AVONDALE — After three years of serving South Indian flavors, Thattu will close its 2601 W. Fletcher St. location on Dec. 27. Owners chef Margaret Pak and her husband Vinod Kalathil announced the decision on social media, citing higher operating costs and a lease that expires at the start of the new year.
Rising Costs and Lease Challenges
Kalathil explained that the restaurant has been losing money despite a busy first two years. “It wasn’t just the lease though; costs have increased — we have steadily been losing money and have not had enough diners,” he said. The building is owned by Guild Row, a nearby social club and co‑working space, and the couple decided to end the lease rather than continue operating at a loss.
Impact on the Local Dining Scene
Thattu quickly became a favorite spot for Chicago diners seeking the bold, spicy dishes of Kerala, the southwestern state of India. The restaurant earned awards, appeared on local restaurant lists, and even hosted Mike Sula’s Monday Foodballs pop‑up series. Its closure is a blow to Avondale’s growing culinary landscape, which has seen new businesses like a brewery slated for Rockwell on the River.
Future Plans for the Chefs
While the brick‑and‑mortar location will close, Pak and Kalathil are not stepping away from cooking. They intend to return to pop‑up events and plan to travel across the country sharing their cuisine. “If we do something, it will be much smaller, not at this scale,” Kalathil said. Pak also hopes to explore opportunities that allow her to bring Kerala’s flavors to new audiences.
Support for Staff and Community
The owners are working to help their staff find new employment and are reaching out to other restaurants that may need workers. They also thanked the city for a grant that helped launch Thattu, noting the community’s “incredible” support for a regional cuisine that was new to many Chicago diners.
Message to Fellow Independent Restaurants
Kalathil urged fellow independent restaurateurs and patrons to support local establishments during these challenging times. “It’s a difficult time for independent restaurants — go support your favorite places,” he said.
Thattu’s closure underscores the broader pressures facing small, independent eateries in Chicago, from rising costs to shifting consumer habits. The owners remain hopeful that their culinary vision will continue in new, more flexible formats.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
