Palace Grill Suffers Extensive Damage in Fire, Owner Commits to Rebuilding

The iconic Near West Side restaurant, a favorite among first responders and the Chicago Blackhawks, faces uncertainty ahead of the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

The Palace Grill, a historic restaurant on the Near West Side of Chicago, was severely damaged by a fire on Thursday night.
Owner George Lemperis vows to rebuild, drawing parallels to the reconstruction of the World Trade Center.
The cause of the fire remains unclear, with initial suspicions of a grease fire being questioned due to the timing of the blaze.
The restaurant has a storied history, having survived the 1968 riots and hosted notable figures like Vice President Al Gore and Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin.
The fire's timing is particularly challenging as the restaurant was anticipating increased business from the 2024 Democratic National Convention.