Disaster struck the Edgewater community as a fire ravaged the soon-to-open Chicago Lunchbox, a new Asian fusion restaurant, causing significant delays to its grand unveiling. The blaze engulfed the kitchen area on Wednesday evening, wreaking havoc just as the proprietors were preparing for what was to be their final city inspection before opening their doors to the public. According to a report by NBC Chicago, John Nguyen, owner of the establishment, discovered the fire after entering the restaurant to set up for the inspection.
The fire started behind a large walk-in freezer, said firefighters, and Nguyen recollects the moment he confronted the emergency: "Opened up the door, a cloud of black smoke," he told NBC Chicago. The restaurant, which was to also serve Banh Mi and other street foods popularized by their food truck, sits near the bustling Loyola University campus. Now, heavy smoke damage means a significant setback for the Nguyens, who had invested a year into renovating and preparing the space, planning to expand their food truck's success into a brick-and-mortar diner.
Despite the devastation, the couple remains steadfast in their resolve to rebuild and press forward. Tanya Nguyen expressed their disappointment yet optimistic outlook, "It was literally the day before the last step. We're just devastated by it and also moving forward," she told NBC Chicago. She also encouraged loyal customers to continue supporting them by visiting their food truck, which continues to operate in areas like Pilsen and at the University of Chicago.
The fire's impact is deeper than physical damage; the emotional and temporal investments are immense and irreplaceable. "I'm disappointed and sad," John Nguyen said in an interview with WGN-TV. He described the shock and understanding that, despite everything, safety was paramount: "I opened the back door and a cloud of black smoke hit me in the face," he recounted. In losing their physical establishment days before the grand opening, the Nguyens are faced with dealing with the harsh reality of their dreams haltingly brought to a standstill.
John and Tanya Nguyen's journey with Chicago Lunchbox began in 2013, making history as the city's first licensed Asian-inspired food truck. The decision to transition into a Loop-area restaurant, and now to what was planned to be a new venture in Edgewater, represents more than a business strategy—it's an embodiment of their entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to their craft. As they work to overcome this setback, the Nguyens exemplify the resiliency of small business owners in the face of unexpected adversity. "A little bump in the road, but we'll get back on our feet," John Nguyen assuredly told NBC Chicago, signaling hope and determination to the Chicago community.
