Chicago's Parthenon Closes, Permanently Extinguishing Its Famous Flaming Cheese

CHICAGO — The Parthenon—a staple of Greektown and Chicago's restaurant landscape for almost half a century—has closed, snuffing out the fires on its signature flaming saganaki, a dish the restaurant claimed to have invented, Eater Chicago reports.

The Greek eatery informed its customers that it was shutting its doors for good with a note posted Tuesday in a window at its 314 S. Halsted St., location, according to the report:

"After over 48 years in business, we are sad to inform you we are permanently closed.

"We want to thank you for your support over the years and for the wonderful memories!"

It's not known why The Parthenon closed after being open since 1968. No mention has been made of the closing on the restaurant's website as of Wednesday afternoon.

In the 1960s, owner Chris Liakouras is credited with creating flaming saganaki, the fiery cheese dish that made dining at The Parthenon part performance, part dining experience. This is how Chicago Tribune food critic Phil Vettel described eating at the restaurant in 1993, when The Parthenon was celebrating its 25th anniversary:

"Just sit in the middle of The Parthenon as a waiter balances five sizzling plates of saganaki on his arm and flames them simultaneously (that's probably why the ceilings are so high) and try not to have a good time."

Liakouras also wasn't shy at having a little fun with his reputation as the culinary creation of flaming saganaki and the popular exclamation that goes with it, as this video shows:

More via Eater Chicago

photo via Google Earth

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