A Trio Of Chicago Restaurant Closures To Know

Angry Crab has closed. | Nick Fochtman/Eater Chicago

Pizza Capri in Lincoln Park and Strings in Lakeview find new homes, while Angry Crab in Wicker Park says goodbye.

Chicago’s restaurant scene is rapidly changing, and the city is used to seeing places come and go. It’s a tough real estate market out there, and the rising costs of doing business do not favor restaurant owners. Sometimes the grind gets too much, other times it’s time to pull the curtain on a long run. Of course, customers may not always love the food that’s being served either.

The Shutter, a regular roundup of Chicago’s restaurant closures, is your resource to find out what’s on its way out. The list is by no means comprehensive. Have information on another closing? Send all tips to chicago@eater.com.

LINCOLN PARK — Pizza Capri has closed after more than three decades at the corner of Willow and Halsted. They have vacated the space at 1733 N. Halsted, with a sign thanking customers. The restaurant, known for a California spin on Chicago stuffed pizza, has moved north to the space formerly occupied by Smoque Steak at 3310 N. Elston Avenue.

LAKEVIEW — Strings is leaving Lakeview for Lincoln Park. On Friday, May 31, the ramen shop will vacate 919 W. Belmont and move to the space formerly occupied by Mo’s Asian Bistro, 1353 W. Fullerton. The restaurant won’t be open for dine-in immediately, a rep says they’re renovating the new space, which is in a strip mall near DePaul University’s main campus. Carryout and delivery will continue uninterrupted in the interim. The new Strings should start welcoming customers to its dining room in late 2025. At one point, Stings was to occupy the busy corner of Halsted and Belmont. The spot is now occupied by Birdman Ramen, a concept that started out of the Gangnam Market in River West as Seven Faced Bird. Kenny Yang owns Gangnam Market and Strings.

WICKER PARK — After nine years in Wicker Park, Angry Crab has closed its Wicker Park restaurant. The restaurant’s success led to several Cajun-Asian seafood boil restaurants opening around Chicago. The Wicker Park location, 1308 N. Milwaukee Avenue, served its last meal on April 27; a “for lease” sign now hangs in the window. The original location opened in 2015 in West Rogers Park and was one of the busiest spots in Chicago, with long lines of customers waiting for their plastic bibs and bagged seafood seasoned with spicy sauces. That location closed in 2023. Angry Crab’s closure marks the end of an era for Chicago.