|
Last Chance for Famous Froglegs
Phil Smidt's Closing on Saturday
[HAMMOND] Phil
Smidt's, the famous Hammond restaurant that
has served lake perch, frog legs and
gooseberry pie to hungry diners since 1910,
will lock the doors at 1205 Calumet Avenue
for the last time at 9pm on Saturday,
October 20. Until then, they will serve
lunch and dinner as usual.
Company
president, Dave Welch, expressed regret.
"Changing demographics are a small part of
the story," he said. "We had discussions
with the cityi regarding relocating to a
smaller, more visible location within
Hammond. But ultimately, that didn't
happen." Welch isn't ruling out the
possiblity of a Phil Smidts reopening
elsewhere in
Chicagoland or
Northwest Indiana.
Phil Smidt's
was featured in
USA Today's "The 50 Great Places of
America" in May 2000 and has long been
considered a destination restaurant. Phil
Smidt's draws patrons from nearby
Indiana and Chicago suburbs and far
beyond. Mail orders are not uncommon. "We
just shipped out eight frog leg dinners to a
family that lives in
Nevada," Welch said.
Welch
apologizes for any inconvenience to patrons.
"Phil Smidts has been a gathering place for
wedding receptions, anniversaries, showers,
proms and funeral luncheons for 97 years. On
behalf of my staff, we thank everyone who
has dined here."
|