Joe's Hot Dogs Reopening This Week, Minor Changes Planned

JOLIET, IL — One of Joliet Patch's most popular stories from last week concerned the mystery surrounding Joe's Hot Dogs being closed. Now, there's good news to report. Third generation Joe's Hot Dogs owner Jill Huffstutler told Patch that Joe's will reopen in a drive-thru only format, at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5.

Huffstutler said she has been busy preparing her restaurant to reopen exclusively as a drive-thru operation. She turned Joe's into a temporary drive-thru on May 7, after staying closed for six weeks amid the coronavirus pandemic.

During Monday's interview, Huffstutler told Patch she was concerned about the safety of her employees as well as her customers amid the recent spike in local coronavirus cases. The coronavirus data prompted Gov. JB Pritzker to issue another announcement in October halting all indoor dining at Joliet and Will County restaurants.

When Joe's reopens Thursday, "The lobby will be closed," the Joe's owner told Joliet Patch. "I don't feel comfortable having people inside the lobby with high numbers. The hours are going to be cut, and we're going to play it by ear."

Come Thursday, Joe's Hot Dogs plans to be open daily from 10:30 a.m. until around 4 p.m. or 5 p.m.

Huffstutler urged customers to be patient as she adjusts Joe's Hot Dogs to a drive-thru only operation as the cold weather and winter rolls into the area.

She said Joe's may remain a drive-thru-only operation until next spring perhaps.

"I care about my employees and my customers and I know we were going the wrong way. The trend is not going well," she said, referring to Will County coronavirus data.

The Joe's owner wanted people to know her Joe's Hot Dogs menu will remain the same.

"Just be patient," she stressed. "We're only a small crew."

Joe's Hot Dogs has been a part of Joliet since 1953. Huffstutler has owned her family's business the past five years. Not only did Joe's shutdown for six weeks in March and April during the pandemic, but Joe's closed for a week during the summer after one of the major storms rocked Joliet and knocked out power.

To make matters worse, Joe's has had problems obtaining its food supplies as well as Coca-Cola products at times during the year, she said.

"I love what I do and I love the community," Huffstutler remarked. "I just want (customers) to know it's been a tough year. But it's been a tough year for all small businesses. We're just trying to survive."