Former Chicago Bear Israel Idonije Opens Another South Loop Sports Bar
The Staley, which takes over the former Kroll’s storefront, is a partnership with chef Stephen Gillanders. The bar is open on Bears game days ahead of its official opening next month.
SOUTH LOOP — Attention, Bears fans: You’re getting another South Loop sports bar.
The Staley, from former Chicago Bear Israel Idonije and chef Stephen Gillanders, will open next month in the storefront previously occupied by Kroll’s, 1736 S. Michigan Ave.
It’s the second enterprise for the duo, who celebrated the opening of Signature bar and restaurant in January.
The Staley is named for businessman A.E. “Gene” Staley, who founded the Chicago Bears over a century ago. The restaurant will be open on Bears game days this month ahead of its scheduled October grand opening, Eater Chicago reported.
The menu includes sports bar staples like wings, sandwiches and pizza.
Since retiring from football, Idonije has been busy expanding his portfolio and his resume with ventures like Ask The Doctor, an Uber-like medical service for Canadian residents, and small acting roles in TV series like “Empire,” “Chicago Fire” and “61st Street.”
The Canadian native, who played for the Bears from 2003-2012, is also part-owner of the Chicago Red Stars.
Gillanders is also the owner and executive chef at Asian-inspired Lincoln Park restaurant S.K.Y., and he runs Euro-Mediterranean South Loop eatery Apolonia and Vahalla in Wicker Park. The restaurateur faced controversy in 2022 after a S.K.Y. patron accused some of his staff of racial profiling, which resulted in Gillanders hiring a cultural sensitivity consultant to train his employees.
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