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Beloved Corned Beef Hash Magically Returns to Mount Greenwood Restaurant

By Howard Ludwig | December 18, 2014 5:49am
 Antonios Cafe & Restaurant revamped its menu last week, bringing back the homemade corned beef hash made popular by its predecessor. Magic Restaurant operated from the building at 3335 W. 111th St. in Mount Greenwood for years before closing after a fire on May 21, 2012.
Corned Beef Hash Returns To Mount Greenwood
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MOUNT GREENWOOD — Homemade corned beef hash has magically returned to Mount Greenwood.

The popular dish from Magic Restaurant at 3335 W. 111th St. reappeared last week thanks to Antonios "Tony" Foukas.

Foukas opened Antonios Cafe & Restaurant opened on Aug. 21, replacing Magic Restaurant. The former breakfast spot closed after a fire on May 21, 2012.

Howard Ludwig explains why corned beef hash is special to the neighborhood:

The new owner initially sought to bring a "fast-casual" approach to the revamped diner, mirroring the strategy of successful chains such as Culver's, The Patio Restaurants and Panera Bread.

Customers placed orders at the register, paid the tab and took a number to any available table. Servers then delivered food once it was prepared in the see-through kitchen.

The hybrid technique is intended to eliminate tipping and speed the process of delivering food without rushing the diners.

But customers at the restaurant across the street from St. Christina Catholic Church never truly embraced the concept, said Foukas, who quickly changed gears by adding wait staff just two weeks after opening.

"Customers didn't seem to mind too much if they had to tip people," he said.

The latest shift came last week as Antonios revamped its menu to focus more squarely on breakfast items, including the return of the homemade corned beef hash made famous by its predecessor.

To be clear, Antonios had served corned beef hash before the menu revamp, but it wasn't the same homemade combination of freshly prepared corned beef, potatoes and onions made famous by Magic.

Customers have quickly taken notice. Already, nearly half of all orders at Antonios are for the Irish skillet ($9.29) or homemade corned beef hash omelet ($8.45), Foukas said.

"The people want it, so we did that," he said, adding that it took two weeks to perfect the recipe.

While Antonios still serves lunch, Foukas scaled back such offerings on the new menu to add more breakfast items. Gone are the Italian beef sandwiches and personal pizzas.

Instead, the menu now includes Nutella hazelnut crepes filled with fresh bananas ($8.49) and stuffed French toast loaded with sweetened cream cheese and fresh strawberries or blueberries ($7.99).

Foukas also is considering staying open until 7 p.m. on weekdays. The restaurant now closes at 3 p.m. daily.

Foukas said he's not opposed to making more changes to satisfy hungry customers.

"We never say we cannot do it," Foukas said. "We are from the old school."

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