Wynder's Hot Dogs opens in New Lenox

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

When Terry Johnson (above) scored the first hot dog for his daughter Kassee he never thought it would turn into a business let alone a restaurant.

Johnson says he got the idea of making slices in a hot dog before cooking it from his Mom, who used to fry bologna for him when he was a kid.

“Slicing the hot dog increases the surface cooking area and that allows for more carmelization of the hot dog’s juices,” Johnson says. “The same thing is what makes fried bologna so tasty.”

Johnson eventually created a gadget (that now comes in three sizes) that allows for even cuts on hot dogs and sausages.

“I got tired of trying to make the right cuts with a knife,” Johnson says. “So, I created the Wynder Spiral Hot Dog Cutter. We’ve been selling them online for two years.” http://www.wyndersspiralcuthotdogs.com/

A presentation Johnson made in January to potential investors led to his latest endeavor: restaurateur. Johnson opened his own eatery, Wynder's Spiral Cut Hot Dogs, a month ago at 1880 E. Lincoln Highway in New Lenox. It’s in the former Willie’s Wee-Nee Wagon and across the street from Lincoln-Way Central High School.

Business has been increasing at the restaurant since opened and Johnson says the idea for a spiral cut hot dog restaurant is catching on elsewhere.

“We’re looking at a franchise deal with a mall operator in south Florida who wants to open two prototype stores this summer,” says Johnson, 47, of Tinley Park. “And there s a group in San Antonio that also wants to open a chain of Wynder’s this year.”

Johnson himself is looking at expanding the concept. “We’re looking at locations in Joliet and Tinley Park.”

Johnson said the official grand opening and ribbon cutting for Wynder’s is at 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 18.

Store hours are daily 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. though Johnson eventually hopes to be open later in the evening. The phone number is 815-462-1100.

Lightning Motors opens second location
Ron Ski has opened a second location for his Lightning Motors used car dealership at 410 Vine St. in New Lenox.

Ski has operated Lightning Motors since 2007 at 21644 E. Lincoln Highway in Lynwood.
The phone number for the New Lenox car lot is 815-717-8338. You can also reach Ski at 219-306-6302.

Car detailer opens in Mokena
Train Stop Detail Shop has opened at 11020 Front St. in downtown Mokena. Hours are by appointment by calling 708-478-7480.

Villa Rosa opens in Mokena
Tony’s Villa Rosa pizzeria has just opened a second location in the former Enzo’s Pizza at 11004 Front St. in downtown Mokena. Enzo’s closed in February but is still open in Homer Glen.

Villa Rosa has another location at 7177 St. Francis Road in Frankfort Square that also has an ice cream parlor.

The phone number for the Mokena location is 708-478-6702 and 815-464-6700 for the Frankfort location.

Free fish this week
Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium is offering free general admission this week, which includes Waters of the World, Amazon Rising and the Caribbean Reef.