The Patio
2780 S. Highland Ave., Lombard
630 627-2600

By T.R. Witom 

Award-winning barbecue baby back ribs, hickory-smoked pulled pork and other home-cooked dishes have drawn diners to The Patio restaurants since 1977. Run by the John Kolioupolos family, the first outlet opened in Bridgeview and expanded over the years to locations in Bolingbrook, Darien and Orland Park.

The latest Patio, a new, freestanding building, opened this summer at 2780 S. Highland Ave., Lombard (630 627-2600). Manager Bob Medek says the place accommodates 235 and also has a drive-thru.

Besides its signature ribs and pork, The Patio serves rotisserie chicken, fish and pasta plus a variety of burgers and specialty sandwiches, from Italian beef to tuna melt. Entrées average in the low to mid-teens.

The casual, family friendly restaurant its open Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Jameson's Charhouse
1001 W. 75th St., Woodridge
630 910-9700

By T.R. Witom

Building on the success of its locations in Mount Prospect and Bloomingdale, Jameson’s Charhouse recently expanded to a third site at 1001 W. 75th St., Woodridge (630 910-9700).

An outdoor patio seating 40 was scheduled to open in August, and live entertainment on weekends is on the drawing board for late September, says manager Jeff Janowiak

“Our menu – steak, chops and fish – is similar to our sister restaurants,” Janowiak says, “though, unlike the others that serve prime rib only on weekends, we offer it every day. It’s a very popular dish.”

Entrées, which come with soup, salad and a choice of potato, rice or vegetable, average $21. All steaks are Black Angus beef, aged 21 to 28 days. Chicken, beef and shrimp kabobs, burgers, specialty sandwiches and salads also are on the menu.

The kitchen at Jameson’s Charhouse is open Tuesday-Thursday, 4:30 to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 4:30 to 11 p.m. and Sunday 3 to 9 p.m.

158 North
158 N. Chicago St., Joliet
815 727-0123

By T.R. Witom

Salmon wellington, veal marsala, chicken oscar and fettuccini in lobster sauce are among the
offerings of the extensive menu at 158 North, 158 N. Chicago St., Joliet (815 727-0123). The restaurant, which opened in early July, also has a wine cellar stocked with domestic and international labels, says manager Roxana Scheuerlein.

It is open Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Saturday, noon to 11 p.m., and reservations are accepted. Entrées range from the mid-teens to upper $20s.

Scheuerlein says 158 North accommodates 100 guests between its upstairs and downstairs dining rooms, plus an additional 16 on an adjoining patio. A South American accent characterizes the lounge area, which features a black marble bar and mahogany cases, while the dining room décor is a blend of contemporary and antique, with plenty of iron and copper accents and lanterns from a former church nearby.

Coral Sushi & Thai
7600 W. Madison St.,
Forest Park
708 488-9100

By T.R. Witom

Open for business since mid-July, the early returns are positive for Coral Sushi & Thai, 7600 W. Madison St., Forest Park (708 488-9100), says partner Eddy Nuntarach. He, his wife Porch Rueng and her mother own two Asian restaurants in nearby Oak Park, 10-year-old New Pot and 5-year-old Sagano.

“Though we offer sushi and Thai menus,” Nuntarach says, the newest venture goes beyond that and includes influences of Chinese and Malaysian cooking.

Coral, which is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, serves a variety of noodle and curry dishes as well as sweet and sour chicken and stir-fried Mongolian beef. It has a full sushi bar and offers maki, nigiri and sashimi. Bubble tea, Thai iced coffee and tea as well as wine and beer are available from the bar, and management has applied for a full liquor license.

The 100-seat restaurant, which occupies space previously home to Rocco’s Bar & Grill, has a remodeled kitchen, new flooring and external siding.

Francesca's
At The Promenade
641 E. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook
630 739-6300

By T.R. Witom

Francesca’s at the Promenade moved in mid-August into space at 641 E Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook (630 739-6300) previously occupied by the short-lived Woodlands Restaurant. Veal, seafood, chicken and pasta are featured on its menu, with entrées in the mid-teens to upper $20s.

“We’re excited to be in this booming location – our first in a mall (environment),” says Robyn Jones, Francesca’s spokesperson. She adds that the transition went smoothly and few changes to the decor were required.

The restaurant group’s newest outlet, with Jim Wygonski as its general manager, is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. It’s configured to seat 30 at the bar, 100 in the main dining room, 30 in a private dining area and another 20 on an outdoor patio.