New Joliet Restaurant Opening June 1: 'Going To Be A Different Menu'

JOLIET, IL — Ten months after the owners of K Ribs BBQ in downtown Joliet closed their sit down and take out restaurant on North Chicago Street, the family of Dillon Kim is opening a new restaurant at the same location, this time it's called Yura Nuna.

The new restaurant, however, will not feature Korean-style barbecue ribs or any chicken wings that were staples on the previous menu. The restaurant is named for Dillon Kim's daughter, Yura.

"We will specialize in the rice bowls, chicken, beef and pork plus healthy," Dillon Kim assured Joliet Patch's editor during Friday's interview. "It's going to be a different menu and a much healthier upgrade. More healthy food focus.

"We're not going to sell chicken wings, no ribs, because they are high cholesterol and fatty salts, but we increase the more healthy. There's smoothies, juices and a lot of different organic drinks."

Yura Nuna is right next door to the Joliet Junior College culinary arts campus. Kim said the new restaurant plans to open on June 1 at 221 N. Chicago St.

Kim said his wife Jessica and daughter Yura will manage the new restaurant. His daughter graduated from the JJC culinary arts program.

"She's going to bring more high quality culinary arts," Kim said of his daughter. "There will be vegan and vegetarian foods as well."

Besides focusing on the rice bowls, Yura Nuna will offer bubble teas, strawberry smoothies "and so many natural things," Kim said. "There will be healthy sandwiches for lunchtime. We know our downtown customer. They are concerned about the healthy food and even a decent price. It's going to be an upgrade in food, almost like that quality will be standard."

Kim said the former K Ribs BBQ has been in the midst of a remodeling project for several months.

"It's more emphasis like a bar, but people will still see through (the kitchen) to see what we're doing," Kim said of the new restaurant.