Black Oak 10th Celebrates Tenth Anniversary In Oak Lawn

OAK LAWN, IL — It’s hard to believe it's been 10 years since six guys from Beverly and Oak Lawn – Pat O’Keefe, Rich Eber, Dave McCarthy, Matt Fasan, Mike Griffin and Jim Sheehan – got together to invest in a neighborhood bar and grill — the kind of place they'd like to hang out at watching a Bears game.

The Black Oak Bar and Grill, 9630 S. Pulaski Road, Oak Lawn, will celebrate its tenth anniversary all weekend long from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, with a whole slew of activities, featuring:

• Throwback menu items — fan favorites from the restaurant’s early years
• $10 anniversary drinks and specials
• Live music and community entertainment
• Giveaways, surprises, and gratitude moments for guests

The celebration is free and open to the public, no reservations required. And because you can’t have a celebration on the South Side without bagpipes, Dave McKee and Jim Butler will be piping from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s been a wild ride. A bunch of guys got together. When we started, we didn’t think we’d survive two years,” said co-owner Pat O’Keefe said. “We got through COVID and other ups and downs in business. Now we’re getting ready for this weekend.

Since its opening on Feb. 1, 2016, The Black Oak has become a fixture in Oak Lawn and the surrounding suburbs. Drawing its name from the earliest-known name for the Village of Oak Lawn, Black Oak Grove, the restaurant revitalized a long-vacant strip mall space and quickly became a local favorite for casual dining with a friendly atmosphere.

“We set out to create a place where neighbors could gather, families could celebrate, and friends could catch up, and Oak Lawn has given that back to us tenfold,” O’Keefe said.

Since its opening on Feb. 1, 2016, The Black Oak has become a fixture in Oak Lawn and the surrounding suburbs. Drawing its name from the earliest-known name for the Village of Oak Lawn, Black Oak Grove, the restaurant revitalized a long-vacant strip mall space and quickly became a local favorite for casual dining with a friendly atmosphere.

“We set out to create a place where neighbors could gather, families could celebrate, and friends could catch up and Oak Lawn has given that back to us tenfold,” says the team at The Black Oak.

The family-friendly, casual bar and grill prides itself on serving fresh homemade meals and a welcoming bar scene. Patrons enjoy a wide range of menu favorites, including burgers, sandwiches, wings, tacos, salads, brunch items, and classic American fare, along with specialty cocktails, craft beers, and ice-cold drinks.

The beloved neighborhood bar and grill has become a hub known for:

• Sponsoring local sports teams
• Hosting fundraisers for schools, first responders, and neighborhood causes
• Catering community events and family celebrations
• Supporting local charities and families in need

“We want this to be a community party,” O’Keefe said. “It’s not just our anniversary, this is a celebration of every person who walked through our doors over the past ten years.”

The Black Oak Bar and Grill, 9630 S. Pulaski Road, Oak Lawn, offers a family-friendly casual restaurant with upscale food. Online ordering and delivery through Uber Eats and Grubhub available. Open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 708-572-4500 for reservations and ordering.