It's Greek To Me was really good when they first opened on rt 38.

(06-05-2020 11:06 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 07:23 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 07:08 PM)7huskie6 Wrote:  

(06-03-2020 05:13 PM)Schaefer Beer Wrote:  

(06-01-2020 01:29 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  I will admit that I was there, but I will NOT admit to looting. All I had on me was my trusty scraper in order to scrape up remnants of the old Grotto. So, in essence, I was cleaning the city and, at the same time, collecting souvenirs from a past life. Heck, most of the stuff I scraped up was originally from me anyway!

While bringing up some Dekalb nostalgia in the Dekalb downtown area while DF tries to scrape up some if his DNA, a fond memory is drinking Michelob Dark on draft at the Candlelight Inn. I can't remember if I liked the beer or the price better because pitchers of Michelob Dark were extremely cheap at the Candlelight. If memory serves me right, pitchers were $2.00.

Loved Candlelight Inn. Free pizza every hour during Monday Night Football. Cheap beer.

Wow. I feel like I missed out on that.

Any other DeKalb gems from yesteryear? It was never open, but the outside of McCabe's looked cool. I was 06-11.

We had:
Eduardo's - gone
Pizza Pro's
Starbusters - gone
Rosie's - gone
Tequila Roadhouse/O'Reillys - gone
Otto's and the Underground - gone
Pizza Villa
Twin Tavern
O'Leary's - gone
Hometown Sports
Lord Stanley's and the Annex
Molly's
Fatty's
Tapalauluna

I was there '93-'99 (yes....I became a full-fledged doctor....or something like that...)

Of your list:

Candelight Inn - Never heard of it
Eduardo's - was there numerous times
Pizza Pro's - I think they were attached to Amnesia, had it several times
Starbusters - it was brand new and cool, then expanded and got too big for itself
Rosies - don't recall it
Tequila Roadhouse/O'Rielly's - pretty sure I pre-date this place
Otto's - literally some of my best memories...oh the stories I could tell...
Pizza Villa - every time I try to return, they aren't open yet.
Twin Tavern - yes...I think...its hazy
O'Leary's - I don't recall
Hometown Sports - I think I pre-date this establishment
Lord Stanley's/Annex - a few times (is this place still open?????)
Molly's - more times than I'd like to admit and more rail shirts than I'd like to admit
Fatty's - not until after I graduated
Tapalauluna - never heard of it.

Some places you missed out on:

The Jungle - Okay, maybe missing this isn't the worst thing
Amnesia - as bad as it was, it was a staple especially Retro 80s night
Andy's Tap - was there a few times
Fat Boys - Greek bar....kinda lame....big for their eggs and beer on Homecoming
Arcade Dreams - which for some reason we called Cream and Dream....it was okay
McCabes - I was there for the end days (a few years) and it went out with a bang

Forgive me if I'm missing someplace.

Seriously, Big Red--I was counting on you....

How about Pagliai's--(Pags)-----especially when it was by the Pet Shop and Fife and Drum down by the tracks (Walgreens property now) not the one across from what is Fatty's now.

The number of all you can eat contests we had there..........

Maybe the will trash west side of stadium, then we can use insurance to remodel

Whoa. I always just assumed Fatty's was a staple that had existed forever.

(06-06-2020 08:14 AM)Milwaukee Pilot Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 11:06 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 07:23 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 07:08 PM)7huskie6 Wrote:  

(06-03-2020 05:13 PM)Schaefer Beer Wrote:  While bringing up some Dekalb nostalgia in the Dekalb downtown area while DF tries to scrape up some if his DNA, a fond memory is drinking Michelob Dark on draft at the Candlelight Inn. I can't remember if I liked the beer or the price better because pitchers of Michelob Dark were extremely cheap at the Candlelight. If memory serves me right, pitchers were $2.00.

Loved Candlelight Inn. Free pizza every hour during Monday Night Football. Cheap beer.

Wow. I feel like I missed out on that.

Any other DeKalb gems from yesteryear? It was never open, but the outside of McCabe's looked cool. I was 06-11.

We had:
Eduardo's - gone
Pizza Pro's
Starbusters - gone
Rosie's - gone
Tequila Roadhouse/O'Reillys - gone
Otto's and the Underground - gone
Pizza Villa
Twin Tavern
O'Leary's - gone
Hometown Sports
Lord Stanley's and the Annex
Molly's
Fatty's
Tapalauluna

I was there '93-'99 (yes....I became a full-fledged doctor....or something like that...)

Of your list:

Candelight Inn - Never heard of it
Eduardo's - was there numerous times
Pizza Pro's - I think they were attached to Amnesia, had it several times
Starbusters - it was brand new and cool, then expanded and got too big for itself
Rosies - don't recall it
Tequila Roadhouse/O'Rielly's - pretty sure I pre-date this place
Otto's - literally some of my best memories...oh the stories I could tell...
Pizza Villa - every time I try to return, they aren't open yet.
Twin Tavern - yes...I think...its hazy
O'Leary's - I don't recall
Hometown Sports - I think I pre-date this establishment
Lord Stanley's/Annex - a few times (is this place still open?????)
Molly's - more times than I'd like to admit and more rail shirts than I'd like to admit
Fatty's - not until after I graduated
Tapalauluna - never heard of it.

Some places you missed out on:

The Jungle - Okay, maybe missing this isn't the worst thing
Amnesia - as bad as it was, it was a staple especially Retro 80s night
Andy's Tap - was there a few times
Fat Boys - Greek bar....kinda lame....big for their eggs and beer on Homecoming
Arcade Dreams - which for some reason we called Cream and Dream....it was okay
McCabes - I was there for the end days (a few years) and it went out with a bang

Forgive me if I'm missing someplace.

Seriously, Big Red--I was counting on you....

How about Pagliai's--(Pags)-----especially when it was by the Pet Shop and Fife and Drum down by the tracks (Walgreens property now) not the one across from what is Fatty's now.

The number of all you can eat contests we had there..........

I wasn't thinking along the lines of eating establishments, tbh (even though the original list had Pizza Villa and Pizza Pros). But yeah, Pags seemed like it was good back then. I honestly don't know if it actuall was. I mean Lukulos was great but I'd probably never eat there at my current age.

(06-06-2020 11:11 AM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Whoa. I always just assumed Fatty's was a staple that had existed forever.

No. It was a restaurant called The Crystal Pistol originally. It was a pretty nice place to eat when I started at NIU and my parents always wanted to go there when they were in town (steaks, seafood, pasta, etc). I can't remember the name of the owner but he was the kind of guy who would come talk to you at your table and he made you feel like you'd known him forever. I think he sold the place and it went down in quality (both the inside of the place and food) the last year or so I was at NIU and then it closed up. Fatty's didn't open up in that location until some time in the mid-2000s (I think).

(06-06-2020 11:41 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(06-06-2020 11:11 AM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Whoa. I always just assumed Fatty's was a staple that had existed forever.

No. It was a restaurant called The Crystal Pistol originally. It was a pretty nice place to eat when I started at NIU and my parents always wanted to go there when they were in town (steaks, seafood, pasta, etc). I can't remember the name of the owner but he was the kind of guy who would come talk to you at your table and he made you feel like you'd known him forever. I think he sold the place and it went down in quality (both the inside of the place and food) the last year or so I was at NIU and then it closed up. Fatty's didn't open up in that location until some time in the mid-2000s (I think).

It was originally a Mr.Steak, then became Crystal Pistol. It was owned by Jim Vitale who is a fairly well known Rockford restaurant owner: Jungle Jim's, Cliff breakers, and now Stone Eagle Tavern (also has a Hoffman Estates location). I heard he only opened it in Dekalb, because he wasn't allowed to open a restaurant in Rockford for a few years, as part of some sales agreement when he sold Jungle Jim's. When that was up, he sold and opened up another Rockford restaurant.

(06-06-2020 12:09 PM)golf4501 Wrote:  

(06-06-2020 11:41 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(06-06-2020 11:11 AM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Whoa. I always just assumed Fatty's was a staple that had existed forever.

No. It was a restaurant called The Crystal Pistol originally. It was a pretty nice place to eat when I started at NIU and my parents always wanted to go there when they were in town (steaks, seafood, pasta, etc). I can't remember the name of the owner but he was the kind of guy who would come talk to you at your table and he made you feel like you'd known him forever. I think he sold the place and it went down in quality (both the inside of the place and food) the last year or so I was at NIU and then it closed up. Fatty's didn't open up in that location until some time in the mid-2000s (I think).

It was originally a Mr.Steak, then became Crystal Pistol. It was owned by Jim Vitale who is a fairly well known Rockford restaurant owner: Jungle Jim's, Cliff breakers, and now Stone Eagle Tavern (also has a Hoffman Estates location). I heard he only opened it in Dekalb, because he wasn't allowed to open a restaurant in Rockford for a few years, as part of some sales agreement when he sold Jungle Jim's. When that was up, he sold and opened up another Rockford restaurant.

It was a Pizza Villa when I was at NIU ( late 60’s early 70’s) and the manager’s name of the Crystal Pistol was Mike Muzarely. When Cindy Crawford would come back to town she would rent out the entire place and throw a party. I know Muzz as we call him.

(06-06-2020 12:50 PM)HOF 08 Wrote:  

(06-06-2020 12:09 PM)golf4501 Wrote:  

(06-06-2020 11:41 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(06-06-2020 11:11 AM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Whoa. I always just assumed Fatty's was a staple that had existed forever.

No. It was a restaurant called The Crystal Pistol originally. It was a pretty nice place to eat when I started at NIU and my parents always wanted to go there when they were in town (steaks, seafood, pasta, etc). I can't remember the name of the owner but he was the kind of guy who would come talk to you at your table and he made you feel like you'd known him forever. I think he sold the place and it went down in quality (both the inside of the place and food) the last year or so I was at NIU and then it closed up. Fatty's didn't open up in that location until some time in the mid-2000s (I think).

It was originally a Mr.Steak, then became Crystal Pistol. It was owned by Jim Vitale who is a fairly well known Rockford restaurant owner: Jungle Jim's, Cliff breakers, and now Stone Eagle Tavern (also has a Hoffman Estates location). I heard he only opened it in Dekalb, because he wasn't allowed to open a restaurant in Rockford for a few years, as part of some sales agreement when he sold Jungle Jim's. When that was up, he sold and opened up another Rockford restaurant.

It was a Pizza Villa when I was at NIU ( late 60’s early 70’s) and the manager’s name of the Crystal Pistol was Mike Muzarely. When Cindy Crawford would come back to town she would rent out the entire place and throw a party. I know Muzz as we call him.

Pizza Hut make that.

(06-06-2020 11:37 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(06-06-2020 08:14 AM)Milwaukee Pilot Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 11:06 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 07:23 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(06-05-2020 07:08 PM)7huskie6 Wrote:  Loved Candlelight Inn. Free pizza every hour during Monday Night Football. Cheap beer.

Wow. I feel like I missed out on that.

Any other DeKalb gems from yesteryear? It was never open, but the outside of McCabe's looked cool. I was 06-11.

We had:
Eduardo's - gone
Pizza Pro's
Starbusters - gone
Rosie's - gone
Tequila Roadhouse/O'Reillys - gone
Otto's and the Underground - gone
Pizza Villa
Twin Tavern
O'Leary's - gone
Hometown Sports
Lord Stanley's and the Annex
Molly's
Fatty's
Tapalauluna

I was there '93-'99 (yes....I became a full-fledged doctor....or something like that...)

Of your list:

Candelight Inn - Never heard of it
Eduardo's - was there numerous times
Pizza Pro's - I think they were attached to Amnesia, had it several times
Starbusters - it was brand new and cool, then expanded and got too big for itself
Rosies - don't recall it
Tequila Roadhouse/O'Rielly's - pretty sure I pre-date this place
Otto's - literally some of my best memories...oh the stories I could tell...
Pizza Villa - every time I try to return, they aren't open yet.
Twin Tavern - yes...I think...its hazy
O'Leary's - I don't recall
Hometown Sports - I think I pre-date this establishment
Lord Stanley's/Annex - a few times (is this place still open?????)
Molly's - more times than I'd like to admit and more rail shirts than I'd like to admit
Fatty's - not until after I graduated
Tapalauluna - never heard of it.

Some places you missed out on:

The Jungle - Okay, maybe missing this isn't the worst thing
Amnesia - as bad as it was, it was a staple especially Retro 80s night
Andy's Tap - was there a few times
Fat Boys - Greek bar....kinda lame....big for their eggs and beer on Homecoming
Arcade Dreams - which for some reason we called Cream and Dream....it was okay
McCabes - I was there for the end days (a few years) and it went out with a bang

Forgive me if I'm missing someplace.

Seriously, Big Red--I was counting on you....

How about Pagliai's--(Pags)-----especially when it was by the Pet Shop and Fife and Drum down by the tracks (Walgreens property now) not the one across from what is Fatty's now.

The number of all you can eat contests we had there..........

I wasn't thinking along the lines of eating establishments, tbh (even though the original list had Pizza Villa and Pizza Pros). But yeah, Pags seemed like it was good back then. I honestly don't know if it actuall was. I mean Lukulos was great but I'd probably never eat there at my current age.

Isn't Lukulos closed forever? It was alright when I first went there, then it dwindled to meh.

Great bar lists. I'll add:
AmEx (downtown)
Stadium Club (near the old Pags)
Paradise Club (inside what is now Red Roof Inn)
Matthew Boone's (now the Cornerstone/Tavern on Lincoln property)

(06-06-2020 12:51 PM)HOF 08 Wrote:  

(06-06-2020 12:50 PM)HOF 08 Wrote:  

(06-06-2020 12:09 PM)golf4501 Wrote:  

(06-06-2020 11:41 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(06-06-2020 11:11 AM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  Whoa. I always just assumed Fatty's was a staple that had existed forever.

No. It was a restaurant called The Crystal Pistol originally. It was a pretty nice place to eat when I started at NIU and my parents always wanted to go there when they were in town (steaks, seafood, pasta, etc). I can't remember the name of the owner but he was the kind of guy who would come talk to you at your table and he made you feel like you'd known him forever. I think he sold the place and it went down in quality (both the inside of the place and food) the last year or so I was at NIU and then it closed up. Fatty's didn't open up in that location until some time in the mid-2000s (I think).

It was originally a Mr.Steak, then became Crystal Pistol. It was owned by Jim Vitale who is a fairly well known Rockford restaurant owner: Jungle Jim's, Cliff breakers, and now Stone Eagle Tavern (also has a Hoffman Estates location). I heard he only opened it in Dekalb, because he wasn't allowed to open a restaurant in Rockford for a few years, as part of some sales agreement when he sold Jungle Jim's. When that was up, he sold and opened up another Rockford restaurant.

It was a Pizza Villa when I was at NIU ( late 60’s early 70’s) and the manager’s name of the Crystal Pistol was Mike Muzarely. When Cindy Crawford would come back to town she would rent out the entire place and throw a party. I know Muzz as we call him.

Pizza Hut make that.

Yep. Pizza Hut in the early 70s.

(06-06-2020 01:58 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(06-06-2020 12:51 PM)HOF 08 Wrote:  

(06-06-2020 12:50 PM)HOF 08 Wrote:  

(06-06-2020 12:09 PM)golf4501 Wrote:  

(06-06-2020 11:41 AM)Big Red Wrote:  No. It was a restaurant called The Crystal Pistol originally. It was a pretty nice place to eat when I started at NIU and my parents always wanted to go there when they were in town (steaks, seafood, pasta, etc). I can't remember the name of the owner but he was the kind of guy who would come talk to you at your table and he made you feel like you'd known him forever. I think he sold the place and it went down in quality (both the inside of the place and food) the last year or so I was at NIU and then it closed up. Fatty's didn't open up in that location until some time in the mid-2000s (I think).

It was originally a Mr.Steak, then became Crystal Pistol. It was owned by Jim Vitale who is a fairly well known Rockford restaurant owner: Jungle Jim's, Cliff breakers, and now Stone Eagle Tavern (also has a Hoffman Estates location). I heard he only opened it in Dekalb, because he wasn't allowed to open a restaurant in Rockford for a few years, as part of some sales agreement when he sold Jungle Jim's. When that was up, he sold and opened up another Rockford restaurant.

It was a Pizza Villa when I was at NIU ( late 60’s early 70’s) and the manager’s name of the Crystal Pistol was Mike Muzarely. When Cindy Crawford would come back to town she would rent out the entire place and throw a party. I know Muzz as we call him.

Pizza Hut make that.

Yep. Pizza Hut in the early 70s.

interesting way before my mid-80's to '90 time frame in Dekalb

Some others that are missing:

Tom & Jerrys by John Street (The ham & cheese on a pita was great)
Rositas Mexican on Lincoln Hwy (The enchilda stack was great)
Sgt Peppers (great nuggets)
Dots Place (small breakfast place on Lincoln Hwy)
Sams Pizza (used to be next to the Jungle and moved a couple of times, great stuff crust pizza)

Any of those still there?

(06-06-2020 04:21 PM)stpeterocketfan Wrote:  Some others that are missing:

Tom & Jerrys by John Street (The ham & cheese on a pita was great) - yes, thankfully
Rositas Mexican on Lincoln Hwy (The enchilda stack was great) - i believe so
Sgt Peppers (great nuggets) - wasn't this a party of Molly's?
Dots Place (small breakfast place on Lincoln Hwy) - don't thinks so
Sams Pizza (used to be next to the Jungle and moved a couple of times, great stuff crust pizza) - never heard of it

Any of those still there?

Rick's Pizza, later Rick's Red Apple Pizza, was below VCB. It was the closest restaurant to the dorms, and was a great place for slices. It also had a really good jukebox. It existed in the late 70s until at least the mid 80s. I know it's ancient history for many, but might provide good memories for others.

My go to place for snacks and a 10 cent cup of coffee to get me through the night was Sambo’s on Lincoln Hwy. Short walk from Douglas Hall. Not the most politically-correct place, but it got me through my NIU years in the early 1970s. I would often go there for a tuna sandwich and several cups of coffee at 1 a.m. Ah, the good old days!

Hannigans? Great dough nuggets mid 80s

(06-06-2020 06:27 PM)Beach Boy Wrote:  Rick's Pizza, later Rick's Red Apple Pizza, was below VCB. It was the closest restaurant to the dorms, and was a great place for slices. It also had a really good jukebox. It existed in the late 70s until at least the mid 80s. I know it's ancient history for many, but might provide good memories for others.

Was it where Shelley's/Now Sharks is? Or where Pita Pete's is?

I'm guessing the VCB hasn't changed a bit...

(06-06-2020 07:04 PM)MGMFIN86 Wrote:  Hannigans? Great dough nuggets mid 80s

Where was that?

A place that closed that I legitimately miss, was Big Rapp Daddy's fried chicken. Nestled in the shopping center between the Stevens complex and the McDonald's. It was only one for a year or two from 2010-11 I think.