Lincoln Restaurant Is Closing Down At Year's End

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Dec 20, 2013 7:00PM



Photo credit: Ken Ilio

Sad news for North Center residents and folks looking to find something cheap and hearty to eat to make walks of shame and last call futility more tolerable. The Lincoln Restaurant is closing at the end of the year. Chicagoist was first tipped to the news via the newsletter and Facebook page for the Lincoln Lodge, the restaurant’s sideroom comedy club, which said the final five performances of the year Dec. 20-21 and Dec. 17-28 will be their final shows at the venue. (Dec. 28 will feature a 10:15 p.m. set by Chicagoist favorite Kyle Kinane.)

Chicagoist called the Lincoln Restaurant for confirmation and spoke with a man identifying himself as Tony Athens. Athens confirmed the Lincoln is closing but the phone call took a decidedly nasty turn when he asked that I “not publish a story on it for a few days.” When I reminded him The Lincoln Lodge is already using the closing to publicize their final shows, Athens said “The Lincoln Lodge can do whatever they want.”

This back-and-forth went on for a few moments before Athens pointedly asked if Chicagoist would move forward with the post. When I informed him I would move forward with the story with or without his cooperation, Athens hung up on me. It’s been a while since I’ve been face to face with classic diner charm. I almost forgot how it felt.

Time Out Chicago’s Kris Vire posted about the Lincoln Lodge’s final shows before noon Friday with a mention of the restaurant’s closing. So get your meals and your laughs while you still can.

