I feel privileged to say that I was there for lunch when the Berghoff closed its doors for the last time. Whether it was the cafe, the bar, or the actual restuarant, the Berghoff family really did German cuisine (and beers) right. I LOVED just about everything about the place in the short time I would come around for lunch or a quick beer before heading home. I even bought as much memorabilia as I could (including about 3 bottles of whisky) because of the history this place possessed. Now that although the building still remains and the place is now a catering company and the cafe portion has opened up once again, for me, it has just lost its ""flare"". It will NEVER be as good as it was when the entire place was standing. Sure the cafe still somewhat ""carries"" the Berghoff name and serves the ""same"" German food as the old cafe did, it's as almost as if the place is trying to hold onto something that is already gone, and sadly missed by everyone in Chicago. I do applaude them for trying to hold onto the Berghoff tradition, but without the bar or the restaurant (which was the heart of it all), all that's left is an empty shell of its former glorific self. I hope one day the place can be resurected becuase it is not that easy finding German cuisine that matched this place. Not Chicago Brauhaus or Glunz Bavarian Haus can come close.
Pros: Still can find good fast German food, occupies the Famous Berghoff restaurant, close to all the train lines
Cons: Not as legendary as it used to be
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