Syl's Tells Patch: 'We're Just Excited To Be Inside'

ROCKDALE, IL — By early Friday afternoon, the phone kept ringing at Syl's Restaurant & Lounge and that was terrific news for Don and Maura Williams. People from the area were calling Syl's because they wanted to dine inside the legendary Joliet area restaurant, a landmark at 829 Moen Ave. in the tiny community of Rockdale since 1946.

On Friday morning, Gov. JB Pritzker revealed that all Will and Kankakee County restaurants and bars could resume indoor seating now that the coronavirus levels had dropped to more acceptable levels. It had been more than three weeks since the governor shutdown indoor dining in the Joliet area.

"We're just excited to be back inside," Maura Williams told Joliet Patch during an interview outside her restaurant on Friday afternoon. "I've taken three reservations in a half hour once they said we would be able to open inside today."

Syl's has a large tent set up at its parking lot across the street. However, Williams told Patch that the tent would not be in use this weekend and she's hoping the tent can be removed from the property shortly.

She said having the tent set up in the parking lot just wasn't the same dining experience for guests during the past few weeks. She said that restaurant traffic had declined over the period when Pritzker imposed his coronavirus restrictions preventing restaurants like Syl's from having indoor dining guests.

"We're excited," Williams remarked. "Our staff is over the moon and we're happy for them because it's been a struggle for them, too."

Williams urged customers to call ahead and make reservations if they plan to dine at Syl's this weekend. The phone number for Syl's is 815-725-1977.

"We encourage reservations," she said. "We can't have everyone wanting to eat at 6 p.m."

During the pandemic, Syl's is open 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday. It's closed Monday. To check out the Syl's menu, go here.

Located at 829 Moen Ave., on the outskirts of Joliet, Syl's has a well-earned reputation for elegant fine dining.

In 1946, Syl's was founded by the Pekol family. Now, the torch has been passed to someone else. In One year ago, Joliet Patch reported that "the Pekol family would like to welcome Don and Maura Williams.As of September 3, 2019, Syl's will be ongoing with direction from the Williams family. With over 25 years in the hospitality and catering industry, the Williams Family is committed to honoring the tradition of this renowned family establishment."