The Great Family
In 1958, Al and Marie Great opened their first restaurant, The Drift Inn, on North Avenue. Known for its warm, inviting atmosphere, it quickly became a local favorite, serving up the best baby back ribs and broasted chicken in the Chicago area. The Great family legacy continued in 1992 with the opening of The Great Escape. Owned and operated by the family, The Great Escape carries on the tradition, serving many of The Drift Inn's classic favorites for a new generation to enjoy!
Building History
A place where modern eco-conscious dining coexists with a building that has roots going back more than a century. The bar and Banquet Room are part of the original structure built in 1889. The bar itself, hand-carved by the Chicago Bar Company, is a beautiful nod to the past, offering a glimpse of craftsmanship from over a century ago. Once at street level, the building featured swinging doors leading out onto a dirt road with hitching posts for horses—a true relic from a bygone era.
Escape To The Past
In the 1920s, Al Capone frequented The Great Escape, using the bar as a base to conduct business with local mobsters. Witnesses recall seeing men seated on either side of him, armed with shotguns, keeping a watchful eye on the door. The space has always been full of life—before it became the restaurant you know today, the banquet room served as a general store, milk depot, post office, gas station, barber shop, pool hall, and more.
A Historic Destination with a Haunting Legacy
Step into The Great Escape, where the rich history of Chicago comes alive—along with a few ghostly tales. Over the years, our guests and staff have reported some truly unusual experiences. In 2017, The Great Escape was featured on the Halloween special of the hit show Chicago's Best on WGN, where we took the cast and crew on a tour of our haunted history. With its original 136-year-old craftsmanship, this iconic spot has witnessed decades of stories, some of which are downright chilling.
A Better Future
Our wind turbine generates all the electricity and keeps The Great Escape running smoothly, eliminating the need for grid power and reducing our carbon footprint. This innovative setup ensures that each dish served, every drink poured, and every moment spent with us is made possible through wind power. The result? A dining experience that not only nourishes your body but also nurtures the planet.