New Beggars Pizza On Plainfield Road Has 2 Opening Dates In Mind

CREST HILL, IL — The Joliet area's first carryout-only Beggars Pizza is about to open in Crest Hill at the former Illinois Title company, and Beggars franchise owner Dave Susay has two grand opening dates in mind.

Ideally, Susay's grand opening at 1720 Plainfield Road will be Dec. 13. But if he isn't ready to open Dec. 13, he said it makes sense to delay the grand opening to Jan. 2, after the Christmas holidays.

"We'll be ready to go December 13th or January 2nd," he assured Joliet Patch during an interview last week at his new Crest Hill restaurant where contractors were finishing up with remodeling.

Susay said he opened the first Beggars Pizza franchise in Mokena in 2005, and he still runs the Mokena Beggars to this day. Also, Susay previously had the Beggars Pizza in New Lenox.

Beggars Pizza started in 1976 and nowadays, it's the official pizza for the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field, Susay pointed out during last week's Joliet Patch interview.

"The Beggars name is very well known," Susay told Joliet Patch. "I think a huge part of our business is going to be Joliet. The amount of rooftops is unbelievable."

There is a dine-in Beggars Pizza restaurant on Route 59 in Plainfield and another dine-in Beggars restaurant in Bolingbrook on Veterans Parkway, but this marks the first Beggars focusing on residents living in Crest Hill, Joliet and Rockdale, Susay said.

Before he bought the former Illinois Title property on Plainfield Road, Susay said he wanted to open a Beggars Pizza in Joliet, preferably near Larkin Avenue and Jefferson Street. But when he learned that 1720 Plainfield Road was available in Crest Hill, he realized this was the perfect location.

Susay said the traffic counts along Route 30 and Larkin Avenue "are unbelievable" and his property is next to a successful McDonald's restaurant and a Dunkin' Donuts.

At one time, Susay's property used to be a KFC restaurant.

Although he won't have a dining room, Susay said his new Crest Hill Beggars Pizza will have six video gaming machines.

Otherwise, "it's just pickup and delivery," he said. "I bought the building, and I'm planning to be here a long time."

Crest Hill's new Beggars Pizza will feature thin crust, deep dish and stuffed selections. The menu will also include chicken wings, grilled chicken sandwiches, burgers and Italian beef.

"I anticipate this being a huge slice store," Susay predicted. "You will be able to purchase a slice of pizza and a pop for under $6."