The Story
Rich Melman's Lettuce Entertain You created Ed Debevic's in 1984 as a theatrical take on 1950s nostalgia. The concept was brilliant: a fake diner with a fake history, where servers in poodle skirts and leather jackets insulted customers, sang on countertops, and delivered milkshakes with attitude. The motto? 'Eat - And Get Out!'
The fictional Ed Debevic was imagined as a 'Polish Archie Bunker' who opened a restaurant after returning from the Korean War. The kitschy decor, jukebox tunes, and deliberately rude service became a Chicago institution for tourists and locals alike. Birthday tables got serenaded with maximum embarrassment.
In 2015, the building at 640 N. Wells was sold to JDL Development for a 22-story luxury condo tower. On October 4, 2015, Ed's served its last sassy burger after 30 years. The building was demolished within months. (A new Ed Debevic's, under different ownership, reopened elsewhere in 2021.)
🍽 Signature Dishes
Classic diner fare served with maximum attitude
The real draw - servers who insulted you and danced on counters
💡 Did You Know?
- Ed Debevic was a completely fictional character invented by Rich Melman
- The 'rude' service was part of the act - servers were trained to insult customers playfully
- The building was demolished to make way for a 22-story, 251-unit luxury condo tower
👤 Notable People
🏙 What's There Now
22-story luxury condominium tower
Original Address: 640 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60654