Little Joe's open again in Frankfort; 350 Brewing opens in Tinley

Little Joe's is now open at its new location in Frankfort.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Little Joe's Famous Italian Ristorante, which closed its location in the Crown Centre shopping center in Frankfort in January, is finally open again in its new digs a few blocks away at 20805 S. LaGrange Road in the Walt's Foods plaza in Frankfort.

The restaurant chain, which also has locations in Tinley Park and New Lenox, had been open since September 2012. But its owners decided they needed more spacious digs and found them in the former Mary Todd's cafe location, which also had short-lived incarnations as Entree Alehouse and Tasty Buffet.

The decision to move was made in part because the Crown Centre location was much smaller than the Tinley and New Lenox locations.

While construction took a lot longer than anticipated, the new owners finally were able to have a soft opening earlier this month with a limited pre-grand opening menu. 

A grand opening is in the works.

The new Little Joe's features a bar, banquet room and outdoor patio. It also features gluten-free pizza and other specialties. The Frankfort location will also be offering a free pizza buffet at halftime of Bears football games.

Gerardo Vazquez remains as general manager of the new location. He is the son of co-owner Sue Vazquez.

Hours for the soft opening are weekdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For information, call 815-534-5084 or visit their Facebook page or website at www.littlejoesfamouspizza.com.

350 Brewing opens in Tinley Park

Tinley Park got its second craft brewer when 350 Brewing Co. opened its tap room earlier this month at 7144 W. 183rd St. 

The brewery, which is owned by Todd Randall and Erik Pizer, had hoped to open several months ago in downtown Tinley Park on Oak Park Avenue, but those plans were delayed and the location eventually moved.

350 Brewing has nine beers on tap daily and the tap room is open from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and from noon to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Unlike many of the new small tap rooms opening in the south suburbs, 350 Brewing said it will offer a small food menu consisting of appetizers and snacks.

The brewer also has set up a growler's club for customers to take home any of its brews in jugs for home consumption.

The company did not respond to requests for an interview, but information on the brewery can be found on the company's website at www.350brewing.com.

Starbucks opens in Orland

A new Starbucks has opened in the former Baby's at 15833 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park. The new location replaces one across the street that closed last year.

The new Starbucks features a drive-through lane.