Red Palm Bar and Grill Offers Refreshing 'Change in Latitude' on 95th Street

Veteran restaurateur Mike Nix is hoping to change latitudes and attitudes on 95th Street with his island inspired bar.

The Red Palm, 3020 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park, offers comfort foods and drinks with a tropical flair, music, and a grass-thatched patio that offers a laid-back, Hawaiian vibe off the bustling 95th Street corridor.

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Taking over the former Cavatappi space, Nix has replaced the old black signage with a candy red palm tree and sign designed to stand out among the South Side Irish and sports bars.

“Who’s ever had a bad time in the tropics,” Nix said of the bar’s theme.

Nix makes good use of Cavatappi’s woodfired oven, firing up a selection of Aloha pizzas, Hawaiian-themed burgers with names like Big Kahuna and Keke made from grass-fed beef, chicken and pork wings, ribs and steaks.

The Red Palm also serves up Asian salads, finger foods and sandwiches for sharing over a good craft beer or tropical libation, including BBQ pork sliders, guacamole, Teriyaki chicken breast, mahi-mahi and Pete’s Volcano Chili.

A surprise hit are the tropical drinks loaded with fine rums and/or vodka and beer cocktails, including Snake Bite, Guinness Stoute and Crispin cider, Velvet Hammer and Crispy Hippy.

Nix said he plans to change the menu up every season.

“I wanted to do something with fresh food,” he said. “Most is cooked in our wood fired oven. it gives the food a unique taste. We’ll change the menu every season and mash up the drinks so it enhances the meal.”

The Red Palm has a private banquet room that can set up to 200. Nix is also offering live entertainment, including a recent appearance by Dueling Pianos. The bar and restaurant quietly opened in early July as the team fine tuned the food and drink menu, and wait staff got their chops down.

Last week’s grand opening was well attended by neighborhood residents and Evergreen Park Mayor Jim Sexton.

Nix grew up in Beverly and has lived in Evergreen Park for the past 20 years. The St. Leo alum is the former general manager of the Martinique (now the site of the village’s Walmart), and has knocked around the restaurant business in Florida and California.

In addition to Nix, wife, Roxanna, and sons Ryan, Sean and Seamus, are jumping in to run The Red Palm. Son Ryan, who just earned his master’s in business from University of Illinois, is the manager.

“I couldn’t think of a better guy to have with me. We’re a family business,” Nix aid. “My youngest son, Seamus, from washing dishes to making pizzas.”

The Red Palm, 3020 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Ample parking across the street, but if you’re going to park on Utica or Sacramento, please be courteous to neighbors. For more information visit The Red Palm’s Facebook page, or call 708-581-3154.