From Bathing Suits to Business Suits, Diners Welcome

When Darien resident Jim Dames worked at Novi’s Beef in high school, he didn’t realize that it would lead him to a career in the restaurant industry.

Or to his own business.

He did know that he enjoyed it and was good at it. After graduation, he went to work for Steak ‘n’ Shake and was soon on the road to management.

Restaurants are subject to changes both in tastes and the economy, so when Steak ‘n’ Shake closed their Illinois restaurants in the 1970s, Jim thought a more stable situation would be better for his young
family.

But working in sales for five years at Motorola and NEC taught him that nothing was really stable, and he returned to the restaurant business.

As manager of Annie’s Santa Fe in Oak Brook, which later became El Torito, Jim could be found greeting customers, pouring drinks or washing dishes along with his staff, doing anything that was needed to keep the operation running smoothly.

When that chain closed its doors, Jim and his wife, Mary, decided to strike out on their own.

On March 1, 1995, a former ice cream parlor in Western Springs reopened as the home of .

With Mary’s touch, the space across from the Metra train station has transformed into a relaxing, casual gathering place where people of all ages and situations feel at home. As Jim puts it, “People can come in bathing suits or business suits.”

The front dining room is bright, with paintings from local artists covering the walls and a community bulletin board near the counter announcing area events. The tables in the back dining room are covered in casual tablecloths, and the muted gold walls and soft lighting create a more low-key atmosphere.

The Dames have experimented with different menu items and specials, but they always insist on high quality ingredients. They incorporate fresh vegetables into many of the items. Chicken breast sandwiches are made from solid muscle, not pressed chicken. The soups are all homemade. And all meals are cooked fresh for each order. Specials such as Hamburger Monday or Friday’s Fish Fry offer popular choices for bargain prices.

The Dames care about community as well as the food, and they participate with other Western Springs businesses in the annual Gathering on the Green and the Christmas Walk.

Their fondness for Pug dogs, including their own, inspired them to sponsor an annual Pug Crawl to raise funds for the Northern Illinois Pug Rescue organization. Last year’s Pug Crawl drew 50 pugs and 100 people.

The current state of the economy is challenging to all small business owners, and the Dames are no exception.

Many of their longtime customers no longer take the train to work, and the downtown area foot traffic has noticeably decreased. These changes in habits affect Snackers and other local businesses.

Despite these conditions, the Dames are working hard and are determined to maintain the quality of their menu, even in the face of competition that is willing to put price before quality. They ask that people remember to support their local businesses.

So why do the Dames work so hard?

According to Jim, the biggest reward is when customers tell them how much they enjoyed their meal.

“I think, ‘I made that,’” Jim said, “'and they liked it!’”

The smile on his face said it all.

is located at 909 W. Burlington in Western Springs. Their phone number is (708) 246-9499.