The dim lights of Dimo's Cafe in Lincoln Square will flicker for the last time come Saturday evening. After a year and a half of trying to bring its magic to the neighborhood, the establishment is folding up the full-service format and closing its doors for good. The outpost, launched in April 2023 at 4647 N. Lincoln Ave., was Dimo's attempt at a more traditional sit-down experience, complete with a full bar and shareable dishes. This represented a departure from their well-established casual slice shops, a favorite among Chicagoans looking for a quick bite after games or during late-night jaunts.

Despite the attempt to innovate, Dimo's Cafe grappled with an identity crisis that left patrons and employees alike scratching their heads. Owner Dimitri Syrkin-Nikolau pointed out the issue, "Dimo's Cafe was our attempt at a different brand that we thought would work nicely for the neighborhood," he stated, as captured by Block Club Chicago, adding, "But as it turned out, it was a little confusing for people and it veered away from the classic, tried-and-true Dimo's experience that everybody has loved so much these past 15 years."

It wasn't for lack of excitement that Dimo's Cafe couldn't soar to its anticipated heights - the initial buzz ought to have been enough to secure a steady stream of diners. Dimo’s brand manager Kourtnei Neely reflected on the community's reaction, stating, "People were really excited about us being in the neighborhood. We just never really saw the crowds we were hoping to get." Yet, even those busy summer months didn't bring the numbers needed to sustain the business. In a move that signals transparency and conscientious leadership, staff were informed about the closure just a few days prior.

There remains, however, a glint of optimism about the future of Dimo's in Lincoln Square. Syrkin-Nikolau has not written off the neighborhood, hinting at a return to the roots that made the brand a staple in the first place. "We’re currently exploring opening as just a generic slice shop, like we have at all the other spots, as opposed to trying to do something that is a little bit more fancy," he speculated. The shift back to the tried-and-true could be what locals are craving after the cafe model appeared to have missed the mark. While the cafe chapter concludes, the owner remains excited "about what the future will bring," as he told Block Club Chicago.

Before the launch of Dimo’s Cafe, Syrkin-Nikolau had envisioned a place where Dimo's funky and innovative take on pizza could shine in a full-service setting. As per an Eater Chicago feature earlier last year, the space was designed with an eye for creativity, promising seasonally rotating dishes and a playful riff on classic cocktails alongside their iconic pizzas. But in a city with a palate as diverse and discerning as Chicago's, intention doesn't always translate into longevity. Instead, Dimo’s will continue to do what it knows best: serving up slices that cater to the simple, unfussy love for a good pizza.