Chef Luciano & Gourmet Chicken Restaurant To Undergo Renovations South Loop Mainstay Will Modernize Restaurant And Add Seating; Restaurant To Close F

Chef Luciano & Gourmet Chicken, located at 49 E. Cermak Rd. and known for its famous fried chicken and gourmet dishes, will undergo extensive renovations this Summer, with plans to add patron seating and modernize the restaurant.



Work is scheduled to begin Monday, July 12, with plans to close the restaurant between July 18 and August 3 to expedite renovations and allow the restaurant to return to service as soon as possible, said Rocky Gupta, restaurant owner/manager.



While work will be done to modernize the restaurant, Gupta is also restoring the building at Cermak Road and Wabash Avenue to its former 1920s glory. The Cermak building housed Chicago's first White Castle restaurant in 1929. The Chicago Landmark Commission is overseeing the renovation, as Chef Luciano & Gourmet Chicken falls into the Motor Row historic preservation area.



"We realize the importance of preserving the past of this great neighborhood, so we wanted to keep that in mind as we look to the future," Gupta said. "We're excited to be able to invest in the community and look forward to serving our customers in an exciting new space."



During renovations, the Cermak building will be restored to its 1929 fa�ade, complete with new brick and period-accurate White Castle turrets. In addition, patron seating will be added, along with a new VIP Chef's table for special guests and a new walk-in cooler. While guests can look forward to a modern restaurant, they can be rest assured that everything they love about Chef Luciano & Gourmet Chicken will stay the same.



"We'll still have two separate menus for Chef Luciano & Gourmet Chicken together in one convenient location," Gupta said, referring to the restaurant's dual identity as a gourmet restaurant and popular takeout spot.



"Our gourmet food will of course stay the same, and we will have some surprises in store for our guests at our grand reopening."



Work is scheduled to begin on the restaurant on Monday, July 12, with Saturday, July 17 as the last day before closing. Workers plan to work around the clock so the restaurant may reopen on Tuesday, August 3.



Guests can look forward to Grand Reopening promotions, to be announced later this month, to celebrate the new Chef Luciano & Gourmet Chicken.



"We've enjoyed serving the community since 1982, and with this renovation we hope to be a part of the fabric of Chicago for many years to come," Gupta said.



For more details on Chef Luciano & Gourmet Chicken, including menus and restaurant history, log on to www.chefluciano.com.