RAVENSWOOD — The Ravenswood Culver’s is set to open in the coming weeks, offering fans of its ButterBurgers and cheese curds a takeout window and more space inside its dining room than other locations.
“This is the first Culver’s without a drive-thru. We anticipate people walking off the ‘L’ and coming on in, which is why it’s larger than what people typically think of for a Culver’s,” said franchisee Baron Waller.
The new Culver’s at 1819 W. Montrose Ave. will open 10 a.m. on May 31 just steps away from the CTA’s Montrose Brown Line stop. It will feature a pedestrian-friendly design that includes a takeout window.
People walking by the Montrose Avenue entrance may assume the restaurant has a small footprint but once they set foot inside will see seating for 100 and a large sign that says “Welcome to Delicious,” Waller said.
Earlier this month, Waller hosted a job fair at the restaurant to fill about 50 new positions. He was able to hire a number of students from nearby high schools like Senn, Lakeview, Amundsen, Lane Tech and Walter Payton.
Waller and his brother are a Lane Tech alums who used to commute to the North Side school from their home in Chatham on the South Side.
“At the job fair we had kids from all those schools come out who will now be working at the Ravenswood location, which is awesome,” Waller said.
Neighbors have been eagerly awaiting the opening of the Culver’s since July 2019, when a sign first announced the restaurant would open soon.
In November 2020, Culver’s announced the location would open sometimes in the spring.
This is Waller’s third Culver’s in Chicago. He’s also the franchisee of the Culver’s in Bronzeville and one in Pullman set to open later in the fall. He also owns three Culver’s restaurants in the southwest suburbs.
“We’re looking forward to offering our ButterBurgers, cheese curds and custard. We can’t wait to open and have people walk through our doors,” Waller said
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