Local Restaurant Opens Second Eatery

The Maksutoski Family is adding another link to it’s restaurant chain in Channahon. 

Who is this you may as ask? You will be surprised that you may already know the answer.

If you guessed Ivo’s, you're correct.

Hopefully by the second week in August, Ramiz Maksutoski and his father, Ivo, will be opening Ivo’s Grill & Creamery in the strip mall located along Reed Street in Channahon. 

The restaurant will be neighbors to China Chen Restaurant and Channahon Family Dentistry, already residents of the strip mall. Lone Star Restaurant is located nearby in front of the strip mall in the southwest corner of the parking lot.

“I want to do anything I can to bring people back into Channahon,” said Maksutoski. “I like to be involved in the community. They help me and I will help them”

In February, Maksutoski started the process at the grill and creamery location. 

Maksutoski and his father, Ivo, wanted to open an additional restaurant that was more centrally located within the village. They also wanted the new place to have the feeling of the original Ivo's.

In the late 90s, Ivo’s started as a small roadside eatery in Channahon. It was located right off Interstate 55, west on Route 6. A trailer park was behind it.

“Our current location at the interstate mainly attracts truck drivers and motel guests,” Maksutoski said. “The locals tend to sometimes forget that we are here. We are still here. We want to be more centralized and involved within the Village of Channahon.”

Currently, Maksutoski is in the process of remodeling the new store front. Since it was never occupied by a food establishment, Maksutoski had to have it up to code to accommodate a restaurant setting.

Once open, Maksutoski said he will be serving a variety of ice cream treats, including banana splits, soft serve and hard packed ice cream, shakes and malts. 

In addition, it’s famous gyros, burgers, hot dogs, polish sausage, submarine sandwiches, French fries and many other items will be included on the menu. 

“We serve fast food at it’s very best,” Maksutoski said. “Everything is made fresh.”

The Maksutoski Family is of Macedonian descent, so traditional food items from Macedonia may be featured on the menu from time to time to add a little ethnic flare. Macedonia Chebabs, flavored sausage shaped into the size of breakfast links and served with onions, tomatoes and peppers is one specialty offered now at the Express Bar & Grill.

The restaurant will be equipped with eight tables inside. During the summer months, picnic tables will be set up outside for additional customers.

Maksutoski believes the new facility is located in an ideal place because it’s close to the park district. After soccer and baseball games, families and teams can come for a bite to eat or buy a tasty ice cream treat. The large parking lot can also be used for future car shows, he said.

Both facilities have catering and delivery service available. Maksutoski is also looking for people interested in working as a cashier, cook or a delivery person at the new facility. Interested individuals can contact Maksutoski at 815-955-2652.

History

In 2005-2006, the trailer park was razed and Ivo’s had to go somewhere. They moved to their current location at 23819 West Eames Street (Route 6 and Interstate 55), across the street from the Manor Motel. 

“We didn’t want to leave town,” said Maksutoski. “ We had to keep our customers. We are well known for our gyros.”

After extensive remodeling, it opened as Ivo’s Express Bar and Grill. The casual family restaurant is a friendly atmosphere that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is also a cocktail lounge and a banquet facility. 

Originally, Ivo’s Express Bar and Grill was home to the Manor Inn. According to Carl Anderson, his father built the restaurant in 1953, which included a coffee shop, cocktail lounge and a dining area. A strict dress code was also enforced after 6 p.m. on Saturday nights.

Anderson’s father also was the original owner of the Manor Motel.

Ivo’s once was also the home of the Captain’s Lounge.