Going Green March Seventeen

March 2nd, 2010

We wanted to give you an idea of what we’re planning for St. Patrick’s Day this year. Actually, quite a lot. Besides the assortment of libations you’ve come to expect, our chef, John Hogan will be offering several menu additions for the the one day celebration. The specials will include Shepherd’s Pie, Keefer’s Guinness [...]

Chicago’s best restaurants for business lunch

February 22nd, 2010

According to the article just out in Crain’s Chicago Business, we’re one of the 10 Best for business lunch.
But we’re guessing that you not only know that, but helped make it happen. Thank you, Glenn and Rich Keefer

Eat it Up Chicago: Restaurant Week 2010

February 17th, 2010

Starting this Friday, February 19 and coming to a close on Sunday, February 28th participating restaurants will have 3-course Prix Fixe menus of $22 for lunch and $32 for dinner. Click here for more information about Chicago Restaurant Week.
Chicago Restaurant Week is right around the corner. Keefer’s is participating again this year so you can enjoy [...]

Menu Appeal During Lent

February 6th, 2010

Ash Wednesday falls on February 17th this year, marking the beginning of Lent. If you are one to give up meat during this time, you’ll want to take note of this wonderful menu special.
On Saturday nights during Lent, as one of our specials we will be serving Chef John Hogan’s Roast Venison Loin with Oatmeal Cake, Puree of [...]

The Perfect Soup to Remedy a Cold Chicago Winter Night

January 24th, 2010

This time of year in Chicago calls for some serious comfort food. For Keefer’s, that’s anything warm and delicious. We’d like to share a favorite recipe of ours, ideal for a cold Chicago winter night.
Chestnut Soup — Serves 4
Ingredients:

1 pound peeled fresh or IQF Frozen Chestnuts
1 small Spanish Onion, diced
1 rib Celery, diced
3 cloves Roasted Garlic
2 tablespoons Butter [...]

Keefer’s Restaurant: Chef John Hogan

December 21st, 2009

Chicago Chef John Hogan of Keefer's RestaurantI have always loved food. One of my first memories of food is eating clams from a bag.

I wasn’t quite four years old yet, it was 1960 and we were on a family vacation in York Beach, Maine. I even drew little pictures of the local restaurants and one of them said, “Open. Clams Today.” My mom kept the drawings for years, and then framed them. They’re still hanging in my home now. read more…

At Keefer’s Restaurant, Recipes Are Not Like Numbers

December 3rd, 2009

Chicago Restaurateur, Rich Keefer of Keefer's RestaurantI couldn’t think of two better business partners than my brother, Glenn, and John Hogan.

It’s important to know your business partners really well and to trust them implicitly, and that’s especially true in tough times. We actually started feeling the economic crisis six months before the government called it a recession. read more…

How the Long Island Kids Opened a Great Chicago Steakhouse

November 29th, 2009

Glenn Keefer - Restaurateur behind Keefer's Restaurant, a great Chicago steakhouseSome people ask me, “How’d a boy from Long Island wind up owning a restaurant in Chicago?” I got my first taste of the restaurant business at Philbin’s Goalpost in Amityville in 1969 working for Gerry Philbin, the great defensive end, from the NY Jets Super Bowl Champions.

In 1980, I moved to Chicago and got a job as a bartender at The Palm… read more…