User:Angelamcgowan/sandbox

Gladys' Luncheonette
Established in 1945, Gladys' Luncheonette became the most popular soul food restaurant in the Midwest, known for its delicious fried chicken, smothered chicken, smothered pork chops, peach cobbler, "melt-in-your-mouth" biscuits, and other down home, southern delicacies. Many celebrities and politicians were known to dine at the Luncheonette including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Lou Rawls, Redd Foxx, Illinois Governor Jim Thompson, Della Reese, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Gladys Knight and the O'Jays.

Kenard and Gladys Holcomb first established Gladys' Luncheonette in Chicago at 3732 S. State Street. Ten years later the restaurant moved to a basement location at 4541 S. Indiana where Gladys served Mahalia Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr. and his band after late night shows, to name a few. They soon outgrew that space and moved to 4527 S. Indiana on November 14, 1963 and become known for "soul food perfection" for nearly sixty years.

Gladys Holcomb passed in 2003 from complications of Alzheimer's and the restaurant was closed. Upon her passing the Illinois House of Representatives issued a House Resolution in her honor.

In 2007 the restaurant was purchased by Chicagoan and Hospitality Super-Star, Angela McGowan. The historical eatery earned top honor of being named one of the forty best restaurants of all time by Chicago Magazine, May 2010.

Today, the restaurant is Gladys' Soul Cuisine.