Web Extra!
Editor’s note: In this week’s print edition, we ran both an Inside Report and a letter to the editor that mentioned a fundraiser to save The Depot Diner. In the Inside Report, which appeared in the front section of the paper, the day we listed for the fundraiser was wrong.
The fundraiser is tonight: Friday, April 3. To reach as many people as possible with the correct information, we’re re-running both items here.
The 1940s décor makes The Depot Diner a gift of a setting for any artist who needs a time machine. And with a film studio nearby, that fact hasn’t been lost. During a visit to The Depot in November to check on their plans for Thanksgiving, we had to chat with Robert and Annemarie Nava on the sidewalk just outside their place. An A&E crew had scooched them out to prep inside for a scene with Patrick Swayze, who, sure enough, walked up as we were talking turkey takeout.
Cops had Roosevelt Road cordoned off for blocks. The following Sunday afternoon, it was more of the same, just with a shorter stretch blocked off. A film crew from Columbia College was there shooting a romantic comedy.
The Navas didn’t let the buzz get to them. At 6 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, they were open, serving their roasted turkey with all the fixin’s – sage stuffing, soup and salad, sweet and mashed potatoes, and cornbread — for $15.95. Reservations weren’t necessary. And the whole meal was available for takeout, too. They were open till 2 p.m. on the holiday most folks are home resting.
If you haven’t been to The Depot, you can see all the charm of its décor at Zagat’s Web site: www.zagat.com/Verticals/PropertyDetails.aspx?VID=8&R=116837.
If you want to help save The Depot, attend the fundraiser tonight.
If you just want to dine there, go to 5840 W. Roosevelt in Chicago from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday or from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Helen Karakoudas
