Tony Durpetti, longtime owner of Chicago's Gene and Georgetti steakhouse, has died

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Gene and Georgetti has been family operated since 1941, with the Brown Line “L” tracks passing just outside its front door on North Franklin Street in River North.

It’s Chicago’s oldest steakhouse, and it has endured a lot over the past five years.

A kitchen fire caused Gene and Georgetti to close for several months in 2019, only for it to reopen just before the mandated closures of the pandemic. Bullets shattered its glass windows during the unrest that followed the death of George Floyd, and now, likely its greatest challenge, longtime owner Tony Durpetti — the son-in-law of co-founder Gene Michelotti — has died.

In a statement online, surviving family members wrote, in part, that Durpetti will be remembered for his warmth, love and commitment to excellence.

“Despite what many restaurants claim to be, Tony loved and [worked] so hard to make the people that bring this restaurant to life know that they are family,” read a post on the restaurant’s social media page. “He did that for our customers and suppliers, too. If we’re being totally honest, he did that for everyone who knew him.

“We’re so proud he was our leader for so long.”

Tony’s daughter Michelle Durpetti has long managed Gene and Georgetti and can be credited with much of its resilience in recent years. Online, the restaurant added that they will continue to honor Tony Durpetti’s legacy in everything they do.

Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok