Famous Dave’s BBQ to open today in Evergreen Park

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy 

Famous Dave’s barbecue is trying a new concept with the restaurant it is opening today at 2851 W. 95^th St. in Evergreen Park.

“It will be 3,600 square feet with seating for 104,” said manager Andre Pleasance. The eatery will be the chain’s eighth location in the Chicago area, all of them corporate owned.

“That’s about half the size of a traditional Famous Dave’s,” he said. “It will be the first counter service Famous Dave’s in Chicago.”

Customers will place their order and get a number for their table and the food will be brought out. Famous Dave’s other Chicago-area locations are full service.

Pleasance said the Minnesota-based chain is testing the smaller concept in Evergreen Park, and, if successful, may use it in other urban areas.

“The closer you get to the city, the more carryout and delivery orders you get and fewer dine-in customers,” he said.

 Though it may be smaller, the restaurant will feature Famous Dave’s customer service, Pleasance said.

“We are so over the top for service,” he said. “We should do well with our customers who will not be treated better anywhere else.”

The restaurant will start out with a staff of 60-70 employees and a limited delivery area for local businesses.

“We’ll deliver locally to businesses at first,” he said anticipating delivery to residences to start in January.

Pleasance said the Evergreen location will open at 11 a.m. Monday with a traditional bringing in of the embers for the barbecue pit.

Hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The restaurant will be able to sell wine and beer.

The chain operates more than 170 restaurants in the United States. The nearest one is in Orland Park.

For information, call 708-423-5546 or visit Famous Dave’s online.

Hibachi Grill Opens in Orland Park

Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet opened last week at 7260 W. 159^th St. in Orland Park in the Home Depot plaza.

The restaurant, which features Chinese, Japanese and American cuisine, is the third buffet for owner Jacky Chen. He also owns locations in Matteson and Forest Park.

“Business has very good, so far,” said Chen.

Hours are Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

For buffet prices and information, call the restaurant at 708-802-8989.

Hostess outlet stores close

Even in the likely event that someone comes along and buys the rights and recipes to keep making and selling Hostess Twinkies, Ho-Hos and Cupcakes, gone forever will be the Hostess outlet stores, which used to be paradise for bargain hunters looking to stock up on discounted Wonder bread, fruit pies and boxes of Twinkies and Ding-Dongs.

Employees at Hostess outlet stores in Richton Park and Burbank both said that while the cake line was likely to be acquired as soon as the bankruptcy judge gives the OK this week, their stores would be closed for good by Tuesday at the latest.

“We’re history,” said an employee at the store in Richton Park. “The cake line will be bought up by someone and they’ll still be sold in stores. But we’re done. First it was Sara Lee and now us.”

An employee at the store in Burbank echoed those comments.

“We’re not going to reopen,” she said.

Other Chicago-area stores that will be shutting down this week are located in Hazel Crest, Dolton, Munster, Ind., Bourbonnais and Merrillville, Ind.

Seattle Sutton opens in Palos

Seattle Sutton Healthy Eating opened recently at 7202 W. College Drive in Tiffany Square Plaza in Palos Heights. For information, call 708- 361-1314.

 If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.

You can also catch up on Comings & Goings in other parts of the Southland at www.southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.com.