Friday, March 1, 2013
End Of A Long Run On Wilson
It kind of breaks our hearts to run this: Alma Pita, a long-time Uptown stalwart, has closed its doors.
We knew something was up when readers told us that the counter inside had been demolished and black shades had been put in the windows. Now the butcher paper and the "Space Available" sign confirm its demise.
Alma Pita was always one of our favorite places. You'd run into a real cross-section of Uptown there, from Uptown United presidents to Peter Holsten to Truman College students. It was a place to bring vegetarian friends and visiting relatives, a place where Alma herself ran the kitchen, and potato chips were free with every sandwich. Where the signs on the wall read "Drugs, Racism, Outside Food. A few things we are STRONGLY against."
Of course, it wasn't easy. Alma once told us that every time there was a gang shooting on Wilson or Magnolia, it would take months for her customers to return and for business to go back to normal. There were a couple infuriating break-ins, where the cash register was destroyed and the front door smashed. It isn't easy being a small business owner when the criminals have such an adverse effect on how many people walk through your front door.
Things seemed to change about a year ago when new management, and presumably a new owner, took over the restaurant. Alma was rarely -- if ever -- seen after that. The menu changed and so did the preparation of the food. We heard from several readers who were disappointed with the new way of doing things, a real testament to Alma's hospitality and cooking skills.
From the phone number on the front door, it appears that the same realtor who's handling the listing for the strip mall across the street, at Magnolia and Wilson, is handling the rental of the restaurant.
We realize that all things are transitory. But it's a very sad day for those of us who really loved this place.
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when Alma left, so did the quality.
ReplyDeleteHi every one thank you for your nice words,I,m Alma i openned a new restaurant and it's called beef Kabob's restaurant located at 5034 Valkey lane,streamwood,illinois 60107. Phone number (630)289-2877 ,I am very glad to read all your nice compliments and I will be very happy to see you passing by anytime ,love you all
DeleteSorry auto correction 5034 valley lane
DeleteYeah, this place took a nosedive after Alma left and the new management was never very honest about the restaurant's status. It must have taken real talent to bury a great little place like Alma Pita.
ReplyDeleteIt hasn't been nearly the same since Alma left.
ReplyDeleteNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
ReplyDeleteThis sucks.
Hopefully they'll re-open somewhere else close by... :-/
Wow. This sucks.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Sad Day. But I agree with others, the new management at Alma Pita did not provide the great food and service. Guess I'll try the new place at Wilson and Broadway.
ReplyDeleteSad day for me.. They satiated many a pregnancy craving for me with their gyros..
ReplyDeleteI'd love to get my hands on a couple of those wooden chairs with the evergreen tree cutouts in them though--they're too adorable..
Cedar trees, Uptown Jackalope. Because either Harjit or Alma was from Lebanon.
ReplyDeleteFor those of us that miss Alma, do her a favor and give her a review on Yelp:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yelp.com/biz/beef-kabobs-restaurant-streamwood/
For those of us who miss Alma, give her a nice review on Yelp:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yelp.com/biz/beef-kabobs-restaurant-streamwood