Jerrie's, State Farm Bring 120 Hot Dogs To Health Dept. Workers

JOLIET, IL — Joliet State Farm agent John Wright wanted to provide a free meal to a large group of local employees to let them know their work during the new coronavirus outbreak is meaningful. On Thursday, Wright showed up at Jerrie's Dogs & More to pay for 120 Vienna beef hot dogs. By late morning, the meals were delivered to the employees at the Will County Health Department's Community Health Center on Neal Street in Joliet.

Wright told Joliet Patch he did not want the county's health department workers to be overlooked during the ongoing health crisis.

"I'm blessed," Wright told Patch. "I give back to the community all the time, and I love the first responders ... it's a great opportunity to help someone else."

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Why did he decide to pay for the meals for several dozen county health staff?

"They're hardworking," Wright said.

Thursday's order of 120 hot dogs kept Jerrie's owner Jeff Reid and his kitchen staff extra busy at the 1003 Essington Road restaurant.

"We'll take them over plain, pack all the condiments, and they can make it themselves," Reid told Joliet Patch.

Reid said his takeout restaurant has embraced the "donate to a first responder" meal program. Several Joliet restaurants are asking customers to donate at least $5. That money is then used to make bulk food deliveries for workers at local hospitals, fire departments and police stations.

Reid said he also wants to do all he can help Joliet's less fortunate. The ongoing economic slowdown has left thousands of Will County residents temporarily out of work.

Next week, Reid said, Jerrie's will donate 320 hot dogs to the MorningStar Mission to feed Joliet's homeless population. That should be enough food to feed around 160 people, he said.

"And if anybody in the community needs a meal, we're here for them also," Reid told Patch. "My family will help out, other families will help out. There's no charge if they really need it."

Jerrie's is staying open 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

The ongoing health crisis has forced Reid to shut down Double J Sports Bar, which is next door to his restaurant.

June marks the 20th anniversary of Double J, Reid said. He has no idea when Gov. J.B. Pritzker will allow the state's sit-down restaurants and bars to reopen for crowds.

"We're closing (Jerrie's) early because we don't have the bar business, but customers from Double J are still coming and supporting us," he said.

Thursday's kitchen crew that made the 120 hot dogs for Will County's Health Department included Reid, manager Shannon Thompson, Iris Cobb and Max Sullivan.

"We're very grateful for everybody's support," Thompson told Patch.

When asked if she had anything to add, Cobb responded, "This too shall pass."

Jerrie's phone number is 815-666-1196. To order online or to look at the full menu, go here.

Jerrie's is one of the most recent small local restaurants to fill out Joliet Patch's simple online survey to let everyone know they are open along with their current hours of operations during the coronavirus outbreak. Nearly 130 Joliet businesses have been added to Patch's list so far.

If you want to add your business to Joliet Patch's list of open and closed businesses, you can do so here.

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