The iconic Chicago’s Steaks, Seafood and Pasta restaurant has been the beloved go to eatery for East Cobbers for over 25 years. New owners, Mark Zwolak and son Connor Murray have expanded the menu with innovative and tasty choices and introduced weekly gatherings such as Taco Tuesdays, Wednesdays Ladies Nights and Thursday Trivia Nights in the SpeakEasy Lounge. But in reflecting on the origins of the restaurant and what made it one of the best dining establishments in East Cobb, they recognized something was missing and the duo knew exactly what it was. They needed to bring back the heart of and soul of Chicago’s.
Welcome home, Oscar Galan, Executive Chef/Partner to Chicago’s! This culinary master has a long, rich history with the restaurant. Oscar’s first job when he came to the United States from Colombia was at Chicago’s, as a dishwasher in 2000. He loved the restaurant, the guests, worked hard and climbed his way up the ladder. He has worked in every position in the kitchen and jokes that he could navigate the kitchen with ease even if blindfolded. For the 16 years Oscar was at the restaurant, he served as the Executive Chef for the last 10. His past two years away from Chicago’s found him missing what had become his second family and the guests were missing him as well. In their pursuit of bringing Chicago’s back to its roots in fine dining with the highest quality food preparation and service, Mark and Connor knew the missing element was Oscar. They are thrilled to have him reunited with the restaurant and the local community. Oscar’s passion goes well beyond his artistry in the kitchen, to a significant commitment to the future of Chicago’s.
And what can guests expect to find on their next outing to Chicago’s? The blessed return of the honey butter croissants when their scrumptious salad is set before them, one of Oscar’s trademark touches. Also back, his pride and joy, a perfectly prepared prime rib that he makes no apologies in boasting, that it is the best in town. Delicate dishes such as fish en papillote (fish and vegetables seasoned and steamed in parchment paper) and the classic steak tips served over garlic mashed potatoes with an au poivre sauce and crispy fried onions. Oscar, who lives in East Cobb and has teen daughters at Dickerson Middle School and Walton High School, thrives on feedback from the guests and adjusts the weekly specials based on their comments. The specials chalkboard menus in the dining room are back, listing daily food and drink specials. “The dishes I know people love most are back and I am excited to introduce new entrees and side dishes,” says Oscar. “But there is one element I am non-negotiable on: quality and consistency in the preparation and presentation of the food. My goal is to assure that we never have a night in the kitchen that finds the team off their game. Never.”
Chicago’s has also brought back the Early Dining Service available on Sunday – Thursday from 5pm to 6:30pm.
Chicago’s Steaks and Seafood is located at 4401 Shallowford Road, Roswell, 30075. Hours are Sun-Mon: 5-9pm; Tues-Thur: 5-10pm; Fri-Sat:5-11pm. chicagosrestaurant.com or FB/Instagram: @ChicagosEastCobb.
Executive Chef, Oscar Galan
