Chicago Style Grill, I Like This Place: Ferak Food Column

JOLIET, IL - Back in the day, my life revolved around Ruby and Broadway Streets because I attended St. Mary Nativity Grade School. We had some memorable noon recess football games on the blacktop pavement across from the church. On Monday afternoon, I parked my car on the edge of the St. Mary's parking lot, facing Ruby Street, in search of my latest Joliet restaurant review.

I decided to check out the Chicago Style Grill. I had driven past the sign dozens of times on my way downtown to the Will County Courthouse. I was impressed, very impressed.

For starters, this is a great little sit-down restaurant, and it's incredibly affordable. I went with the two hotdog special, which came with a plate of fries and a soda - for only $4.99. Including the tax, my entire bill was $5.48.

I liked the atmosphere. Chicago Style Grill has authenticity. It's a cozy neighborhood diner, where there's a healthy mix of strangers and regulars. Several employees from the Will County Courthouse come here regularly because they are fond of the salads.

What's to like about the Chicago Style Grill? You would be wise to try the fries. They are excellent. The restaurant has a nice variety of daily specials and again I emphasize - ALL are very reasonably priced.

Sunday sounds like the best special of all: all beef hotdogs for 99 cents. Among the other most popular daily specials are the Gyro Sandwich for $3.50 on Thursdays and the famous Joliet Burger for $3.99 on Fridays.

After I finished my meal, I introduced myself and complimented the staff on their nice neighborhood restaurant.

Chicago Style Grill is run by Yesenia and Juan Sanchez. They've been in business roughly three-and-a-half years, Yesenia said.

When they opened, she said, they didn't have any money for advertising. They relied on word of mouth to grow their business. The Joliet Burger, their homemade fries, their Gyro and their variety of Panini sandwiches have become crowd pleasers.

Hotdogs and Polish dogs are other popular selections, she said. "We also make our own beef in-house. The Joliet burger is our hot seller; some people will order three or four. It's the special on Friday," Yesenia Sanchez remarked.

You can't help but root for Yesenia and Juan Sanchez to succeed and make their restaurant strong here in Joliet. Chicago Style Grill is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. It's located at 221 Ruby St. It's dine-in, carryout and now offering delivery service.

"We feel like we're becoming part of the city, part of the community," Yesenia told me.

There are few sure things in life: death, taxes and the Ruby Street Bridge going up and down for the barges, several times a day. But here's another sure bet: I'm definitely heading back to Chicago Style Grill sometime in the near future.

One last thing: Finding parking along Ruby Street is tricky. There's a sign on the restaurant façade indicating there is parking in the back. My other suggestion is to park across the street at St. Mary Nativity Church.