If you have been to Chicago’s Gold Coast, you’ve likely had a meal at Ditka’s Restaurant, named after legendary Chicago Bears tight end and head coach Mike Ditka. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it’s had on businesses in the country, it’s forced the restaurant to make a tough decision.
Ditka’s announced on Monday afternoon that they will shut down operations citing the COVID-19 pandemic:
#Chicago institution Ditka’s Restaurant closes, citing the impact of the #coronavirus crisis. @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/Pye6YWDf1m
— Mike Lowe (@MikeLoweReports) May 18, 2020
Back in October of 2019 the restaurant faced the potential of shutting down when its lease ended at the end of the year. But the restaurant agreed to a new deal to keep it open until the end of 2020. However, with the site not being open for the past three months that plan has changed.
The restaurant was opened in 1997 and is one of three Ditka’s locations in the Chicagoland area with the fourth being in Ditka’s hometown of Pittsburgh. The remaining locations will continue to be open in the future.
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3 Comments
We have enjoyed eating at Ditka’s every time we’ve been there! It’s a Landmark and will most certainly be missed!!
Nothing quite like dining at Ditkas on Saturday night before the Bears/Packers NFC championship game. The entire place was belting out the Bears song with each Chorus ending in PACKERS SUCK! Some great memories and Da Coach autographing a photo for 10 year old while dining next us. Gonna miss this place for sure!
Sad to see this iconic establishment being closed. Just think of all the celebrities and great memories created there. I had the pleasure to eat there 2 times and the food was excellent, as a lifetime Bear fan growing up, I really enjoyed looking and reading the pics on the wall. How about bringing one to Dixon, Il.? Lol. Was worth the thought! Lol
As a Bear fan of 46 yrs, I hate to see it close! Thanks DITKA, for the memories and great food.