Argos American Bistro Replaces Evanston's Ted's Snack Shop

A new bistro prepares to occupy the building that housed a local staple for over half a century.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Openings & Closings

A brick storefront facade with a large display window and entrance, captured in neutral, even daylight in a mid-sized city setting. — Argos American Bistro is preparing to open its doors in Evanston, occupying the building that hosted Ted’s Snack Shop for five decades. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Argos American Bistro is moving into the former location of Ted's Snack Shop in Evanston. The new establishment follows the closure of the long-standing diner in June 2025.

Why it matters

The transition marks the end of a 50-year era for the local site and introduces a new dining option to the community. Owners delayed the opening process while managing family matters.

Chuy Reynoso brings over 20 years of professional chef experience from Chicago to the new venture. The owners intend to maintain the building's current layout with only minor cosmetic updates.

The players

Rodolfo Reynoso

He is the new owner of the building that previously housed Ted's Snack Shop.

Chuy Reynoso

He is a professional chef with more than 20 years of experience working in the Chicago area.

Lucely Reynoso

She is an owner who submitted the food license application to Evanston city officials.

Georgia Smyrniotes

She was the previous owner of the building before selling it to Rodolfo Reynoso.

The details

The restaurant will focus on breakfast and lunch service when it opens, with plans to potentially extend operating hours later. Rodolfo Reynoso purchased the building from Georgia Smyrniotes in early 2025.

January 2025: Rodolfo Reynoso purchased the building property.
June 2025: Ted's Snack Shop concluded its 50-year run.
August 5, 2026: The owners submitted a food license application to the city.

Market Landscape

The transition from a multi-decade legacy diner to a new bistro highlights the common turnover cycle for independent food service properties. This move aligns with broader industry trends where existing footprints are repurposed by new operators to adapt to shifting local demographics.

Local residents can expect a new breakfast and lunch menu once the bistro completes its regulatory requirements. Customers will notice that the building retains its familiar exterior as the new owners keep the original physical structure mostly intact.

The takeaway

The arrival of Argos American Bistro signals a changing of the guard for a prominent Evanston address. Residents who frequented the site for years can look forward to a new culinary chapter while the building maintains its historic presence in the neighborhood.