Mokena White Castle Gone But to Return

Work has started on rebuilding the White Castle at 191st and LaGrange in Mokena.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Don’t fear Mokena White Castle fans, the iconic fast-food restaurant will soon return bigger and better than before to its spot at 191st Street and LaGrange Road.

In case you missed it, the restaurant disappeared the other day. It was just gone. There was a vacant muddy lot and a couple of signs telling Slider fans where they could go to get their closest fix – on U.S. 30 in New Lenox and at 159th Street and Harlem Avenue in Orland Park.

“The new building should be ready by May 5, depending on weather,” said Bill Thompson, regional director of restaurant operations for White Castle. “Since it’s been such a mild winter, we should be able to easily make that date.”

Thompson said the new Mokena restaurant will be similar to the one in New Lenox when finished.
“It’s the same design,” he said. “It will have a little bigger front room.”

The new building also will sport a drive-through lane with two windows, Wi-Fi, and televisions, Thompson said.

The Mokena restaurant has been there since 1997 when it was acquired and converted from a Hardee’s.

White Castle is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. The Ohio-based chain has been operating in Chicago since 1929.

Wynder's, Home of the Spiral-Cut Hot Dog, Closes in New Lenox

Terry Johnson shows off one of his spiral-cut hot dogs in New Lenox in June 2010.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Sad to say, I saw this one coming.

Wynder’s restaurant in New Lenox, which opened in June 2010 with the unique product of a spiral-cut hot dog, shut its doors for the last time last week.

I called the shop last week after I saw a notice on the door that they had cut their hours to 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Owner Terry Johnson wasn’t in, but the woman on duty said the store was staying open but cutting back its hours. That’s never a good sign.

Then it was closed.

I remember when Wynder’s opened. Johnson was absolutely passionate about his spiral-cutting technique.

He said the process brought out hidden flavor in something as mundane as a hot dog. He said he got the idea from his mom, who used to make him fried bologna sandwiches.

Johnson has been trying since day one to expand his brand. He had a couple of nibbles from groups in Florida and Texas, but nothing got off the ground.

He originally wanted to open shops in Joliet and Tinley Park, but they never materialized.

He was selling spiral-cutting gadgets from his website, which was still up this week. So, maybe that is still going.

Wynder’s is not the first hot dog shop to fail in that location despite its seemingly great location across the street from Lincoln-Way Central High School. Willie’s Wee-Nee Wagon had a brief run there prior to Johnson taking his shot.

Johnson told the New Lenox Patch this week that road construction on U.S. 30 was partly to blame, and he’s right. Construction along the road has made life miserable for lots of business owners there.

The lousy economy since he opened and what I’m sure are not cheap rents in that plaza also didn’t help, I’m sure.

Johnson is a nice guy who had a clever idea to make a hot dog more than just a hot dog. (I’ve been slicing hot dogs and sausages when I grill ever since I met him.) It’s too bad he didn’t succeed.

Rasmussen College Job Fair is Thursday

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Rasmussen College, in conjunction with the Mokena Chamber of Commerce, presents the Winter Career Expo from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, at Rasmussen College, 8650 W. Spring Lake Road, Mokena.

This networking opportunity is open to all students, alumni, community members, and employers at no charge.

For information, contact the front desk at 815-534-3300.

Employers on hand will include:
 
• IDES
• IDES for Veterans
• Chicago Fire
• Your Total Business
• Primerica
• Combined Insurance
• H&R Block
• Lighthouse Printing
• Kelly Services
• Mokena Chamber of Commerce
• Chiro One Wellness Centers
• New York Life
• NextMedia 360
• Ingalls Hospital
• American Family Insurance
• Aramark
• U.S. Army
• Charter Fitness
• Lincoln Mall security
• Pace
• Costco