Hackney’s To Close Lake Avenue Restaurant, Refresh Harms Road Location

GLENVIEW, IL — Hackney’s Restaurant is preparing for a significant transition in Glenview, with plans to close its Lake Avenue location in September while renovating and refocusing operations at its Harms Road restaurant.

The Masterson family, which has owned Hackney’s since 1939, said the Harms Road location is undergoing updates to its bar, lobby and booths as part of an effort to modernize the space while preserving the restaurant’s longtime character.

“Our goal is a classic but updated look that keeps the charm and history of our roadhouse roots,” CEO Mike Masterson said in a statement.

Interior construction began July 27 and is scheduled to continue through Aug. 27. During that period, the indoor bar and dining room are closed, but the restaurant’s patio and kitchen remain open.

“Our patio and kitchen are open,” Masterson said. “Glenview will be able to get its French-Fried Onion fix all season long.”

Lake Avenue Location To Close In September

The family also announced that Hackney’s Lake Avenue restaurant will permanently close in early September after 71 years.

Masterson said the decision reflects changes in how customers use restaurants today.

“A 700-seat restaurant made sense in the 1960s,” he said. “It doesn’t in 2026. This will allow us to focus on creating a great customer experience at our re-energized Harms location.”

The family acknowledged that closing the Lake Avenue site was difficult given its long history in the community.

“To all the people who’ve come through these doors over 71 years — for celebrations, school banquets, first jobs — and all the customers who’ve become lifelong friends, we want to say thank you for making this such a special place,” Masterson said. “We will miss it.”

Nearly 90 Years In Glenview

Hackney’s traces its roots to 1939 and is one of the Chicago area’s longest-running family-owned restaurant businesses.

The restaurant is known for its half-pound hamburgers served on dark rye bread and its signature French-Fried Onion Loaf.

The company said the consolidation will allow it to focus on the Harms Road location, about a mile and a half from Lake Avenue.

“We’re looking forward to hosting our Lake Avenue friends a mile and a half up the road at our updated Harms Bar,” Masterson said.

“I might not be around for another 87 years. But I think Hackney’s will.”