Chicken-N-Spice Demolition In Joliet: Is It Really Happening?

JOLIET, IL —A part of downtown Joliet's history, the famed Chicken-N-Spice restaurant on North Chicago Street is about to become a pile of rubble. The long-time owners of Chicken-N-Spice retired last September, turning the property over to Joliet Junior College.

The former restaurant has been boarded up ever since, but in recent days, a chain link fence was erected across the perimeter of the property and a D Construction excavator is parked nearby.

Kelly Rohder-Tonelli, Joliet Junior College executive director of communications and marketing, told Joliet Patch on Thursday that the demolition date has yet to be determined. "We'd like to get it done as soon as possible," she said.

First, crews will need to dig underneath North Chicago Street to disconnect the electrical and sewer lines for the former Chicken-N-Spice restaurant. That needs to happen first before the demolition can happen, she said.

"The mains are in the middle of Chicago Street," Rohder-Tonelli said.

The actual tear down of Chicken-N-Spice should only take a couple days.

When the property is hauled away, JJC will install a new parking lot, adding another 50 parking stalls to its downtown campus that houses the culinary arts program.

"And there will be a nice new circular drive for pickup and drop off," Rohder-Tonelli said.

After 42 years running the restaurant on downtown Joliet's North Chicago Street, Ken and Pat Reimer retired on Sept. 14, 2021. As a large crowd of people gathered around the dining room of the restaurant for their farewell party, State Senator John Connor stood near the front counter, presenting the Reimers with a state recognition award.

"I'm just here today to present this Illinois State Senate certificate of recognition to Ken and Pat Reimer for 42 years of dedication and service in downtown Joliet," Connor announced as people began clapping and cheering.

"Forty-two years of dedication and service in downtown Joliet," Connor said. "That's the big thing."

These days, there are no more Chicken-N-Spice restaurants in Joliet.

The closest one is in Shorewood on Route 59 and U.S. 52. There's another one in Orland Hills. Additionally, Chicken-N-Spice plans to build in New Lenox along Route 30 parcel between Taco Bell and BMO Harris Bank. Construction for the New Lenox restaurant has been delayed a year, and it's now expected to start in 2023, Mayor Tim Baldermann told Joliet Patch on Thursday.

Related Patch coverage: Chicken-N-Spice Farewell: Senator Connor Presents Award