A Chicago Basketball Legend is Closing One of His Restaurants

A renowned steakhouse founded by debatably the greatest basketball player in the game's history is closing one of its locations. The location is one of two in Illinois, this one nestled in an affluent suburb just outside of Chicago.

The name Michael Jordan is synonymous with greatness, personality, grit, toughness, shoes, and the game of basketball. Some might not know that, like many athletes, he got into the restaurant business. Just like Don Shula and Mike Ditka, Jordan founded a steakhouse with his likeness back in 1997, which was also his final season with the Chicago Bulls.

Michael Jordan's Steak House has six locations everywhere from Washington to South Korea. While they currently have two locations in Illinois, where Jordan built his name and legacy, that number is about to dwindle to one as it was confirmed yesterday that the Oak Brook location will be closing before the holiday season.

Michael Jordan's Steak House in Oak Brook will close on December 21st following an over-20 year run in the city. The eatery was known for its quality steaks, appetizers, and cocktails:

Located across the street from the popular Oakbrook Center shopping mall, Michael Jordan’s Steak House is a premier destination for steak lovers throughout the Chicagoland area. The menu features the highest quality steaks available, perfectly prepared to the guest’s specification. Focusing on the finest seasonal ingredients and pure bold flavors, we elevate the classic steak experience to the “Michael Jordan” level. - per Michael Jordan's Steak House website

The exact reasons for the restaurant's closure are unknown. I presume it's a combination of factors: the deluge of restaurant and steakhouse competition that exists in DuPage, Cook, and Will Counties coupled with the rising cost of food. While I never personally ate at Michael Jordan's Steak House, I had heard good things over the years about it.

Now, fans of the restaurant and the GOAT himself will have to venture inside the Intercontinental Hotel on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

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Ironically, Michael Jordan's Steak House locations are known to have no sports memorabilia whatsoever. The restaurants also have a dress code of business casual, meaning you can't rep your 23 Bulls jersey and expect to dine there. The restaurants were conceptualized to focus on "Michael Jordan the businessman."

Find out more about the closure of Michael Jordan's Steak House in Oak Brook on ABC 7 Chicago's website. Learn more about the restaurant itself here.