Download your coupons for free gyros sandwiches on Tuesday

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Lunch, well, part of it anyway, is free on Tuesday at sandwich shops supplied by Kronos Products, a Greek food distributor that has coupons on its website good for a free gyros sandwich at participating restaurants.

This is the second year for the sandwich giveaway, which last year caused traffic jams and crowded dining rooms at restaurants across the Southland.

Eateries taking part include Nick’s Barbecue locations, Pop’s Italian Beef locations, Mickey’s and Cyprus in Tinley Park, Antonis in Lockport, Goody’s & Gyros in Homer Glen, Athens Gyros in Homewood and Richton Park, Johnny’s Wee-Nee Wagon in Markham, and Jason’s Drive-In in Beverly/Mount Greenwood.

You can get a complete list of participating restaurants and one coupon for each e-mail address you register at http://www.kronosfreegyros.com//.

The day isn’t only about free food, however. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the Fisher House Foundation, an organization that supports military families. Donations support the new Fisher House at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Hines.

Double Deuce folds
The Double Deuce Bar and Grill at 330 W. North St. in Manhattan has closed. Its Facebook page says the bar closed in early August but is relocating and will reopen soon. Of course, it also says it is remodeling, which makes no sense, but, hey, I don’t judge.

Sweet grand opening
The Old Thyme Sweet Shop is celebrating its grand opening Tuesday at its location inside Quiznos at 7152 W. 183rd St. in Tinley Park. There is entertainment and music from noon to 8 p.m., special entertainment for kids from noon to 3 p.m., a Classic Car Show in the parking lot at 2 p.m., and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.quiznos.com//.

Jimmy John’s grand opening
Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches is celebrating the grand opening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday of its new store at 12601 S. Western Ave. in Blue Island. There is a ribbon cutting at 6 p.m. with Mayor Donald Peloquin, other city officials and Blue Island Chamber of Commerce representatives. The store has a drive-through window and, of course, freaky fast delivery. For more information, visit http://www.jimmyjohns.com//.

Clock shop liquidating
Omnibus Clock Shop, which has served the timekeeping needs of the Southland since 1982, is in the midst of a liquidation sale at its 3913 Sauk Train location in Richton Park. The shop has been operating under reduced hours for some time. For more information, visit http://www.omnibusclockshop.com//.

Palos Bank acquired by First Midwest
Palos Bank & Trust was closed earlier this month by state and federal bank regulators and its assets sold to First Midwest Bank, which has reopened all of Palos Bank’s branches.

Southland’s Jane Lynch wins Emmy

Dolton native Jane Lynch after winning an Emmy Award Sunday night.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Dolton native Jane Lynch did not forget her Southland roots Sunday night after winning the Emmy for her role as the dastardly cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on “Glee.”

Lynch, who graduated from Thornridge High School in the mid-1970s, gave a shout out to the South Side of Chicago upon accepting the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

“This is outlaaaandish,” Lynch said as she took the stage to accept her trophy.

She then thanked her parents “for being so unintentionally hilarious!”

A short time later, Lynch was up for another Emmy as the wisecracking psychiatrist on “Two And A Half Men” with Charlie Sheen.

Lynch, who is busy taping new episodes of “Glee,” now is set to host “Saturday Night Live” when that show returns in October.

Fred Astaire now in Mokena

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Fred Astaire Dance Studio moved recently from Tinley Park to new digs at 19840 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena. The phone number is 708-478-5722. For more information, visit http://www.fredastairechicago.com/.

K.T. Mae’s update
I’m guessing the padlocked chains on the doors at K.T. Mae’s in Frankfort means the establishment definitely is closed.

Florabella closes
Florabella florist has closed at 17210 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park.

Toy Box Connection hosts golf outing
The Toy Box Connection, a company founded by an Orland Park mom to connect needy children with the gift of a toy, is hosting its first charity golf outing at 8 a.m. Sept. 14 at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park.

Golfers are welcome as a foursome or individually. Golfers will receive 18 holes of golf, a cart, continental breakfast, BBQ lunch and beverages on the course, a steak dinner and raffles.

Cost is $125 per golfer, and golfers are asked to bring a new toy to the outing.

For more information, visit http://www.toyboxconnection.com/.

Deal of the weekend
Kids are invited to make their own sundaes from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the new Meijer store at 15701 S. 71st Court in Orland Park. It’s part of the store’s ongoing grand opening.

At Louie's Pizza in Frankfort, the slices are huge, and that's a fact

A slice of the Margarita pizza at Louie's Pizza in Frankfort.

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Louie’s Pizza at 20531 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort is home to what owner Craig Stackley calls “the giant slice,” and he’s not kidding.

Slices at Louie’s are served from a 28-inch pizza, which is the biggest I’ve ever seen at a Southland pizzeria. That’s 10 inches wider than the largest pizzas at popular local pizzeria chains such as Aurelio’s and Beggars.

“Our slogan is, ‘Wow, that’s huge’,” says Stackley, who opened Louie’s on Aug. 2 in the Vineyards Plaza in Frankfort.

Stackley has some experience in the pizza business, but before opening Louie’s he was with a building management company.

In addition to the monster slices, Louie’s has the kind of food you find at most pizzerias. There are appetizers, sandwiches, salads, homemade focaccia and pasta dinners. Louie’s also has fish and chicken dinners.

“When the weather turns colder, we’ll add soups ,” says Stackley.

One kind of pizza that sets Louie’s apart is the Margarita, which is made without tomato sauce. Here's a history lesson, the pizza was created in 1889 in honor of the Queen consort of Italy, Margherita of Savoy. Its toppings are fresh sliced tomatoes, fresh sliced mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves. It represents the colors of the Italian flag, red, white and green.

“It’s different,” says Stackley. “But it tastes great.”

Business has been slowly picking up and Stackley anticipates it will grow even faster now that school is back in session. Lincoln-Way East High School is across the street from Louie’s.

All pizzas are available in traditional sizes (14-inch, 16-inch and 18-inch) and you can even order one of the 28-inch big boys except stuffed.

There are no tables inside but there is limited seating in front of the restaurant. Delivery is available after 4 p.m.

Hours are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 3 to 9 p.m. The phone number is 815-469-2700. There’s no website yet, but Stackley is working on it.

“In my spare time,” he said jokingly.

Craig Stackley opened Louie's Pizza in Frankfort earlier this month.

Two-for-one tickets for red-hot Thunderbolts

While the White Sox are desperately trying to stay in the playoff chase and the Cubs have long abandoned any such hopes, the Southland's very own Windy City Thunderbolts are in good position to clinch their fourth consecutive playoff berth. The Thunderbolts have won 18 in a row at home and are in first place in the Frontier League East Division.

The Thunderbolts have six regular-season home games left at  Standard Bank Stadium (14011 S. Kenton Ave., Crestwood). Tomorrow and Wednesday night, when the Thunderbolts host division rival Oakland County, all tickets are Buy-One, Get-One-Free. If that's not enough, the first 250 fans will receive a free T-shirt on Tuesday and a free hat on Wednesday. And don't even get me started on "Thirsty Thursday" ... $1 domestic draft beer!

For more information, go to the team's website here.

Papa Damiani Pizza moves to northwest Indiana

Lou Damiani shows off the sign from the original location.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Papa Damiani Pizza, a fixture in Dolton from 1957 until its closing in April, reopened a few weeks ago inside the North Woods restaurant at 8101 Wicker Ave. in St. John, Ind. For more information, visit http://www.northwoodsdining.com/ or check out their page on Facebook.

Bench Warmers closes in Lansing
Bench Warmers Sports Pub closed suddenly over the weekend at its longtime home at 3325 Ridge Road in Lansing. The location had been operated by a member of the same family since it opened as the Lansing Tap and Ridge Room in 1947.

Lansing Tap was renamed Bench Warmers in 1984 when Bill and Cheryl Last took over operations from his father. Cheryl’s son Tim Geeve took over the establishment a few years ago.

Bench Warmers reopened a few years ago after a fire almost destroyed the business.

Chinese restaurant changes name
Tan Chinese Kitchen at 312 N. LaGrange Road in Frankfort has reopened as Ocean Chinese restaurant. The phone number is 815-464-8896.

Grand opening celebration at Orland Wine
Orland Park Wine and Spirits is celebrating its grand opening this weekend at 8600 W. 159th St. in Orland Park with wine tastings, seminars and visits from Chicago sports legends. New owners took over the store back in February.

Former Chicago Bear Dan Hampton will be on hand from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday while former Blackhawks goalie Tony Esposito will be there from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, I’d call 708-460-4300. There is a website at http://www.orlandparkwineandspirits.com/ but it hasn’t been updated since July.

New name for Mokena restaurant

Golden Oak Restaurant and Waffle House in Mokena.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

New owners recently acquired the former Kingsberry restaurant at 19845 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena and have renamed it Golden Oak Restaurant and Waffle House. It is still a breakfast and lunch place open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 708-478-4430.

New eats in Evergreen Park
The culinary offerings in Evergreen Park expanded this week.

Cavatappi, a brick-oven pizzeria and wine bar, opened for business on Monday at 3020 W. 95th St. in the former Mulchrone’s. For more information, call 708-576-3055.

And Taco Fresco, a Mexican carryout restaurant, opened recently at 3342 W. 95th St.

Vision group moves to Orland Park
Kirschner Vision Group recently moved its second office from Oak Forest to new digs at 7026 W. 159th St. in Orland Park. The main office remains in Homewood. For more information, visit its website at http://www.visionsource-kirschnervision.com/.

MMA academy opens in Mokena
Mandori Jiu Jitsu has opened at 10112 W. 191st St. in Mokena. The martial arts academy specializes in Brazilian jiu jitsu. For more information, call 708-478-3310.

Food 4 Less breaks ground in Chicago Heights
The long-awaited Food 4 Less grocery store in Chicago Heights moved a step closer this week when ground was broken on Monday to remodel the former Dominick’s Finer Foods at U.S. 30 and Western Avenue. The new store is part of Kroger Foods discount division, which now has stores in Oak Forest, Dolton, Alsip, Burbank, Joliet, Crest Hill, Hammond, Ind., and Chicago. The new store is expected to be ready by February.

Catching up
Michael Flamburis in March opened a Greek restaurant called It’s Greek To Me at 13119 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park with plans to open an adjoining breakfast-lunch restaurant called Country Cottage Café a few weeks later. Those plans changed and the adjoining restaurant has since opened under the name Little Greek Cottage. The cottage like most breakfast-lunch places is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. with It’s Greek to Me open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 708-923-1400.

Scrementi's to replace Chef Paul's at Angelino's sports bar in Mokena

Scrementi's restaurant is replacing Chef Paul's at Angelino's sports bar in Mokena.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Angelino’s sports bar, 9301 W. 191st St. in Mokena, has been going without a restaurant partner since Chef Paul’s steakhouse closed in May, but that is about to change.

The space formerly used by Chef Paul’s is being remodeled for Scrementi’s, an Italian restaurant based in Steger. It will be the second location for Scrementi’s. A mid-September opening is planned.

Although no decision has been made, the new Scrementi’s is expected to offer most if not all of the items offered at the Steger location, 3760 Chicago Road.

In the meantime, Angelino’s downstairs bar is open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight.

For more information, call Scrementi’s at 708-755-7200 or visit its website http://www.scrementis.com/. Angelino’s has no website, but its phone number is 708-478-0301.

Chef Paul’s moved a couple of years ago into Angelino’s from its original storefront location at 88th Avenue and 191st Street in an attempt to cut costs and stay in business.

Firestone, Fat Ricky’s updates
The Firestore auto center at 191st Street and LaGrange Road in Mokena is now open.

Fat Ricky’s Original Old World Pizza opened a few weeks ago at 16255 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park in the former Al’s Beef location. The restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call 708-460-1010 or visit its website at http://www.fatrickys.com/.

New owners for Yana’s Cafe
The Bronshtein family of Frankfort recently took over ownership of Yana’s Café, 8005 W. 183rd St. in Tinley Park. The restaurant has a new menu and has added a cookie corner for children of customers to create cookies that are then baked in the kitchen. Hours are daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 708-444-7800.

Frangella Italian Market opens in Orland

Frangella Italian Market opened recently at 178th Street and Wolf Road in Orland Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Frangella’s Italian Imports, 11925 S. 80th Avenue in Palos Park, recently opened a second store at 178th Street and Wolf Road in Orland Park. Frangella’s is known for its Italian deli sandwiches, pasta and ethnic specialties.

The Orland store is called Frangella Italian Market and is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There is no website, but the Orland store’s phone number is 708-478-6460.

Riley Trick Shop closes in Frankfort
Riley’s Trick Shop closed recently at 103 Bankview Drive in Frankfort after being forced out by a neighboring tenant that wanted more space in the strip center, says Jim Riley, owner of the original Riley’s Trick Shop in Worth.

Riley said there are no plans to reopen in Frankfort but the Worth store is open for business at 6442 W. 111th St., where it has been located since 1973. The store first opened in Chicago in 1937 and has moved four times. The Frankfort store opened in October 2007.

For more information, visit http://www.rileystrickshop.com/.

Auto parts store opens in Crown Point
Advanced Auto Parts opened a store recently at 914 N. Main St. in downtown Crown Point. Hours are Monday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The phone number is 219-663-7846.

Carlini’s Pizza opens in Frankfort SquareAnother pizzeria is giving it a go in the space behind the Hot Grill, 7818 W. Lincoln Highway in Frankfort Square. Carlini’s Pizza opened a few weeks ago. The phone number is 815-469-0930. Carlini’s is at least the fourth pizzeria to open there in the past couple of years. Good luck!

Name change
The former Domino’s Pizza at 18155 Dixie Highway recently changed its name to Delanoe’s Pizza and expanded the menu. Hours are Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight. The phone number is 708-794-0209 and the website is http://delanoes.com/.

Simply Smokin’ now openSimply Smokin’ BBQ and Grill finally opened its doors last week at 10211 W. Lincoln Highway in Frankfort.

Deal of the week
Don’s Hot Dogs, 17831 Wolf Road in Orland Park, is offering a buy one get one free deal on Wienie Wednesdays. There is a four hot dog limit.

Best Sellers bookstore closing this month in Palos Heights

Best Sellers bookstore in Palos Heights is closing at the end of August.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Best Sellers, a popular bookstore at 6509 W. 127th St. in Palos Heights for the past 33 years, is closing because owner Jean Gnap is retiring.

“Thirty three years is long enough,” says Gnap, who also is a Palos Heights alderman.

The closing is set for no later than Aug. 31. “Everything must go,” she says. The store carries all kinds of books, comic books, trading cards and collectibles.

“We will start our closing sale on Monday. Hardcover books will be $1, paperbacks are $2 and you can trade-in any credit you have,” says Gnap. “Newer comic books will be half-price while older comic books will be half off of the catalog price.”

Gnap says she is staying in Palos Heights after retiring and will remain a community advocate.

“My aldermanic term is up in April and I will probably run for re-election. There are some projects I’d like to see through to completion.”

For more information, call the store at 708-371-2540 or visit their website at http://bestsellers.web.officelive.com/ and the Best Sellers Bookstore page at Facebook.

Providence Bank opens in FrankfortSouth Holland-based Providence Bank has opened its sixth branch at 20220 S. LaGrange Road in the Frankfort Commons shopping center in Frankfort in a former National City Bank.

Providence Bank was founded six years ago and prides itself on donating 10 percent of its profits to civic, non-profit and Christian organizations. Other branches are in South Holland, Elmhurst, Munster, Ind., Dyer, Ind., and Schererville, Ind.

For more information, call 888-923-5664 or visit http://www.providencebank.com/.

Flagship Creations moves in LansingFlagship Creations, a custom T-shirt shop, has moved down the street to 3517 Ridge Road in Lansing. The phone number remains the same at 708-474-3445.

94 West deal of the weekend
94 West, 15410 S. 94th Avenue, Orland Park, will take 25 percent off your entire food bill today through Sunday as part of its Customer Appreciation Weekend. Offer is for dine-in customers only and is not valid with other coupons. For more information, call 708-364-9494 or visit http://www.94westrestaurant.com/.

Illinois to hold its first sales tax holiday starting Friday

Extreme Pita is expected to open Aug. 10 in Orland Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Illinois will hold its first state sales tax holiday starting Friday and running through Aug. 15.

School supplies including calculators, backpacks, legal pads, pens, pencils and erasers will be exempt from the state’s 5 percent sales tax during the holiday, which was signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn earlier this summer.

Sales taxes imposed by municipalities, counties, transit agencies and any other government body are not included in the tax holiday.

Although intended to relieve some of the burden from parents of school-age children, anyone who purchases items on the exempt list will benefit from the holiday.

For a complete, downloadable list of what is and isn’t exempt, visit http://www.tax.illinois.gov/.

Extreme Pita to open next week
Darrell Hall expects to open his Extreme Pita restaurant on Aug. 10 at 14658 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park’s Cooper Square shopping center. For more information, call 708-403-8338 or visit their Facebook page at Extreme Pita of Orland Park.

La Papa’s coming soon
A sign proclaiming a La Papa’s Italian Beef and Sausage is coming has popped up in the building on the northeast corner of 111th Street and Pulaski Road in Chicago.

Reinsdorf to speak at chamber luncheon
White Sox and Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf will be the guest speaker at Monday’s monthly consensus lunch for the Southland Chamber of Commerce at the Tinley Park Holiday Inn-Convention Center, 18501 S. Harlem Ave.

The luncheon starts at 11:30 a.m. with Reinsdorf expected to begin speaking about noon. He is expected to talk about the red hot White Sox and the upcoming season for the Bulls.

Reservations are $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers. Call 708-957-6950 or visit the chamber’s website at http://www.chicagosouthland.com/.

Lunch deal of the week
Benchwarmers at 3325 Ridge Road in Lansing now has a $4.99 lunch menu daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

New Mexican restaurant expects to open this month in Midlothian

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Midlothian will soon be home to Sierra Mexican Grill, which is expecting to open by mid-August at 147th Street and Pulaski Road. It will be the second location for Sierra Mexican Grill, which is owned by Juan Sierra. The original location is in Peotone.

The Chieftain opens in WorthA new bar called The Chieftain opened recently at 6908 W. 111th St. in Worth in the former Pump Room. The new establishment is an Irish pub, which makes sense considering the owner John Staunton hails from the Auld Sod and owns a couple of pubs in the Emerald Isle. The Chieftain opens daily at 11 a.m. and at noon on Sundays. It is open late, until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Fare is typical pub grub.

Paddy B’s settles into new home
Orland Park’s Paddy B’s has settled in at its new location at 11969 W. 143rd St. in the village. The bar moved in June from its longtime home at 143rd Street and Union Avenue. The new location has seating for about 40 and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. The phone number is 708-349-3077.

New grocery store coming for Country Club Hills
Michael’s Fresh Market is renovating the former Eagle grocery store at 183rd Street and Pulaski Road in the Shops at Cooper’s Grove in preparation for opening later this summer. The new food store will be about 56,000 square feet in size. Michael’s operates a number of stores under various names in Harvey, Oak Park, Chicago, Downers Grove and Naperville.

Tequila Roadhouse closes in Alsip
Tequila Roadhouse, which changed its name from O’Malley’s in January, closed suddenly last month at 11957 S. Pulaski Road in Alsip. The building is for lease.

Job Fair in Tinley ParkBP Staffing is holding a job fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday at the Bremen VFW Post 2791 at 17147 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park. For more information, call 708-576-8901.