It'd be happier if you couldn't...

I had a wonderful dinner at Berghoff one summer when I was working on a pursuit out of our Jackson Street office.

A piece of history will be gone.

Geez, who peed in your Cheerios this morning?

Admit it: you miss me like crazy :p

So sad !..... I've been eating there from time to time for 22 years now. Some of those old - really old ! - waiters were wonderful. Does anyone know if this means the Berghoff Cafe at ORD in the UA terminal will also close? And why is Berghoff's itself closing?

As far as we all know, the T1 location will not close.

I personally think that the US Government, utilizing eminent domain, is forcing Berghoff out of their location. Recently, the government aquired property surrounding the Berghoff using eminent domain; unfortunately it is the only logical explanation. I heard somewhere that the Berghoff serves over 2,000 meals a day!

That doesn't appear to be the case, according to the articles I've seen. For example: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...,7368741.story
Not that people are happy with the decision, or agree that it makes business sense.

Seems like it's just that Herman and Jan Berghoff have been running it for 53 years, and they want to take off and start burning their accumulated miles. Probably don't want to sell it to someone (or to a large food service corporation) who will not have the same feel for the place, the same character, and there isn't anyone in-house in a position to take over and run it.

BTW, include Mrs. Gargoyle and myself for Jan 9th dinner.

My meeting in Oakland got pushed back to the 12th-13th, so I'm not leaving until Wednesday afternoon. Thus, move me to the confirmed list for dinner.

For one last "mediocre" (your word) meal? :p

list is all up to date: I didn't think there would be a problem getting 12 for the dinner ^

You excluded me :mad: :(

Are you trying to tell me something? ;)

Your corned beef will be at Manny's! :p

For the company, not the schnitzel. :p

Maybe they would sprinkle a little oregano on it for you. :p

OK, going off topic... some more on the end of Bergoff's...

Traveling through ORD for my birthday trip... I stopped for a brachworth sandwich with sauerkraut at the Bergoff's at T-1 (by C gates) and got to talking to one of the employees over there about the original one closing.

She said that the parents decided to call it a day because none of their children wanted to take over the restaurant (the emminet domain issue could have hastened a decision.) I told her about Flyertalkers planning a lunch and possible other events there and she said "There will be a LOT of similar events... and people flying in for one last meal."

She also confirmed that the Bergoff's at ORD WILL STAY OPEN. It's run by another relative (I think she said a niece of the original owners) who has a catering business and is making good money off this airport location. I think this is run separately from the other Bergoff businesses.

She is correct. There was a decent line out into the terminal for take out, the tables were packed as well as the bar serving Bergoff house beers (the winterfest ale has a very nutty taste, stronger than Sam Adams' Winterfest.)

I know I can't make your lunch but I really should try to find a cheap fare and make a fast run to Chicago.

Bergoffs has special memories for me... I was there only once with a dear Flyertalk friend and had a very wonderful and delicious dinner there (I think it was my first trip to Chicago... and I thank this Flyertalker - and you know who you are ;) - for making this trip and this dinner special.)