Landmark Burns
If you spent any time on the west side, went to events at the old Chicago Stadium or the newer United Center, or visited OEMC, you probably ate here:
In its more than eight decades on the Near West Side, the Palace Grill has seen its share of history — from hosting then-Vice President Al Gore and Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin in 1997 to surviving the riots after the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.
On Friday, owner George Lemperis said the popular restaurant near the United Center would survive the fire that caused extensive damage the night before.
“They rebuilt the World Trade Center. I can certainly rebuild this,” Lemperis told reporters Friday outside the restaurant at 1408 W. Madison St. “But it’s not good. Eighty-six years, we were here.”
The CFD spokesman made a bad joke....the media missed:
- Some have speculated that it could have been caused by a lightning strike, Langford said.
You're not supposed to say the quiet part out loud Larry. That's a joke told behind closed doors while the embers are still smouldering.
Hopefully, the restaurant comes back, but that is some expensive real estate nowadays and we heard that George had turned down a number of offers over the years. We shall see.
Labels: we got nothing
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
65 Comments:
I used to work for cook county department of corrections. I have never seen this place since i was too busy working a tier with 273839 convicts on it.Time for a smoke break and some sets of desk push ups. 2024 is my year. Gotta get back into shape like when i was a golden glove boxer and banging all the ladies in bridgeport. Ask around , im a bridgeport boxing legend. All this typing is making my head hurt,better call off. Cheers!
Sorry I have suspicions. For as long as George was there with his prices and cash only policy. To then having the media come out to his restaurant so he could ask for help financially during COVID. Of all the smaller and newer spots that needed help. I thought it was odd. How was this guy not well off. Manny's is another one. Same story so we'll see how long til it's a blaze
$10 for a plain cup of oatmeal? Almost $30 for a Denver omelet meal? Haha. Good. Ultimately we get what we deserve.
Greek fire lol
Yep.
This century, with all the influxing of non Americans, these greedy fucks from other nations have no compunctions about not 'encouraging' co-operation by any means.
The traditional nudgings to sell, via building department harrassments, fire and health code mickey mouse bullshit and the like, are now devolved into this. Courtesy of our nation's 'neighbors' every fucking where else on the surface of our planet.
We shall see what the cfd cause of is said to be.
Amish Lighting?
Dear George,
Rebuild in the nice, safe (well as safe as you can get in Cook County), Suburbs.
The city is dying. This is a great chance to get out.
I wonder if the neighboring buildings will survive the Summer of 2024?
Buy a couple of Food Trucks, and set up a tent for the DNC Convention.
Just make sure it is all insured to excessive amounts
Hopefully, the restaurant comes back, but that is some expensive real estate nowadays and we heard that George had turned down a number of offers over the years. We shall see.
BJ & JB want to turn it into a new migrant soup kitchen, No soup for you taxpayer..!
You know why Chicago is getting overrun with illegal immigrants?
It was all part of the plan.
https://1ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.breitbart.com%2F2024-election%2F2024%2F02%2F10%2Fgop-senators-block-mcconnells-migration-bailout-for-sanctuary-cities%2F
The 380-page legislation asked for roughly $5 billion in funds to aid migrants — plus another $5.6 billion in aid for unspecified “populations.” The request included $2.33 billion for ‘‘Refugee and Entrant Assistance … for grants or contracts with qualified organizations, including nonprofit entities, to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services, including wraparound services, housing assistance, medical assistance, legal assistance, and case management assistance.”
United center crowds not near the capacity that they once were with the two dog ass teams that play their
Its calked Greek lightining and it is common when restaurant owners need to remodel or expand . I see a major expansion on the horizon including steeper prices
Wouldn’t that be called Greek lightning?
OT from The Gateway Pundit:
Over Half of Fani Willis’ Campaign Contributions Allegedly Tied to Illegal Money Laundering, New Complaint Claims.
Now seeing that SA Kimm Foxx is no longer running can this be the reason? Asking for a friend...
I guess Langford feels pretty secure in his spot.
Probably has a good political hookup.
The Gods on Mt. Olympus have spoken. More smart money getting out. Good luck, George.
He should have taken the offers then. Sorry, but there's plenty of stuff coming up for sale, gettin' cheaper by the day...
Good breakfast and great employees and customers.
Their food was gauche,but it sure did taste good.
Now, kees me you fool!!!!
It was a greasy spoon.
Two Greek guys, George and Stavros run into each other on the street
George: I’m sorry to hear about your restaurant fire
Stavros: Shh....Tuesday..
The owner’s sister is a civilian desk aide in 020.
Nothing like watching a hawks game at the old chicago stadium. Many of my favorite players have their pictures hanging on the walls in the palace grill. Hope he can rebuild the place.
Overrated!!!
LANGFORD is a BUMBLING IDIOT he always has been. He is EMBARRASSING.........
Food was overrated. Owner is a nice guy, kind of a pain in the ass when all he wants to talk about is himself and who he’s met. Even with all of that…it still a shame what happened
Larry was probably right...It was "Greek lightning". It's the Chicago way...
Promoting Chicago values since 1837
Wish I could have rescued the old coffee urn that was used as a planter in the entryway. I remember that huge thing, actually two things, behind the counter when the palace was only 11 stools. Right next to the urns was the ham on the bone stuck into a holder and George’s uncles would cut a slice and throw it on the grill. Jeez, that was 53 years ago, God I am an old man.
Its calked Greek lightining and it is common when restaurant owners need to remodel or expand . I see a major expansion on the horizon including steeper prices
2/11/2024 06:27:00 AM
I got news for you, he didn't have to burn it down, he's gotten offers in the millions for that property from developers.
interesting how restaurants usually have fires when they are closed for business and no one is home...
How many blocks from the DNC Convention? If it is not in the Green Zone?
This might be the only the first fire of 2024. It might not survive DNC 2024.
3 Greek restaurant owners are living in luxury in Florida. One asks the other, “what happened to your restaurant?” “I had a terrible,fire and the place burned to the ground”. The second restaurant owner says “ What a coincidence, my place burned down too”. The two then turn to the 3rd Greek restaurant owner and ask about what happened to his spot. “Terrible flood, washed away the whole place”. The two look at him, “How did you start a flood?”.
Downtown Edison Park needs some Greek Lightning. Some of these old, greedy, Greek owned buildings need more than a facelift. The rent these pricks charge is so bad, that businesses are moving into Park Ridge and thriving. Northwest Highway is looking like Madison and Pulaski haha.
George is a friend of the police
Greek fire? Of course not cousin don't be ridiculous! I just baked a big batch of bing bong binki binki baklava. You bet your Bibby Babkas I'm bitter, baby! I busted my butt baking these itty bitty binkis, and believe me, I banked on a bit of basic brotherly bolstering!
George is a super nice guy
George’s dad bought the place from his uncles in the 70’s. George’s brother Dino used to wash dishes. Howard, a skid row guy used to sleep nights on the counters as ‘security’. It been a family affair for decades. Good luck George.
Ate there in 1965 while assigned to the 012 District
Last time I was there. It was in the late 60s or early 70s. Skid row was still in full bloom. Find it hard to believe generations of hawk fans spent time there.
Collect the insurance. Doze the lot and hold out for the highest bidder. The greek mafia strikes again.
Three Greek restaurants owners are waiting in the hallway when their insurance agent's office opens up Monday morning.
They want to put in claims.
The agent asks, "What was the cause?"
The first Greek says, "Fire."
The second Greek says "Fire."
"Flood" says the third Greek.
"How the hell do you start a flood?" asks the first and second Greek.
WAY WAY WAY effing overpriced.
Since these events in past century were of a limited range of causatives, their occurences were mildly anticipated, given normal, common human motivations.
This fucking century has those same normal, human motivations, plus a bunch of insane ones not seen outside of the looney bins of yesteryore.
Still, insurance business does provide for some comfort in what follows.
Perhaps there are clusters of the greedy salivating at the thoughts of opportunities to acquire vast property acreages within these areas, via summertime insanity riotings rivaling the ones of historic note.
Which brings to mind the question: who has been sitting on all that barren wasted acreage for decades now?
That vast vista view of our city's west/waste side?
Dotted, here and there, with those few structures that have, somehow, managed to remain standing?
Just who is sitting on all of these vacant, but for debri, city lots?
Paying, presumably, miniscule property taxes, all these many years, decades of them?
Greek fire? Of course not cousin don't be ridiculous! I just baked a big batch of bing bong binki binki baklava. You bet your Bibby Babkas I'm bitter, baby! I busted my butt baking these itty bitty binkis, and believe me, I banked on a bit of basic brotherly bolstering!
————————
The cause of the fire was because the owner did not do the Bibby Babkas dance, causing the Bibby Bobkas to burst!
Now you must sit amongst the ashes
Back in the day the truck stops on 39th and a couple on western had probably the same quality food at a lower price. Any old time I/F will remember check point Charlie
Good luck
Downtown Edison Park needs some Greek Lightning. Some of these old, greedy, Greek owned buildings need more than a facelift. The rent these pricks charge is so bad, that businesses are moving into Park Ridge and thriving. Northwest Highway is looking like Madison and Pulaski haha.
2/11/2024 11:19:00 AM
Maybe you can learn how to invest, meanwhile have another beer at the bar and shut up
4th District Community Policing Office was there providing support and ice cold Dr. Pepper to the first 15 citizens that stopped by.
The first recorded case was Irish Lightning in Mrs. O'Leary's barn.
Never was enamored with the Palace. Was too expensive and crowded. Food was meh! For my money Billy Goats on Ashland was better. Anyway he will still make a bundle of money if he sells, but that real estate probably saw its high mark years ago.
Someone look up what kind of taxes he is paying over there.
THAT will give you the answer to what happened.
grease fire?? yeah sure .. after restaurant closed 8 hrs
Anybody remember when “The Greeks” over by Cook County Hospital burned down in the late 70’s or early 80’s? It was one of the only places opened during the big snow of 1979.
Or when a restaurant in Greek town had a big weekend explosion? The owner had to be treated for injuries as he barely escaped before it ignited.
Best to George, a truly nice guy.
George’s uncle was a great guy also. Used to eat at the diner often with a large copper named John Steele. George’s uncle would walk from behind the counter with a large metal spoon and tap the post of the stool John sat on saying “I’m checking for stress fractures John”.
The first recorded case was Irish Lightning in Mrs. O'Leary's barn.
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about a block from the restaurant
Dr. Pepper kicks butt.
Now, kees me you fool!!!!
Maybe if he actually had INSURANCE he would rebuild it.
Memo to Snelling: REFRAIN FROM RACIST COMMENTS.
Why do woke people think POC people are incapable of being offensive racists?
2/12/2024 01:40:00 AM
Wrong Palace diner dude
The first recorded case was Irish Lightning in Mrs. O'Leary's barn.
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about a block from the restaurant
2/12/2024 01:40:00 AM
That is the White Palace on the northeast corner of Roosevelt & Canal.
John Steele aka “YoSlim” of 014?
I was there during the fire at the Palace Grill and waited until George showed up . I could tell he was totally devastated immediately . It’s sad when we always think of the negative when something like this happens . I went back later that night and talked with him . The damage to the inside is extensive and a normal person might throw the towel in . George Lemperis is not a normal person and he will make this diner better than it was. Most people have to realize that this affects so may more people than just George . George is the most pro “ first responder “ person I know ! There is a “ go fund me “ on Facebook right now . Please contribute if you can . George has always reached out to help . He need our help !
Pat Murray
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Someone look up what kind of taxes he is paying over there.
THAT will give you the answer to what happened.
2/11/2024 08:07:00 PM
$11.558 A lot of money but not bad for the location.
Met George 20+ years ago. Found him to be a gentleman who enjoyed sharing conversation and a laugh. Through the years, he has remained the same, a good guy!
George is devastated. He’ll be dealing now with insurance etc to rebuild and try to get back open as soon as possible. George has appr 18 employees, some full time, that have been with him over 20 years, which is a testament to what kind of guy he is and how he treats his employees that they’d stay with him that long. His employees being out of work now weighs heavy on George’s mind. The go fund me is actually to be able to continue and pay them.
I’ve know George over 30 years and he’s always been a great friend to first responders, donating to every benefit, golf outing etc as well as food on too many occasions to count.
Hope he makes it back quick.
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