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Late-Night Diner Owner Buys Cafeteria Marianao Property In Logan Square

By DNAinfo Staff on September 23, 2016 1:40pm

 Cafeteria Marianao closed and was listed for sale at $1.39 million.
Cafeteria Marianao closed and was listed for sale at $1.39 million.
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DNAinfo/Paul Biasco

LOGAN SQUARE — The owner of some of the city's best-known diners has plans for a new Logan Square restaurant in the former Cafeteria Marianao space.

George Liakopoulos, who owns White Palace Grill and Hollywood Grill among others, closed on the sale Thursday.

"We love the demographics," Liakopoulos said. "We like the night business. Hollywood Grill and White Palace are probably the busiest diners in the city at night."

Liakopoulos's Diamond Properties Group LLC purchased the former restaurant at 2246 N. Milwaukee Ave. for $1.3 million.

He plans to build a new restaurant at the location, but has not determined the type of restaurant, he said.

Although the property was being pitched as a redevelopment project that could involve up to six apartment or condo units above first-floor retail or commercial, Liakopoulos said he has no plans for residential.

"I can go six units, but I'm not going to do that," he said. "My mentality is I'm in the restaurant business."

Cafeteria Marianao, a quick lunch spot known for Cuban and steak sandwiches and coffee, closed unexpectedly in August and went on the market for $1.39 million.

Liakopoulos said when he heard the property was for sale, he made an offer the same day for the full listed price.

"We've been looking at that location for a long time. We have been looking in that area, Milwaukee and California," he said. "I didn't even negotiate. I put a full price offer in. I like the location."

The new restaurant will be much bigger than the current building, but will still include about 10 parking spaces.

"I paid a lot for it, so I'm going to work on it right away," Liakopoulos said. "I'm hoping by the summer to be open."

Liakopoulos's other restaurants include White Palace Grill, Hollywood Grill, Plymouth Restaurant, The Hat, Tommy's on Grand and Griddle 24, which is set to open in two weeks at 334 W. Chicago Ave.

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