Mongolian BBQ, Cheesecake Factory? Long John Silver Site Available

JOLIET, IL — Chick-fil-A. Raising Cane's. The first exclusive Portillo's Pickup triple-drive thru in the nation. And now the Joliet Olive Garden is just weeks away from opening. Joliet has lived up to its motto as the City of Champions the past couple years by landing some of the nation's most popular restaurant chains.

And now another golden opportunity awaits the city. This week, a real estate sign was erected along West Jefferson Street at the former Long John Silver property. Joliet's one and only Long John Silver, a staple on Jefferson Street for decades, closed for good in October 2021.

Now that it's for available, perhaps a bidding war will get underway by a number of national restaurant companies looking to expand. And why not Joliet? After all, it's the third-largest city in Illinois, plus, the Long John Silver site is along the city's most heavily traveled corridor, Jefferson Street/Route 52.

According to the ARC Real Estate Group website, the Long John Silver is available for lease as either retail or restaurant. The building is 2,800 square feet, and the lot is nearly an acre.

The old Long John Silver property is across from the entrance to the busy Walmart and Menards; a small strip mall near the Walmart also has a Panda Express, Wingstop and a Smallcakes.

Now, perhaps, Joliet's food lovers can help determine the next restaurant to occupy the vacant Long John Silver's.

Last week, in Brian Bessler's Joliet Area Bar & Restaurant Guide Facebook page, someone named Tiffanie posted a question that drew 336 comments to be exact, plus four Facebook shares.

"Now that we have an Olive Garden opening soon, I think it would be great to get some additional restaurants over in that development area. How about Mongolian BBQ and a Cheesecake Factory!! Thoughts?? This area is growing, why not get some more decent restaurants in there!"

To her credit, Tiffanie offered a couple great conversation starters.

Here at Joliet Patch, we'll throw out a third suggestion: How about Joliet's Jefferson Street getting a Wahlburgers? The other Wahlburgers in Illinois are in St. Charles, Peoria, Peru, Bloomington and Springfield.

Isn't it about time for one to open on Joliet's Jefferson Street?

As you might expect, Tiffanie's Facebook question drew a spirited debate as one person commented, "No more chain restaurants! This town needs more mom and pop places. I miss the 24 hour diners! I do not want to eat McDonald's Dennys etc. How about a place that actually cooks their food instead of microwave. Support small not chain."

One person who wrote back disagreed.

"There are a TON of mom n' pop places in Joliet... we need large kid friendly entertainment places. At least one. All there is is Chucky Cheese and Jumpzone. We need something like Dave n Busters, Galaxi in Naperville or that new place in Romeoville."

Tiffanie's new restaurant question regarding the land near the Olive Garden off Interstate 55 and Route 30 can also be asked of the Long John Silver property along Jefferson Street.

Could you envision the Cheesecake Factory opening here, and if not the Cheesecake Factory, perhaps a Mongolian Grill to provide some competition for the Panda Express across the street?

What are your thoughts? Is there a different national or regional restaurant franchise you would want to take over the Long John Silver property?

It wouldn't surprise me if the future tenant opts to tear down the Long John Silver and build something new. The building looks in terrible shape after being empty for the past 15 months.

As for the crumbling parking lot, well, that's another story.

Overall, 2022, was a strong year for Joliet's West Jefferson Street in terms of adding a diverse selection of new restaurants:

In January 2022, Pop's Italian Beef & Sausage opened at 1866 W. Jefferson St., the former Boston Market property. Pop's is across from the new Tony's Fresh Market supermarket.

In February 2022, Mariscos El Pulpo opened at 808 West Jefferson St. It replaced Truth Restaurant, which closed in 2020.

Also in February 2022, FORNO Wood Fired Pizza opened across from Inwood Recreation Center on Jefferson Street. It features a Neapolitan style pizza.

In June 2022, Jerk Flavors Jamaican Cuisine opened at 1003 W. Jefferson St.

In August 2022, Tacos El Tio No. 6 opened at 1606 West Jefferson S. It replaced the Beef Shack that closed in March once the new Portillo's Pick Up opened on Larkin Avenue.

Jefferson Street did encounter one restaurant closure in 2022. The Amigeaux's Sophisticated Street Food that opened the previous July at the former Arby's went out of business after only seven months. Like the Long John Silver, the Amigeaux's property also remains vacant.

Here's the link for ARC Real Estate Group to inquire about the Long John Silver site.

Related Joliet Patch coverage of Jefferson Street:

• FORNO: 'In Joliet, We're The Only Wood Fire-Burning Pizza Place'
• 'Finally,' Jerk Flavors Jamaican Cuisine Opening On Jefferson St.
• Pop's Italian Beef Coming To Joliet's Jefferson Street
• New Mexican Seafood Restaurant Packed All Weekend In Joliet
• Tacos El Tio No. 6 Opened This Weekend In Joliet