VILLAPARK, Ill. (CBS) — The iconic Strat’s Drive-Thru in west suburban Villa Park closed its grill Sunday evening.
Sunday night was the last night Strat’s did business after 38 years.
Last week, the owners of Strat’s posted on Facebook that a national tire company had made an offer that was too good to refuse, so the owners have decided to take the money and head south for some nice weather.
The owners said the building that houses Strat’s will be demolished.
There were huge crowds at Strat’s on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
“I am grateful for my many, many, many employees over the years and our millions of customers who put their trust in us. I wish you all a future full of promise and possibility,” owner Strat Matsas posted on Facebook last week. “All I can say is it was an amazing journey. There was a lot of laughing, a lot of crying, a lot of sweating and some bleeding over the 38.5 years.”
Other recent restaurant and bar closures announced in Chicago
Strat’s is one of several notable Chicago restaurants to announce their closure in recent weeks.
Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant, a mainstay for 45 years at 4806 N. Broadway in the Uptown neighborhood, went bankrupt last Friday.
Founded by Peruvian immigrant Lucy Matthew, Fiesta Mexicana opened in 1979 and operated a second at 2423 N. Lincoln Ave. from 1985 to 2019. As Eater.com recalled in a 2016 story, the original Uptown location of the restaurant a favorite among both families and the late-night crowd, who enjoyed Mariachi bands and other entertainment in addition to the food.
The popular eatery Edzo’s Burger Shop closed on Saturday bankrupt after 15 years at 1571 Sherman Ave. in downtown Evanston. Owner Eddie Lakin wrote that he has been looking for new locations for Edzo’s and has identified a number of possibilities, but nothing is certain.
A number of popular bars also announced their plans to close this month.
McNally’s, at 11136 S. Western Ave. in Beverly, announced on December 11 that last call had come in– although no closing date has been announced yet. The bar has been owned by the same family since 1989.
For years, McNally’s has been known for its large sign that often beams messages challenging Cubs fans for being deep in White Sox fan territory.
On December 18, Old Town Pour House, a popular craft beer and sports bar at 1419 N. Wells St. in the Old Town neighborhood, announced that its last day of business would be Sunday, January 5.
“For the past 13 years, Old Town Pour House on Wells Street has been located in the heart of Old Town Chicago, serving as a gathering place for unforgettable moments,” the bar wrote. “From cheering on the Cubs during their historic World Series victory in 2016 to celebrating the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup victories in 2013 and 2015, we cherished every moment we shared with our wonderful guests.”
Old Town Pour House also has locations in the western suburbs of Oak Brook and Naperville, both of which remain open.
