Another nighthawks roost gone: Golden Nugget in Old Irving closes

The Golden Nugget on Irving Park near the Kennedy. Photo credit WBBM Newsradio

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A late night landmark on the Northwest Side is saying goodbye.

For generations of chicagoans, the Golden Nugget restaurant chain has been a beacon for late night workers, drinkers and groups of friends who want to talk over cups of coffee deep into the night.

Another Golden Nugget location is now closing its doors. The owner of the Golden Nugget on Irving Park Road at Tripp, near the Kennedy Expressway, told Block Club they made the decision to close due to staffing issues and slow business.

Cathy Guzman said business never recovered to pre-pandemic levels and that they were having a hard time finding new employees. In fact, the restaurant had just five employees at the end.

For decades, the restaurant was a 24/7 operation, but it changed the hours to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. more recently.