Southland’s Jane Lynch wins Emmy

Dolton native Jane Lynch after winning an Emmy Award Sunday night.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Dolton native Jane Lynch did not forget her Southland roots Sunday night after winning the Emmy for her role as the dastardly cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on “Glee.”

Lynch, who graduated from Thornridge High School in the mid-1970s, gave a shout out to the South Side of Chicago upon accepting the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

“This is outlaaaandish,” Lynch said as she took the stage to accept her trophy.

She then thanked her parents “for being so unintentionally hilarious!”

A short time later, Lynch was up for another Emmy as the wisecracking psychiatrist on “Two And A Half Men” with Charlie Sheen.

Lynch, who is busy taping new episodes of “Glee,” now is set to host “Saturday Night Live” when that show returns in October.

Fred Astaire now in Mokena

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Fred Astaire Dance Studio moved recently from Tinley Park to new digs at 19840 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena. The phone number is 708-478-5722. For more information, visit http://www.fredastairechicago.com/.

K.T. Mae’s update
I’m guessing the padlocked chains on the doors at K.T. Mae’s in Frankfort means the establishment definitely is closed.

Florabella closes
Florabella florist has closed at 17210 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park.

Toy Box Connection hosts golf outing
The Toy Box Connection, a company founded by an Orland Park mom to connect needy children with the gift of a toy, is hosting its first charity golf outing at 8 a.m. Sept. 14 at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park.

Golfers are welcome as a foursome or individually. Golfers will receive 18 holes of golf, a cart, continental breakfast, BBQ lunch and beverages on the course, a steak dinner and raffles.

Cost is $125 per golfer, and golfers are asked to bring a new toy to the outing.

For more information, visit http://www.toyboxconnection.com/.

Deal of the weekend
Kids are invited to make their own sundaes from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the new Meijer store at 15701 S. 71st Court in Orland Park. It’s part of the store’s ongoing grand opening.

At Louie's Pizza in Frankfort, the slices are huge, and that's a fact

A slice of the Margarita pizza at Louie's Pizza in Frankfort.

By Bob Bong

Southland Savvy

Louie’s Pizza at 20531 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort is home to what owner Craig Stackley calls “the giant slice,” and he’s not kidding.

Slices at Louie’s are served from a 28-inch pizza, which is the biggest I’ve ever seen at a Southland pizzeria. That’s 10 inches wider than the largest pizzas at popular local pizzeria chains such as Aurelio’s and Beggars.

“Our slogan is, ‘Wow, that’s huge’,” says Stackley, who opened Louie’s on Aug. 2 in the Vineyards Plaza in Frankfort.

Stackley has some experience in the pizza business, but before opening Louie’s he was with a building management company.

In addition to the monster slices, Louie’s has the kind of food you find at most pizzerias. There are appetizers, sandwiches, salads, homemade focaccia and pasta dinners. Louie’s also has fish and chicken dinners.

“When the weather turns colder, we’ll add soups ,” says Stackley.

One kind of pizza that sets Louie’s apart is the Margarita, which is made without tomato sauce. Here's a history lesson, the pizza was created in 1889 in honor of the Queen consort of Italy, Margherita of Savoy. Its toppings are fresh sliced tomatoes, fresh sliced mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves. It represents the colors of the Italian flag, red, white and green.

“It’s different,” says Stackley. “But it tastes great.”

Business has been slowly picking up and Stackley anticipates it will grow even faster now that school is back in session. Lincoln-Way East High School is across the street from Louie’s.

All pizzas are available in traditional sizes (14-inch, 16-inch and 18-inch) and you can even order one of the 28-inch big boys except stuffed.

There are no tables inside but there is limited seating in front of the restaurant. Delivery is available after 4 p.m.

Hours are Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 3 to 9 p.m. The phone number is 815-469-2700. There’s no website yet, but Stackley is working on it.

“In my spare time,” he said jokingly.

Craig Stackley opened Louie's Pizza in Frankfort earlier this month.