Gale Street Inn, the iconic Chicago eatery at 4914 N Milwaukee Ave., has permanently closed after 62 years in business (est. 1963). The closure, announced this past Thursday on the restaurant’s website and Instagram, cited persistent staffing challenges as the primary reason.
Highlights
- Gale Street Inn has permanently closed after more than 60 years.
- Ongoing staffing issues and overwhelming customer demand prompted the closure.
- The owner and team thanked staff, patrons, and the city in the farewell note.
Gale Street Inn Owners Announce Closure
Gale Street Inn in the Jefferson Park neighborhood unexpectedly closed its restaurant. After more than six decades in operation, the popular Chicago-based restaurant dropped a closure announcement on its website and Instagram. Reflecting on the journey, owner George Karzas shared the news with a heavy heart.
“Hiring and retaining quality staff has proven too tough for too long. We are tired of sucking, we have standards you know,” the Gale Street Inn shared on Thursday. “But overworking our existing crew is not the answer,” the post continued.
Karzas thanked past and current staff, guests, vendors and called Chicago “the greatest food town on the planet.”
The longtime staple of the city’s Northwest Side served generations of locals for over 60 years. “There is no gracious way to close a restaurant, and we apologize in advance for any inconvenience,” the message concluded.
Reactions from Patrons
Gale Street Inn’s announcement seemed to have taken diners by surprise who were saddened to hear the news. The news was met with several comments and reactions from longtime customers.
Earlier, the restaurant had posted a video on Instagram with an overlay message that read: “It’s been a heck of a run Chicago, thank you.”
The video sparked concerns that the facility was closing its doors permanently. Fans responded on Instagram with confusion, surprise, and sadness.
Post-Pandemic Staffing Challenges in the Restaurant Sector
Gale Street Inn had become one of the most distinguished icons of Jefferson Park over the years. The struggles of a legendary restaurant like GSI are a glaring reminder of the post-pandemic circumstances that have overwhelmed the restaurant industry.
The Gale Street Inn has been in operation since 1963 in Chicago’s Jefferson Park neighborhood. The Northwest Side’s mainstay garnered immense praise and love for its ribs, steak, and seafood. Over the years, the restaurant has earned a loyal customer base that will miss the iconic spot. The restaurant promised to devise a plan for reimbursement for anyone holding a Gale Street Inn gift card and share it at a later date.
