Geja's Cafe has knocked down walls to grow into the space next door at 340 W. Armitage Ave., adding 10 new tables as the Lincoln Park fondue institution marks 61 years in business. The expansion gives the candlelit restaurant room to host larger parties and private events without losing the intimate, subterranean atmosphere that has drawn generations of diners for cheese fondue, oil-cooked proteins, and flaming chocolate dessert.
The physical transformation was first announced in March, when owners Jeff and Darla Lawler shared that they were breaking down interior walls to make room for new tables and seating, according to a Facebook post from Geja's Cafe. As WGN-TV reports, the newly expanded space carries forward the same intimate feel and sense of escape that regulars have loved for generations, even as it opens the door to bigger gatherings.
Founder Visits During Expansion
In July, founder John Davis stopped by the restaurant ahead of its public opening in mid-to-late August. The visit connected the restaurant's history with its newly expanded space, according to the same Facebook video documenting the visit.
Jeff Lawler is associated with Geja's Cafe, and he and Darla Lawler were identified in connection with the restaurant's expansion.
The Restaurant's Reputation
The restaurant's longevity and reputation for romance have drawn attention over the years.
That reputation is part of Geja's Cafe's longstanding identity as a romantic dining destination.
Geja's Cafe's Wine and Fondue Roots
Geja's Cafe's roots in Chicago's wine and fondue scene run deeper than its dating-culture reputation. The restaurant's signature Premier Dinner is an interactive, multi-course menu featuring cheese fondue, proteins, dipping sauces, and Belgian chocolate fondue.
The neighborhood has long recognized Geja's Cafe as a standout. Hoodline's own ranking of Old Town Triangle's top spots named it the neighborhood's top-rated business based on Yelp customer reviews, with the restaurant maintaining strong ratings across more than 1,400 submissions at the time. Decades after its founding, the fondue landmark is still finding ways to grow without losing what made it a Chicago fixture in the first place.
