Michael Jordan Wows Crowd At Restaurant Grand Opening
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Hundreds lined the sidewalks and the median strip of Michigan Avenue outside of Michael Jordan's new steakhouse at the Intercontinental Hotel Thursday night to catch a glimpse of the basketball legend.
He proved that he could still wow a crowd, 13 years after he took his last shot as a Chicago Bull.
He stepped from a black Bentley and the crowd immediately began squealing.
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More than 160 people lined the median strip of Michigan Avenue, and several hundred more stood on either side of the entrance.
Inside what used to be a hotel lobby, 400 people jammed the restaurant to see the ribbon-cutting and hear a word of thanks.
"I want to say to the Chicago people thank you for your support," he said. "Ever since I came to this city in 1984 you've taken me in like I'm one of your own."
He said he was pleased with the restaurant and said the wait staff will pride itself on good service.
The restaurant actually opened Aug. 23, and the wait staff received several weeks of training before that.
Strategic Hotels and Resorts President/CEO Laurence Geller is his partner. He said Jordan did not dictate what is on the menu, but insisted that the quality always be top-notch.
Asked if he believed a Jordan-themed steakhouse would be a "slam dunk," Geller said, "No. You have to earn it."
This is Jordan's third steakhouse. The other two are in New York and Connecticut. He said he wants Chicago's to be the best.
