May 1, 2017

Meet Jimmy Bannos of The Purple Pig and Heaven on Seven in River North and The Loop

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimmy Bannos.

Jimmy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Heaven on Seven I started in 1980 – it was a Jewish deli on the 7th floor of a very nondescript office building. A few years later I started doing Louisiana style food and then it just really took off from there – it exploded in 85. The Purple Pig I started with my son Jimmy Jr. in 2009 – when we found that space, one side of it was a FedEx office and the other was an accountant’s office – I popped the ceiling tiles and saw the great ceilings, and knew exactly what we wanted to do with the space based on my experiences traveling in Italy. The hospitality, comfort and accessibility of Italian restaurants was really the inspiration. My son Jimmy Jr. was just getting done cooking at Esca in NYC and he came home to Chicago to open the restaurant.

Has it been a smooth road?
It’s been an exciting roller coaster – the restaurant business is like the highest roller coaster you could possibly be on. You have highs and lows, and if you’re willing to take the ride it’s a beautiful ride.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Purple Pig, Heaven on Seven – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are known for serving the best wine, swine and Mediterranean food at The Purple Pig. Heaven on Seven serves Cajun Louisiana-style food.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Chicago – I’m born and raised. It’s an unbelievable restaurant community – people now are willing to try more and different things at restaurants, and are progressively becoming more and more adventurous. I honestly do not like the weather anymore. I can’t stand the winter – give me 85 degrees every day and I’d be happy!

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