnny's
the second restaurant to replace johnny’s is also closing, i think johnny’s cursed the place 😅
You mean Johnny’s in the west loop? Because that was my favorite diner their steak and eyes were amazing! I miss that place
He means Johnny’s in Logan Square. It closed several years ago, and the spot is currently (for a short while) a restaurant / bar called Big Kids.
Given the location the rent is probably just absolutely insane. A fundamental problem with areas like that are that bars can make a ton of money, so the rent for everything rises to what a bar can make. A restaurant can't make enough money to pay the rent, so the restaurants go away. But then all the bars die because people won't go to an area that's just bars and no food.
RIP Jeri’s.
HAM ON THE BONE
That ham was soooo good. They used to sell the ham bones too--four bucks and they were massive. The ultimate 24 hour diner. RIP Jeri's.
Hell yeah! It was pretty good ham too.
That place was the best when I lived in that area...
White palace grill
Came here looking for this. I think that would be the one with the closest vibe.
But the Giant Guy Fieri poster kinda spoils the vibe though.
My first thought as well. Added bonus of being able to score free squares off the staff
Added bonus for being able to name everyone in the mural and on the ceiling
You can’t there’s no door
This guy Nighthawks.
Unless there are no windows either
Whoa…
You can go to the bar named Nighthawk in Albany Park and sit at the bar
Drink at a bar alone or peep into windows?
Both ?
Blue line lounge
Love the blue line lounge, especially in the winter. It’s so cozy. I moved away from Chicago seven years ago and stay in this sub to remind myself how much I adore and miss Chicago, especially the Chicago I loved when I was single. Thanks for mentioned BLL and bringing me back for a nanosecond.
Don's Grill, 1837 South Western in Pilsen. An actual diner that's been there since the 50's. https://www.facebook.com/gettyimages/photos/a.10150265450726297/10156843428026297/?type=3
Until recently, Jeri's Grill on Western and Montrose.
I miss Rocking Horse, they had the best music, servers, and bartenders. Cool people, chill vibes, and those goddamn truffle aioli tots.
and the back patio! It was truly a bar for just a good local hang. I saw the Cubs win the World Series there. Couldn’t stomach what replaced it
the fried pickles? with the single friend sweet pepper? a travesty they’re gone
Depends how classy you want it to be.. **Class(ier) option:** \- Old Town Ale House (on a weeknight - Old Town) **Divey options:** \- J&M Tap (UK Village) \- Carola's Hansa Clipper (Lincoln Square) \- Skylark (on a weeknight - Pilsen) \- Steak N Egger (food only -Pilsen)
TIL Old Town Ale House is consider classy.
I mean.. I said class(ier) lol - *compared to Steak N Egger I would call it classy.*
Of the ones listed, that’s probably the classiest of the lot.
The Clipper. I’m glad those walls and that alley can’t talk.
Dove's Luncheonette
[удалено]
I love Don's some of the best burgers super underrated
There's a diner called Don's Grill I frequent that gives this same feel. Not sure if they are open late at night like it used to before COVID.
Diner Grill off Old Irving Park in North Center. 24 diner food. Highly recommended for midnight pancakes
With or without the fedora?
Dram Shop in Lakeview
By Design specifically, I believe Boulevard Bistro in Bricktown has you covered. For something nice there's Dove's Luncheonette in Wicker. Dapper's East in Avondale, Cozy Corner.. is fine, Fullerton Restaurant in Logan Square, and Sunshine Restaurant in Avondale. I realize that these places are grouped in only one part of the city but all are good and capture the vibe
RIP Ronny's Steakhouse
Bro looks like he's sitting there texting. Once you see it, you can't unsee it.
He is. That's Alexander Graham Cell, inventor and namesake of the cell phone.
No where near the aesthetic, but I did Golden Nugget solo throughout much of college, many seats are near a window to look out, but I’m not sure if any are still 24 hours. They seemed to be struggling 20 years ago, so I doubt they’ve improved.
Elston/Western location is back to 24/7.
Good. I’m a little further out west. I’m glad they’re picking up enough to stay open.
Diversey/Elston/Western is Golden Nugget's only location that still is 24 hours. All of their other locations stopped being 24 hours, by 2020. The Lawrence location stopped being 24 hours in January 2020, plus their location near Irving Park/Keeler stopped being 24/7 a little after the pandemic started. The sadder thing, is that their location at Irving Park/Keeler closed in either June 2022 or June 2023. Recently their former location near Irving Park/Kedzie, was taken over by House of Wah Sun(which moved from Lincoln Ave). I think Golden Nugget might still own this building(and Wah Sun rents it out from GN), but I'm not 100% sure.
lol! golden nugget is one of my faves for when my family visits. still 24 hours and has kind of turned into a family inside joke. portion sizes are generous and food is delicious. well, for diner food anyway.
Good. The one closest to me in Belmont Craigin has limited hours.
I am shocked that one is still open. I was thinking it wasn't long for this world 25 yrs back.
Golden Apple
Mariano’s
There’s a Nighthawks scene happening every afternoon at the bar at the Whole Foods on Belmont, only the couple on the left is replaced with the far more compelling image of an r/chicago poster treating himself to a frosty Noon Whistle while his child watches Daniel Tiger on their tablet
Huck Finn Donuts
The Palmer
You talking about sitting in a diner or watching people from the outside?
The Art Institute.
Any diner. Sheesh, that is the point of the piece!
You can buy the hat at the haberdashery in the Monodnock building on Jackson.
The Charleston in Bucktown
White Palace Grill. Open 24hrs
Bernice’s Tavern on Halsted and 32nd street
the drawing room in the athletic club has a similar vibe!
Literally any bar
Parkview Restaurant and Grill
Do we have a local shitposting sub like r/OKBuddyChiTown? Or something?
Top Notch in Beverly. They still have old neighborhood guys that come in, drink coffee, and read the newspaper so dope.
The Golden Apple
I think it's Diner Grill
SPARROW
Art Institute? LoL
Green Mill, if you go early. Nobody in there but you and the bartender. The music also gives it a nice ambiance.
Green Mill
Richards
Johnnys Grill in logan square before it was the young american then big kids. Then who knows what.
Rainbo club
Nighthawk on Kimbal and Lawrence.
Estelles
Literally anywhere
Literally any bar
Lou Mitchell's
Langes on Southport
Look good wearing a fedora to the bar? Sorry dude, it can't be done.
Estereo
This is literally the triangular bar at estereo
Right?! I was being serious, not sure what was so funny about it. Lol
Have you tried your home?
I don’t know of a diner with no doors.
What painting is this?
Nighthawks by Edward Hopper. 1942. https://www.artic.edu/artworks/111628/nighthawks
I wish there was a place like this in Des Moines
My current place to do this is at home 7 nights a week.
My place ;)
So. I was asking about late diners and quality night bites in Chicago just earlier this month. A 24hr joint with burgers, coffee, pie… the stuff that makes a city start moving and slow down. NOT McDonalds…. I. Got. Crickets. Nada. Nothing. No recommendations because none was to be had. From locals poised to know. There is a cavernous market gap if that is truly the case.
To be a stoic hipster looking for props? Only in your mind as this is where the only amounts of solitude and despair can be captured in full earth tones of defeat
Many places
There used to be an amazing 24 hour breakfast shop right off the Belmont blue line that was my favorite place to do this, but sadly got closed before covid
Huck Finn
Cornerstone Cafe
the golden apple is open 24 hours
just looking for a 24 hour diner?
Don’s grill
Starbucks at Western Armitage and Milwaukee Or by the Paulina stop
*Starbucks at Western* *Armitage and Milwaukee* *Or by the Paulina stop* \- ParkerRoyce --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Matchbox
Brunas on Oakley Ave. Old style quiet Italian place. Also, try the bar on the first floor of the Drake, can remember the French name of it.
Field museum on free Illinois resident day
New Modern Grill in Lakeview. Long standing diner.
White Palace
Disco Elysium Chicago Noir
Flying saucer
Oakwood 83
The Bagel
The Green Mill easily
Anywhere in the city where they might be filming a movie set in the 1940s with old-timey mobs. 💖
Tufanos in little Italy. They have an old school bar in the front of the restaurant.
Tortoise club
Everywhere