Louie's Waffle House Opens: 'We're Excited To Have A Nice Place'

JOLIET, IL — It took a week longer than anticipated, but brothers Mike and Nick Polimenakos opened Louie's Waffle House at 6 a.m. Tuesday. By lunch, the place was busy.

The Polimenakos brothers are the sons of the owner of Louis' Family Restaurant. The 73-year-old owner officially retired and closed his restaurant at 1001 West Jefferson St. on Nov. 28 after nearly 30 years of business in Joliet.

Now, the torch has been passed to Louis' sons, Michael and Nick. They are running their new restaurant on their own.

The Bob Evans was closed in the summer of 2020 during the pandemic. The brothers bought the property this past summer. Louie's Waffle House is at the Larkin Avenue exit for Interstate 80, although the mailing address is 1776 McDonough St.

"We're just excited to have an actual nice place, and we're going to make it as nice as possible," Michael Polimenakos told Joliet Patch's editor during Tuesday's interview.

Louie's Waffle House will remain open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Although people have been asking for the restaurant to stay open for dinner time, "that's still down the road," Michael Polimenakos said.

His new restaurant has a seating capacity of 160, plus the brothers have designated 10 parking spaces in their large parking lot for carryout orders.

"This is the place that you will take your girlfriend out to," Michael Polimenakos said. "That's my joke."

On Tuesday, Patch spotted the retired 73-year-old Louis Polimenakos inside the new restaurant, talking to a few of the customers. His sons said they plan to post several family portraits and photos of their father on the walls of their new restaurant in the weeks ahead.

"People who come here will know who the owners are," Michael Polimenakos said. "The space here is not as crowded. Have a quick breakfast in a carefree, laid back atmosphere and enjoy the time here."

The new phone number to place carryout orders for Louie's Waffle House is 815-722-6716.