Lost Restaurants of Chicago by Greg Borzo

Author:Greg Borzo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing Inc.
Published: 2018-03-13T16:00:00+00:00

Old Heidelberg

Eitel’s Old Heidelberg restaurant grew out of the Century of Progress, where in 1933 it operated a large restaurant in the German Village. Once Prohibition was repealed in 1933, the restaurant added an extensive beer garden for the fair’s second year. The place was so popular that in 1934, the owners opened a restaurant downtown at 14 West Randolph Street in the former Randolph (movie) Theater. The Old Heidelberg added a quirky German-looking façade that included a clock with figures that moved every quarter hour, as a song played. For years, the Old Heidelberg dished out spätzle, wiener schnitzel and other filling favorites to enthusiastic eaters. It also boasted lively music, such as organ playing in the main dining room and singers in the rathskeller.

In 1958, new owner Gus Allgauer took over and renovated the restaurant, but his Old Heidelberg continued the original style of food and entertainment. In 1963, the restaurant gave way to Ronny’s Steak Palace, which was followed by the Noble Fool Theater around 2000. Today, Argo Tea makes great use of the picturesque façade, which is the only remnant of the Old Heidelberg.

Over the years, Gambrinus, a medieval king and the mythical inventor of beer, welcomed visitors to the building. The wood figure, designed by local artist Edgar Miller, emerged every half hour from a perch above the front door. Gambrinus still emerges like a cuckoo clock every evening at 6:00 p.m., accompanied by chiming music.

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