Mayor Brandon Johnson helped slice into Old Town’s latest steak destination on Monday, joining owners, staff, and neighborhood diners for the grand opening of The L Station Chophouse on West North Avenue. The ribbon-cutting marked the expansion of a family-run concept into a full-service chophouse in the heart of the neighborhood.
Johnson Livestreams the Ribbon Cutting
Johnson invited Chicagoans to "WATCH LIVE" and shared video from the ceremony on his X account, according to X. The clip shows the mayor at the ribbon, offering brief thanks to the owners for investing in the neighborhood. By streaming the moment, City Hall helped push the opening beyond the room and spotlight the new dining option for a broader audience.
Where the Chophouse Sits and What It Serves
The L Station Chophouse website lists the new Old Town location at 455 W North Ave and shows dinner service Wednesday through Sunday, with reservations available through the restaurant’s booking partner. The site also describes a steakhouse menu centered on prime and Wagyu beef alongside seafood options, according to The L Station Chophouse's website.
OpenTable’s listing confirms the Old Town address, notes valet service, and provides a phone number and online reservation options for diners, according to OpenTable.
Roots: Family Spot Grows Into a Chophouse
The new North Avenue outpost traces back to a more casual sibling. The owners opened the original L Station at 186 N Wells St in 2022, then developed the Old Town project as a distinct, more formal chophouse build-out, according to What Now Chicago. The outlet notes that the restaurant sits a few storefronts down from Al Halal Zaiqa and near the Sedgwick Brown and Purple Line station, putting the steakhouse in a notably transit-oriented spot.
Mayor’s Cameo Fits His Bigger Small-Biz Push
Johnson has been a familiar face at ribbon-cuttings this year, tying appearances like this one to his administration’s push to support neighborhood businesses and simplify the process of opening up shop. The city’s "Cut the Tape for Small Business" initiative, announced by the mayor’s office, is framed as a package of reforms aimed at making it easier and faster to open and operate small businesses in Chicago, according to the Citizen Newspaper Group.
