After 38 years, Al Capone’s steakhouse closes

ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP – For 38 years, those who drove Route 25 along the Fox River in St. Charles Township near Valley View could see the faded weather-beaten signs pointing to Al Capone's Hideaway and Steakhouse.

Chicago's most famous gangster's 1920-built speakeasy was right on the river, requiring drivers to go up one hill and down another, around one hairpin turn and another, in a route that finally ended at a steakhouse fraught with bootleg history.

Owners Bill Brooks, and his son of the same name, offered menus riddled with bullet holes, blood spatters and black-and-white photos of Capone and his Tommy gun – Thompson submachine gun. Its entrees were Teresa "Mama" Capone sirloin butt steak and Frank Nitti pork chops. The wait staff wore black shirts, ties and fedoras, also took on gangster monikers as part of the theme.

But no more.

Though the first page of the steakhouse's menu boasts, "Recession Proof Specials," Al Capone's Hideaway Steakhouse on Riverside Drive is now closed. A message left on the restaurant's outgoing voicemail thanks customers for their support.

"It's time to take a break and refresh," according to the message. A voicemail seeking comment was not returned.

The sudden closure of such an historic location destination took Capone's restaurant patrons by surprise, among them Mark Davoust of St. Charles Township. Davoust is a Republican Kane County board member.

"If we were in the mood for a steak, that would come up in our minds," Davoust said.

"My wife and I have dined there many times over the years and thoroughly enjoyed it. We were in for dinner last month, and there was no indication from the number of people eating there or working that anything was in danger of not being open. … I'm hopeful it [the closure] will be temporary."

Davoust noted the specialties known at the Hideaway.

"The rolls in the basket with garlic oil was sheer decadence," Davoust said. "And if you did not remember to say, 'butter on the side,' you would get a baked  potato with most of a stick of butter in it. It was delicious, and we really enjoyed it."