New Owner Aims to Revive Chicago's Vintage Restaurant in Jefferson Park Neighborhood.
The long-awaited revival of Gale Street Inn, a beloved restaurant in the heart of Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood, is finally underway. Paulo Villabona, 50, has purchased the institution with the help of two family members and plans to reopen it this December.
Villabona, who has spent 36 years working in the restaurant industry, had been searching for a location in his own neighborhood when he learned that Gale Street Inn closed suddenly several months ago. The former owner, George Karzas, cited staffing issues as one of the reasons for the closure, which came just a year after a major renovation.
Despite facing significant challenges in attracting new staff members, Villabona remains committed to preserving the restaurant's legacy while also innovating and adapting to changing tastes. He plans to keep the beloved dishes that made Gale Street Inn famous, including its tender baby back ribs. The new owner has expressed his intention to 'knock it out' with supporting items.
Karzas, who took over as the restaurant's owner after his father passed away in 1994, is confident that Villabona will succeed where he failed. He believes the key to keeping customers is maintaining reasonable prices and paying staff competitive wages. "It's a labor of love," Karzas said.
The news has been met with enthusiasm from local business owners, including Gregg Weinstein, owner of Rex Tavern, who echoed sentiments that "we need more restaurants like this in our neighborhood." The reopening of Gale Street Inn is expected to bring in new customers and revitalize the stretch of Milwaukee Avenue where the restaurant is located.
The long-awaited revival of Gale Street Inn, a beloved restaurant in the heart of Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood, is finally underway. Paulo Villabona, 50, has purchased the institution with the help of two family members and plans to reopen it this December.
Villabona, who has spent 36 years working in the restaurant industry, had been searching for a location in his own neighborhood when he learned that Gale Street Inn closed suddenly several months ago. The former owner, George Karzas, cited staffing issues as one of the reasons for the closure, which came just a year after a major renovation.
Despite facing significant challenges in attracting new staff members, Villabona remains committed to preserving the restaurant's legacy while also innovating and adapting to changing tastes. He plans to keep the beloved dishes that made Gale Street Inn famous, including its tender baby back ribs. The new owner has expressed his intention to 'knock it out' with supporting items.
Karzas, who took over as the restaurant's owner after his father passed away in 1994, is confident that Villabona will succeed where he failed. He believes the key to keeping customers is maintaining reasonable prices and paying staff competitive wages. "It's a labor of love," Karzas said.
The news has been met with enthusiasm from local business owners, including Gregg Weinstein, owner of Rex Tavern, who echoed sentiments that "we need more restaurants like this in our neighborhood." The reopening of Gale Street Inn is expected to bring in new customers and revitalize the stretch of Milwaukee Avenue where the restaurant is located.
. I mean, 36 years in the industry? That's a lot of experience, right? But on the other hand, 36 years is also a long time, and maybe some things are just outdated... like, I don't know, restaurants being run by one person for that long 
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Maybe he's got some good people on board now, but we'll just have to wait and see.
. But if it doesn't... well, at least we'll know what went wrong and can learn from it 
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. Maybe Villabona should focus on something else entirely... like, I don't know, a food truck or something 
!
. I mean, 36 years in the industry? That's dedication... or maybe just desperation 
. Either way, I'm stoked to see Gale Street Inn back on its feet (literally, it closed suddenly and everything!). Paulo Villabona seems like a class act, trying to keep things authentic while still innovating 
. Let's hope he can bring in the crowds without pricing out the locals 
. Milwaukee Avenue just got a whole lot more interesting 
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paulo villabona is gonna knock it outta the park with this revamp 
i mean, who wouldn't want to try their famous baby back ribs again?! 
and also bringing in new customers... can you imagine the vibe on milwaukee avenue?! 
it's gonna be so lit!!!
or completely bomb 
. 36 years in the industry? That's dedication right there 
. I mean, those baby back ribs better still be on the menu 
. Fingers crossed this one knocks it out of the park like Karzas said 
We'll be keeping our fingers crossed that Gale Street Inn becomes a go-to spot again soon! 
i'm curious to try some of their innovative dishes, but at the same time i'm also down for some good ol' fashioned baby back ribs 
. Keeping the iconic baby back ribs on the menu is a genius move. I love how he's all about preserving the legacy while also innovating - can't wait to try some new items 
. Fingers crossed for a successful reopening in December! 
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The fact that Paulo Villabona is keeping it real with the original dishes and still innovating is a win in my book. I hope he crushes it on supporting items too - those little extras can make or break a dining experience.