Mojo's East Coast Eats evolving as business, still dishing out Philly cheesesteaks

DOWNERS GROVE – A local sandwich hot spot has become a popular destination for not only residents but also transplants looking for a taste of their East Coast homes.

Mojo’s East Coast Eats opened in 2014 and is run by residents Jon and Molly Scoggin and promising – Mo and Jo. The quick serve restaurant offers authentic cheesesteak sandwiches, hoagies, soup and salads.

Jon said it had long been his dream to open up a place featuring the food of his childhood outside of Philadelphia.

“Literally, the first thing we’d do when I got home is get a cheesesteak or East Coast-style pizza,” he said. “I always wanted to do this in some form, it was just sort of a dream.”

The restaurant has long put a high priority on making the best sandwich possible that stayed true to the roots of the cheesesteak, made with shaved ribeye, bread from Philadelphia, grilled onions, and choice of white American cheese, provolone or the classic cheese whiz.

“The cheese wiz is really interesting, it gives it a completely different texture and flavor,” he said. “It’s a little saltier than typical cheese so you can really taste it.”

Through the two years of operation, Jon said the business had evolved, including the recent addition of beer and wine earlier this month.

Most surprising, he said, was the patrons who actually came into the restaurant.

“I sort of thought we were bringing the cheesesteak to Midwesterners who had never really had it, which is great,” he said. “But I never realized how many East Coast transplants we’ve got. One Saturday, an entire side of the restaurant were East Coast natives. ... We’ve become sort of their little taste of home.”

He said he enjoyed how much Mojo’s had become a part of the community, with partnerships with local organizations and schools, including a jobs program with Downers Grove South High School.

And throughout it all, he hasn’t lost his love of cheesesteaks.

“I probably should stay away from a few more than I have, but it’s great,” he said. “I think it’s just something that’s going to live in me forever. It’s more than just the sandwich, it’s talking to people, getting to know people and showing them something new and something I think they’re really going to love and appreciate.”

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Mojo’s East Coast Eats

Location: 2758 Maple Ave., Downers Grove

Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday

info: mojoseastcoasteats.com