Geja's Cafe Celebrates 52nd Anniversary

Geja’s Café, 340 W. Armitage, the legendary fondue and lovers’ landmark, will be celebrating its 52nd anniversary the whole month of June with special anniversary deals and their beloved traditional sauce contest. Throughout the month of June, guests that come in to dine Sunday through Thursday, and mention they are there to celebrate Geja’s 52nd Anniversary, will enjoy $19.65 off each Premier Dinner, in honor of their opening in 1965. There will also be a special Champagne list featuring 52% off their normal prices. In addition to these special anniversary discounts, Geja’s will also be hosting its eighth annual recipe contest.

Geja’s invites all aspiring fondue foodies to submit an original dipping sauce recipe to accompany Geja’s meats and seafood entrée. To enter, contestants should send their recipe and explain why the sauce should be served on Geja’s Café’s entrée platter. The winning recipe, in addition to being featured at Geja’s June 26th through July 3rd. will also win a dinner for 6 with selected fine wines. Recipes must be submitted by June 15th to adam@gejascafe.com.

Geja’s has been the site of 140,194 first dates and 16,517 engagements. Diners have enjoyed over 320 tons of cheese fondue and over 964,922 bottles of wine over its fifty-one year existence. Geja's Café opened in 1965 on Wells Street in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. For six years, Geja's operated in that location, serving as a Bohemian enclave for artists and writers. In 1969, John Davis-Geja’s Café founder, began the Geja's Wine Society, one of the nation's oldest tasting groups, and the restaurant began to be known as Chicago's first "wine bar." In need of additional seating, Geja’s relocated to its current Armitage Avenue location in 1971, where the restaurant continues to thrive. The original 1965 bar and many of the fixtures are still a part of Geja's charming atmosphere.

Today, Geja's Cafe continues to be voted "Chicago's Most Romantic Restaurant" by numerous local and national publications. In 1993, CNN featured Geja's as the "Best Fondue Dining" in North America. In 2008, Food Network Channel featured Geja’s as the “Ultimate Romantic Dipping Place in North America” and in 2010 Geja’s was named one of “America’s 50 Most Romantic Restaurants” by OpenTable. Most recently, Geja’s was voted “America’s Most Romantic Restaurant” by USA Today’s reader poll in 2015.

Known for romantic fondue dining – food one prepares and shares – and an extensive list of fine, moderately priced wines, Geja’s Café features over 20 different types of fondue entrees including cheese fondue and chocolate dessert fondue. An enchanting wine cellar atmosphere, private booths, and subdued lighting contribute to its intimate surroundings.  Live flamenco and classical guitarists provide romantic accompaniment. 

Hours for Geja’s Café are Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. to 11p.m.; Saturday, 5p.m. to 11p.m.; Sunday, 4p.m. to 9 p.m. Valet parking is available. For more information, please call 773.281.9101, or visit www.gejascafe.com.