Our Celebrity Friends

When you have been around for over 75 years, many famous people are bound to come through your door. We have enjoyed the frequent company of these well-known guests and friends:

Actors and Actresses

  • Dame Helen Mirren
  • Jason Alexander (George from Seinfeld)
  • William Petersen (CSI, Chicago Theatre performer)
  • Joan Cusack
  • Carmen Electra
  • Nick Nolte
  • Johnny Galecki (Big Bang Theory)
  • Goldie Hawn
  • Valerie Harper (Rhoda)
  • Bill Daly (I Dream of Jeannie, The Bob Newhart Show)
  • Chris O’Donnell

Comedians

  • Tim Meadows, Sam Richardson, and Tim Robinson (Second City Alums)
  • Chris Farley
  • Martin Short
  • Roseanne Barr
  • Horatio Sanz (Saturday Night Live)
  • John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd (The Blues Brothers filming visit, came in costume)

Musicians and Bands

  • Individual Artists
    • Frank Sinatra (frequent guest from the ‘50s to the ‘80s; ribs and coleslaw were shipped to him on the road; 50 orders of ribs were provided to him and his orchestra for a 1982 ChicagoFest appearance)
    • Josh Groban
    • James Hetfield (Metallica)
    • James Cotton (Blues legend)
    • C.C. DeVille (Poison)
    • Tim McGraw (country singer) and road crew
  • Bands
    • Jack Black & Tenacious D (requested a Chicago Tribune interview over dinner at Twin Anchors)
    • All American Rejects
    • Augustana

Athletes and Sports Figures

  • Baseball
    • Chicago Cubs: Ryne Sandberg, Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, Nico Hoerner, David Ross, Kyle Schwarber, Mark Grace, Kerry Wood, Bill Buckner, and Dave Kingman
    • MLB Stars: Cal Ripken Jr., Justin Verlander, and John Olerud
    • Harry Caray (MLB broadcaster)
    • Dusty Baker (former Cubs manager)
    • Larry Rothschild (former Cubs pitching coach)
    • Bob Brenley (Cubs announcer)
    • Robin Ventura (White Sox Manager and former star third baseman)
    • Whitey Herzog (former Cardinals manager)
  • Football
    • Mike Ditka
    • Cooper Manning
    • Chicago Bears: Gary Fencik, Tom Thayer, and Keith Van Horne
    • William “Refrigerator” Perry
    • Merlin Olson (L.A. Rams Hall of Famer)
    • Barry Switzer (Dallas Cowboys and Oklahoma University Coach)
  • Basketball
    • Charles Barkley
    • Doug Bruno (DePaul University women’s basketball coach)
    • Dennis Rodman
    • Kevin McHale (Boston Celtics)
  • Hockey
    • Bobby Hull
    • Dale Tallon
    • Denis Savard (NHL and Blackhawk Hall of Famer)
    • Mike Keenan (regular customer while coaching the Blackhawks)
  • Racing
    • Bobby Rahal (Indy 500 winner)
    • Johnny Rutherford
    • NASCAR Stars: Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Writers, Journalists, Playwrights, and Producers

  • Bill Zehme (Writer)
  • Rick Kogan (WGN 720 AM Radio Host, Chicago Tribune Columnist)
  • Mike Thomas (Chicago Sun-Times Feature Writer)
  • David Mamet (Playwright)
  • Rick Telander (Chicago Sun-Times, Sports Illustrated, Sportswriters Show)
  • Mike Royko (Chicago Tribune)
  • Steve Levitan (creator and producer of Modern Family, Just Shoot Me)

Radio and TV Personalities

  • Conan O’Brien
  • Roe Conn (WLS-AM 890, Chicago)
  • Garry Meier (WGN-AM 720, Chicago)
  • Dean Richards (WGN-AM 720, Chicago)

Chefs and Restaurateurs

  • Emeril Lagasse

Notable Visits for Filming

  • Return to Me (1999)
    • Bonnie Hunt, David Duchovny, Minnie Driver, Carroll O’Connor, Robert Loggia, Jim Belushi, David Alan Grier
  • The Blues Brothers (1980)
    • John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd (came in costume for dinner while in town filming the movie)

Miscellaneous Figures

  • Marilyn Miglin (cosmetic maven, mentioned Twin Anchors in her book)
  • Jesse Jackson (American civil rights activist and politician)
  • Joey Bishop (friend of Twin Anchors founder Bob Walters)

The following celebrities have ordered ribs for carryout when they have been working in or visiting our fine city:

  • Oprah Winfrey, talk show host
  • Janet Jackson, pop star
  • Robert DeNiro – when filming “Mad Dog and Glory”
  • John Madden – when working a Bears broadcast
  • George Strait (country singer) – ordered 30 ribs to All-State Arena for his post performance buffet, February 2003
  • Toby Keith (country singer) – ordered 40 ribs to All-State Arena for his post performance buffet, July 2002
  • Kathy Griffin (comedian) – when working Chicago’s Park West