Earwax Cafe Back Open Again
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Earwax Café in Wicker Park is back open again, after announcing plans to close permanently on Feb. 28 after 21 years in business.
Last month, the Wicker Park-Bucktown Insider's Guide reported that Earwax, at 1561 N. Milwaukee Ave., would close for good effective Feb. 28.
The restaurant closed as expected. But after only 10 days, an announcement appeared on the restaurant's Facebook page announcing it would reopen.
The announcement said "due to popular demand," Earwax would reopen after a menu overhaul and cleanup. The restaurant said Kurt Guzowksi, former executive of the Landmark Grill at 1633 N. Halsted St., had upgraded the vegetarian and vegan-focused menu with some items both old and new.
"You guys have convinced us to re-open, despite some difficulties, and to stick with the tried and true concept of the café," the Facebook announcement said.
The restaurant reopened on March 11, and has been drawing kudos from fans on Facebook throughout the week since.
The Earwax Café has gained a following among locals and tourists alike, for its salads, vegetarian burgers and sandwiches, and seitan offerings.
The restaurant is painted in bright orange, red, yellow and blue, with circus-themed artwork, and even a front doorway set up to resemble the entrance to an old-fashioned freak show.
The Earwax Café opened in 1990 in a storefront on Damen Avenue, then moved to 1564 N. Milwaukee Ave. the following summer, and finally to its current location around 2002, according to published reports.
Time Out Chicago points out the restaurant's old location, now occupied by the Myopic Bookstore, also made a brief appearance in the 2000 John Cusack movie "High Fidelity."
