Joliet Restaurant's Closing Disappoints City Manager

JOLIET, IL — Last Friday's decision to close the Amigeaux's Sophisticated Street Food restaurant at 2307 West Jefferson St. caught Joliet City Manager Jim Capparelli by surprise.

The former Arby's was heralded as the test site for a new Louisiana-themed restaurant concept focused on Cajun and Tex-Mex cuisine.

After several months of remodeling work and the addition of a new asphalt parking lot, three business partners from Louisiana opened Amigeaux's on July 7, 2021.

Saturday, Feb. 26, marked its final day of business. Joliet did not embrace Amigeaux's.

"I did not see that coming at all," Capparelli remarked during Tuesday's interview at City Hall. "I've eaten there several times. I liked their gumbo, their beignets and their tacos were good, so I was disappointed that they left."

Capparelli said the closing of Amigeaux's is not a sign of the times for Joliet.

He insisted that Joliet's dining and restaurant scene is thriving. After all, the country's first Portillo's Pickup, a triple drive-thru, opened Feb. 1 at 1444 North Larkin Avenue.

Pop's Italian Beef and Sausage opened in late January on West Jefferson Street at the former Boston Market location. Two more sit-down restaurants also recently opened: Mariscos El Pulpo, a Mexican seafood restaurant, took over the former Truth Restaurant at the corner of Raynor Avenue and West Jefferson Street.

In late February, FORNO Wood Fired Pizza opened across from the Inwood Recreation Center, marking the first wood-oven pizza place operating in Joliet.

"It's my belief or hope that we continue to attract businesses to Jefferson Street," Capparelli said.

Next week, Joliet celebrates the highly anticipated grand opening of its first Raising Cane's chicken fingers restaurant, near the Louis Joliet Mall, Capparelli pointed out.

In light of Amigeaux's closing, Joliet Patch asked Capparelli what type of restaurant he would like to see open in Joliet.

"Joliet is a diverse community," Capparelli said. "I'm surprised we don't have an Indian restaurant. I think an Indian restaurant or some high-end Middle Eastern Shawarma" would do well.

Patch asked if Capparelli wants to see an Indian restaurant open specifically on West Jefferson Street or Larkin Avenue, two of the city's busiest thoroughfares.

"Anywhere," Capparelli replied.