When chef Joel Nickson and wife Julie first opened the doors at Wishbone in 1990, they entered into the Chicago restaurant scene with a clear mission: serve up comforting Southern cooking favorites in a remarkably down-to-earth atmosphere.
With menu favorites stretching from cheesy grits and red beans and rice, to chicken and waffles omelets and Cajun shrimp, Wishbone became a local favorite, drawing in seemingly everyone from neighborhood regulars and suburban day trippers to local politicians and celebrities.
Wishbone interior
Now, after nearly four decades of dishing out their famously savory, down-home dishes, the longtime Oak Park couple is officially winding down operations and closing their West Loop eatery, now located at 161 No. Jefferson St.
On Aug. 3, the Nicksons announced Wishbone’s closing on social media and the restaurant’s website, garnering reactions from thousands of fans ranging from shock and sadness to an outpouring of messages expressing gratitude for meaningful memories and a unique sense of camaraderie between patrons and staff.
“There was not one specific thing that happened — it was really the accumulation of all the pressures that come with running the restaurant,” Joel Nickson said of the decision. “After 36 years, we are ready for a change. It was an extremely hard decision, but we also knew we did not want to wait until we had no choice at all.”
Due to a massive rush of customers following the announcement, Wishbone has officially ceased all carryout and delivery orders, reservations and new catering orders. Before closing for good, the Nicksons are focusing entirely on attending to guests coming in to enjoy one final meal.
While the Nicksons don’t have an exact closing date for Wishbone, their goal is to remain open through the end of August — both to say goodbye to their loyal customers and ensure all of their employees land on their feet with new opportunities.
Wishbone interior
Wishbone first opened in 1990 at 1800 W. Grand Ave. with 23 seats, nine stools and six paintings done by Joel Nickson’s mother, Lia. In 1992, Wishbone moved to 1001 W. Washington with an expanded 170 seating capacity — relocating to the West Loop as one of the area’s early participants in the emergence of the neighborhood from blighted commercial area to one of Chicago’s hottest culinary spots. In 2018, Wishbone relocated the restaurant to its current location.
In addition, the restaurant also established Wishbone North in Roscoe Village. Run by Joel Nickson’s brother, Guy, the location closed its doors in 2019 after 20 years in business. And hyperlocally, the Nicksons operated Wishbone in Berwyn at 6611 W. Roosevelt Road (adjacent to historic FitzGerald’s), which closed in 2011 after a five-year run.
When asked about the decision to shut down Wishbone entirely as opposed to selling the business, the Nicksons say they never actively pursued a sale of their business. Instead, their intention was to bring this chapter of the restaurant to a close in a thoughtful way.
“As for the possibility of family taking it over, our children, Clay and Delia, are very happy in their own successful careers — which are not in hospitality,” Julie Nickson said. “However, our oldest son Tyler is and has built an extraordinary career as a chef. He served as Jimmy Buffett’s private chef