Andy & Sophie to Retire after 45 Years in Joliet

If you’ve lived or worked in Joliet during the last 4 decades, you certainly have heard of Andy & Sophie’s from any of their countless, loyal customers. You probably have read about them in local papers, including the Chicago Tribune. If you are lucky, you have enjoyed a delicious, home-cooked lunch if you were able to get there before they ran out. While owners Andy and Sophie Wrobel are looking to retire, they are hoping their legacy of providing Joliet with amazing lunch specials in a cozy, welcoming neighborhood tavern will continue with new owners.

I asked Andy and Sophie what made them want to purchase a bar back in July of 1974. Andy used to work in the wire industry, but his relatives had experience owning bars. The hours and being your own boss were appealing to Andy. Sophie joked, “It was all this knuckle-head’s idea! I got stuck with it!”

Sophie, who recently had shoulder surgery, said that she will miss the customers. “I’ve made so many friends here over the years. Our customers are like family, but I have to relax for a few years.”

After 45 years, you can imagine the number of repeat, satisfied customers and must agree, Andy & Sophie deserve a break after such a long, successful career.

You would never guess that Sophie, who still prepares all the food in the kitchen, is 71 years old. They have had to temporarily stop serving lunch until her shoulder is healed, but she looks forward to cooking and serving her customers again in June. Even if a new owner is found before then, Sophie will be in the kitchen again, teaching the new owner her famous, secret recipes and training any new staff on serving the massive lunch crowd quickly and efficiently. “I usually prepare 55 dinners, and most have the half-dinner portion, so it's over 100 people, and then we are sold-out. A lot of times we run out by 11:45. We do have soup and sandwiches until 8:00, but you have to get in early for the special, especially for corned beef or cabbage rolls.”

All the recipes are Sophie’s own and the menu and quality has stayed consistent over the years. Sophie mentioned proudly that she has used the same meat slicer since shortly after taking over the kitchen, helping maintain the perfect slices of beef. I asked about the famous cabbage rolls; “Some cops asked for them years ago and I made them just for them. They were so popular we had to add them to the regular menu. Same thing with corned beef. I never made a corned beef, but customers asked me if I could make it, so I did. It must be pretty good!”

I hope my mother doesn’t read this, but it was the best corned beef I have ever had. While the lucky new owner of this establishment will have the ability to make changes, I hope the lunch specials will continue. Just in case, I suggest you get to Andy & Sophie’s when lunch begins again in June and remember: get there early!

If you think you may be interested in taking over a successful local business, this offer is so much more than just the bar; included in the sale is the business (yes, Sophie will teach you the recipes!), all business equipment, the three bedroom apartment above the bar, a separate 3 bedroom house behind the bar, and a detached 3 car garage. If you or someone you know may be interested in learning more about the business and real estate for sale, contact the listing agent at jjakob@coldwellhomes.com or 815-320-2600.