Traverso's means a full belly for you

By Dennis Robaugh
Southland Savvy

The Traversos say there are two great places for a family to sit down for a meal -- your dining room and theirs. That was clearly true on the evening of our meal, as we shared the room with three family gatherings, large groups spanning generations seated around tables pushed together for the occasion.

We passed by a couple of chain restaurants, parking lots full, to ease into a table at Traverso's in Orland Park. Some people don't know what they're missing.

Our meal meal kicked off, literally, with an appetizer of buffalo wings with blue cheese and ranch dressing and a few stalks of celery. Extra saucy and tangy with just a kick of hotness, these wings rival those you'll find in any hot wing specialty chain. And every piece offered plenty of meat. No shriveled up, over-fried wings here.

A crusty loaf of hot bread came to the table alongside a simple, crispy dinner salad. Traverso's doesn't skimp on the dressing, either.

For the main course, we dined on chicken parmigiana and shells with Italian sausage. The breaded chicken breast, a surprising three-quarters-of-an inch thick, was juicy through and through. Known for its hand-made pastas, Traverso's pasta and savory sausage proved all-too filling.

The Traversos have been doing this for 35 years. They know how to send you away happy and full. We didn't even have room for dessert. You could've rolled us out the front door.

We've had their pizza in the past, which features a sweet sauce and a chewy thin crust. A loaded pie and frosty mugs of beer make for a great Friday night chow down.

On Mondays, through spring. Traverso's offers two-for-one pasta dishes, and Tuesday features half-price pizza.

Traverso's
3 out of 4 stars
15601 S. Harlem Ave.
Orland Park
(708) 532-2220



Check out more Traverso's reviews via Google.

You can reach Dennis Robaugh at dennis@southlandsavvy.com

Cherish the Ladies come to Frankfort

Nimble of knee and fleet of foot, loose-limbed Irish dancers kicked up a joyful time Sunday afternoon at Lincoln-Way North High School's Performing Arts Center during the featured performance of Cherish the Ladies, the famed Irish folk music troupe. They performed as part of the school district's "Spotlight Series" before a crowd of more than 600.

Whether mournful or mirthful, to my ear Irish folk tunes have always borne the tone and tenor of the brogue itself.

There was plenty of mirth from band leader Joanie Madden throughout the show. Telling the audience one of her dancers was a Chicagoan, the young lady revealed her true roots grew from Northwest Indiana soil.

"But I live in Lincoln Park now," she added, to chuckles from the audience.

"They don't seem to be impressed by that," Madden replied.

The South Side Irish, they're a hard lot they are!



Dennis Robaugh can be reached at dennis@southlandsavvy.com

New Red Dragon Cafe in Tinley

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Red Dragon, a new restaurant that features food from China, Thailand, Korea and Japan, has opened at 16651 S. 80th Ave. in Tinley Park. Red Dragon offers delivery and carryout and will eventually add catering. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 to 9 p.m. Sundays.

For menu information, visit their web site or call (708) 532-3388.

Deal of the week
Denny's is offering free original Grand Slam breakfasts from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday. The chain made the same offer last February and served more than 2 million meals. To find the nearest Denny's, visit Denny's web site.

Praise for paczkis
Paczki Day is Feb. 16. From years past, we know that everyone has a favorite bakery for the pre-Lenten doughnuts. Share your favorites with us, just drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com or leave a comment. I'll print your favorites in time for Fat Tuesday.

Jenny McCarthy a 'false prophet' for her views on vaccines and autism

Only Jenny McCarthy could get the New York Times and Fox News to share the same opinion. The Mother McAuley grad, class of 1990, is provoking ire and derision throughout the blogosphere over her anti-vaccine advocacy when it comes to autism.

The South Side native hasn't fired back - yet.

Motherlode in the New York Times is labeling Jenny one of the "false prophets of autism."

And Fox's Greg Gutfeld suggests "there should be a vaccination for stupidity."

Meanwhile, the managing editor of Slate's "XXfactor" takes aim at Chicago's St. Oprah and McCarthy for dispensing fraudulent medical advice.

Writes Jennifer Grose:

McCarthy is an advocate who believes that vaccines played a role in causing her son's autism, and just a few days ago the only research that showed that vaccines and autism were linked was completely discredited. Who knows how many people have not vaccinated their children and potentially caused a resurgence of disease because of McCarthy's misinformation?

Listen you little weirdo ...

By Dennis Robaugh
Southland Savvy

Brother Rice alum John C. Reilly has done so much goofy (think "Stepbrothers" and "Talladega Nights") you might forget he's not a one-note Johnny. Proof of that looks to be coming in the new film "Cyrus."

Reilly plays John, whose ex-wife is about to remarry. But he meets the woman of his dreams (Marissa Tomei) ... and her son, Cyrus, played by the wonderfully deadpan Jonah Hill. And Cyrus is a little weirdo.

Mekado Murphy, in the New York Times Art Beat column, says "Cyrus takes an insightful, funny and sometimes heartbreaking look at love and family in contemporary Los Angeles."

Check out the trailer.

Jameson's Pub will open Thursday in Frankfort on St. Francis Road

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Jameson’s Pub will open its doors at 11 a.m. Thursday at its Frankfort location, 9545 St. Francis Road. The second location for the popular Joliet watering hole has been in the works for months. It will be in the former home of Fireplace Inn across from the Frankfort Home Depot.

Eggcetera opens second location
The popular breakfast and lunch spot, Eggcetera Café, opened its new location on 191st Street in Mokena on Monday. The new location will have the same menu as the original location in downtown Mokena.

Dunkin remodeling in Orland Park
Noticed the other night that the Dunkin' Donuts at 15609 S. Harlem Ave. in Orland Park was closed with giant trash bins out in front. Don’t fret doughnut lovers, the store is being remodeled and is scheduled to reopen in March. In the meantime, Dunkin stores are still open at 80th Avenue and 171st Street in Tinley Park (no drive-through), Harlem Avenue and 183rd in Tinley Park (a drive-through) and on 159th Street in Oak Forest (with a drive-through).

Coming soon
Signs proclaiming a new Burrito Loco is coming are up at the former Surma’s restaurant at 183rd Street and 80th Avenue in Tinley Park.

Signs are also up proclaiming a new Lindy’s Chili/Gertie’s Ice Cream parlor is coming this summer to the retail center next to the CVS at 167th Street and Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park. There used to be a Lindy's/Gertie's in the Brementowne Mall at 159th Street and Oak Park Avenue.

Powerball now available in Illinois

By Kristi Eaton
Illinois Statehouse News

Illinois is again looking to the lottery to pump millions of dollars into the beleaguered state budget. Powerball is now available in Illinois. Starting today, you'll be able to purchase tickets for both Powerball and Mega Millions.

“Here in Illinois, we are estimating an additional $54 million annually in net proceeds from the sale of this game to benefit Illinois,” said acting Illinois Lottery superintendent Jodie Winnett in a statement. “Plus, retailers will have the potential for even more sales commissions.”

That potential is one reason Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, thinks the addition of Powerball is a good move for the state.

“Oftentimes people will buy their lottery tickets at a convenience store or a grocery store or a pharmacy, and better to have them do that in Illinois because, perhaps, they’ll purchase other things while there,” he said.

Although the money may bring in profit for stores, Lang said he doesn’t think it’ll solve the state’s budget problems.

“I don’t think it’s going to be incredibly lucrative,” Lang said. “That would be my guess. Some may disagree. But I do think it will be helpful.”

Anita Bedell says the state shouldn’t expect a windfall from power ball. She says history has shown the lottery is a bad gamble, for players and governments.

“It promises more than it delivers,” said Bedell, executive director of Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems. “When you’re talking about Powerball, the lottery will get even less money that they do from selling Illinois lottery tickets, so it’s a huge gamble for this state and promises more than it delivers.”

Bedell said the timing of powerball is interesting.

“Gov. Quinn, when he was the lieutenant governor, came out against a massive expansion of lottery by Gov. Blogojevich. He said he didn’t want an expansion.

Drawings for Powerball will be Wednesday and Saturday at 9:59 p.m., beginning Wed., Feb. 3, 2010, with a starting jackpot of $20 million.

Contact Kristi Easton at 217-960-1332. Illinois Statehouse News is a non-profit journalism organization committed to writing for the betterment of society.

You @#$*$, don't light up my life

Here's a fellow worthy of enshrinement in the Southland's "Hall of Shame."

Maybe Barry Galloway thought the guy in the truck behind him was "winking" at him. A flashing of headlights in the drive-thru lane of an Oak Lawn fast-food restaurant on 111th Street last week apparently enraged the manly Galloway, who decided he could not sit idly by for any "winking" or "blinking" or headlight shenanigans.

Cops say the 38-year-old Galloway got out of his car and threatened the driver behind him -- with a stick. The truck driver told police he turned his lights off because they are too bright and usually bother people in the drive-thru. Galloway, of Chicago, was charged with assault.

South Side's St. Leo High School home to 'a gathering and a mission'

The Southland is full of St. Leo High School alumni, some of whom head back to the old neighborhood to check up on the school and its teams. Chicago News Cooperative sports writer Dan McGrath highlights such a moment in his piece "At Leo High, a Gathering and a Mission."

A full house of 800 turned out for Friday’s Catholic League showdown with Brother Rice. The makeup of the crowd was as remarkable as its size — it included about 200 white folks, Leo graduates on an alumni outing, most of them bused in from a Knights of Columbus Hall in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood roughly six miles away, probably as many whites as have been inside the school since the 1980s.

Over the last 40-odd years, Bob Foster has made it his "life's mission" to keep St. Leo open. Check out McGrath's take on the lifelong venture.

Just A Pizza opens in Tinley Park

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Just A Pizza Chicago Style, which opened Jan. 24 at 7108 W. 183rd St. in Tinley Park, is a family affair. The pizzeria is owned by three siblings – Tony Rojas, Al Rojas and Rose Siegel – and Siegel provided all of the recipes.

Tony Rojas, of Worth, said food has been the family business for a while.

“My brother owned a beef stand in Wisconsin for years, and my sister used to sell homemade cheesecakes online,” said Tony Rojas, adding he’s been in the business with his brother for the past six years.

Rojas said the siblings chose Tinley Park for their venture because “it’s a growing community and the people are outgoing.”

Just A Pizza serves thin crust, stuffed and deep dish pizza, wings, sandwiches, some pasta dishes and Eli’s cheesecake.

The restaurant offers carryout and delivery to the Tinley Park area. Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The phone number is 708-429-0400.

Southland hookah bars snuffed out

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Hookah lounges, which allowed patrons to smoke flavored tobaccos through waterpipes, have closed in the past few weeks in Worth and Palos Hills. In Worth, Friends Café and Lounge at 11015 S. Harlem Ave. and Havana Café at 7011 W. 111th St. closed after the village approved stricter smoking restrictions on businesses. In Palos Hills, Royale Lounge closed last month at 7205 W. 103rd St.

Yarning in Frankfort
Yarns to Dye For & More has opened at 19 S. Ash St. in downtown Frankfort. The shop features specialty yarns, jewelry and artwork. The shop also offers knitting and crocheting classes. There is no Web site. For more information, call 815-469-4906.

Doctor is out
TV Doctor, a shop that serviced and sold televisions, has closed after being open only a short time at 16745 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park.

Wine out of style
WineStyles has closed at 7301 W. 183rd St. in Tinley Park. The shops are franchised and aim to educate people about wine. They have wine clubs and offer tastings. Not to worry wine aficionados, a WineStyles store is still open at 20290 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort. That store’s number is 815-469-9994.

Now open
Wise Buys Resale opened recently at 14205 S. Bell Road in Homer Glen. The shop carries men's, women's and childrens’ clothing, antiques, jewelry, books and collectibles. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.

For more information, call the shop at (708) 645-7200.

Southeast Side to see more jobs

By Kevin Lee
Illinois Statehouse News

The Ford assembly plant on the Southeast Side will see 1,200 new car manufacturing jobs this year. Ford wants a second shift of Chicago union workers to help construct new Ford Explorers. The automobile company also plans to invest $400 million in the manufacturing facilities.

Ford has selected Illinois for new investment partly as a result of a new tax credit. Lawmakers passed and Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law last year a tax credit for auto manufacturers.

Mark Fields with Ford Motor Company says the new jobs will be implemented this year.

Fields adds that the production of the new Explorers in Chicago is scheduled to begin by the end of this year.

Contact Kevin Lee at 217-528-9604. Illinois Statehouse News is a non-profit journalism organization committed to writing for the betterment of society.

More news about Ford's finances from CNBC.

Casablanca's Steak House closes

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Casablanca Steak House, 17344 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park, became the latest restaurant casualty of the economy when it closed on Jan. 1.

The former Bogart's Charhouse was renamed Casablanca after it was reacquired by the Nolan family in February 2009.

A manager at Bogart's Charhouse, 18225 Dixie Highway in Homewood, said the Tinley location "just wasn't doing enough business to keep it open."

Bogart's in Homewood remains open for anyone wanting to try their luck at the Bogie Sirloin AKA "The Big One."

The corner at 173rd and Oak Park Avenue will also soon be losing My Bike of Tinley Park, which shared the building with Casablanca.

Owner Brian Poncin said he's moving four blocks south to 17747 Oak Park Ave. Poncin said it was time to move.

"We're paying three times the rent we should," Poncin said. "The landlord didn't want to work with us, so we decided to leave. I'll be paying half as much in rent and have 1,000 more square feet of space."

Poncin said he's working on renovating the new location, which used to be home to Rosemary's Garden, a flower shop that relocated to 171st Street.

"We're in limbo for the next couple of months," Poncin said. "We'll be going back and forth." He suggests customers call first to make sure someone is around.

Poncin said he's contemplating a name change, as well. "I may change the name to My Bike Tinley Schwinn. We sell a lot of Schwinns and it might make sense to incorporate that into our name."

For more information, call Poncin at 708-444-2453 or visit My Bike Tinley.

Mokena gets new Eggcetera

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Eggcetera Cafe, a popular breakfast and lunch restaurant at 19709 Mokena St. in Mokena, is branching out. A second location is expected to open by the end of the month next to El Cortez Mexican restaurant in the 10100 block of West 191st St. in Mokena.

The new location looks to be a lot bigger than the original restaurant, which is right next to the railroad tracks in downtown Mokena.

Eggcetera is well known for its friendly staff and good food.

Villa Rosa screams for ice cream
Villa Rosa Pizza has added an ice cream parlor at 7717 W. St. Francis Road in Frankfort Square.

Coming soon
A Mattress Zone outlet store is coming soon to 16010 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park.

Closet closed
Magical Closet has closed its door at 12228 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights.

Catching up
Barb's Place, a restaurant that features fast food such as tacos and hot dogs, opened a few months ago at 5201 W. 167th St. in Oak Forest in the old Deputy Dog hot dog stand. The phone number is 708-321-1490. The eatery is open from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

New home decor store in Frankfort

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Sissy's Home Decor, which specializes in home furnishings, has opened at 637 N. LaGrange Road in Frankfort. The phone number is 815-469-5339.

Peppy in Oak Lawn
A new Pep Boys auto store opened last month at 4143 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn. The phone number is 708-423-4408.

Tasty update
Tasty Bites and Treats, a Polish deli and bakery, is now open at 47 E. Lincoln Highway in Frankfort. The phone number is 815-464-4660.

Jameson's update
Jameson's Pub at 9545 St. Francis Road in Frankfort finally has a phone number and is now expected to open by the end of January. The number is 815-469-0500.

New grocer comes to Evergreen Park

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Pete's Fresh Market, a South Side-based supermarket chain, is expected to open its latest store next week at 3720 W. 95th St. in Evergreen Park. The 55,000-square-foot store will open Jan. 15 in the former Frank's Nursery and Crafts store, which the village bought after that retailer went bankrupt a few years ago.

Pete's Fresh Market has four stores on the Southwest Side of Chicago, a store in the East Side community and another one in Calumet City that opened last year. The Evergreen Park store was originally expected to open last summer and then in October.

When it opens, Pete's will be the only true supermarket in the village.

The new store will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information on the chain and to check its weekly ad, visit Pete's web site.

Juiced for a grand opening
Juiced Nutrition will hold its grand opening from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at 2056 Ridge Road in Homewood.

The store is dedicated to fitness and nutrition. Owner Jim Taliano said there will be food and vendors who will hand out free samples.

At present, the store carries vitamins and nutritional supplements, but Taliano said he will be adding personal trainers, massages and a smoothie bar.

For more information, call 708-799-6160. Taliano said a Web site is in the works.

House of Brews closes in Oak Forest
Chicago's House of Brews appears to have closed at 15426 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Forest. The phone has been disconnected, and its Facebook page has nothing new since late September. The establishment opened in February 2009.

This is one of those locations that seem to be cursed despite being on a busy street (Cicero Avenue) in a nice town (Oak Forest). House of Brews was preceded by a couple of Mexican restaurants and another one that was Eastern European, I think. None of them lasted very long.

In contrast, nearby eateries such as Beggars Pizza, Mrs. O'Brien's Pub and Durbin's seem to be thriving.

Now hiring
Fajitas, a Mexican restaurant expected to open in March at 167th Street and Harlem Avenue in Tinley Park, is accepting applications. To apply, call the location in Countryside at 708-352-8226.

Little Caesar's opens in Tinley Park

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

A Little Caesar's pizza parlor has opened at 16022 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park. The phone number is 708-429-0081. Despite being so close, a Little Caesar's will remain open inside the Super Kmart store that is less than three blocks south of the new restaurant.

Spinclub opens in Mokena
A new kind of fitness center opened this week at 9960 W. 191st St. in Mokena's Mokena Crossings Business Park. Spinclub Cycling Studios offers indoor cycling with trained instructors.

For more information, call 708-479-4455 or visit their Web site at SpinClubMokena.com.

New music school to host open house
The Music Station, which opened last week in the former digs of the World Music Company at 1808 W. 103rd St. in Chicago's Beverly community, will host an open house from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Co-owners Mike Vanier and Ivan Martirena are both graduates of the Berklee College of Music. The new school specializes in lessons, group classes, children’s classes, instrument repairs, rentals and outreach programs.

For more information, call 773-840-3005. The Web site is the-music-station.com, and they also have a Facebook page.

Downstate bank eyes Oak Forest
As if there aren't enough banks in the Southland, Carlinville National Bank plans to open a temporary facility this month at 5459 W. 159th St. in Oak Forest with a branch to open later in the year. In case you're wondering, Carlinville is about 65 miles east of St. Louis.

Fox quits Frankfort
Fox Lumber has closed its longtime Frankfort location at 1 N. White St. and sold the property to the village for $795,000. Village officials hope to develop the site, which is smack in the downtown district. Fox still has its Alsip location, which was rebuilt last year after a fire.

Ebel closes stores
Ebel Ace Hardware has closed its stores in Oak Forest and Chicago Heights, but is keeping open its store in Homewood.

Deal of the week
Culver's restaurants in Tinley Park, Matteson, Homewood and Frankfort have introduced guest loyalty cards. Customers can get the card stamped when they buy a value basket meal and the eighth purchase is free.