Ats-A-Nice Celebrates 30th Anniversary On 'Chicago's Best'

ROMEOVILLE, IL — At just 22 years old, Paul Heatherington bought his own pizzeria in Romeoville. Back then, the 1,800-square-foot restaurant seated just 50 people. Since then, they've expanded, remaining in their original location, which has seen sales grow each year since opening in 1988.

Now, Ats-A-Nice Pizza is getting ready to celebrate its 30th anniversary, and the eatery will be featured on the Feb. 18 episode of WGN's "Chicago's Best."

Heatherington said he was invited to appear on the show about a month ago, adding that nervousness nearly kept him from agreeing to the appearance. But two weeks ago, Host Elliott Bambrough and his crew stopped by the restaurant, 334 N. Independence Boulevard, to film, meeting with staff and some of Ats-A-Nice's loyal customers.

"It was a great experience," Heatherington said.

Bambrough took a tour of the restaurant and learned how some of its famous dishes — including the Atsa Special pizza with sausage, mushrooms, onions, pepperoni and green pepper — are made.

Heatherington was working at an Italian restaurant in Chicago when he shared his dream of opening a restaurant with bank president Bill Grace, a longtime friend Heatherington had met while working at a suburban country club as a teen.

In 1988, the two took over the old Turnabout Pizza restaurant in Romeoville and reopened it as Ats-A-Nice.

"It was hard at the beginning," Heatherington said, but the small pizzeria soon became a local favorite. It wasn't long before Heatherington bought the business from Grace.

"He took a chance on a 22-year-old," Heatherington said. Three decades later, Grace "still comes in and visits every Friday night," he said. And Ats-A-Nice — and Romeoville itself — have continued to grow.

"It's a great, great little town and we've loved seeing it grow," Heatherington said of himself and wife Cathy, who live in nearby Lemont. At just 52, "I feel like the grandpa of this town," he joked.

"I've met so many great friends out here," Heatherington added. "That's what I love about this town."

In 2001, when a pet shop next to Ats-A-Nice closed its doors, Heatherington seized the opportunity and bought the space, expanding the restaurant for a much larger kitchen, office and more seating. The restaurant now hosts parties and events and serves up its famous pizza, wings, salads, pasta, flat bread, sandwiches and calzones.

In 2005, Heatherington said a highlight of his career was hosting the World Series Trophy after the Chicago White Sox won the championship. He hopes to one day host the Stanley Cup, and it's a tradition at the eatery to show Chicago Blackhawks games in the dining room, dimming the lights and rising for the Star-Spangled Banner at the start of the game.

Heatherington invites customers to stop by on March 1, when he plans to offer some anniversary specials, and tune in Feb. 18 to see Ats-A-Nice on "Chicago's Best."

The episode will also feature a Plainfield restaurant, Steve Buresh's Cheesecake Store & Sandwich Shop.

Chicago's Best" airs at 10 p.m. Sundays on WGN-TV and replays at various times during the week on WGN-TV and CLTV.

Photos of Paul and "Chicago's Best" host Elliott Bambrough provided to Patch by Paul and Cathy Heatherington and used with permission.