UPDATE: Evidently, this was reported on Channel 3 last night (thanks gnightgirl!). I guess that’s what I get for a) sitting on information too long and b) not watching the news!
A source tells lbotp that the new Greek restaurant Papageorge, which has kept its location a mystery because they will be taking over an existing business, allegedly will occupy the space currently inhabited by locally owned family fare purveyor Pickles.
It could make sense, since that place is in desperate need of a makeover of its early 1980s interior. If this is true, Mr. lbotp will miss his cajun chicken dinner. I won’t be shedding any tears.
Perhaps we’ll know for sure on June 30, the date when the Papageorge owners say they will reveal their bricks and mortar location.
16 responses so far ↓
Gnightgirl // June 21, 2007 at 10:39 am
It was on the channel 3 news last night that this is so.
Leeanthro // June 21, 2007 at 11:10 am
Good! I hope it has new ownership/management. I used to work for the same group and they are jerks. Ask Gamera about it, too.
The owner of Pickles isn’t actually local, but they also own the Ribeye (at least when I worked for the group).
I went to Pickles a couple of months ago and they had nothing vegetarian. Nothing. Not even tuna salad for the semi vegetarians. Kind of sucked. And of course you can’t order a grilled cheese off the kids menu.
I’m all about a Greek restaurant. Any news when its supposed to open?
gamera // June 21, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Yah…I worked at Pickles for about a year and half almost 12 years ago—I had personality *issues* with some of the “management.” I won’t go into details because it’s stupid, but basically they help feed the undlerlying conflict between lifers (people who are restaurant workers for life) and students (people working in restaurants to help pay expenses while in school).
We actually *just* went to Pickles today for lunch because I’m still addicted to their Philly.
Happy to see something new coming to town—sorry to see Pickles go, but yah, the menu has been basically the same since *I* worked there.
Gnightgirl // June 21, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Well, I’ll be first in line, after tasting their dolmades at the farmer’s market this week. If they’re at Taste this weekend, I’ll just put my chair by their stand.
Jenna // June 21, 2007 at 9:14 pm
They will be at the Taste this weekend. Lots of yummy goodies to be tasted!
So will Euro-Mart (more Medit. fare).
Mark J. // June 21, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Someone found my site today by running a Google search for “champaign pickles restaurant closing.” I immediately thought of the new Greek place. Hope it’s true. Good to have a new place on this end of town. I also saw they’ve started on the Atlanta Bread Company remodeling.
Jenna // June 22, 2007 at 3:36 pm
See the N-G today (Friday)…2 articles about the change.
Mrs. Chicken // June 24, 2007 at 5:50 pm
We just tried Pickles for the first time; too bad, The Poo rates it at five macaronis, her highest rating.
Me, I wasn’t that impressed. Maybe we can finally get some decent hummus in this town.
khanada // June 25, 2007 at 8:25 am
Looking forward to the change, but after reading the NG article, are they going to remodel the restaurant? It didn’t sound like it… the article made it sound like they were just going to take over the restaurant and gradually add the new menu items. If there was going to be a remodel, wouldn’t they have to close up shop for a while?
Lisa // June 30, 2007 at 1:41 pm
I’m a bit confused about what they’re going to do, as well. I would think they would remodel and completely change the menu (per the one you link to), but it didn’t sound as if that’s what’s going to happen. Something about gradually introducing new items was mentioned in the paper. They were supposed to “open” today; maybe I need to toddle down there and see what’s what.
I also really liked the dolmades I got from them at the market. And the olives.
Mark J. // July 1, 2007 at 8:33 pm
The message board out in front of the restaurant seems to indicate they’re open for business. We were just coming from dinner (Basmati), so we didn’t stop in. Maybe next weekend.
Carole // July 2, 2007 at 9:18 am
I talked to the owners at FM on Saturday morning - they were planning on opening yesterday, the 1st. Very excited about the venture
Mark J. // July 3, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Some colleagues went for lunch today and brought back some pita and tzatziki. MUCH better than Pasha’s. But I guess there are only a few Greek items added to Pickles’ old menu. One colleague is a real gourmet and said the Greek was ok, but not up to the standards of Greektown in Chicago. I have to say the tzatziki was pretty good, but not as delicious as the tzatziki at Parthenon in Greektown. Still, pretty good Greek is better than no Greek.
Lisa // July 7, 2007 at 11:37 am
I had a couple of mini-lamb burgers today at the market, and they were quite delicious. Have yet to make it to the restaurant, though.
Mark J. // July 7, 2007 at 6:39 pm
We ate at the restaurant tonight. Pretty unimpressive. You can read my review on my blog, but it was a disappointment. I’ve experienced glitches before at newly opened restaurants, so let’s hope that’s the case here.
I will say that the service was excellent. Possibly the same Pickles staff?
Guy // July 26, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Man, I haven’t been to Pickles ever since I contracted a nasty intestinal parasite there as a consequence of one of their cooks. Anyone else remember the shigella outbreak at the Rantoul skills? Same cook.
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