JOLIET, IL — While walking my dog Saturday afternoon at Hammel Woods, an idea popped in my head. Why not give Joliet Patch readers an occasional weekend restaurant column that recaps important news from the previous week and highlights other local restaurant-related news that may not be worthy of a full in-depth story?
Let's face it, not everyone in the Joliet area can read the Joliet Patch seven days a week. Along those lines, I'm sure there are thousands of regular Patch readers who miss a key restaurant story or two during any given week.
First, let's lead off with something good.
More Giveth; Niko's Donating 60 Meals To Boys and Girls Club of Joliet
Come Monday, Niko's Pizzeria owner Nikos Lippas will be giving away another 50 free meals to the community. Niko's recently expanded his partnership with Joliet native Jaime Frausto, who launched the new technology company called Giveth.net.
Recent Patch coverage: Niko's Plans 50 Free Meals Weekly: Here's How You Get 1
As a result of Joliet Patch's Sept. 29 story, at least 400 new people downloaded the Giveth.net app in preparation for Niko's first-ever 50 meal giveaway Oct. 3.
Frausto said it was a big success.
Frausto had an important message to convey for this Monday's upcoming free meal giveaway regarding his company's GGC —which stands for Giveth Gift Code.
"Please, no screenshots of the Giveth gift codes; it must be in your Giveth wallet app," Frausto explained to me Saturday. "If you also want to join Niko's in helping the community, go download the app and give as well. If you own a restaurant, and you want to join the Giveth.net team, simply go to the website, Giveth.net and register."
In addition to giving away another 50 free meals Monday, Oct. 10, the owner of Niko's Pizzeria announced he will be making another 60 free meals to donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Joliet, 226 East Clinton St.
"For the boys and girls, we'll be doing sliced pizza and fries," Niko remarked.
Daily Drink Specials, Video Slots At Phil's Corner
In May, Joliet Patch reported that Joliet businessman Phil Petrakos opened his new bar Phil's Corner at the corner of Raynor Avenue and Theodore Street.
Last week, Phil's Corner obtained its six new video gambling machines through the state.
To coincide with the addition of live gaming, Petrakos informed Joliet Patch that he will be having daily drink specials:$2 domestic bottles, $3 import bottles, $3.50 shot specials. Phil's Corner also serves pizza.
Phil's Corner is now open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Patrons must be 21.
On May 26, Joliet Patch reported that after months of renovations, Phil's Corner opened at 1527 Raynor Ave. Petrakos redid the entire inside, replacing the old wooden floors and the old brick drywall. He remodeled the bathrooms, added new toilets and in the main bar area, Phil's Corner added new TVs and a jukebox.
He also added a fireplace with marble tile toward the front of the bar along Raynor.
"It's clean, and it smells clean," he stressed. "We got new furniture and a new look."
Legal Troubles Haunt Retired Owner Of Louis' Family Restaurant
Things are getting worse for Louis Polimenakos, the retired owner of Louis' Family Restaurant.
He retired at the end of November after 29 years of business at 1001 West Jefferson St. By January, the Joliet resident was hit with a civil lawsuit by a Hoffman Estates lawyer. The lawsuit alleges that Polimenakos skipped out on paying his last six months of rent, plus his share of the real estate taxes, in 2021.
It took civil process servers seven months to find Polimenakos and formally serve him with the lawsuit, according to court records. On Sept. 15, Polimenakos failed to show up at the Will County Courthouse for his hearing before Will County Judge John Anderson. His next major court hearing is less than two weeks away, and it's possible the judge could enter a monetary judgment against Polimenakos on the morning of Oct. 18.
Last week's Patch article was one of the most popular of the entire week, and it also sparked considerable reader response.
Here's a small sampling of Joliet Patch reader comments:
"Faithful tenant or not for 29 years .. doesn’t give you the right to skip out of 6 months rent? .. 50k is 50k .. I want my money!"
"Pay up sucker. What a piece of sh#! He probably skipped out of the country to retire."
"Sounds like He’s a true dead beat. Shame on him. He stayed open and made revenue during the period for which the rent is due. No reason he shouldn’t have to pay. What a loser."
"Stop hating on small business... They're doing their best."
"Louis is the nicest kindest man I know. We have been going to his restaurant since it opened. We have seen the decline in the building and the landlords not willing to repair."
Syl's Restaurant Owner Donald "Duke" Williams Dies At 52
Three years after acquiring ownership of Syl's Chophouse in Rockdale, Donald "Duke" Williams died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack at his restaurant. He was 52.
According to his obituary, visitation will be on Sunday, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, from 2 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be on Monday, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home chapel to the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m.
Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
"Duke was bigger than life. He loved all his girls, family, loyal staff, customers and the community of Joliet," his obituary noted. "Duke was passionate about serving food and drinks to everyone. He was always up for a cocktail and conversation until all hours of the night/morning."
Restaurant Publication Ranks Joliet's Best 13 Restaurants
Last week, someone in Facebook's Joliet Area Bar & Restaurant Guide of Brian Bessler shared a website story link from Birch Restaurant identifying Joliet's best 13 restaurants.
According to its website, "Birch Restaurant is the place to help find what to eat near you. Our writers are made up of food bloggers, foodies. Our reviews cover major cities in the United States, Your next great meal is waiting for you."
Some of the restaurants making Joliet's best list were of no surprise. For example, the Birch Restaurant write up called The Joliet Route 66 Diner "a local institution. Named after the famous roadway that navigates through the Western United States, Route 66 Diner is a traditional historical diner downtown. It has charming vintage decor with tables and a counter for service."
Vela’s Restaurant and Lounge at 226 East Cass St. also made the coveted list.
"Vela’s may look modest from the outside, but don’t let that fool you. Vela’s is the highest-rated Mexican restaurant in Joliet, and for good reason. They serve affordable, homemade, authentic Mexican dishes like tacos, burritos, tostadas, and more in a fun environment," the Birch Restaurant reviewer stated.
A few of the selections on the list for Joliet surprised me, ones I'd never thought of including. But that's me.
To read the entire restaurant article about Joliet, visit the Birch Restaurant website.
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