Japanese restaurant opens in Mokena

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Another restaurant that combines steak and sushi opened last week in Mokena.
Zuki Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi opened Feb. 20 at 11230 Lincoln Highway in the former Blockbuster store across the street from the JC Penney.

Manager Amy Ni said the restaurant features hibachi-style cooking at your table as well as sushi. There also is a full-service bar. She said there was seating for 90 at the hibachi tables and 60 at the sushi tables.

Ni said the restaurant is planning a grand opening with the Mokena Chamber of Commerce.

Ni said the eatery is not part of any chain.

Zuki is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and for dinner from 4:30-9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 2:30-10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and for dinner only on Sunday from 1-9 p.m.

For information, call 815-806-1888 or visit their website at http://www.zukiteppanyaki.com/. Teppan Yaki means hibachi in Japanese, Ni said.

Gas City update
Bids were due Wednesday for the first round of the bankruptcy auction for Gas City stations and convenience stores. The second round of bids is due March 23. The final auction is scheduled for April 4.

And in a new development, the Wall Street Journal reported this week that William A. McEnery, whose father William J. McEnery owns Gas City, Green Garden Country Club and the Creamery ice cream parlors, has offered almost $3 million to buy the Creamery chain out of bankruptcy. Bids are due by March 25 with an auction for the ice cream parlors scheduled for March 28.

A sign at the Creamery on Wolf Road in Mokena says it is taking applications tomorrow, so someone is anticipating the chain reopening this spring.

Green Garden Country Club is a mess. The dome was knocked down in early February and is out of action until the fall. The course’s website says the course is closed until April 1 while a message at its phone number says the course is open for walkers. Calls to the pro shop went unanswered.

The message also said the restaurant is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.