The Biz Week That Was: Bacon treats, new eateries and dating service for older adults among the highlights
Meet Charlie the Bacon Guy: Woodridge man’s side hustle doing a crisp business
Charlie Zieserl is a 15-year restaurant veteran in kitchens from Chicago’s hip Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba to Lisle’s Schmaltz Delicatessen. The 37-year-old Woodridge man, a food receiver and prep cook at Lettuce Entertain You’s Beatrix restaurant in Oak Brook, is now Charlie The Bacon Guy. His online business offers two dozen flavors of bacon, another dozen types of bacon jam, and has expanded into merchandising and bacon charcuterie boards.
Des Plaines pizzeria has served its last pie
A family-run pizzeria that’s been a staple of the suburban restaurant community for decades has shut down. Gigio's Pizzeria, at 1603 E. Oakton St. in Des Plaines, served its last pie last week. The owners have retired, according to a note on the restaurant’s website.
Twin Peaks restaurant, Korean BBQ coming to Algonquin Commons this fall
Shuttered restaurants Bulldog Ale House and Thirsty Whale in the Algonquin Commons shopping area will be turned into a Twin Peaks sports bar and a Mr. Kimchi Korean barbecue restaurant, respectively, according to local officials. Dallas-based Twin Peaks will take over the former Bulldog Ale House building at 1520 S. Randall Road. The restaurant and sports bar chain serves American comfort food in a lodge setting, according to its website.
Bibibop Asian Grill opens in Des Plaines
A growing chain of Asian fast-casual restaurants has landed in Des Plaines. Bibibop Asian Grill held a grand opening celebration last week at 1680 W. Higgins Road. It’s occupying 2,240 square feet of previously unused space in the Orchards at O’Hare shopping center. A Panera Bread restaurant also is there.
Shaq’s Big Chicken planning next location in Arlington Heights
Big Chicken — the fried fowl fast-food franchise of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal — will open a location this fall in Arlington Heights, officials announced. The chicken Shaq — ahem, shack — is proposed to replace an existing Arby’s with drive-through at 100 W. Rand Road in the Arlington Plaza shopping center. It follows the opening of the first Illinois Big Chicken location last year at 9437 W. Higgins Road in Rosemont.
New matchmaking service aims to find love for older singles
Kane County’s newest matchmaking service Swipe Right now is open at 28 S. Fifth St., in Geneva, offering its services to those looking for love in the Tri-Cities. Swipe Right is designed to help people between 40 and 60 years old in St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia who are ready to ditch the dating apps, find their match and settle down.