In July of this year, Kristina and Greg Gaardbo relocated their rock n’ roll BBQ joint Chicago Culinary Kitchen (CCK) to 2391 N. Hicks Road, leaving their former Palatine restaurant space vacant, but they held onto the place. After the completion of a few renovations at 773 N. Quentin Road, the pair plan to open Pink’s Shrimp & Oysters.
Pink’s Shrimp & Oysters will provide a seafood-forward dining experience, featuring items like grilled oysters, po’boys, and other NOLA-inspired dishes. You’ll of course be able to find fried shrimp, but the kind of fried shrimp that speaks for itself—a bite so good it doesn’t need a sauce, but there will be some fun sauces on the table anyway. And like CCK, Pink’s will have rotating, unique specials offered alongside menu staples to keep things fresh and fun. Basically, that “cornucopia of flavors and culinary experiences” isn’t going anywhere.
How is it different from CCK? “It’s going to be night-and-day different,” Greg Gaardbo explained during a phone interview with What Now Chicago. “CCK is like rock n’ roll, 80s music, that type of energy.”
Pink’s on the other hand… “It will be a little steampunk, a little industrial. We will have some beautiful, galvanized rusted walls,” Gaardbo added. “I don’t want to pigeon hole myself with that, but think San Francisco, you know where you go to a little place with 10 seats right at the bar.” There will be about six other dining room tables as well.
Pink’s isn’t the only new development the Gaardbos are currently working on. The pair have a space a couple of doors down from CCK at 2383 N. Hicks Road. “We’re just out of space at CCK,” Gaardbo said. Initially, when CCK relocated, the Gaardbos had plans to start making pizza—“fun stuff, like brisket pizza and pulled pork on pizza, not the traditional kinds”— so in addition to a commissary kitchen and additional storage, the adjacent N. Hicks Road space will allow the Gaardbos to move ahead with that plan. CCK’s pizza will be for pick-up and carry-out only. Plans are currently being finalized to acquire the building permit for the space.
In the meantime, look for Pink’s Shrimp & Oysters to open by early March at the latest. Keep an eye on CCK’s social media to learn more.
