Pritzker: Juliet's One Of Finest Restaurants In Illinois

JOLIET, IL — On Wednesday afternoon, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker came to Joliet, and he had lunch in the upstairs level of Juliet's Tavern.

Joliet Patch interviewed the governor as he came down the staircase following his meal. After leaving Juliet's, Pritzker was headed to Joliet's new Pace Transit Center at 90 East Jefferson St., joining Congressman Bill Foster, Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

What did Pritzker think about Juliet's restaurant?

"Absolutely my first time here. I just had a terrific meal, honestly," Pritzker told Joliet Patch. "I had a salad, and I was with some of your local elected officials ... and they were raving about the place. That's one of the reasons we came here."

During Pritzker's lunch, the governor met with two of the Joliet area's most powerful Democrat leaders, Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and State Rep. Natalie Manley.

"And I have to say, this is one of the best places that I've been to in Illinois. So happy to have been here and got to meet the owner Bill (Dimitroulas) and got to hear about the other restaurants that he's opened up all across Joliet. I hope I get a chance to see those and, frankly, visit other places."

At Juliet's, Joliet Councilman Joe Clement presented Pritzker with one of the city of Joliet's commemorative coins. The coins were the creation of Joliet City Manager Jim Capparelli, who also was on hand to meet briefly with Pritzker at Juliet's.

"Thanks so much, thanks so much for everything you are doing for Will County and Joliet, billions of dollars, I appreciate so much," Clement told Pritzker as he came down the staircase inside Juliet's.

"Well, I spent some of it today at the restaurant," Pritzker smiled.

Next, Clement gave the governor one of the new commemorative coins.

"This is on behalf of the City Council and Jim Capparelli, city manager," Clement told Pritzker.

"Thank you very much," Pritzker told Clement. "I tell you what, let me trade you. I've got my own coin."

"I'm going to give this to Jim Capparelli," Clement told Pritzker. "Thank you so much."

Related Coverage: Bertino's Lunch With Gov. Pritzker: Here's How It Went