January 30, 2025
Shaw Local
NewsSportsBearsNewsletterObituarieseNewspaperWeekend PlansEvent Calendar

Joliet Sub Dock makes way for new El Primo restaurant

By Denise M. Baran-Unland
Sub Dock and Baba’s sit side-by-side along Jefferson Street in Joliet. Both restaurants are owned by Mario Allabadi.

Sub Dock and Baba’s sit side-by-side along Jefferson Street in Joliet in this 2023 photo. Sub Dock owners sold both longtime businesses. (Gary Middendorf – gmiddendorf@shawmedia/Gary Middendorf)

A 40-plus Joliet restaurant tradition is no more.

Sub Dock, which Peter and Nanci Dedetsinas opened in 1984 and sold in 2022, is no more.

Instead, the restaurant at 923 W. Jefferson St., Joliet is now home to El Primo Mexican Restaurant.

El Primo Mexican Restaurant recently opened at 923 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet, in the space where Sub Dock called home for more than 40 years. El Primo Mexican Restaurant is seen on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in Joliet.

El Primo Mexican Restaurant recently opened at 923 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet, in the space where Sub Dock called home for more than 40 years. El Primo Mexican Restaurant is seen on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in Joliet. (Denise Unland)

Jordan-native Haitham “Mario” Allabadi, who also owns Baba’s Famous Steak and Lemonade at 925 W. Jefferson in Joliet, bought Sub Dock in 2022.

El Primo Mexican Restaurant also has locations at 457 N. Scott St. in Joliet and 1827 Knapp St. in Crest Hill.

For information, visit elprimomexicanrestaurantil.com.

We welcome news about business developments in our communities. We appreciate hearing about local business comings and goings, new hours, expansions and milestones in the Joliet area. If you have a tip to share for Eyes on Enterprise, email news@theherald-news.com.

Have a Question about this article?