[John Kass News - Article by By James Banakis]
I've always been a city boy. I got together with a group of friends recently and the conversation settled into the early 1970's. We wistfully talked of dating and the restaurants and clubs we frequented. Jobs we held. We didn't know each other then, yet we all had similar coming of age experiences, and frequented the same places.
During those years, I was going to school and working the weekend 11PM – 7AM shift at my uncle's restaurant, Mitchell's at State and Division. Truth be told, it was there, hosting and working the register that my love affair with the city really took hold. If I ever finish my memoir, Mitchell's will for sure occupy a chapter. You'll need to buy my book to read about the colorful details beginning with the most popular hangover cure, 16oz. hanging over the plate skirt steak and eggs breakfast.
Mitchell's was a stopping off point for politicians, minor celebrities, Gold Coast matrons, mobsters, Division Street bar hoppers, hookers, and any other local character strait out a Mike Royko piece in the still mourned by me, Chicago Daily News. Each of the characters I interacted with became part of the tapestry of my life. During the 30 years span beginning in late 1970's, the restaurant business became my focus and passion.
To understand food and its evolution you must constantly travel and discover what the world has to offer. So, I willingly traveled searching for the most perfect meal. I found plenty. The other thing I found was that the United States had 3 bright shining stars.
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