tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2698674352470153088.post4488215937578011853..comments2024-03-28T16:36:10.544-05:00Comments on The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™ : The Busy Bee Restaurant, 1546-50 North Damen Avenue in Chicago, Illinois (1913-1998).Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10605531495401356831noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2698674352470153088.post-74127249707399566692024-02-28T17:19:18.245-06:002024-02-28T17:19:18.245-06:00That place was classic Chicago. Authentic. Working...That place was classic Chicago. Authentic. Working class ethnic food. You will never get that back in this era of homogeneity. It can’t be replicated and franchised. If you were a regular your waitress was liable to have your coffee in front of you before you had your coat off. Great memories. If you thought that place was nothing special you’ll love Denny’s. What a great rich history this city enjoys. The best.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2698674352470153088.post-67706820721026996012024-01-17T00:33:40.437-06:002024-01-17T00:33:40.437-06:00I went to school at the New Way Barber College 197...I went to school at the New Way Barber College 1978-1979 when the Busy Bee a thriving business everybody went to the Busy Bee if you wanted a decent lunch in that neighborhood. The neighborhood was tough. You didn’t want to be out there after 9.00 pm unless you knew <br />someone , I knew someone the owners <br />Sophie,, Hank Sr , Hank Jr , and Chester the youngest Son and the Daughter Liz was always so kind . Hank Sr let me work the Service bar <br />From 6-9 when I got off of school after working 9-5 and driving from the suburbs . They gave me a hot meal along with 6.00 bucks an hour which I was grateful for it got me through school for that whole year without them. I don’t know how I would’ve made it. I had no money I worked for next to nothing for school just tips and I was able to eat there and had a wonderful time they were so good to me. I will never forget the kindness I received from that whole family, the most decent people in the world. God rest, her soul, Sophie she was an angel from heaven,. Her son Chester was very dear to me, watched over me. I was only a young girl with a dream. Thanks to them. I was able to make my dream come true. The food was always outstanding. Everything was done top-notch European style I know because I’m European. Forever thanks to the whole family. <br />Love Sonja Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2698674352470153088.post-40988209266638501582023-09-26T13:40:22.261-05:002023-09-26T13:40:22.261-05:00Lived just off Division on Hoyne in the early 1980...Lived just off Division on Hoyne in the early 1980s; the Busy Bee was the greatest spot in the neighborhood with the greatest mix of people. My girlfriend (and then wife) and I were, at the time, a couple of punk bohemians and we always had the best time at the Bee; we were welcomed with a generosity of spirit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2698674352470153088.post-22833294415270427802023-09-25T00:57:05.705-05:002023-09-25T00:57:05.705-05:00you did not eat there .. that was the beauty of it...you did not eat there .. that was the beauty of it it was a AMAZIN DINER because of the people who ran it and the people who ate there Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2698674352470153088.post-76153198339745908132023-04-30T23:13:37.960-05:002023-04-30T23:13:37.960-05:00It was a diner,nothing hotsy totsy,LolIt was a diner,nothing hotsy totsy,LolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2698674352470153088.post-7798791677941270032022-11-04T20:17:54.519-05:002022-11-04T20:17:54.519-05:00I used to visit Chicago quite frequently back in t...I used to visit Chicago quite frequently back in the 80's and 90's, often for business. A company that I often collaborated with there was run by two brothers who loved good food. During one such visit they took me to the Busy Bee — I thought it was awesome. <br /><br />We dined at the counter during what was a busy lunch hour. The entire time it felt as if the two Chicago cops (not likely those in the photo above) who were dining on the other side of the counter island from us were staring directly at me. Both of my hosts noticed this as well. Perhaps this had to do with the fact that my hosts both dwarfed me, likely outweighing me by at least 100 pounds each. Or it might have been due to me putting away every bit as much food as each of my hosts did. <br /><br />It's a shame that this place is no longer around, but I'm grateful to have experienced it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2698674352470153088.post-49821928587576789332022-09-03T15:22:40.501-05:002022-09-03T15:22:40.501-05:00Ha. You probably never even ate there. Ha. You probably never even ate there. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2698674352470153088.post-77322578761450800052022-08-20T10:18:22.016-05:002022-08-20T10:18:22.016-05:00Another treasure goneAnother treasure goneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2698674352470153088.post-37560381228507577432021-09-22T01:37:00.570-05:002021-09-22T01:37:00.570-05:00It was Ok,nothing special to be honest.It was Ok,nothing special to be honest.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13644030633036055903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2698674352470153088.post-16719218732885176282021-05-18T23:29:18.869-05:002021-05-18T23:29:18.869-05:00The Busy Bee was excellent. Great food prepared by...The Busy Bee was excellent. Great food prepared by real people that knew how to cook Old World Style. The company I worked for had a warehouse directly behind it and sometimes we would eat at the Busy Bee four or five times a week. TP Scharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08695304333177637624noreply@blogger.com