Status: OPEN
Josephine’s Cooking on Chicago’s South Side isn’t just a restaurant – it’s a community institution. Owner Josephine Wade has been so important to the neighborhood that the city named a street after her. When Restaurant Impossible arrived, they weren’t just saving a restaurant – they were preserving South Side history.
A South Side Institution
Josephine Wade has owned her restaurant for over 30 years, building it into a beacon for Chicago’s South Side community. The restaurant was previously named Captain’s Hard Times – a fitting name given how often Josephine helped neighbors through difficult periods.
In 2017, the city of Chicago honored her by naming a street “Mother Josephine Wade Way.” Not many restaurant owners get streets named after them. That’s how much she means to this community.
Passing the Torch
But by 2019, Josephine’s Cooking was one month from closing. The aging owner couldn’t keep up with the demands of daily operations anymore. Her son Victor, who had bought into the restaurant in 2008, needed to step up – but the strong-willed mother wasn’t ready to let go.
The Episode (Season 15, Episode 1)
Title: “Hard Times at Josephine’s”
Air Date: July 20, 2019
Filming: April 2019
Robert Irvine headed to Chicago’s South Side with a unique challenge: motivate Victor to take over the reins while helping Josephine accept that it was time to step back. Two days, $10,000, and decades of family dynamics to navigate.
More Than a Makeover
The physical renovation mattered, but the real work was emotional. Robert had to help a proud woman who had given everything to her community accept that her restaurant’s future depended on the next generation taking charge.
Victor needed the confidence to lead. Josephine needed the grace to let him. Restaurant Impossible had to facilitate both.
The Menu Redesign
Robert Irvine redesigned the soul food menu, keeping the classics that had fed the South Side for decades while updating preparation and presentation. The restaurant proudly notes that their menu was “redesigned by Chef Robert Irvine and Restaurant Impossible.”
Still Serving the Community
Josephine’s Cooking continues to operate at 436 E 79th St on Chicago’s South Side. The soul food that sustained a community for three decades is still being served, now with the next generation at the helm.
In June 2019, following the episode, Josephine’s Cooking also opened a location at McCormick Place, Chicago’s massive convention center – a sign of expansion rather than struggle.
Visit Information
Address: 436 E 79th St, Chicago, IL 60619
Neighborhood: South Side Chicago (Chatham)
Cuisine: Soul Food
Legacy: 30+ years serving the community
View Josephine’s Cooking on Google Maps →
Josephine’s Cooking represents Restaurant Impossible at its most meaningful – not just saving a business, but preserving a piece of community history for future generations.
Last verified: January 2026
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