Syl's Unveils 2 New Banquet Rooms: 'Everyone Loves It'

ROCKDALE, IL — Don Williams and his wife, Maura, became the new owners of Syl's Restaurant & Lounge in September 2019 and last weekend marked another milestone in the history of Syl's, a Joliet area fine-dining landmark since 1946.

Syl's just completed its most extensive remodeling project in several decades. The two new banquet rooms debuted last weekend. "The first event was last Saturday, and we had one Sunday and one Tuesday," Maura "Mo" Williams said. "So, we're off and running."

"It's all new lighting. New ceiling. It was down to the studs," she said. "It just made sense. It was time. It was a dated room. It needed to be modern and freshened up. I love it. My kids love it. The staff loves it. Everyone loves it."

The larger room can accommodate about 90 guests. The smaller banquet room, toward the front of the restaurant facing Moen Avenue, seats about 40 guests.

"So now we can run two parties," the Syl's owner explained.

The new banquet rooms are intended for events including birthdays, anniversary parties, funeral luncheons, bridal showers, baby showers and corporate dinner meetings, Mo Williams said.

The Williams' are well-known in the Joliet area for their catering expertise. They also run the catering for the downtown Joliet Renaissance Center, and Don Williams previously did the catering at the former Joliet Country Club.

"One of the reasons we purchased Syl's was the banquets," his wife remarked.

Prior to the renovations, "it was just one big banquet room," Mo Williams said.

Coming out of the pandemic, Williams said that "business at Syl's has been great."

"We're sold out for our Easter Sunday brunch," Williams told Joliet Patch on Thursday afternoon. "The guests have been fantastic, and they keep coming back. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with the piano is so much fun."

The banquet room remodeling project was done by Bill Raspolich.

"He did a wonderful job," Williams said. "And he also did the bathrooms."

Last fall, Syl's remodeled its two men's bathrooms and two women's bathrooms. "They were completely gutted and redone," Williams said. "So we're getting there."

What's the next major capital project in Rockdale for Syl's?

"The parking lot over the summer, so that's one good thing," Williams replied. "We got bids right before COVID. The refurnishing of the entire building is a three-to-four-year plan."

Meanwhile, Syl's continues to promote its weekly Sunday brunch special that's from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The brunch is $19.99 for adults, and prime rib is carved every Sunday, she said.

"Sunday brunch has been phenomenal," the owner remarked.

Although the restaurant is closed Mondays to give the staff a rest, Syl's runs weekday specials Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Williams said.

Tuesday's special is 20 percent off your tab. Wednesday, if you buy a steak, you can add a lobster tail for $20. Thursday, if you buy a steak, you get six complimentary shrimp.

The normal restaurant hours for Syl's Chophouse are: 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday (while also having the Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The phone number for Syl's is 815-725-1977.