Domu Maps Chicago's Oldest Restaurants

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Oct 4, 2012 5:40PM

The cover to the menu at The Berghoff restaurant, circa 1973. (Photo credit: Roberto 41144)

Local foodies breathlessly anticipate the new, hip openings. But what about the neighborhood joints that have been around for generations that have become part of the city’s fabric, many of which are recognizable by name only? We’re talking about the classics: The Berghoff; Café Brauer; Lou Mitchell’s; Valois, Lindy’s Chili; Twin Anchors; Vito and Nick’s; The Original Rainbow Cone.

Local apartment rental resource website Domu maintains a map of Chicago history and recently updated it to include 66 restaurants that are at least 50 years old. The oldest on the list is Bridgeport’s Schaller’s Pump, which opened in 1881. If the map is too much, Domu handily listed the restaurants for your viewing.

Now this is what we call classic Chicago eating.