Vanished Chicagoland
@vanishedchicago.bsky.social
My name is Pete Kastanes and, I am the creator of the Vanished Chicagoland account. I am on several social media accounts and have a podcast called Vanished Chicagoland Stories. I am also a prostate cancer survivor.
Here I am thinking and planning for tomorrow’s milestone podcast episode. It will be the 500th! I’m very excited!
December 7, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Here I am thinking and planning for tomorrow’s milestone podcast episode. It will be the 500th! I’m very excited!
Here is a photo of Dispensa’s Castle of Toys, which was located in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. Did you ever buy toys there during the holiday season? Please comment. Thank you!
December 6, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Here is a photo of Dispensa’s Castle of Toys, which was located in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. Did you ever buy toys there during the holiday season? Please comment. Thank you!
Here is a Christmas Card from Wag’s Restaurant. I used to go to the one that was located at W 79th St & S Cicero Ave in Chicago, in my old neighborhood. Please share your memories. Thank you!
December 5, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Here is a Christmas Card from Wag’s Restaurant. I used to go to the one that was located at W 79th St & S Cicero Ave in Chicago, in my old neighborhood. Please share your memories. Thank you!
The 499th episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast is coming tomorrow! Join me as I celebrate the 60th anniversary of the classic TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. Plus, I’ll read a delicious menu from Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant and Gallery in Chicago. Don’t miss it!
December 5, 2025 at 5:12 AM
The 499th episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast is coming tomorrow! Join me as I celebrate the 60th anniversary of the classic TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. Plus, I’ll read a delicious menu from Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant and Gallery in Chicago. Don’t miss it!
I took the photo of the Super Cold Moon tonight from my house! Not bad!
December 4, 2025 at 11:16 PM
I took the photo of the Super Cold Moon tonight from my house! Not bad!
It's National Cookie Day! Who else besides me misses these so much? Please share your memories. Thank you!
December 4, 2025 at 6:40 PM
It's National Cookie Day! Who else besides me misses these so much? Please share your memories. Thank you!
Stay tuned for the upcoming 499th episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast! Join me as I celebrate the 60th anniversary of the classic TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. Plus, I'll read a delicious menu from Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant and Gallery in Chicago. Don't miss it!
December 4, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Stay tuned for the upcoming 499th episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast! Join me as I celebrate the 60th anniversary of the classic TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. Plus, I'll read a delicious menu from Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant and Gallery in Chicago. Don't miss it!
This is a cool photo! This is the McDonald’s at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL. This was taken on February 4, 1979. Neil J. Klemek credits the photo. That was what McDonald’s looked like when I was in high school.
December 3, 2025 at 11:37 PM
This is a cool photo! This is the McDonald’s at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL. This was taken on February 4, 1979. Neil J. Klemek credits the photo. That was what McDonald’s looked like when I was in high school.
I recently found this bookmark from Borders Bookstores. I miss this place so much! Please share your memories. Thank you!
December 3, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I recently found this bookmark from Borders Bookstores. I miss this place so much! Please share your memories. Thank you!
Here is a rare 1956 photo of Trainland, which was located in the toy department at a Wieboldt’s Department Store in Chicago.
December 3, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Here is a rare 1956 photo of Trainland, which was located in the toy department at a Wieboldt’s Department Store in Chicago.
Here is a 1969 Christmas photo at State Street in Chicago. So beautiful!
December 2, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Here is a 1969 Christmas photo at State Street in Chicago. So beautiful!
The 498th episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast will be released tomorrow. I will reflect on my memories of the Salerno Jingles Cookies and read a 1969 menu from The Heather House Restaurant, which was located within the Carson Pirie Scott Department Store in the Chicago Loop.
December 2, 2025 at 3:39 AM
The 498th episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast will be released tomorrow. I will reflect on my memories of the Salerno Jingles Cookies and read a 1969 menu from The Heather House Restaurant, which was located within the Carson Pirie Scott Department Store in the Chicago Loop.
In the next episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast, I will discuss my memories of the original Salerno Jingles Cookies, and I will read a 1969 menu from The Heather House Restaurant which was located at Carson Pirie Scott & Co. Department Store in the Chicago Loop.
December 1, 2025 at 6:32 PM
In the next episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast, I will discuss my memories of the original Salerno Jingles Cookies, and I will read a 1969 menu from The Heather House Restaurant which was located at Carson Pirie Scott & Co. Department Store in the Chicago Loop.
I wish Sundays were like this when I was a kid! It was magical and beautiful!
November 30, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I wish Sundays were like this when I was a kid! It was magical and beautiful!
Episode 497 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast! I'll share memories of the iconic 1985 music video The Super Bowl Shuffle starring the Chicago Bears. Plus, I'll read a 1988 menu from The Hat Dance Restaurant in Chicago. Don't miss it!
November 30, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Episode 497 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast! I'll share memories of the iconic 1985 music video The Super Bowl Shuffle starring the Chicago Bears. Plus, I'll read a 1988 menu from The Hat Dance Restaurant in Chicago. Don't miss it!
Someone emailed me today asking me to discuss this in tomorrow's podcast episode. Well, your wish is coming true! I will talk about the Super Bowl Shuffle from 40 years ago. Additionally, I will read a 1988 menu from the Hat Dance Restaurant in Chicago.
November 29, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Someone emailed me today asking me to discuss this in tomorrow's podcast episode. Well, your wish is coming true! I will talk about the Super Bowl Shuffle from 40 years ago. Additionally, I will read a 1988 menu from the Hat Dance Restaurant in Chicago.
Good morning, everyone! I will be doing a podcast this morning and another one tomorrow. Please be careful today!
November 29, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Good morning, everyone! I will be doing a podcast this morning and another one tomorrow. Please be careful today!
EP496 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast is coming tomorrow! I will share my memories of Jobo from B96 & read two directories from The Water Tower Place Shopping Center in Chicago from 1975 and 1987. The photo shows the interior of the Lord & Taylor store once located at Water Tower Place.
November 29, 2025 at 5:39 AM
EP496 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast is coming tomorrow! I will share my memories of Jobo from B96 & read two directories from The Water Tower Place Shopping Center in Chicago from 1975 and 1987. The photo shows the interior of the Lord & Taylor store once located at Water Tower Place.
In the next episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast, I will share my memories of Jobo from B96, and I will read two directories from The Water Tower Place Shopping Center in Chicago from 1975 and 1987. The photo is from 1989. It's coming soon!
November 28, 2025 at 5:15 PM
In the next episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast, I will share my memories of Jobo from B96, and I will read two directories from The Water Tower Place Shopping Center in Chicago from 1975 and 1987. The photo is from 1989. It's coming soon!
Here's our Thanksgiving dinner at the Kastanes' house: roast turkey breast, chestnut stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and Greek-style potatoes with gravy. Lemon meringue pie is in the fridge. My Mom did a great job as always, and we all helped!
November 28, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Here's our Thanksgiving dinner at the Kastanes' house: roast turkey breast, chestnut stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and Greek-style potatoes with gravy. Lemon meringue pie is in the fridge. My Mom did a great job as always, and we all helped!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I'm grateful to be here celebrating with my family! Stay happy, healthy, and safe! Enjoy your day!
November 27, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I'm grateful to be here celebrating with my family! Stay happy, healthy, and safe! Enjoy your day!
Here is a 1978 photo of a National Foods Store. Notice the frozen turkey in the shopping cart! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone from Vanished Chicagoland!
November 27, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Here is a 1978 photo of a National Foods Store. Notice the frozen turkey in the shopping cart! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone from Vanished Chicagoland!
This is one of my favorite photos during the Thanksgiving season! I have coconut cream and lemon meringue pies in the freezer. What kind of pie are you planning to have on Thanksgiving Day? Please leave a comment. Thank you!
November 26, 2025 at 4:25 PM
This is one of my favorite photos during the Thanksgiving season! I have coconut cream and lemon meringue pies in the freezer. What kind of pie are you planning to have on Thanksgiving Day? Please leave a comment. Thank you!
Here's a photo from the 1975 Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place. Take a look at the AMC cars on display. Have you ever owned one? Please leave a comment. Thanks!
November 25, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Here's a photo from the 1975 Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place. Take a look at the AMC cars on display. Have you ever owned one? Please leave a comment. Thanks!
Here is a menu from Chicken Unlimited. The menu is from 1834 S Mannheim Rd in Westchester, IL. Please share your memories. Thank you!
November 25, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Here is a menu from Chicken Unlimited. The menu is from 1834 S Mannheim Rd in Westchester, IL. Please share your memories. Thank you!