Colosimo's

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AKA: Big Jim Colosimo

February 16,1875 ----- May 12,1920

Colosimo's Restaurant was opened in 1909. It started out as a cafe, then became larger with showgirls and highly talented orchestra with a new rising stage. Many big names of the times appeared or dined here.

Big Jim Colosimo, the Owner, was constantly at the restaurant personally looking over the menu and music arrangements.It was here that Big Jim Colosimo fell in love with Dale Winters.

It was also at this cafe where Big Jim himself was whacked by Frankie Yale in 1920.

Colosimo's Restaurant /Cabaret /cafe

2126 - 2128 South Wabash

Postcard courtesy of Mr. Joe Walters collection

Colosimo's Cafe/ Restaurant at 2126 South Wabash Avenue as it looks today.

(Photo courtesy of Mr. Joe Walters)

Colosimo's Listed in 20's Chicago telephone book.

(Mario Gomes collection)

Photo courtesy of Mr. Joe Walters

Colosimo is killed in his cafe/restaurant May 12,1920.

(Copy by the kind courtesy of Mr. Bill Smith).

Next day it is highly suspected that his ex- wife had a hand in his murder.

The slaying was never solved. Frankie Yale was in town the day of the killing.

Torrio now became leader of the Southside along with his protege, one Alphonse Capone. (Copy by the kind courtesy of Mr. Bill Smith).

The day Big Jim was shot.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Joe Walters

Dale Winter (ex Mrs.Colosimo) in later years.

Spoon from Colosimo's Cafe (Mario Gomes collection)

Colosimo's listed in 1924 Chicago Daily News. (Mario Gomes)

Interior of Colosimo's night club. (Mario Gomes collection).

Colosimo's closed for prohibition violations.

Two sided ticket for two at Colosimo's (Probably from the 40's)

(Mario Gomes collection)

Big Jim opened another Colosimo's in Burnham when authorities kept closing his dive in Chicago.

Notice his love interest singing here too.

Inside Colosimo's restaurant circa 1910

Dale Winters Soprano appearing at Colosimo's

Photo courtesy of Mr. Joe Walters

Real and authentic Colosimo's matchbook. (Mario Gomes collection)

Closer view (Mario Gomes).

Inside view of Colosimo's

Postcard courtesy of Mr. Joe Walters

Photo courtesy of Mr. Joe Walters

Cutlery from Colosimo's restaurant. (courtesy Rebecca from Indiana)

Colosimo's had the stolen stamp placed on after lots of the cutlery started to disappear.This was done in hopes of discouraging patrons from theft.

(Courtesy Rebecca from Indiana).

Rebecca's impressive dirigold cutlery with Colosimo's stamp.

( courtesy Rebecca from Indiana).

Earlier silver spoon with Colosimo's stamp. (Mario Gomes)

Other view. (Mario Gomes)

Above authentic items grouped in a frame.The matchbook on the right is a fake,but i included it in the set for posterity.

(Mario Gomes collection).

Jim Colosimo's cafe novelty matchbook.

Novelty matchbook. Many of these are up on Ebay and many people unknowingly dish out hundreds for them much to the delight of sellers. Please be aware that these never existed as originals ,and were simply a novelty Item to promote a place called the Gaslight restaurant. They were around in the late 40's and were reprinted in the 60's and 70's. Their total worth in pristine condition as a novelty item is $15 dollars tops!

Al Capone would never in a million years accept that his name be put on matchbooks showing he was a manager.(Proof of employment).That would have lead him to the slammer faster, since he had paid no income tax.

Real Colosimo matchbooks are plain, with no mention of stars and employees. Ask yourself this question, Stars names that appeared there changed weekly ,so why would Colosimo's print up costly matchbooks for one event?


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It started out as a cafe, then became larger with showgirls and highly talented orchestra with a new rising stage. Many big names of the times appeared or dined here. Big Jim Colosimo, the Owner, was constantly at the restaurant personally looking over the menu and music arrangements.It was here that Big Jim Colosimo fell in love with Dale Winters. It was also at this cafe where Big Jim himself was whacked by Frankie Yale in 1920. The Colosimo family Colosimo's Restaurant /Cabaret /cafe 2126 - 2128 South Wabash Another view Postcard courtesy of Mr. Joe Walters collection Colosimo's Cafe/ Restaurant at 2126 South Wabash Avenue as it looks today. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Joe Walters) Colosimo's Listed in 20's Chicago telephone book. (Mario Gomes collection) Photo courtesy of Mr. Joe Walters Colosimo is killed in his cafe/restaurant May 12,1920. (Copy by the kind courtesy of Mr. Bill Smith). Next day it is highly suspected that his ex- wife had a hand in his murder. The slaying was never solved. Frankie Yale was in town the day of the killing. Torrio now became leader of the Southside along with his protege, one Alphonse Capone. (Copy by the kind courtesy of Mr. Bill Smith). The day Big Jim was shot. Photo courtesy of Mr. Joe Walters Inside photo. Photo courtesy of Mr. Joe Walters Dale Winter (ex Mrs.Colosimo) in later years. Spoon from Colosimo's Cafe (Mario Gomes collection) Colosimo's token. (Mario Gomes) Colosimo's listed in 1924 Chicago Daily News. (Mario Gomes) Interior of Colosimo's night club. (Mario Gomes collection). Colosimo's closed for prohibition violations. Two sided ticket for two at Colosimo's (Probably from the 40's) (Mario Gomes collection) Big Jim opened another Colosimo's in Burnham when authorities kept closing his dive in Chicago. Notice his love interest singing here too. Inside Colosimo's restaurant circa 1910 Dale Winters Soprano appearing at Colosimo's Photo courtesy of Mr. Joe Walters Real and authentic Colosimo's matchbook. (Mario Gomes collection) Closer view (Mario Gomes). Inside view of Colosimo's Postcard courtesy of Mr. Joe Walters Another view. Photo courtesy of Mr. Joe Walters Cutlery from Colosimo's restaurant. (courtesy Rebecca from Indiana) Colosimo's had the stolen stamp placed on after lots of the cutlery started to disappear.This was done in hopes of discouraging patrons from theft. (Courtesy Rebecca from Indiana). Rebecca's impressive dirigold cutlery with Colosimo's stamp. ( courtesy Rebecca from Indiana). Earlier silver spoon with Colosimo's stamp. (Mario Gomes) Other view. (Mario Gomes) Above authentic items grouped in a frame.The matchbook on the right is a fake,but i included it in the set for posterity. (Mario Gomes collection). Jim Colosimo's cafe novelty matchbook. Novelty matchbook. Many of these are up on Ebay and many people unknowingly dish out hundreds for them much to the delight of sellers. Please be aware that these never existed as originals ,and were simply a novelty Item to promote a place called the Gaslight restaurant. They were around in the late 40's and were reprinted in the 60's and 70's. Their total worth in pristine condition as a novelty item is $15 dollars tops! Al Capone would never in a million years accept that his name be put on matchbooks showing he was a manager.(Proof of employment).That would have lead him to the slammer faster, since he had paid no income tax. Real Colosimo matchbooks are plain, with no mention of stars and employees. Ask yourself this question, Stars names that appeared there changed weekly ,so why would Colosimo's print up costly matchbooks for one event?