A 'disaster' in the making
Legendary Evanston eatery Sarkis Grill is bringing its menu to Lincoln Park
The "Disaster Sandwich" is coming to Lincoln Park.
Sarkis Grill, the tiny-but-beloved Evanston breakfast spot that modestly boasts the "World's Best Omelette," is opening its first satellite location, at 444 W. Fullerton, on July 11.
(Rich Hein/Sun-Times)
The new place will be called Sarks in the Park. (The 'i' in Sarkis was left out to make the name rhyme better, franchisee Josh Alomia explains.)
The original Sarkis Grill on Gross Point Road in the northwest corner of Evanston has fed generations of North Shore residents. It's also a hot spot for high school students from Evanston, Wilmette and Skokie.
Alomia is banking on the Lincoln Park location appealing to the grown-up version of that demographic: former North Shore residents living in Chicago who are looking to get a taste of their childhood.
"We're playing off the whole alumni thing from the North Shore," he said.
Sarks in the Park will have one of the original cooks, the same food distributors and the old-school look of Sarkis Grill, Alomia said.
"We're making sure it's as authentic as possible," he said.
If the new location is a success, more offshoots could be coming to Wicker Park, the South Loop and the downtown financial district in the next five to 10 years, Alomia said.
Open since 1965, Sarkis Grill became a mainstay on the North Shore for its rapid-fire service, signature dishes such as the "Disaster Sandwich" and the "Loretta" and the charm of former owner Sarkis Tashjian, who greeted customers with hugs, kisses (especially for the women) and hearty shouts of "My friend! My friend!"
The restaurant has continued to thrive under its current owner, Scott Jaffe, who bought Sarkis Grill from Tashjian nine years ago.