White Eagle banquets in Niles to close at end of year

White Eagle Events and Convention Center in Niles, which hosted dinners for numerous celebrities, a pope and a president, will permanently close at the end of the year.

Ted Przybylo opened the business in 1947 in Chicago and moved it to Milwaukee Avenue in the suburbs in 1967.

The iconic banquet hall and restaurant was a staple in the Polish community — perhaps best known for its mushroom-barley soup. And it was a common spot for funeral receptions, located across from a Polish cemetery.

“Whether you joined us for a holiday brunch, stopped by to pick up some of our famous mushroom-barley soup, or celebrated a milestone event here, we’d like to thank you for being part of our story,” a closure notice on its website headlined with, “End of an Era,” and, “Saying Goodbye to a Niles Landmark.”

Ted Przybylo’s six children, including former mayor of Niles Andrew Przybylo, took over the business after their father died in 1992.

They sold the business in 2015 to Mario Ferraro, whose family founded Victoria Banquets in 1937.

Ferraro and Victoria Banquets couldn’t be reached for comment late Wednesday.

According to archived news reports, the 1,500-person capacity venue accommodated President Jimmy Carter, Pope John II, Muhammad Ali, Larry Hagman, among others. It was also a popular setting for political fundraisers, including former Illinois Gov. James Thompson. Former Poland President Lech Wałęsa also visited.

The venue was described as, “the gatehouse to today’s Polonia,” in a 1989 Sun-Times article, which added that, “old ties to Poland are affirmed nearly every day in one direction or another.”

Victoria Banquets maintains two other venues — Victoria in the Park in Mt. Prospect and Mission Hills Club in Northbrook. The venues are centered around wedding receptions, though they also offer corporate events, charity fundraisers and other celebrations.