Fireman Ted's Bar & Grill Opens At Black Road: 'I Love It'

JOLIET, IL — This marks the first full week that Joliet's new Fireman Ted's Bar & Grill is open for customers. The new Joliet bar was open for just five hours in March, only to be forced to shutdown as a result of the new coronavirus pandemic.

Three months later, Ted Peszynski, a recently retired firefighter for the Cicero Fire Department, is back at it. He told Joliet Patch's editor he has high hopes for success at his new Joliet bar and restaurant at 2771 Black Road.

"We're a local community neighborhood style bar. I'm trying for the adult crowd," he said.

Peszynski retired in April 2019 after 30 years on Cicero's Fire Department.

He said he lives in Plainfield and has served as a volunteer firefighter for several years in Plainfield. Nowadays, he is a trustee on Plainfield's fire district.

Fireman Ted's opened at the former location of Hammers Sports Bar and Grill. Hammers had been there for about 10 years, Peszynski said. Fireman Ted's is in the same Joliet shopping plaza as Barolo Ristorante and Bernie's Jerk Kitchen & Waffle.

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"I love it. It's a great location," Peszynski told Joliet Patch. "I found this (property) on the Internet. I was looking for a bar to buy."

This week, Fireman's Ted has set up several outdoor patio tables and chairs for guests.

"We're keeping everything sanitized and practicing social distancing," the owner said. "We have a full bar, draft beer, bottled beer and a full compliment of cocktails. The theme of the bar is based on firemen and policemen and military."

Fireman Ted's plans to add blended drinks and margaritas to its bar menu.

"We're doing a happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. and with that are different food specials," the owner said.

Guests at Fireman Ted's will see an expanded menu as the new business gets settled.

"We're going to have regular weekly specials for different ethnicities," Peszynski said. "We will have a full kitchen and a full menu. I cook a lot of my own Polish food. I cook my own Polish sausage from scratch."

Right now, one of the most popular food selections on Fireman Ted's menu is something you won't find at too many Joliet bars and restaurants: elote corn nuggets.

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On Wednesday, Patch's editor called ahead for a carryout order. There were 11 nuggets in my order plus a dipping sauce. The cost is $5.99, plus tax.

"Those are one of the most popular items," Fireman Ted's owner told Patch. "So is the deep fried grilled cheese. Our Italian sausage, beef and hot dogs are all Vienna Beef."

Fireman Ted's plans to be open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

What can the crowd expect in the months ahead at Fireman Ted's?

Friday night fish fries, plenty of live entertainment and Sunday afternoon Polkas, the owner said.

"I'm a big fan of Polka," the retired firefighter told Joliet Patch.

"I'm trying for the adult crowd," he said. "We're doing a happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. With that are different food specials. The burgers are great."