Chicago, Illinois: A dramatic crash-and-grab burglary unfolded early Monday morning at the beloved Golden Apple Grille & Breakfast House in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, when thieves rammed an SUV through the restaurant’s front window while customers were still dining inside.
The incident occurred around 3:43 a.m. at the 24-hour diner located at 2971 N. Lincoln Ave. According to authorities, three suspects used a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee to repeatedly strike the restaurant’s front glass before breaking through. Once inside, the masked burglars quickly targeted an ATM machine and carried it out within minutes.
Security footage from inside the restaurant shows the driver hitting the window multiple times before three individuals dressed in dark hoodies and face coverings rushed in to grab the machine. The suspects then fled the scene in a separate black SUV that was reportedly waiting nearby.
Customers Just Feet Away From Impact
At the time of the crash, nearly a dozen customers were inside the diner. Owner Tom Dalakouras, who has operated the establishment for three decades, described how close the situation came to turning tragic.
One customer had just exited the restroom and returned to her seat moments before the vehicle smashed through the entrance. Dalakouras said the timing was chillingly close, and had it occurred seconds earlier, someone could have been seriously injured.
Despite the frightening circumstances, no injuries were reported.
Four-Minute Chaos at a 24-Hour Landmark
Dalakouras said the entire ordeal lasted roughly four minutes. Staff members acted quickly afterward—boarding up the shattered entrance and clearing debris to reopen for breakfast service by 8 a.m.
“It’s shocking,” he said, noting that such crimes typically happen after business hours. “This is a 24-hour place. There were people sitting inside.”
Police later informed the owner that both vehicles involved were stolen. The getaway SUV did not have a license plate. Investigators are reviewing traffic camera footage from the busy intersection of Lincoln, Southport, and Wellington avenues, where the diner sits prominently across from the Athenaeum Center and near St. Alphonsus Church.
A Community Staple With Deep Roots
The Golden Apple is more than just a diner—it’s an 80-year-old neighborhood institution. Originally part of the Golden Nugget chain, it was purchased by Greek immigrants in the 1970s and has since become a cultural landmark in Lakeview.
Over the decades, the restaurant has drawn notable visitors. Comedian and writer Tina Fey reportedly wrote scripts in its booths during her Second City days. Former Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson was known to enjoy its burgers, and veteran journalist Bill Kurtis often stopped by to connect with locals.
In 2000, the nationally acclaimed public radio program This American Life, hosted by Ira Glass, documented a full 24 hours inside the diner—capturing everything from daytime regulars sipping coffee to late-night revelers sharing stories in its booths.
Significant Damage, ATM Gone for Good
The burglars made off with the ATM, and Dalakouras has decided not to replace it. However, repairing the damaged entrance is expected to cost between $20,000 and $30,000.
“All this has to be rebuilt,” he said, pointing to the broken glass and structural damage left behind.
Detectives continue to investigate the case, and no arrests have been announced. Authorities are working to identify the suspects using surveillance footage and traffic camera recordings from the area.
For now, the Golden Apple remains open—its staff determined to carry on serving customers despite the shocking early-morning attack that rattled one of Chicago’s most cherished diners.
