Tisdahl 'Grateful' for Dave's Italian Kitchen

EVANSTON, IL - The unexpected closing of Dave’s Italian Kitchen in downtown Evanston this week came as a surprise to just about everyone, including Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, who planned on giving owners Dave and Ellen Glatt a key to the city at Monday night’s City Council meeting.

“I’m very sorry to hear the restaurant has closed and am grateful for all their years in Evanston and for all the years they’ve fed families in need,” said Tisdahl, who noted the couple did have the key to the city delivered to them by Kevin Brown of the city’s Youth and Young Adult Division.

The Glatts were key to the city recipients due to their generosity in providing affordable meals to residents without sufficient means.

"They realized that those without the means still deserve to eat at a nice restaurant," Tisdahl said.

Dave’s - a longtime local institution that has served Evanstonians at locations on Davis Street, Church Street and most recently Chicago Avenue - was closed on Monday and their website confirms the closure is permanent.

Fans on Facebook mourned the loss of what many called their favorite eatery in Evanston, a city with more than a few options.

“Oh no. Not another favorite gone! A changing of the guard is happening in Evanston eateries,” Joe McGowan wrote.

“Good run, Dave. Thanks for the meals,” Wendy Kendrick added.

The restaurant's closure became public knowledge the very day the owners were scheduled to be honored by Tisdahl. 

Providing a key to the city isn’t something that happens often, Tisdahl said, but “if anyone deserves it, it’s Dave.”

“He’s a terrific guy and certainly deserving of it.”