Johnny's Char-House Now Open in Orland Park in former Canoe Club

Johnny's Char-House is now open in Orland Park.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

The giant aquarium is gone but the waterfall remains at Johnny’s Char-House, which opened a few weeks ago in the former Canoe Club at 15200 S. 94th Avenue in Orland Park.

Owner Jonathan Mantas is no stranger to the Southland. Johnny’s Char-House is his 17th restaurant venture. He also owns the Kingsberry restaurants in Oak Forest and Flossmoor and used to own Jonathan’s in Palos Heights.

Hours at the Char-House are Tuesday to Friday 4-11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday noon to 11 p.m.

For information, check out the Facebook page for Johnny's Char-House.

Silver Cross Encore Shop Open for Fall
The Encore Shop, Silver Cross Hospital’s resale store, is hosting its fall opening today and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shop is located on Walnut Street in Joliet just north of the Keck Emergency Pavilion. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations are welcome. For information, call the hospital’s Volunteers Services at 815-740-7117.

Open for Lunch
JH Sweis Catering, which has been offering catering for about two years, opened a Bistro a few weeks ago that serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 10110 W. 191st St. in Mokena. The lunch menu includes salads, sandwiches and sides. The phone number is 708-478-7230. For information, check out the Facebook page for JH Sweis Catering.

That strip center has become something of a foodies paradise. Besides JH Sweis there is 191 South with Joe’s Italian Villa, EggCetera Café and El Cortez Mexican restaurant.

Catching up
The Hairspray Salon opened a few months ago in the Vineyards Plaza at 20491 S. LaGrange in Frankfort. The salon is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is 815-469-8998. For information, check out the Facebook page for Hairspray Salon.

Pet Deal of the Weekend
Pet owners can get free samples of natural pet foods and treats from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Joy’s Best Friends Best Bites at 13034 S. LaGrange Road in Palos Park. Joy’s is definitely pet friendly.

Pepper Mill Now Open in Mokena

Pepper Mill opened recently in Mokena.

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

A new restaurant called Pepper Mill opened recently at 19137 S. Wolf Road in Mokena in space that has had its share of unsuccessful restaurants in recent years.

Manager Raul Angel, brother of owner Alfonso Angel, said he and his brother have had restaurants before and he likes Pepper Mill’s chances to succeed in Mokena.

“This is a good town to be in,” he said. “We’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, which a lot of restaurants in Mokena are not.”

The casual, sit-down restaurant has an extensive menu and is open until 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 8 p.m. on Sunday.

For information, call 708-478-8748.

Pompei Pizza to debut at Taste of Orland
Visitors to this year’s Taste of Orland Park, which starts Friday in the parking lot of the Orland Park Civic Center, will get a sneak preview of the fare offered by Pompei Pizza, which is set to open Aug. 22 at the Riviera Country Club, 8801 W. 143rd St. Pompei, which has been remodeling the space formerly occupied by RC Mulligans, will be serving Egg Plant Parmesan Sandwiches, Meatball Sandwiches, Melrose Pepper Strudel and Ravioli Pasta, all for $4.

Dee’s Creative Cookin’ Now Open
Danette Richardson, a cook and kitchen supervisor at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, recently opened her own restaurant across the street from the school. Dee’s Creative Cookin’ is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 525 Ashland Ave. Richardson had a similar business in Blue Island for four years before opening earlier this year in Chicago Heights. My colleague Mary Compton recently sat down with Richardson. You can find her story in the Chicago Heights Patch.

Country Charm Grows Again
The patio experiment is over at the Country Charm restaurant in New Lenox, which recently enclosed the outdoor space and turned it into another new dining room at Lincolnway Drive and U.S. 30 in New Lenox.

Catching Up
Irene’s Bakery (formerly Jean’s Bakery) in Harvey closed its door at the end of January after 63 years. The bakery was always a popular choice for pre-Lenten paczki.

Deal of the Heat Wave
Country Charm in New Lenox is selling 8-pound bags of ice for $1.

Ed and Joe’s Closes Mokena Location

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Ed and Joe's in Mokena closed last week.

Ed and Joe's Pizza owners Michael and Ellen Clark announced last week in their email newsletter that they were closing their restaurant at 19901 S. Wolf Road in Mokena.

Here’s what they said: We will no longer be operating at our Mokena location. We want to thank all of our wonderful customers for 3 great years. We will honor any coupons or gift cards here at our Tinley Park store. Please continue to visit our Tinley Park location as we transition through this process.The Mokena location was carryout and delivery only and lacked a dining room, which means it could never match the Tinley Park’s location for events such as visits from the Grinch or offer live music.

Thai Eatery Opens
Pad Thai, a new restaurant that features Thai cuisine, opened recently at 7301 W. 183rd St. in Tinley Park. It has another location in Lexington, Ky. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The eatery’s phone number is 708-532-3939.

Bath and Body Works to Reopen This Week
The Bath and Body Works store at 16035 S. Harlem Ave. in Tinley Park Plaza is scheduled to reopen Wednesday, Aug. 3, according to an email I received from the company last month. The store was closed about a month ago for remodeling.

Stoney Point Grill Expands
Stoney Point Grill is holding a grand opening this week for its new outdoor seating area at 19031 Old LaGrange Road in Mokena. The festivities climax with a Party on the Patio on Friday, Aug. 5, with drink tastings, bags tournament, free appetizers from 8-10 p.m. and live entertainment from 8-11 p.m.

Deal of the Week
Speedway has extended its gas discount at former Gas City locations to Aug. 14. Customers who use Speedy Rewards cards get 5 cents off a gallon of regular and mid-grade unleaded fuel while customers who opt for premium get 10 cents off a gallon. The company also has begun a Random Rewards program at those same stations. Customers who use their Speedy Rewards card inside the stores at those stations have a chance to win prizes including $10 gas cards, drinks, candy bars and snack bags.