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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING AYDIN DINCER AND EVANSTON EATERY PRAIRIE JOE'S
WHEREAS, Prairie Joe's, a colorful breakfast and lunch eatery at Central and Prairie in Evanston, has announced it is closing at the end of October. Prairie Joe's slogan was "Real people, real food, real art." It has been a fixture in the Central Street business district for more than thirty years; and
WHEREAS, Prairie Joe's was the quintessential neighborhood gathering place. While the experience was about the food for sure, it was also about the people you would see and interact with there: the neighbors who met their friends weekly; the regulars who sat at the counter; local politicians, families with small children; teachers from Haven; and groups of Haven students who came for shakes on half days, when school was in person; and
WHEREAS, Prairie Joe's menu was as eclectic as the art that hung from its ceiling and on its walls. Families with young children came to eat there in part for the stimulating experience of looking at all the art. Many people favored breakfast; but lunch was also interesting. Alongside their signature burgers, sloppy joes and grilled cheese, one could order some combination of lentils, hummus, beets, eggplant, feta, beef patties, sticky rice, soup, or Greek salads. The offerings were vast and varied; and
WHEREAS, local elected officials Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Debra Shore regularly used Prairie Joe's as their "district office" to meet with constituents and other persons with concerns about the country and district. As Commissioner Suffredin noted, "A lot of county policy was formulated in the booths at Prairie Joe's;" and
WHEREAS, Aydin Dincer, the owner, is also an artist whose work adorned the walls and was offered for sale there. Aydin acknowledged agonizing over the decision, but he hopes to dabble in a less demanding venture focusing on soups, art, and casseroles. "Trends ...
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