'A good week for us': DNC boosts business for nearby Near West Side restaurants

CHICAGO — Attendees of the Democratic National Convention helped some local Near West Side businesses near the arena make a profit. 

Barn Hockey Bar owner Spencer Montgomery reports an uptick in sales at his restaurant, located at 1659 W Ogden Ave.

“It was a good week for us,” Montgomery said, adding that his restaurant makes the most profit in the fall and winter when the Blackhawks play. 

With the DNC in town earlier this week, Montgomery said he and his crew gladly welcomed a new customer base. 

“From Monday, people kind of found out about us, and then Tuesday, there was a little bit more,” he said. “By the end of the week, people knew this was the spot to be.”

Traffic detours and barriers around the United Center didn’t stop customers from also going to Su Taqueria El Rey Del Taco, a traditional Mexican restaurant just a short walk from the stadium. 

“We had large groups coming into eat, coming in to dine in, and even for takeout,” said Karla Franco.

Franco said customers had to wait about 10 minutes more than average for their food. However, extra employees and a Taco and Burrito Express outside helped accommodate the crowds. 

“It was a lot of the traffic workers and police officers that were coming in and out for the Taco and Burrito Express because they didn’t have a lot of time,” Franco said.

Montgomery told WGN News he also beefed up staff to deal with the business boon.

“We had an assembly line behind me and we had tables set up and we made 450 sandwiches,” he said.

Spencer said the restaurant served the DNC crowd and gave back by making sandwiches and delivering them to CPD officers on Friday afternoon. 

“That’s paramount to us that people in the community that are doing something get recognized,” he said. 

As for Franco, she told WGN News that she would be up for another DNC-sized crowd.

“I wouldn’t say no,” she laughed.