LAKEVIEW — The greasy spoon is greasy no more.
Left Coast Food and Juice will replace Muskie's when it opens next month at 2878 N. Lincoln Ave. It'll swap out Muskie's char-broiled burgers and malts in favor of healthy salads, wraps, smoothies and cold-pressed juice.
"There's a misunderstanding that healthy means bland and boring, and we're here to change that perception," said owner Michael Madden.
While originally from Chicago, Madden lived in California and Denver for years, he told DNAinfo Chicago. When he returned to Illinois a couple years ago, there was "really a lack of options" in eating choices, he said.
"I had trouble finding places that fit into my fast-paced lifestyle, where I didn't have to spend $20-plus on a salad," Madden said. "I just didn't have the time or the budget to do that every meal."
Madden decided to create his own solution and partnered with Paul Kahan — noted chef for Blackbird, Avec, Nico Osteria, Big Star and The Publican — and Miguel Lopez, who runs the J. Parker rooftop bar at the Hotel Lincoln.
Kahan's menu will feature fresh, yet approachable dishes.
"Healthy can skew to the side of weird pretty quickly, if you're not careful," Madden said. "It shouldn't be intimidating."
Renovations at the former Muskie's began almost a year ago, Madden said. He lives down the street and "fell in love with its timeless charm — about this building, in particular."
Combining the Muskie's space with the former dry cleaner's next door, Left Coast will fill the corner that's been vacant since Muskie's closed in September 2014 after 34 years in business.
Left Coast (named for both the country's west coast and the side of Lake Michigan the city rests on) will stand next to Heritage Littles and The Kids' Table at Lincoln, Lakewood and George.
"We're reinventing the place, adding life to it for another generation of people to enjoy," Madden said.
Three spaces will combine to make up Left Coast, which will have "certainly a few subtle nods to the history of the building," Madden said. The neon sign will also stick around.
"The cuisine is going to the other side of the spectrum [compared to Muskie's], but the charm is still there," he said. "I have a couple secrets you'll have to come in and experience."
RELATED:
• Muskie's Closing After 34 Years in Lakeview, But Owner Says He'll Be Back
• Can Southport Stay Charming, Or Will National Chains Drive Out Diversity?
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