On Christmas Day, Ann Sather Restaurant at 929 W. Belmont was open to the community—like it has been since the early '80s.
'This is the community's home away from home,' Tom Tunney, the restaurant's owner and 44th ward alderman, said. 'There's great food and it's a very festive atmosphere. If you think of Ann Sather historically, it's a bunch of old ladies waiting on you; so, a lot of single people feel nurtured here. Ann has always been an anchor in the community—not just the gay community, but the entire community.'
Ann Sather also provides businesses with meals to go and works with the HIV/AIDS services organization Vital Bridges to deliver meals. Tunney, who came from the back of the restaurant wearing an apron to talk with Windy City Times, was doing his part to help with the 1,000 meals that were cooked that day. He even interrupted his talk to help a disabled woman out to a waiting car. 'It's important for the boss to be here,' he said.
'We're open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day,' Tunney said. 'There have always been a lot of families. This place is as good as any to go to.'