Two New Restaurants Open On Broadway: Halal Taco & Kimchi Pop!

It's a tough time to open a restaurant, but there are two on the 4400 block of Broadway that are bravely doing just that, and we are looking forward to trying their food! 

Welcome, Kimchi Pop! by Chef Son and Halal Taco.

Halal Taco is in the former Tolotzin space at 4431 North Broadway. Featuring all kinds of Mexican food, the meat is 100% zabiha halal, and there are also vegetarian options. There are four kinds of Burrito Sushi, an American Dinner page on the menu, and eight flavors of chicken wings.

The hours are 11am-11pm, and they feature dine-in, carry-out, delivery, and catering.

The phone number is 773-857-6003. The website, featuring online ordering, is here.

Kimchi Pop! by Chef Son features Korean cuisine right next door at 4429 North Broadway. 

The second location of a popular West Town restaurant, the Uptown location is open 5pm-9pm daily. Online ordering isn't available at the moment for the new store, but you can place an order over the phone for pickup by calling 773-654-3466.

Check out the menu here. Dishes can be modified for gluten-free or vegan/vegetarian preferences upon request.

The website is here, and the Yelp page for the West Town location is here.

We welcome both new restaurants to Uptown!

Bezazian Honors Mark Kaplan Saturday, As Popular Library Branch Manager Prepares Transfer to Buena Park

The Friends of Bezazian Branch Library will be throwing a send-off party for long-time branch manager Mark Kaplan on Saturday, May 1st, between 11am and noon.  Come on by and give Mark your best wishes! 

There will be light refreshments and an opportunity to thank Mark for all his good work at Bezazian. Lindsay Hugé, president of the Friends of Bezazian, will give brief remarks at 11:30.

Please gather on the Magnolia lawn (1226 West Ainslie, corner of Magnolia).

In order to keep this event safe for all, masks will be required except while eating and drinking. Social distancing is encouraged as much as possible. In case of inclement weather, we will reschedule for a later date.

We are lucky that Mark's new position will be just a mile down the road! He'll be going to the Uptown Branch Library, at 929 W Buena, in Buena Park.

Munno & Kie-Gol-Lanee Earn Michelin Bib Gourmand Awards As "Delightful Little Restaurants"

The ratings are out, and two Uptown restaurants have earned prestigious Bib Gourmand designations, which go to "delightful little restaurants selected by MICHELIN guide inspectors for their very good value for money." 

58 restaurants in Chicago made the list, with Munno a first-time designee, and Kie-Gol-Lanee retaining its designation from 2019. Specifically, "Bib Gourmand restaurants offer a full menu of a starter, main course and dessert, making it possible to order two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for around $40 or less (tax and gratuity not included)."

Of  Munno Pizzeria & Bistro (4656 N. Clark), Michelin inspectors say,

"A laid-back neighborhood spot at heart, the interior here is unfussy, with wood paneling and exposed ceilings. And although the vibe is relaxed, the cooking is anything but, thanks to top ingredients and careful techniques.

The "Neapolitan-inspired" pizza may not be made in the traditional wood-burning oven, but those electric deck ovens still manage to turn out deliciously puffy and lightly charred crusts. They are a nod to Naples, but don't forget to sample the rotating selection of pastas, which hail from Sicily to Umbria (from whence the parpardelle alla Norcina with a sauce of cream and sausage originates).

The compact menu features pizzas and pastas as main attractions, but desserts too impress, as in the fior di latte sundae or classic tiramisu."

Munno is open Wednesday/Thursday 4pm-8:30pm and Friday/Saturday 4pm-9pm. It's currently doing pickup and delivery only, with the patio open during nice weather. According to Munno's website, COVID compliant indoor dining will resume on May 5th.

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Opening Reception This Saturday For Art Exhibition Honoring Immigrant Business Owners

 

Work at Argyle Red Line Station Begins Soon!

From the CTA:

"Join us at the next Argyle Red Line station virtual meeting on Wednesday, May 5, discussing the start of Stage A station and track reconstruction on May 16. 

Stay informed on construction impacts, project timelines and more. Plus, take a look at the updated designs coming to your station and the temporary Argyle Red Line station that will serve customers during construction.

We want to hear from you. Submit your questions ahead of our meeting now.

Wednesday, May 5, 2021, 6pm - 7pm CDT

Register Here!"

Uptown United Wants To Talk About Wilson & Broadway With You

From Uptown United:

"Hey Uptown Neighbors - we want to hear from you!

Uptown United is developing a plan for the commercial corridors along Wilson Avenue and Broadway near the newly rebuilt Wilson CTA station. 

The goal of this plan is to support a thriving commercial district in the heart of Uptown. We’ve already surveyed thousands of residents and visitors, and we’ve interviewed local nonprofit organization leaders, business owners, commercial property owners, and other key stakeholders. Now we want your input through this interactive community workshop!

Please join us on Wednesday, May 5th from 6:00-7:30pm for a virtual community workshop about the future of the Wilson & Broadway corridors near the Wilson CTA Station. 

This workshop is part of Uptown United’s Central Uptown Planning Study. 

• Visit exploreuptown.org/centraluptown for more about this project.
• Register at:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pf-2srTkvGNy8FP7rOcfpqamMd159CHir "

Preparations Begin For New Construction At Kenmore and Wilson

Chain-link fencing, privacy screens, and a warning-laden construction sign went up this past week at the parking lot located at the northwest corner of Kenmore and Wilson. The lot has been a bank parking lot for as long as any of us at UU can remember, but the strip once was home to some magnificent buildings, now lost to history (see below).

The lot is next to the former Wilson Avenue Theater at 1050 West Wilson, (hopefully) the future home to the Double Door.  We've been told the plans for the Double Door to move to the old theater are still on track, and workers have been seen removing detritus from the building over recent weeks. 

As for this lot, we presume this is the first step in the construction of a five-story residential rental building there, which Uptown Update posted about last year. A Powerpoint presentation detailing the plans for the new building, from which the above rendering is taken, is here.

As far as we know, this fencing does not mean that there will be any physical changes to the Wilson Avenue Theater building. 

The Uptown Taproom Takes Root in Sheridan Park

If you've been waiting patiently for Uptown to get its first brewpub, the wait is getting a lot shorter.

We hear that a new brewpub is taking over the former Godfather's Pizza space at Wilson and Malden, and the appearance of a dumpster and construction workers confirms that work is ongoing. 

From what we've heard, expect a focus on a "community-first gathering place," helmed by two local residents who are branching out from their current careers. 

The plans call for a focus on local brewers and distillers, but no food onsite. The taproom will feature a rotating selection and will be dog-friendly.  The taproom will also take advantage of the great patio on the corner, and food carry-ins and delivery will be allowed. 

Hours are TBD, but will be "family friendly" (not late night). Hiring plans call for 8-15 new jobs to be created as part of the process.

We look forward to seeing more this spring!