Outdoor Seating At Al's Steakhouse, Heroes West, 45 More Places

JOLIET, IL — For the past three months, none of the Joliet area bars and restaurants have been allowed to seat guests for dine-in and drinks, but that's about to change. Last week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that he was easing the restrictions he imposed back in March that forced all bars and sit-down restaurants to close their doors to guests amid the coronavirus health crisis.

Under the new rules, restaurants and bars will be allowed to reopen if they offer outdoor seating, provided they strictly follow the state's social distancing guidelines and other health safeguards related to stopping the spread of the new coronavirus.

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Last week, Brian Bessler, who started the Joliet Facebook group Joliet Area Restaurant Delivery/Curbside/Carryout Options, created a short online survey asking local bars and restaurants whether they planned to reopen for outdoor patio dining.

As of Thursday night, at least 47 area businesses have responded to the new online questionnaire, including Syl's Chophouse in Rockdale, McWethy's Tavern in Romeoville and McBride's On 52 in Joliet.

O'Charleys: Bean Bags, Darts, Plenty Of Patio Seating

If your restaurant or bar plans to offer outdoor dining, please fill out the online questionnaire here. Joliet Patch will be updating this article in the days ahead.

The following information has been supplied by the Joliet area businesses:

Heroes West, 1530 Commerce Lane, Joliet, 815-725-1234. 11am - 8pm. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 18. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 10. Will be accepting reservations over the phone.

Al’s Steakhouse, 1990 W. Jefferson St., Business hours: 4 pm to 8 pm. Sunday through Thursday and Friday and Saturday 4 to 9 p.m. 815-725-2388. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Saturday, May 30. Projected number of outdoor tables: 20. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 6. Will be accepting reservations over the phone. "Mandated by state Face mask social distancing. Covered seating with lighting and fans. With our signature linen white table cloths. And napkins. Great food , service Looking forward to seeing everyone."

Joe's Bar and Grill, 4220 W. Jefferson St., Joliet. Phone: 706-347-1804. Friday to Sunday 12 pm to 10pm. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 15. Is there a maximum party size? not more then six ppl in group. Will not be accepting reservations ahead of time.

Industry's Tap House, 3115 West Jefferson street, Joliet. Business phone: 815-630-2018. Business hours: Monday through Thursday 12 pm until 2am Friday 12 pm until 3am Saturday 10am until 3:00 a.m Sunday 10am until 2am. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 14. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 6. Will not be accepting reservations ahead of time. "1st come 1st served seating policy."

Big Fish Grille, 27425 WILL ROAD, WILMINGTON. Phone: 815-476-9331. Friday 2-9, Saturday-Sunday 12-9. Projected start date for outdoor seating: June 5. Projected number of outdoor tables: 10. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 5. Will be accepting reservations ahead of time at its website here. "Reservations are required and all State guidelines must be adhered to. Carryout will also be available at Big Fish starting 6/5/20."

Morris Chop Shop, 701 Liberty Street, Morris. Business phone: 815-710-5006. Hours: Wed-Sun 12-9. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 7. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 5. Will be accepting reservations ahead of time through its website here. "Tables comfortably seat 4, but can seat 5. All State guidelines must be adhered to.The weekend of 5/29 is takeout only on the patio with reservation. Reservation can be made as little as 15 minutes in advance."

The Blue Taco, 79 North Chicago St., Joliet. Phone: 815-514-1139. Thurs friday and sat open at noon. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 10. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 6. Will not be accepting reservations in advance.

JC Catchers Tap, 1723 N Center St. in Crest Hill. 815-727-3435. Monday-Thursday 11am-10 pm Friday and Saturday 11am-11pm Sunday 12pm-10pm. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 8. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 4 to 6 people. Will not be accepting reservations in advance.

On The Rocks Joliet, 1500 Essington Road, Joliet. 815-312-4163. Monday-Thursday 11AM-1AM, Friday & Saturday 11AM-2AM, Sunday 11AM-Midnight. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 6. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 6. Will not be accepting reservations in advance.

Babe's Hot Dogs, 2600 W Jefferson St. Joliet. 815-744-7773.

Business hours: Mon-Sat 10am-10pm & Sunday 11am - 8pm. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 6. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 4 to 6 per table. Will not be accepting reservations ahead of time. "We have picnic tables with umbrellas that fit 4 people and a tent with round tables and 6 chairs at each. Plenty of seating and shade.Join Babe's for outdoor seating in the shade. Carry-out and drive-through are open."

Sunshine Mexican Cafe, 406 N Scott St., Joliet. Phone: 815-630-3036.

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 8:00am - 5:30pm / Sunday 8:00am to 3:00pm. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Monday, June 1. Projected number of outdoor tables: 6. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 7. Will not be accepting reservations ahead of time. "No servers available, order inside. No moving tables around."

Dari Delite, 718 Theodore St., Joliet .815-726-7657. Business hours: 2-10 pm. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 8. Is there a maximum party size? No. Will not be accepting reservations ahead of time.

Backroads Pub and Grill, 13717 US Route 30, Plainfield. 815-733-6054. 12pm to 12am.Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 15. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 6. Will be accepting reservations by phone.

Old Fashioned Pancake House, 2022 w Jefferson st., Joliet. 815-741-4666.

Business hours: 6:30am-730 pm. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 15. Is there a maximum party size? No. People are urged to call ahead with reservations.

Delicia Mexican Grill, 12337 Route 59, Suite 127, Plainfield. Business phone: (815) 254-9110. Business hours: Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Outdoor seating will initially be limited to 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. daily. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 7. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 6. Will not be accepting reservations ahead of time. "Contactless menu and contactless food ordering and payment will be available. When other guests are waiting, seating time may be limited to 90 minutes."

Sable Creek Winery, 14912 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 103, Plainfield. Business phone: 815- 214-9463.
Business hours: Wednesday & Thursday 4-9 Friday and Saturday 11-9 p.m. Sunday 11-5 p.m. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 10. Is there a maximum party size? No. Will not be accepting reservations ahead of time. "We will also have wine and wine Slushies to go."For more, visit the Sable Creek Winery website here.

Paddy’s, 362 Theodore St., Crest Hill. Business phone: 815-722-6220. Business hours: M-Th 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri- Sat 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sun noon to 10 p.m. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 8. Is there a maximum party size? No. Will not be accepting reservations ahead of time. "30 person max occupancy. Crest Hill’s only Irish Pub. Lots of beer specials."

Jerrie's Dogs And More, 1003 Essington Road, Joliet.

Business phone: 815-666-1196. Business hours: Mon - Sat 10:30 am - 7:00 pm. Sun 11:00 am - 7:00 pm. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 4. Is there a maximum party size? 4. Will not be accepting reservations ahead of time. For more, visit Jerrie's Dogs website here.

Double "J" Sports Bar, 1001 Essington Road, Joliet. Business phone: 815-730-8488. Business hours: Friday - Sat - Noon - Midnight, Sunday 10:00 am - Midnight, Monday - Thursday 2:00 pm - Midnight. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 20. Is there a maximum party size? 4. Will not be accepting reservations ahead of time. "With this being new to everyone with just outdoor patio seating and serving please bare with us. We will all get through this together. My Staff and I have prepared what we believe will work best for us here at The "J". We all can't wait to see everyone. June 14th is our 20 year Celebration so we hope to be at full capacity so everyone can enjoy the Festivities. You can even go to www.doublejbar.com and order a Commemorative Single Barrel Jack Daniels Bottle. Part of the proceeds from the sale of each bottle will be going to Big Brothers Big Sisters to support them. We hope everyone is careful on this first weekend open. Every place will be packed. Remember that if you have to0 much fun, there is always Uber. We all want to see you back. Cheers, Double "J" Sports Bar."

Potbelly Sandwich Shop, 2613 W Jefferson St., Joliet. Business phone: 815-553-0276. Business hours: 10am-9pm. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 6. Is there a maximum party size? 4. Will not be accepting reservations ahead of time.

Gustos Bar & Grill, 2115 Plainfield Road, Crest Hill. Business phone: 815-744-4159. Business hours: Mon-Thur 11am-10pm Fri & Sat 11am-11pm Sunday noon-10pm. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 9. Is there a maximum party size? 6. People can call ahead to make reservations. "Umbrellas at each table. Full menu." For more, visit Gustos website here.

The Shrimp Barn, 125 West Mondamin, Minooka. Business phone: 815-828-5526. Business hours: Tuesday through Saturday 4-9. Projected start date for outdoor seating: June 2. Projected number of outdoor tables: 3. Is there a maximum party size? No. People can call ahead to make reservations. "We are going to follow village of Minooka guidelines. Everything is tentative at this point. We are still waiting to hear back from the village since we don't have a patio. The Mayor said he would allow us to use the parking area in front of the restaurant." For more, visit The Shrimp Barn website here.

Cavallone's Italian Style, 109 West Mondamin, Minooka. Business phone: 815-255-2810 Business hours: Wednesday - Saturday 4-8. Projected start date for outdoor seating: June 2. Projected number of outdoor tables: 4. Is there a maximum party size? 6. People can call ahead to make reservations. "We will have more information as the date gets closer. We are still in the process of finding outside table and chairs for Shrimp Barn and Cavallone's." For more, visit the website for Cavallone's here.

Joliet Moose Lodge, 25 Springfield Avenue, Joliet. Business phone: 815-725-6660. Business hours: 12 to 10. Projected start date for outdoor seating: May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 12. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 6. Will not be accepting reservations ahead of time. "We may have more seating. Members and qualified guest."

Metro Grill, 2019 Essington Rd, Joliet. Business phone: 815-577-8191. Business hours: 11-8 Sun-Thurs & 11-9 Fri &Sat. Projected start date for outdoor seating: May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 12. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 4. Will not be accepting reservations ahead of time. For more information, visit the Metro Grill website here.

Cemeno's Pizza, 1630 Essington Rd, Joliet.

Business phone: 815-254-2500. Business hours: 11:00am-9pm. Projected start date for outdoor seating: May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 20. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 7. Will be accepting reservations ahead of time by phone. "Reservations preferred. Due to limited space we may enforce a time limit on tables during busy days and times." For more, visit Cemenos websitehere.

The Dock At Inwood, 3000 West Jefferson St., Joliet.

Business hours: Noon-10 p.m. daily. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 25. The Dock will not be accepting reservations ahead of time. "We have covered and uncovered seating areas." For more, visit The Dock website here.

Mongo McMichaels, 1101 N. Independence Blvd., Romeoville. Business hours: 10 a.m. to midnight. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 10. Is there a maximum party size? No. Mongo McMichaels said it will not be taking reservations ahead of time. For more information, visit the website here.

Dar's Bar, 504 McDonough St., Joliet, Business hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Business phone is 779-205-3674. Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 8. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 8. Dar's Bar will not be accepting reservations ahead of time.

Longshots Bar and Grill, 1609 West Jefferson Street, Joliet. Business hours: 4 p.m.-9 p.m.Projected start date for outdoor seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 6. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 6. Longshots will be accepting reservations by phone at 815-280-5569.

Burger Theory Joliet, 1471 Rock Creek Blvd., Joliet.

Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 13. Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 6. Burger Theory will be accepting reservations by phone at 779-208-2856. For more, visit the website here.

Bee Brothers Restaurant, 472 N. Weber Road, Romeoville. Business hours: 7am-3pm, daily. Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 20.

Is there a maximum party size? Yes, 10. Bee Brothers will not be accepting reservations ahead of time. For more, visit the Bee Brothers website here.

Dealers Choice, 3021 Theodore St., Joliet, 815-254-5570, Business Hours: M-F 3 p.m.-8 p.m., Sat/Sun 1 p.m. -8 p.m., Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 5. How many guests per party? 4. Will not be taking reservations for outdoor seating.

Jitters Coffee House, 178 N Chicago St., Joliet.

815-740-0048. Business Hours: 7 a.m. -3 p.m, Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Monday, June 1. Projected number of outdoor tables: 5. How many guess per party? 5 per table. Will not be taking reservations for outdoor seating.

Pesciolino Osteria, 25445 S. Pheasant Lane, Channahon.

Business Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 8. Maximum party size: 4 guests. Will be taking reservations by phone. Customers should call 815-255-6901. It will be weather permitting. Restaurant website here.

Omg Pho, 201 Vertin Blvd, Shorewood.

Business hours: 12-8 p.m. Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 6. Maximum party size: 4 guests. Will be taking reservations by phone. Guests should call 630-550-1718.

La Villa Restaurant, 324 Collins St., Joliet, Business hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. -5 p.m. Sat & Sun 8-5, Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, June 5. Projected number of outdoor tables: 6. Maximum party size: 6 guests. Will be taking reservations by phone. Guests should call 815-722-7486.

Joliet American Legion, 2625 Ingalls Ave., Joliet, Business hours: 3-6 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday 4-7 Friday-Saturday. Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 10. Maximum party size: 8 guests. Will be taking reservations by phone. Guests should call 815-729-2254. "Enjoy the cozy atmosphere of the American Legion Post. Order food inside and then enjoy a cozy meal after we bring to you. All done in orders receive a free appetizer."

McWethy's Tavern, 1700 W. Renwick Rd., Romeoville,11 a.m.-11 p.m. Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 25. Maximum party size: 6 guests. Will not be taking reservations for outdoor seating. "We will be featuring 3 different patios, including a covered patio to be sat rain or shine." For more information, call McWethy's Tavern at 815-254-7001 or visit its website here.

McBride’s on 52, 2727 West Jefferson St., Joliet. Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, May 29. Patio and Curbside 11 a.m. -10 p.m. Subject to regulations and may change. Projected number of outdoor tables: 30. Maximum party size: 10 guests. Will be taking reservations. Reservations can be made on the McBride's website here or by calling 815-714-2215. "We will have our regular patio with additional seating added. Our standard amazing Palm Trees will be there to make you feel like you are on vacation!"

Doc Watson's Smokehouse, 444 North Weber Road, Romeoville, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 12. Maximum party size: None. Will be taking reservations over the phone at 815-524-3774. For more information, visit the restaurant website here.

Ace Drive-In, 1207 Plainfield Road, Joliet, Monday-Saturday. 11-8. Sunday. 12-8. Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 10. Maximum party size: None. Will not be taking reservations ahead of time. "All tables will be open. 10-feet apart. Back to normal outside. Trays, mugs and tables." For more information, call 815-726-7741 or visit the restaurant website here.

Syl's Chophouse, 829 Moen Ave., Rockdale.

Tuesday through Sunday taking reservations from 4-8 p.m. Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 20. Maximum party size: 10. Reservations should be made by calling 815-725-1977 or visiting the Syl's website here. "We are looking forward to bringing the Syl's experience outdoors for our loyal guests to enjoy."

The Crowd Around Me,103 E Jefferson St. Shorewood, 11 a.m. -10 p.m., Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 12. Maximum party size: 6. Reservations will be taken over the phone at 815-725-5940.

TCBY, 930 Brook Forest, Shorewood, Mon-Thurs noon -9pm Fri-Sun noon -10pm, Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 3. Maximum party size: none. Will not be taking reservations ahead of time.

Country Charm, 101 Lincolnway Drive, New Lenox, 6am to 3pm, 3pm-6:30pm one nightly dinner special. Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 8. Reservations will be taken ahead of time by calling 815-485-3996. "Outside dining only available for our normal business hours from 6 am to 3pm. Weekly dinner special available for carry out only." For more information, visit the website here.

Moran Athletic Club, 1207 Nicholson St., Joliet, 11 am to 7 pm, Projected Start Date for Outdoor Seating: Friday, May 29. Projected number of outdoor tables: 10. Maximum party size: 10 or under. "Members and guests only." For more information, call 815-722-5713.

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