These Legendary Ribs Are Coming Back: How A Local Fan Saved This Iconic Chicago Landmark

Five months after the abrupt closure of Gale Street Inn, a beloved institution in Jefferson Park, the restaurant is preparing to reopen in December under new ownership. Established back in 1963, Gale Street Inn was known for its signature ribs and supper club ambiance , and the residents who lived nearby were heartbroken when it shut its doors this past June. Now, the new owner, Paulo Villabona, a resident of Jefferson Park , is reviving the local landmark with plans to open it this December. Gale Street Inn to reopen this December ------------------------------------------- According to the *Chicago Sun-Times,* Villabona, who has lived in Jefferson Park with his wife and two daughters since 2019, has worked in the restaurant industry for 36 years . He began his career as a dishwasher, progressing through roles including line cook, server, and bartender, before becoming the general manager of Bar Siena at Old Orchard Mall in Skokie. Villabona told [WGN news](https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/iconic-gale-street-inn-to-reopen-in-chicagos-jefferson-park/), > To me, buying the restaurant is all about the community. Our goal is to keep making amazing food, allow the phenomenal staff to continue to shine, and ultimately keep this pillar of the community alive for another 60 years. Villabona mentioned that while the menu will largely remain the same —meaning if you were looking forward to the ribs, they will still be available—there will also be new additions, including a kids’ menu. Source: https://secretchicago.com/gale-street-inn-jefferson-park-to-reopen-this-december/