More than 300 downtown restaurants, bars and bistros shuttered during the first three years of the pandemic, including iconic spots such as Ronny’s Steakhouse and chain locations such as Starbucks and Panera Bread, according to Datassential, an analytics firm for the food and beverage industries. But surviving Loop restaurant owners now say they can see light at the end of the tunnel. Even though many downtown office workers are still absent Mondays and Fridays, restaurateurs have found ways to compensate. Tap on our bio link to read more. —— Photo 1: Lunchtime customers place and wait for their orders at Brown Bag Seafood restaurant (@brownbagseafood) on East Randolph Street in Chicago on May 8, 2024. Photo 2: Stewart Moore, of Manchester, England, at the bar on April 26, 2024, at Industry Ales (@industryales) in Chicago. ? Brian J. Rogal / Chicago Tribune ? Terrence Antonio James and Vincent Alban / Chicago Tribune

More than 300 downtown restaurants, bars and bistros shuttered during the first three years of the pandemic, including iconic spots such as Ronny’s Steakhouse and chain locations such as Starbucks and Panera Bread, according to Datassential, an analytics firm for the food and beverage industries.

But surviving Loop restaurant owners now say they can see light at the end of the tunnel. Even though many downtown office workers are still absent Mondays and Fridays, restaurateurs have found ways to compensate.

Tap on our bio link to read more.

——

Photo 1: Lunchtime customers place and wait for their orders at Brown Bag Seafood restaurant (@brownbagseafood) on East Randolph Street in Chicago on May 8, 2024.

Photo 2: Stewart Moore, of Manchester, England, at the bar on April 26, 2024, at Industry Ales (@industryales) in Chicago.

? Brian J. Rogal / Chicago Tribune
? Terrence Antonio James and Vincent Alban / Chicago Tribune