Chefy's in Joliet finds new home at Fritz's Pour House

JOLIET – It was a brilliant solution.

Jason and Paula Taylor, owners of Chefy’s Kitchen & Catering in Joliet, needed a larger kitchen. Ed and Lena Horvat, owners of Fritz’s Pour House – also in Joliet – wanted to serve food to their customers.

Ed said Fritz’s Pour House, formerly known as the Twin-Dor restaurant, had become a bar when his father retired in 1983. Ed was sad to see the restaurant go, but he didn’t want to run one.

“I’d grown up in the restaurant,” Ed said. “There’s a lot of work involved.”

In October 2014, the Taylors, knowing the kitchen had sat empty for more than 30 years, contacted the Horvats and asked if they could rent it. In March 2015, Chefy’s moved operations to its new location and began serving home-style food Tuesday through Sunday at Fritz’s Pour House. It’s a real win-win.

According to the Taylors, Chefy’s recently catered for the cast and crew of the TV series “Empire.” However, Chefy’s won’t be serving on Thanksgiving Day.

“We are a family business,” Jason said with a smile.

Ed said his father, Fred, and Fred’s brother opened Twin-Dor in 1948 on Ruby Street in Joliet. The restaurant served the type of food the Taylors prepare, Ed said. In the early 1950s, Fred broke away to begin his own restaurant, simply called Fred’s.

When Fred’s brother retired about 1980, Fred moved Twin-Dor to 1511 Plainfield Road. When Fred retired, Ed assumed control of the bar area only. Chefy’s, by contrast, is only three years old.

Jason, who learned to cook by working with chefs, said he cooked for American Legion Post 1080 in Joliet for seven years, before becoming the original chef at the former downtown Joliet restaurant The Department, now Juliet’s.

After two years with The Department, Jason said he and Paula, who said she works for the Illinois State Police, opened Chefy’s on North Center Street in Crest Hill. Chefy’s quickly acquired a large loyal following, Jason said, and Ed knew why.

“He’s got that consistency,” Ed said, “the consistency of good food.”

Lena, who does marketing for Fritz’s Pour House, said Fritz’s offers a large selection of craft beers, bottled and on tap. The small space combined with dark wood lends a cozy atmosphere and attracts people of all ages.

“Everyone gets along,” Lena said. “We’ve never had any trouble.”

The arrangement appears to be working.

The Taylors are expanding their customer base in space that suits their needs and the Horvats are serving a variety of the high-quality, made-to-order, home-style food their customers crave in a venue that’s also family-friendly.

“It’s even a great place to watch a Hawks game,” Ed said.

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KNOW MORE

In addition to a large menu of appetizers, soups and chilis, salads, sandwiches and homemade burgers, Chefy’s offers daily entree specials:

• Tuesday – breaded pork chops

• Wednesday – cabbage rolls

• Thursday – pot roast

• Friday – fried chicken or fish dinner

• Saturday – fried chicken or barbecue baby back ribs

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IF YOU GO

WHAT: Chefy’s Kitchen & Catering

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Fritz’s Pour House, 1511 Plainfield Road, Joliet

Visit: www.chefyskitchen.com

CALL: 779-225-8608