Our Story
EST. 2009
The Beginning of Ballyhoo
Back in 2009, Ryan and Anna O’Donnell opened Gemini in Chicago with a simple but powerful idea: to create a place where people didn’t just come to eat, but where they truly felt at home. It wasn’t about following trends, it was about greeting regulars by name, serving honest food, and delivering real hospitality that made every guest feel welcome. That humble beginning planted the seed for what would become Ballyhoo Hospitality.
Today, Ryan O'Donnell and Jon Farrer continue that vision with a simple belief: great hospitality is built on genuine connection.
At Ballyhoo, people always come first—our team, our guests, and the neighborhoods we call home. Every restaurant is rooted in community, giving back through initiatives like Dine & Donate and creating places where guests feel like regulars.
Growth is intentional, never rushed. Every new restaurant is opened with the same care, quality, and hospitality that define Ballyhoo.
This is Ballyhoo: a family of restaurants where memorable meals create lasting connections.