Barbecue Restaurant Coming to Plainfield

Jay Pfeilsticker is a veteran businessman, but his latest venture is completely new to him.

After owning retail video stores throughout Chicago’s south suburbs, Pfeilsticker is getting ready to open his first restaurant.

Wild West BBQ will feature home-cooked barbecue, from brisket to ribs to pulled pork and smoked chicken. The restaurant is scheduled to open at 15420 S. Route 59, the former home of , which opened in 2010 and recently closed.

“I’m taking a big leap here,” Pfeilsticker said with a laugh.

But while he’s new to the restaurant business, Pfeilsticker is no stranger to the kitchen. The menu will feature his own recipes for sauces, rubs and more.

“Everything is fresh,” he said. “I make my own pastrami. I make everything from scratch.”

Everything, down to side dishes like macaroni and cheese and baked beans, will be made fresh in Wild West BBQ’s kitchen. Even the French fries will be fresh cut, not frozen, he said.

“I was even thinking about frying them in lard, which gives them really, really good flavor,” Pfeilsticker said.

Pfeilsticker plans to open as soon as possible.

“I’ve got a bit of remodeling to do,” he said, adding he’s planning a Wild West theme for the eatery.

The walls will be adorned with photos of real-life and silver screen cowboys, from John Wayne to Jesse James, along with horseshoes and replica firearms.

As renovations begin, Pfeilsticker said he will also be looking for help in the form of cooks, counter staff and waitstaff.