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I have more than 40 years in the news business and have successfully evolved into an electronic journalist. Comings & Goings and Southland Savvy track news about businesses in Chicago's Southland.

Half off barbecue in Burbank

Groupon is featuring $20 of barbecue at Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe for $10. Check out the Groupon deal here. As of this minute, you've got just four hours to snag the bargain.

Says Groupon:
Chuck's Southern Comforts Café bathes palates in sauces and spices with a menu emphasizing barbecue, Cajun, and Mexican flavors. Fire the opening salvo in the battle against hunger with an appetizer, such as the nachos topped with barbecue pulled pork and chicken ($8.25), or the shrimp-and-crab au gratin ($9.25), broiling the sea denizens in cheeses and a Cajun alfredo sauce and served with fresh bread for dipping. At Chuck's Southern Comforts Café, barbecue rules the roost—try a full slab of baby-back ribs ($21.25) or a heap of hickory-smoked pulled pork ($9.25). Cajun cuisine includes a seafood jambalaya ($11.95), while Mexican-inspired meals include the chicken enchiladas ($11.25). Additionally, breakfast fans can opt for pre-noon provisions.

Chuck Pine—owner, chef, and namesake of Chuck's Southern Comforts Café—spent several years working in the kitchen of superfamous chef Rick Bayless. Before opening his own restaurant, he toured the country, sampling the fare at barbecue joints through the Midwest and the South. Step into Chuck's Southern Comforts Café's easygoing hues of goldens, browns, and golden browns, and enjoy the results of Pine's research with a smoky and sweet-sauced meal.

Dunkin' Donuts donates books to libraries

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Aziz Nathani, who recently took over three Dunkin’ Donuts in Orland Park, Country Club Hills and Oak Forest, has donated 825 books he collected from customers to the libraries in those three communities. In exchange for the books, he gave each customer a donut or cup of coffee.

Now open
Health From Within Chiropractic Wellness Center opened recently at 10012 W. 190th Place in Mokena. For more information, call 708-478-0300 or visit http://www.healthfromwithin.net/.

Grand opening for OMG
OMG It’s Gluten Free, 19810 S. Harlem Ave. in Frankfort Square, is holding its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Co-owner Julie Scianna says business has been great since the doors opened a few months ago (April 1 Southland Savvy).

Scianna also says she’s 99 percent sure Stefano Guandalini of the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center will be on hand for the opening.

For more information, visit http://www.omgitsglutenfree.com/ or check out their Facebook page.

Ribbon cutting in Frankfort
Gnade Insurance, 219 S. White St. in Frankfort, will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Thursday as part of its business after hours for the Mokena Chamber of Commerce.

Sox/Cubs deal of the weekend
Looking for a place to watch the Sox take on the Cubs? Popolano's, 17940 S. Torrence Ave. in Lansing and 225 S. Calumet Ave. in Chesterton, Ind., is offering 35-cent wings and $2 pints during the games. The eateries will continue the offer after the Crosstown Classic whenever either team is playing.


OMG It's Gluten Free is holding its grand opening on Saturday in Frankfort Square.

Bottoms Up to reopen in Lansing

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Bottoms Up, a popular late-night watering hole just outside of Lansing’s municipal limits at 1696 Thornton Lansing Road, is set to reopen its tavern and beer garden Wednesday after being closed for plumbing issues for a few months. The full kitchen is expected to be back online a few days later. For more information, visit http://www.bottomsuponline.com/.

Arby’s closes in HomewoodWith the recent closing of the Arby’s restaurant on Halsted Street in Homewood, Southland roast beef and potato cake junkies have to go east to the Arby’s on Calumet Avenue in Munster, Ind., or west to Tinley Park, which boasts three of the fast-food eateries.


Sisters to move into former Fox LumberIt’s official, My Sisters and Me boutique in Frankfort is taking over the recently remodeled Fox Lumber in downtown Frankfort. The village board Monday night approved a five-year lease with My Sisters, which will be doubling its size when it moves into the former lumber yard. For more information, visit http://www.mysistersandmeboutique.com/.

Papa Joe’s done in FrankfortPapa Joe’s has closed at 20531 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort, but the restaurant will not be dark for long. Something called Louie’s Pizza and Pasta has already taken a lease on the storefront and will be opening soon.

Tinley Park cleaners closes
Kleen Spot Cleaners closed recently at 16709 S. 80th Avenue in Tinley Park.

Home Werks opens in Orland
A home remodeling store called Home Werks opened recently at 7840 W. 159th St. in Orland Park. For more information, visit their website at http://www.homewerksinc.net/.

Now openMcDonald’s had the grand opening last week for its new restaurant at 7620 W. 95th St. in Hickory Hills, which has been open for several weeks. The new McDonald’s replaces one that was a few blocks away. The new restaurant has a double drive-through.

Ride the train at Chicago Ridge Mall
Junga Rides, a children’s train ride, is now open in the Kohl’s Court at Chicago Ridge Mall at 95th Street and Ridgeland in Chicago Ridge.

Free pizza toppings
Old Town Pizza, 11128 W. 179th St. in Orland Park, is offering Free Topping Tuesdays. The pizzeria is open for lunch and dinner and offers delivery and take-out service. For more information, call 708-478-7488 or visit their Facebook page.