The Great American Bagel Opens In Mokena

MOKENA, IL - For the past dozen years, Luke Lally has been a helpful hand at his parents' bagel shop, the Great American Bagel location in Oak Lawn. Now, it's time for Lally to run his own store. He's the owner of the newly opened Great American Bagel inside the Gas & Wash on La Grange Road in Mokena.

The shop had a soft opening on Thursday and will be open full-time beginning on Friday, Nov. 16, Lally said.

"My family started in Oak Lawn and we've had great support from the Oak Lawn community," Lally said. "God has been good to us, and we are blessed to be opening our second location."

The Great American Bagel is a worldwide restaurant chain with its headquarters located in west suburban Westmont. Lally says there's more than 50 franchises around the world, with several located inside of major airports.

It was company owner Chris Lettieri who thought of Lally specifically when he was approached by the owners of the Gas & Wash at 19990 S. La Grange Road about the possibility of opening a new location right there.

"We are very close with the owners of the company," Lally said. "He thought of me right away since it isn't far from where we live."

"It's a great opportunity, a great fit and the timing went right with it."

Lally grew up in Oak Lawn, a 2009 alum of Oak Lawn Community High School. But as is the case for many "near" south suburban communities, many of his friends have already ventured out to the Lincoln-Way area and Mokena in particular.

"I've visited friends who have migrated that way, so I know the area," he said. "I'm hoping to see a lot of friends come in and even some people who once came to our shop in Oak Lawn."

The Great American Bagel specializes in bagels, no doubt. But Lally says it will be a treat for anyone to come in and try the donuts as well.

"The bagel thing is nice... we bake them fresh every morning while other places use frozen bagels," he said. "But our donuts are the hidden gem of the place."

Lally's favorite?

"I'm a plain Jane," he said. "It's usually the Old Fashioned Cream Filled Donut with a little glaze on the top for me."

Customers can also come in and order a full lunch or dinner. Sandwiches and grilled paninis are other popular items on the menu.

The Great American Bagel will be open seven days a week from 5 a.m. until 6 p.m. It will include a drive-through.

"We're really excited about opening," Lally said. "The street (La Grange Road) is busier than heck, so it is going to be fun to learn how to operate in the fastest way possible."

Photos provided