Ed Debevic's To Close (Temporarily) To Make Way For High-Rise

By Margaret Paulson in News on Apr 25, 2015 4:00PM

Photo via Ed Debevic's Facebook page

Ed Debevic’s—a one-and-done staple on the Chicago tourism circuit—will be closing to make way for a fancy new high-rise.

“What?! But that’s my favorite place!” (said no real Chicagoan ever.)

Rest assured, the quirky joint’s closing is only temporary, and they’ll be back slingin’ PG-rated insults and sassy dance moves before you know it.

Though JDL Development bought the property at 640 N. Wells St. with plans to replace it with apartments or condos, Ed’s has plans to reopen in a new, but as of yet undecided, location. It hasn’t been reported but JDL likely paid a much higher sum than the $4.5 million the previous owners paid at purchase in 2005.

The quirky joint, which has been open since 1984, bills its menu as “deep and cheap.”

In an official statement, owner Jeff Himmel gave a bit more information:

"We're currently looking at locations closer to Michigan Avenue. We invite our fans to join us in our final days at the corner of Wells and Ontario."