The Marengo Tavern (also known as Marengo Tap), which was at the corner of Marengo and Madison streets, shown here in 1954.
It made headlines in the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune in 1950 when the state attorney’s office and sheriff ’s police raided seven establishments in Forest Park, seizing slot machines. Also in the raid were Jimmy’s Lounge at 7424 Roosevelt, Herman’s Barbecue at 7501 Roosevelt, Parichy Lounge at 755 S. Harlem, Village Tavern at 7301 S. Harlem, Brass Bowl Tavern at 7230 Madison and Reveille Lounge at 7530 Madison.
The last slot machines in town were removed from the Moose Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Fraternal Order of Eagles halls in 1956. Marengo Tap would later become Lee Choi Restaurant and the Park Lounge hosted by Ronnie Lee.
