CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A legendary purveyor of prime rib is closing its doors.
Lawry's The Prime Rib has been a Chicago staple since 1974. Located in the old McCormick Mansion on Ontario Street, Lawry's was known for servers slicing cuts of prime rib out of a silver serving cart. Serving slices ranged from the slim California cut to the extra-thick Diamond Jim Brady cut.
Lawry's President and CEO Ryan Wilson told CBS 2 the Chicago location is a special place.
"Just remember coming into the city – my first time in Chicago, my first time to Lawry's – and the immediate warmth I felt for from our coworkers," Wilson said "It's like they had known me all my life."
A combination of an expiring lease, ongoing pressure from the pandemic, and unrest over the summer led to the decision to close at the end of this year.
"I think it's been a long closure. I think it's been compounded by all the very disturbing social unrest and protest in the city," Wilson said, "and that's impacted our business, but I think that one also just has really impacted my concern for the safety of our coworkers."
Wilson said it is only a pause, and that he hopes to reestablish Lawry's somewhere in the Chicago area in the future.
"I want to be part of dining culture, so I want to give back, and it's a key piece of our strategy to give back to Chicago, but not right now," Wilson told CBS 2.
The last day of service at Lawry's The Prime Rib, 100 E. Ontario St., will be Thursday, Dec. 31.
Lawry's The Prime Rib plans to host a variety of celebrations over the next few months, including welcoming guests to the McCormick Mansion for private mansion tours, intimate special occasions, holiday celebrations, and delicious dinners leading up to its last day of service.
