Of gizzards, the Bureau, Noni’s and more
April 16th, 2009 by Cliff Bostock in Restaurants
Harold’s Chicken Shack, known around Chicago as “The Fried Chicken King,” is opening a large restaurant on Edgewood Avenue, next to Noni’s, where I dined this evening.
Harold’s has been around since 1950. This was the inspiration for its creation, according to the website: “Legend has it that when Harold Pierce was a child, the Pierce family had the local preacher over for dinner. When the preacher ate the last piece of chicken, Harold vowed never to be without fried chicken again.”
Whatever. I’m excited for one reason: gizzards. Harold’s serves fried chicken gizzards, one of my childhood favorites. …
I found the Bureau indeed closed tonight, but a neighborhood gossip told me that it will reopen soon, with yet another menu.
It seems that the building’s landlord has offered to renegotiate the lease. The new menu, according to my source, will likely be pretty straightforward, no-frills bar food. Its original menu was quite gastro-pubby. Then Shaun Doty was hired to create a more conventional but slightly kinky menu. But the Bureau’s crowd apparently wants even simpler food.
I have not confirmed the reopening or new menu with the owners, but my source is reliable. …
I also noticed today that another Italian spot, Nonna Mia Cafe and Pizzeria, will be opening at 980 Piedmont Ave., near 10th Street. The location has not been kind to a long list of tenants. (It was most recently occupied by Sweet Devil Moon.) But the most successful seems to have been the original — Big Red Tomato — so maybe another Italian venue will work there. …
The mother-daughter Chinese Southern Belles will conduct an Asian market tour this Saturday, April 19. Check out their website for details. …
As you’ll read in my next Grazing column, I got obsessed with pizza after dining at Varasano’s two weeks ago. I counted today and I’ve had 11 dinners of pizza since then. …
We had a great dinner at Noni’s, starting with a special — a take on bruschetta that featured plump slices of portobello mushrooms in a wine sauce.
Quote of the week is the greeting I received while walking to my car, parked in front of Noni’s: “Hey, honky man, lemme have a dollar.”
(Photo courtesy of blogs.citypages.com/food/food/the_culinary_un/)
April 16th, 2009 at 10:37 am
“Hey, honky man, lemme have a dollar.”
That’s Edgewood for you.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Bless.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
They have a Harold’s Chicken Shack at Morris Brown College