Healthy Changes

Restaurants, like people, often feel the need to reinvent themselves when they arrive at the doorstep of middle age. They tire of their old ways, and look to the future to create a new and improved sense of self. After 30 years as Robert’s, owners Robert Krause and Linda Kilcollins gave their South Side restaurant a makeover, and renamed it Changes to reflect their fresh mind-set.

While Changes still resides in the same cozy century-old building it always has, the kitchen recently underwent a massive renovation, and the interior was given a face-lift. To keep pace with today’s healthier lifestyles, the owners created a brand-new menu that delivers a nice balance of wholesome entrees and hearty comfort food. Surf makes a solid appearance on the menu with a variety of seafood served 12 different ways, from broiled salmon filets and tuna steak to cod filets and jumbo prawns hand-breaded to order and fried. Changes’ homemade specialties such as coleslaw, tartar sauce, soups and potato-of-the-day fill out and complement many of the restaurant’s entrees. With all-you-can-eat “brooosted” chicken (made with Kilcollins’ flavorful secret seasoning), slow-cooked ribs that fall off the bone, and steak with Burgundy peppercorn sauce among the choices on the “daily specials” roster, you’re sure to find a hearty bargain seven days a week.

Changes boasts a creative and fun drink menu that features more than a dozen martinis—some inventive, some standard—as well as Sauza Silver Tequila margaritas and soul-warming coffee drinks. There’s a concise list of American and imported wines, and bottled and draught beers. A sizable collection of potent ice cream drinks, made with real ice cream, more than compensates for the humble dessert list.

With weekly poker games on Monday and Wednesday, karaoke on Friday, and live entertainment on Thursday and Saturday, diners can expect a healthy, lively crowd most nights of the week. Changes has experienced a significant amount of modification and improvement over the last two years, but one thing remains the same at the popular South Howell Avenue restaurant: the reassuring presence of its owners. Krause and Kilcollins enjoy managing their restaurant hands-on, a commitment that is reflected in the seamless operation of the family’s day-to-day business.

Changes is located at 4301 S. Howell Ave. For more information, visit www.changesrestaurant.com or call (414) 747-9114.