12-02-2006
( Reply#: 622 ) |
Tom J |
I might have been wrong in saying that the Big Wheel Restaurant is still in business.
There was a "Big Wheel Restaurant" operating at 7430 Indianapolis Blvd back in the 60's. They placed an ad in our Hammond High yearbook, The Dunes, and the address was given as 7430 Indianapolis Blvd.
Now, there is a restaurant at the same address that goes by the name of "The Wheel Restaurant." Does anyone know if this is the same restaurant?
Tom
Hammond High Class of 1967 |
01-03-2007
( Reply#: 706 ) |
duane |
Tom - don't know if you found the answer on the Big Wheel or not.
I believe that it is the same restaurant. It is certainly the same building in the same location, although updated and as I recall they changed the name many years ago.
I visit the area periodically as my folks lived in East Chicago all their lives (and where I grew up and went to the "Institute" or Bishop Noll and later a few years at Purdue Cal.)The Blue Top is like a throwback to earlier times, and I've taken my kids to eat there, although we eat inside since I have an old chevy and not a hot car.
Another restaurant that is still there and close to blue top is Miner Dunn, famous for their hamburgers. Farther north on Indianapolis Blvd, in EC is Indiana Restaurant (it was still operating as of a couple of years ago, although about 1/2 block from its original 4 corners (Indy Blvd & Chicago Ave) location. Next to that is Chef Tony's pizza (Now just Tony's and another owner). Our family ordered from there when I was in grade and high school in 1960's.
Farther South on Indianapolis Blvd, in Schererville is a fancy restaurant still in operation at the intersection of HWY 30 and Indy blvd (I forget the name). Also, the kiddie amusement park that was on the NW corner of that intersection closed a few years ago I believe.
Reading all of this stuff on the Shep website sure brings back the memories. -Duane |
01-04-2007
( Reply#: 707 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by duane
Tom - don't know if you found the answer on the Big Wheel or not.
I believe that it is the same restaurant. It is certainly the same building in the same location, although updated and as I recall they changed the name many years ago.
I visit the area periodically as my folks lived in East Chicago all their lives (and where I grew up and went to the "Institute" or Bishop Noll and later a few years at Purdue Cal.)The Blue Top is like a throwback to earlier times, and I've taken my kids to eat there, although we eat inside since I have an old chevy and not a hot car.
Another restaurant that is still there and close to blue top is Miner Dunn, famous for their hamburgers. Farther north on Indianapolis Blvd, in EC is Indiana Restaurant (it was still operating as of a couple of years ago, although about 1/2 block from its original 4 corners (Indy Blvd & Chicago Ave) location. Next to that is Chef Tony's pizza (Now just Tony's and another owner). Our family ordered from there when I was in grade and high school in 1960's.
Farther South on Indianapolis Blvd, in Schererville is a fancy restaurant still in operation at the intersection of HWY 30 and Indy blvd (I forget the name). Also, the kiddie amusement park that was on the NW corner of that intersection closed a few years ago I believe.
Reading all of this stuff on the Shep website sure brings back the memories. -Duane
Thanks, Duane.
That restaurant at the intersection of US 30 and US 41 that you are thinking of is Tiebel's. Yes, it is good to see that they are still there. I have eaten there, but not too many times (it was "fancy," like you say).
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/Web3PICT0018.jpg[/IMG] |
01-04-2007
( Reply#: 709 ) |
Dave |
Much further north, but technically still in Hammond, Phil Schmidt's is still in operation. |
01-04-2007
( Reply#: 710 ) |
Dave |
Or, more correctly, "Phil SMIDT". |
01-04-2007
( Reply#: 711 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Or, more correctly, "Phil SMIDT".
Thanks for contributing, Dave.
Yep, I remember Phil Smidt's, but that's another place, like Tiebel's, where I probably only dined once or twice in all my years of living in Hammond.
Regardless of how many times I visited the place, it is still good to see another business that was operating in my day still operating today.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/Web3PICT0018.jpg[/IMG] |
01-30-2007
( Reply#: 764 ) |
duane |
Here is a website that has some great pics of the Bluetop Drive In on Indianapolis BLVD, as well as some info about other drive ins in surrounding towns.
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=109982&sid=b2eabeab8d59460fbf62127f84737ed0 |
04-05-2007
( Reply#: 918 ) |
Pro2am |
Tom,
Yep - it's the same restaurant. :)
Mike Rapchak Jr.
Hammond
-------------------------
quote:
Originally posted by duane
Tom - don't know if you found the answer on the Big Wheel or not.
I believe that it is the same restaurant. It is certainly the same building in the same location, although updated and as I recall they changed the name many years ago.
I visit the area periodically as my folks lived in East Chicago all their lives (and where I grew up and went to the "Institute" or Bishop Noll and later a few years at Purdue Cal.)The Blue Top is like a throwback to earlier times, and I've taken my kids to eat there, although we eat inside since I have an old chevy and not a hot car.
Another restaurant that is still there and close to blue top is Miner Dunn, famous for their hamburgers. Farther north on Indianapolis Blvd, in EC is Indiana Restaurant (it was still operating as of a couple of years ago, although about 1/2 block from its original 4 corners (Indy Blvd & Chicago Ave) location. Next to that is Chef Tony's pizza (Now just Tony's and another owner). Our family ordered from there when I was in grade and high school in 1960's.
Farther South on Indianapolis Blvd, in Schererville is a fancy restaurant still in operation at the intersection of HWY 30 and Indy blvd (I forget the name). Also, the kiddie amusement park that was on the NW corner of that intersection closed a few years ago I believe.
Reading all of this stuff on the Shep website sure brings back the memories. -Duane
|
04-05-2007
( Reply#: 920 ) |
Jim |
Here's one I wish was still operating - Hot Dog John's in East Chicago. I am not sure exactly where it was located, but I do remember going there as a kid on hot summer nights. It was a hole-in-the-wall, about 10 feet wide and 50 feet deep. Our family would get several bags of those great coney dogs, wrapped two each in waxed paper Wonder Bread wrappers. I could easily eat a dozen and wish I had room for more. They were the best dogs I have ever had. I'm drooling just thinking about them.
What I wouldn't give for a franchise! Nathan's - move over. |
04-05-2007
( Reply#: 921 ) |
duane |
Hot dog Johns "2 for 35 cents" was located immediately behind the First National Bank of E.C. I can't recall the name of the small street it was on, but it was about 3 stores east of Indianapolis BLVD and 1/2 block from the intersection with Chicago Avenue (4 corners).
They had a sign near the cash register that said "Weather Forecast - chili today, chili tomorrow, eat more chili!" And yes, everyone remembers those chili dogs wrapped in old wonder bread wrappers.
Another interesting eat shop about 1 block to the south on Indianapolis Blvd was an actual dining car that was wedged in somewhere between the building that held Indiana Restaurant and Sam Calpino accordion school and the Butternut Bakery. Butternut Bakery later turned into the Library for ST. Joseph college (and now a parking lot for the Grocery store and Walgreens). |
12-05-2011
( Reply#: 7609 ) |
wvcogs |
quote:
Originally posted by Boilermaker
I was in the Region in 2005 and actually went into Tiebel's. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were still in business.
We had our Morton class of 1960 50th year reunion at Teibel's in October 2010.
Ken |
12-06-2011
( Reply#: 7625 ) |
seejay2 |
We also went to Teibel's on my last rip up north in October. Pigged out big time on the perch. I also ran into a young lady, working there, that I tutored while at IUN. We had a nice chat.
That is one thing I really miss about leaving 'da region'---running into familiar faces...Cj |
12-06-2011
( Reply#: 7627 ) |
Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by duane
Hot dog Johns "2 for 35 cents" was located immediately behind the First National Bank of E.C. I can't recall the name of the small street it was on, but it was about 3 stores east of Indianapolis BLVD and 1/2 block from the intersection with Chicago Avenue (4 corners).
They had a sign near the cash register that said "Weather Forecast - chili today, chili tomorrow, eat more chili!" And yes, everyone remembers those chili dogs wrapped in old wonder bread wrappers.
Another interesting eat shop about 1 block to the south on Indianapolis Blvd was an actual dining car that was wedged in somewhere between the building that held Indiana Restaurant and Sam Calpino accordion school and the Butternut Bakery. Butternut Bakery later turned into the Library for ST. Joseph college (and now a parking lot for the Grocery store and Walgreens).
I also remember the infamous Hot Dog John's and the Wonder Bread wrapped chili dogs and the never changing weather forecast. Hot Dog John's was located on Exchange Avenue.
You mentioned the Calpino Accordian School. I studied there for almost 10 years. And while it is true that many of his students were learning the accordian, his school also taught guitar and drums. In the weekly band sessions we had, all three instruments were represented.
However, I don't remember Indiana restaurant being in the same block as Calpino's Music School. As I recall, although they were both in the 4700 block of Indianapolis Boulevard, they were across the street from each other. Calpino used to be on the south east corner of Indianapolis Boulevard and Chicago Avenue. And Indiana Restaurant was, and still is, on the west side of Indianapolis Boulevard midway between Chicago Avenue and 148th Street. Calpino and the St. Joseph College Library were in the 4700 block on the east side of Indianapolis Boulevard.
Also, the grocery store and Walgreens you mentioned have both changed. The Walgreens moved to a new building on the northeast corner of Indianapolis Boulevard and Chicago Avenue after they tore down Riley's First National Bank (the bank that the John Dillinger gang robbed in 1934). The grocery store used to be a Sterks, but now it is a Strack and Van Tils. As for the First National Bank, it was sold to PNC and moved to the east side of the 4700 block of Indianapolis Boulevard, just north of the McDonald's. |
12-06-2011
( Reply#: 7632 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
Just a reminder--
There's great Teibel's Christmas photos on the "SHARE YOUR CHRISTMAS MEMORIES HERE" thread (on big p. 2 of Sheptalk's topics). These pics were the last ones taken by my late brother Mike, in December, 2009.
ALSO(#1) ----there's an entire thread devoted to Hot Dog John's on page 3 of Sheptalk, with some pretty interesting memories.
ALSO(#2) ----- Blue Top Drive-In is still in operation; in November the sign out front said "COME IN AND EAT SO WE DON'T BOTH STARVE". At least the owner is hanging on to his sense of humor.
LR |
12-06-2011
( Reply#: 7638 ) |
wvcogs |
LR -- Those are very nice pictures Mike took of Teibel's Christmas displays.
Here's Teibel's banquet room after the party was over on October 2, 2010 -- The 50th year reunion of the Morton High School class of 1960.
---------------------------------
[img]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/wvcogs72/Morton%20High%20School%20Reunion%20Class%20of%201960/DSC_0064.jpg[/img]
Ken |
12-09-2011
( Reply#: 7666 ) |
duane |
quote:
Originally posted by Jay
quote:
Originally posted by duane
Hot dog Johns "2 for 35 cents" was located immediately behind the First National Bank of E.C. I can't recall the name of the small street it was on, but it was about 3 stores east of Indianapolis BLVD and 1/2 block from the intersection with Chicago Avenue (4 corners).
They had a sign near the cash register that said "Weather Forecast - chili today, chili tomorrow, eat more chili!" And yes, everyone remembers those chili dogs wrapped in old wonder bread wrappers.
Another interesting eat shop about 1 block to the south on Indianapolis Blvd was an actual dining car that was wedged in somewhere between the building that held Indiana Restaurant and Sam Calpino accordion school and the Butternut Bakery. Butternut Bakery later turned into the Library for ST. Joseph college (and now a parking lot for the Grocery store and Walgreens).
I also remember the infamous Hot Dog John's and the Wonder Bread wrapped chili dogs and the never changing weather forecast. Hot Dog John's was located on Exchange Avenue.
You mentioned the Calpino Accordian School. I studied there for almost 10 years. And while it is true that many of his students were learning the accordian, his school also taught guitar and drums. In the weekly band sessions we had, all three instruments were represented.
However, I don't remember Indiana restaurant being in the same block as Calpino's Music School. As I recall, although they were both in the 4700 block of Indianapolis Boulevard, they were across the street from each other. Calpino used to be on the south east corner of Indianapolis Boulevard and Chicago Avenue. And Indiana Restaurant was, and still is, on the west side of Indianapolis Boulevard midway between Chicago Avenue and 148th Street. Calpino and the St. Joseph College Library were in the 4700 block on the east side of Indianapolis Boulevard.
Also, the grocery store and Walgreens you mentioned have both changed. The Walgreens moved to a new building on the northeast corner of Indianapolis Boulevard and Chicago Avenue after they tore down Riley's First National Bank (the bank that the John Dillinger gang robbed in 1934). The grocery store used to be a Sterks, but now it is a Strack and Van Tils. As for the First National Bank, it was sold to PNC and moved to the east side of the 4700 block of Indianapolis Boulevard, just north of the McDonald's.
Good Memory Jay...except for Indiana Restaraunt. It WAS on the SE corner of the 4 corners and Calpino's was above. It was not only in the same block, it was in the same building! It only moved to its present location sometime in the 1970's. The 4 corners was my Dad's beat and also I worked every day after school at Haney's Rx, which was just across on the SW corner. So the downtown is etched in my mind. Sam Yaffee's was on the NW corner, with Walgreens in the 1st Natl. Bank building on the NE corner. Then Walgreens built the new building on the NW corner and the bank expanded into the old Walgreen's space. Also in the bank building was a five and dime (was it Newberry's?) Next to Indiana Restaraunt to the east was Central Photo. And a few doors down was Wishing Well restaraunt. Then there was the hardware store and Candiano's Super Market. Across the street to the North from them was Lewin's fine clothier. |
12-09-2011
( Reply#: 7667 ) |
duane |
Here's a photo of the north side of Chicago Avenue, looking to the west in the 1950's. http://www.flickriver.com/photos/shookphotos/4218737282/#large
First National Bank Building with Newberry's five and dime, and Walgreen's on the NE corner. Building across Indianapolis Boulevard housed Sam Yaffee's clothing store and down from that was Kaplan's shoes and Nassau and Thompson news paper and office supply store. The light colored building further down on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Magoun Avenue housed Blumenthals clothing and the Woolworth's store. On the NW corner of Chicago and Magoun is the Elks club building.
Here's a view also looking west in the 1950's but showing businesses on the south side of Chicago Ave.
http://media.photobucket.com/image/Voge%20Theater%20East%20Chicago%20Indiana/pro2am/CSSSB1008atChicagoAveIndianapolisBl.jpg
You can see Haney's drugs where I worked...and yes, there is that jock strap in the window...it was always there! Also you can make out the Voge Theater marquee sign and M.Bell Jewelers just east of that. On the north side, you can clearly see Kaplans Shoes, and Nu-Method Dry Cleaners.
Here's another photo that show's Blumenthals, Woolworths and Nassau and Thompson (behind the train). http://www.yackalot.net/ssscans/12-04LilJoe-EC1949-2.jpg
To the far east you can see the First National Bank Building. Yes, that is the South Shore train running down the middle of Chicago Avenue.
And this is looking East on Chicago Avenue from Indianapolis Blvd in 1910 (Indy Blvd was named Forsythe Ave at that time.).
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2603/4217977849_45bec7a148.jpg
The building on the SE corner is the very same building that house Indiana Restaraunt (run by Gus Kouros) and Sam Calpino's updstairs. The Window that faces at an angle had the neon accordion that said Sam Calpino's in it (of course it is not there in 1910).
And sadly, here's what downtown looked like in the 1980's. Even most of these buildings and stores are now gone. http://www.preserveindiana.com/pixpages/eastchicago/eastchicagocom.htm
|
12-10-2011
( Reply#: 7668 ) |
Jay |
Wow duane, those are some great photos of downtown East Chicago. Funny that although I spent many years attending Calpino's Music School, I don't remember the Indiana Restaurant being two floors below. When we entered the building, we used the doorway in the southwest corner on Indianapolis Boulevard. So we never had to pass the Indiana Restaurant. After it moved to the west side of Indianapolis Boulevard, each time I exited Sterks, I could not help seeing it.
Also, considering how long we lived in EC, it's funny that my family never ate at the Indiana Restaurant. In fact, the only downtown businesses we did patronize were Kaplans Shoe Store, Nassau & Thompson, Vogue theater, Walgreens, Woolworths, and the A&P food store. My mom preferred shopping in downtown Hammond.
So thanks for those photos. |
12-11-2011
( Reply#: 7669 ) |
tom w |
I thought it strange that with all the replies to the intersectio of Indy and Chicago, no one has mentioned the Well. We only went to E.C. a few times , but when we did, we stopped at the Wishing Well. Tom W |
12-11-2011
( Reply#: 7670 ) |
duane |
Wishing for the Wishing Well? Here you go:
http://cache.virtualtourist.com/15/1128598-Wishing_Well_Snack_Shop_East_Chicago.jpg
And here is some of the friendly staff...if you look closely, you'll see they are standing just behind the wishing well as you can see the water streams shooting up in front of them!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EAST-CHICAGO-Wishing-Well-Restaurant-Staff-/6254142518
|
12-11-2011
( Reply#: 7673 ) |
tom w |
Thanks duane; The second sight not only had the Well cooks, it also had the wienermobile, it also has a great footer the same as I was on when I sailed for Inland Steel!! Wonder what else I can find. Tom W |
12-11-2011
( Reply#: 7679 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
COOL Pics---
The freight trains in the middle of Chicago Ave...a fairly narrow
street....are an amazing site to see. Seems very dangerous, with no
crossing gates or any kind of protection/barrier between people, their cars, and those monstrous engines.
The second pic--with the orange engine, the Voge theater, and the jock-in-the-window was from my brother's files,
I see (pro2am); glad to see it's still around (it's also on the "Movie Theaters of 'da Region" thread here on Sheptalk).
Mike use to love the Wishing Well; he'd go there regularly for
breakfast on Saturday's in the early '70's, occasionally with me.
I almost cashed in the old chips at the Intersection of Chicago &
Indy, about 3am one February morning (2003 I think). I had been visiting with Mike in south Hammond and was driving home north through E.C. Luckily, there was a train blocking the crossing up ahead, so I was driving slowly. As I entered the intersection, I
caught a split-section view of a white car on my right side, speeding like hell west on Chicago. Too late--the disgusting thugs blew the light and nailed me in my front passenger wheel area; the
car was totalled, the moronic, neanderthal thugs fled but were caught. Their car was stolen, of course, and they were being pursued by the cops. I walked away with a sore finger...PLUS my insurance paid for a replacement Saturn. If I had driven through that intersection one second sooner, it would have been a different story. Since that night, I've checked every intersection I've driven through. My wife got a dozen beautiful roses, since she always nags me about wearing my seat-belt---which I happened to have on when the disgusting, reprehensible freaks destroyed my car.
LR |
12-11-2011
( Reply#: 7682 ) |
duane |
I've always felt that travelling through EC within the past 20 years WAS taking your life in your hands...but I always assumed it was when you were walking...not in your car!
Glad to hear that everything turned out OK. And I sure do like those pics that your brother posted. I've always loved the South Shore trains, especially back in the glory days. I've got great memories of riding that train with my mom to go shopping in downtown Chicago and seeing the Carson's and Field's window displays. However by the time I was riding it, it was co-located with the Indiana Toll Road, and no longer ran through East Chicago's four corners. |
12-12-2011
( Reply#: 7688 ) |
Jay |
I have mixed memories of riding the South Shore after commuting for over 25 years when I worked in Chicago. Funny I have no memories of the trains traveling down Chicago Avenue.
Speaking of the Wishing Well, how could I have forgotten it especially since we have eaten there a few times? I also forgot to mention that we also had our prescriptions filled at Reid's Rexall Drugs.
And although I mentioned the A&P that used to be in the 4600 block of Magoun across from the Elks building, what was the name of the large grocery store on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Northcotte Avenue? Was that National Foods?
HassBenSoba, so glad you survived that near fatal collision. Was the other car totalled as well? |
12-12-2011
( Reply#: 7691 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
Jay,
Yeah, the collision was so violent that the other car ended up with
its ass-end up on the sidewalk of the NW corner of the intersection. I actually got right out of my destroyed car, walked over to the other one and said "So what do we do now"? to the repugnant low-lifes who then jumped out and ran towards the McDonald's just south on Indy. Turns out they (the pathetic sub-humans) were on the run from Michigan and the car they had heisted was registered in Connecticutt.
Anyway, I didn't want to take up this much space here on what should be a fun, up-beat topic with my downbeat story; but I DID get a new
car out of the deal, which I'm still driving!
LR |
12-12-2011
( Reply#: 7693 ) |
seejay2 |
Well, since we are going to the destructive side of life, here is a 'crinklefender' that I was able to accomplish all by myself; no help from anybody.
Ya know the bridge on Indy Blvd over the canal? The one that opens up? Blew a tire, went thru one of the gates (took the entire gate and base off the foundation and sent it about 100 feet south) and slammed into some kind of concrete 'thing' in front of the control house. If not for that 'thing', I would have gone right into the drink. And, no, the bridge was not opening at the time. That could have been really interesting!
This would have been some time around '84.
I considered this to be the one and only break I was going to get to stop the party animal crap while in the car.
[IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/seejay2_photos/Untitled-1-1.jpg[/IMG] |
12-12-2011
( Reply#: 7696 ) |
duane |
quote:
Originally posted by Jay
I have mixed memories of riding the South Shore after commuting for over 25 years when I worked in Chicago. Funny I have no memories of the trains traveling down Chicago Avenue.
And although I mentioned the A&P that used to be in the 4600 block of Magoun across from the Elks building, what was the name of the large grocery store on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Northcotte Avenue? Was that National Foods?
The trains quit running down Chicago Avenue sometime in the mid to late 1950's after the toll road got built, so we were still pretty young at the time.
Yes, that was a National grocery store on the corner of Chicago and Northcote, although it seems as though the Polish ladies almost never shopped there, preferring the A&P as first choice, and Candiano's as 2nd. Also, I just remembered, wasn't the electronics store on the west side of Northcote (across from the National) called ACRO electronics? I think folks were talking about it earlier. |
12-12-2011
( Reply#: 7698 ) |
Jay |
Yes duane, ACRO was also located on the southwest corner of Chicago Avenue and Northcotte Avenue. I purchased more than a few electrical and electronic parts there. Regarding that National Food Store on the southeast corner, didn't they have to compete with another National Food Store located in the Woodmar Shopping Center? |
12-12-2011
( Reply#: 7703 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
CJ--
The car looks kinda' purdy sittin' in the driveway like that.
LR |
12-13-2011
( Reply#: 7706 ) |
seejay2 |
That was how my wife felt what the control house guy called my wife to pick me up and she saw the car on the road being towed.
She figured for sure that I was going to look pretty much like the car...Cj |
12-13-2011
( Reply#: 7707 ) |
seejay2 |
quote:
Originally posted by Jay
Yes duane, ACRO was also located on the southwest corner of Chicago Avenue and Northcotte Avenue. I purchased more than a few electrical and electronic parts there. Regarding that National Food Store on the southeast corner, didn't they have to compete with another National Food Store located in the Woodmar Shopping Center?
Whoops! I erroneously referred to it as EDI in an earlier post.
Mea Culpa...Cj |
12-13-2011
( Reply#: 7710 ) |
tom w |
No castigation, CJ. I knew it as Acro too. Tom W |
12-13-2011
( Reply#: 7711 ) |
seejay2 |
Sad part is, Tom, that I used to have a charge account with ACRO and should have caught that one myself.
Thanks for not giving me a public face-slapping...Cj |
