GLADSTONE PARK — Multiple businesses have opened on Gladstone Park’s growing Milwaukee Avenue business corridor.
In addition to the openings, Stefani’s Bottega Italiana announced it will pause restaurant service.
Here’s the latest Gladstone Park food news:
Openings
Chiquita Scoops
6140 N. Milwaukee Ave.
872-899-0020
Noon-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday
Chiquita Scoops is bringing a taste of Puerto Rico and Mexico to Gladstone Park.
The family-owned ice cream and snack shop opened at 6140 N. Milwaukee Ave. at the end of September.
Owner Joel Gonzalez, who grew up on the Northwest Side and is a Taft High School graduate, said he wanted to bring more Latino food options to the area. The shop’s menu is inspired by Joel Gonzalez’s Puerto Rican roots and his wife Mireya Gonzalez’s Mexican heritage.
The restaurant serves classic ice cream flavors like chocolate and cookies and cream as well as Mexican-inspired options like mango de leche and paletas, which are Mexican-style popsicles. Chiquita Scoops’ menu also features churros, mini pancakes, waffles, torts, elote, tater tots and tamales.
Joel and Mireya Gonzalez have full-time jobs, but Joel Gonzalez said he’s always been interested in owning a small business. His family is very entrepreneurial, and his sister, Michelle Gonzalez, owns October Cafe in Norwood Park.
Chiquita Scoops was inspired by the Gonzalezes’ 4-year-old daughter, Ximena, who’s had a sweet tooth since birth, they said. “Chiquita” means “little girl” in Spanish.
Joel Gonzalez said he and his wife want to be role models for Ximena and their almost 2-year-old son, Emilio. He said they wanted to create a place where the kids could see their culture being celebrated and where other people could learn more about Latino culture. He said Northwest Siders often have to go to Albany Park or suburban Des Plaines to find Latino-owned snack shops.
Chiquita Scoops had an ofrenda up during Día De Los Muertos and hosted a Halloween and Día De Los Muertos story time at the shop. Chiquita Scoops is also partnering with the group Latina Mamis for a Nov. 22 event and will do Christmas pop-ups through the holidays. The shop’s current holiday menu features Chocolate abuelita, which is a Mexican-style hot chocolate in drink and ice cream form.
Joel Gonzalez said they also plan on selling hot chocolate and churros at Taft High School. Chiquita Scoops offers a student deal which includes a hot dog, fries and juice for $5.
You can learn more about the business by checking out the Chiquita Scoops Facebook and Instagram.
Corral House Bar & Grill
5527 N. Milwaukee Ave.
773-742-1445
Noon-12 a.m. Sunday-Monday, noon-2 a.m. Tuesday-Friday, noon-3 a.m. Saturdays
Corral House Bar & Grill is bringing the Wild West to the Far Northwest Side.
The restaurant and bar opened at 5527 N. Milwaukee Ave. last month. Lifelong Jefferson Park resident Maria Speciale opened the business with Dave Canavan, the owner of the Emerald Isle in Edison Park and Wrigleyville.
Speciale opened District House at 5722 W. Higgins Ave. in 2021. She said she was thinking about opening a second bar when she drove past the old Cafe Marbella space and saw it was for lease.
“The next thing you know, I was buying a bar and I was begging Dave to be my partner,” Speciale said.
Speciale hired the former cook from Big Top Diner in Jefferson Park. She said the menu includes the Big Top’s famous cream of chicken soup as well as tacos, wings, nachos and other classic bar bites. Corral House also has a special that changes daily.
The bar has live music every weekend and will host karaoke nights and DJs. Corral House has a pool table and is hosting a pool league.
The restaurant can also be booked for parties and events.
Antioch Pizza Shop
5750 N. Milwaukee Ave.
773-570-5020
11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Friday-Saturday
Antioch Pizza Shop has opened its first Chicago location in Gladstone Park.
The Michigan-based pizza chain opened at 5750 N. Milwaukee Ave. in October. Antioch is known for its fresh pastas, Italian beef, hot dogs and, of course, pizza. Antioch won WGN Radio’s 2024 Chicago Pizza Madness bracket.
Antioch has 12 locations in four states.
Closings
Stefani’s Bottega Italiana
6075 N. Milwaukee Ave.
In a recent social media post, Stefani’s Bottega Italiana announced the business will be “pausing restaurant service” starting Sunday.
“This isn’t goodbye but just a new chapter as we dedicate our time to expanding Stefani’s artisanal pasta program through our wholesale partnerships and broader distribution across Chicago,” the post read.
Owned by the Stefani Restaurant Group — which also owns Tavern on Rush, Broken English Taco Pub and Castaways Beach Club — Stefani’s Bottega opened in Gladstone Park in 2024. The restaurant specialized in housemade pastas, Roman-style pizza and Italian sandwiches.
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