"Chicago has nothing like Shadows. San Francisco has nothing better than Shadows. New York has no gay restaurant to surpass Shadows." Shadows, a 45-seat restaurant and bar, was opened by Frank Thalacker in February 1980. It's remembered as one of the first "date restaurants" where same-sex couples could openly hold hands or show affection. Within months of opening, it was praised as one of the best gay-owned restaurants in the country. Shadows served breakfast, lunch, dinner, and old-fashioned all-American food seven days a week. After four years, Shadows closed suddenly in September 1984.