Mike Ditka’s restaurant in Gold Coast is closing

The clock finally has run out for Mike Ditka’s steakhouse in the Gold Coast.

The company announced Monday on Facebook that it is closing its memorabilia-filled restaurant at 100 E. Chestnut after 23 years.

“We have made the extremely difficult decision to close our Chicago restaurant due to the economic impact of COVID-19 and the short term left on our lease,” the post said. “We will continue to pursue future opportunities to open restaurants in Chicago and other locations.”

The Ditka’s locations in Oakbrook Terrace and Pittsburgh will continue to operate, as will the company’s Grill 89 in Westmont.

The iconic restaurant had been on the verge of a shutdown last October, when the famed Bears coach told the Sun-Times’ Michael Sneed that its owners had decided against renewing their lease at the Tremont Hotel.

But days later, the coach’s wife, Diana Ditka, said the lease had been extended another year. The Ditkas were frequent diners at the Gold Coast eatery.