After 35 Years Heaven On Seven is Born Again

Back in 1980 the Loop was not a place you’d expect to find a family-owned neighborhood restaurant. And yet, that’s exactly what the Bannos family opened. The New Garland Coffee Shop sat seven floors above Wabash Avenue in the Garland Building. After a few years Jimmy Bannos began playing around with Louisiana cooking and the rest, as they say, is history.

In 1985 the coffee shop became Heaven on Seven and since then they’ve been serving gumbo, red beans, and more hot sauces than you can shake a pepper at in their lofty location. This year they’re celebrating 35 years with a rebirth of the classic restaurant.

Previously open only for breakfast and lunch, and for dinner once a month, the original will serve dinner on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings beginning February 12th. Fat Tuesday, February 17, will be an all-day celebration featuring items like Fried Oysters & Bacon with Black Pepper Meunière, Duck & Andouille Tamales smothered in Jorge’s famous Mole Sauce, Chicken Voodoo Enchiladas and Smothered Pork Shoulder on Dirty Rice. They’ll also have Abita beer on tap as well as bottles beers, wine, and hurricanes.

Stay tuned throughout the year as Chef Bannos plans collaborations with Chicago’s impressive array of chefs, including inviting some of them to take over his kitchen for a shift.

Heaven on Seven is located at 111 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL. For more information visit their website or call 312-263-5443.

Photo courtesy Heaven on Seven