Hops Burger Bar opened a second location this past week. They had a "soft" opening last Tuesday and Wednesday, and opened full steam on Thursday. We affectionately call this location Hops North, although it is really located on the edge of Irving Park in the plaza with Geeksboro, Shelf Life, and William Magnum. If you have been to the old location, you will recognize the same great taste; however, this location has a more modern look. If Saturday's business was any indication, Hops North will have the same long wait to be seated as the Spring Garden location. Hopefully, they will get beepers or develop some system; because the other businesses in the Lawndale Plaza could benefit from the foot traffic.
It is interesting to note that Geeksboro coffee shop welcomes you to bring in food from its neighbor Hops (and María's) only. All beverages and food are not allowed.
Good luck to the new Hops. The only concern we heard, other than the wait, was the parking situation. Maybe the plaza could arrange parking at Irving Park Elementary School with a donation to the school, and the plaza could run golf carts back and forth, taking people to their cars. That arrangement would help the weekend parking issue, greatly. They could even golf-cart people home to Kirkwood and Irving Park without having to cross a major highway.
It does look crowded.
Posted by: William Kendall | Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 11:15 AM