What's Going On At Mash? The Plot Thickens As Permit Is Issued

LINCOLN SQUARE — Outdoor dining season is upon us, but one of Lincoln Square's most popular al fresco patios remains vacant.

Mash, the restaurant formerly known as Bad Dog Tavern, shuttered suddenly at the end of 2016, and its prime location at 4535 N. Lincoln Ave., across from the Old Town School of Folk Music, is still unoccupied — but maybe not for long.

A building permit for "renovation/alteration" was issued March 23 for "interior non-structural demolition only of existing vacant commercial space," with the project's cost estimated at $10,000.

The permit was issued to Andrew Klemen, who has owned the building since 2014, according to public documents filed with the Cook County Recorder of Deeds.

When contacted by DNAinfo, Klemen responded, "I have no comment about that."

Klemen is no stranger to the restaurant business — his ventures include the Orange chain of brunch spots and Range in Lincoln Park.

^{One of Lincoln Square's prime outdoor patios remains empty. [DNAinfo/Patty Wetli]}