The Story
Otto Roth opened The Blackhawk on December 27, 1920, and created a Chicago institution that would span six decades. The original 600-seat dining room was elegant: murals, wood panels, and crystal chandeliers set the stage for an experience that was as much about being seen as being fed.
In September 1926, The Blackhawk became a national sensation when Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawk Orchestra began performing there, with live broadcasts on WGN Radio and the Mutual Network. 'Live! From the Blackhawk!' brought the restaurant into homes across America during the golden age of Big Band.
When Don Roth took over in 1945, he shifted focus from entertainment to food. In 1952, he introduced the 21-ingredient spinning salad bowl, presented tableside with theatrical flair. The Blackhawk became known as the place 'where food is the show.' Rising Loop rents eventually caught up with the legend, and the original closed on August 31, 1984.
🍽 Signature Dishes
Massive cuts that defined steakhouse dining
Don Roth's 1952 invention with 21 ingredients, tossed tableside
💡 Did You Know?
- Big Band performances were broadcast nationally from The Blackhawk in the 1920s-30s
- The restaurant name was kept alive at the Wheeling location until 2009
- UIC's archives hold the Blackhawk Restaurant collection documenting its history
👤 Notable People
🏙 What's There Now
[VERIFY current tenant at 139 N. Wabash]
Original Address: 139 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60602