After 50 Years, Jeri's Grill a 'Last Remaining Greasy Spoon'

After 50 years in business, not much has changed at Jeri’s Grill in North Center. And for the restaurant's loyal customers, that’s a good thing.

The original countertops remain, complete with cigarette burns, and cash is still the only accepted form of payment. A jukebox, though not original to the diner, lends itself to the old school atmosphere. The menu has evolved a bit, but its focus is still on 24-hour diner staples like burgers, biscuits and eggs.

“It’s pretty much remained the same. What you see is what you get,” owner Frank DiPiero said. “We’re one of the last remaining greasy spoons.”

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DiPiero has been working at Jeri’s Grill, located at 4357 N. Western Ave., since the late ‘80s, and it was his father, Anice, who originally opened the joint in 1963.

“I just want to keep it going in his memory,” Frank said. “It really is a great thing for the neighborhood. It’s a part of people’s daily lives.”

That’s evident in the friendly banter among employees and customers, many of whom said they come every day. Bob Padgett, a Korean War veteran, said he’s come in twice daily, once at 4:30 a.m. and again in the afternoon, for about 25 years.

“I come in here to talk to my friends,” he said. “It’s a great place to eat.”

Timothy Bryowsky has been coming for about three years. “It’s such a refreshing change from Burger King and McDonald’s,” he said. “You get homemade style meals at a great value. It’s very laid back and they know you by name here.”

DiPiero recognizes that many small businesses have found it tougher to keep the doors open, but he hopes the cheap prices and customer loyalty will pay off. He said the restaurant is a staple in Chicago and exemplifies the city.

“The city of Chicago is hard-working, big shoulders, tough people,” he said. “We get everyone here. We’ll have a homeless person, a politician, an attorney, someone who’s unemployed.

“We’re just the place that’s always open. It’s almost a Cheers thing where someone always knows your name. We’re summer shelter from the heat, winter shelter from the cold and 24-hour shelter from the loneliness.”