Dukes Drive-In, which closed its longtime Bridgeview location in 2019, is reopening later this year inside the former Hog Wild Express at the Gas-n-Wash at 19990 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena. (Photo by Bob Bong)
Comings & Goings: Dukes to finally re-open, in Mokena
By Bob Bong
When Dukes Drive-In closed its longtime home in Bridgeview in 2019 to make way for a Panera Bread, people wanted to know where the restaurant would be relocating and how soon before it was open again.
There were all kinds of rumors. None came true. Until now.
Dukes Drive-In will be reopening as Duke’s Italian Beef inside the Gas-n-Wash at 19990 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena.
There will be a drive-thru, but no drive-in spots.
According to Dukes Facebook page, there will be ample room in a parking lot behind the Gas-n-Wash to continue the restaurant’s popular cruise nights.
Jeannine Skarbek-Kubas, director of marketing for Gas-n-Wash, said Dukes will be taking the place of Hog Wild Express, which closed earlier this month. She said the opening for Dukes is set for mid-June.
Dukes will be reopening under new ownership but will stay in the family. Bud Dukes opened the drive-in 44 years ago. The new owner, Bill Humphrey, is his son-in-law.
In a video on Facebook, he said he had the blessing of his mother-in-law, Joan, to bring Dukes back.
Humphrey said initial plans to relocate were put on hold. First, because of some illnesses in the family and then because of COVID.
Humphrey said the new Dukes will still have the same flavor its customers came to love over the years because the restaurant has contracted with the same suppliers it used in Bridgeview.
You can follow the progress of the new Dukes on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DukesBeef
Speaking of Gas-n-Wash
Skarbek-Kubas also confirmed that Gas-n-Wash will be opening a new gas station and convenience store at 4361 W. 127th St. in Alsip on Friday, May 6.
The store will be open 24 hours. A car wash will be available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
The Alsip location will feature a Dunkin’ Donuts, Tacanijo Tacos, and Beggars Pizza.
Summit House of BBQ opening
A new barbecue restaurant is expected to open this week in Summit.
The Summit House of BBQ restaurant is opening in the former Thirsty Pig barbecue joint at 6312 S. Harlem Ave. Owners said they were hoping to be open this week.
The Thirsty Pig closed back in 2019 after a brief run as a barbecue joint.
Prior to becoming the Thirsty Pig, it had been Grand Duke’s, which specialized in Eastern European cuisine. Grand Duke’s moved from its longtime Summit location to Downers Grove to follow its customers.
Bath & Body Works coming to Quarry Mall
A Bath & Body Works store is coming to the Quarry Mall in Hodgkins. The grand opening is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 20. The opening has been delayed because of fire sprinkler issues.
If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at [email protected]
Local News
SD218 Class of 2026 gets off to a fast, relaxed start
Designed to calm their nerves and introduce them to all that high school will offer, Freshman Day in District 218 greets new students with a warm embrace. For a long time, researchers have known that ninth grade operates as a gateway: Students who succeed tend to excel in later years, while those who struggle tend…
Ridgeland School District 122 unveils Fine Arts Center
By Kelly White Highlighting its love of the arts is Ridgeland School District 122. The district proudly showcased its new Fine Arts Center during ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 11, at 6500 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn. “The layout of the Fine Arts Center has an aesthetic that promotes teamwork and invites students to…
Palos Heights delays vote on ordinance that has advisory board upset
By Jeff Vorva The Palos Heights City Council delayed a vote Tuesday night to draft an ordinance that has the Recreation Advisory Board up in arms. Among the sticking points of this ordinance is reducing the advisory board meetings from once a month to three times a year. After reading a long list of accomplishments…
Mother McAuley welcomes new principal as school starts
By Kelly White Dr. Kathryn Baal, an accomplished transformational educational leader who is known for influencing others and inspiring action to make change happen within schools, has taken on a new role on Chicago’s South Side. She just recently stepped into the role of principal at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, 3737 W. 99th…
‘Mario’s Pad’ stays, for now
Neighbors vow vigilance over short-term rental By Tim Hadac The short-term rental of the single-family home at 5304 S. New England (listed as “Mario’s Pad” on airbnb.com) will continue for the weeks and months ahead, despite the objections of some of its neighbors. The property’s owner, 30-year-old David Anthony Williams, accepted an invitation last week…
Some saying ‘Nope to dope’
Concern over dispensary in Scottsdale By Tim Hadac Owners of a cannabis dispensary want to set up shop in the Scottsdale Shopping Center—a move some in the community are questioning and others are opposing. “There’s a lot of concern out there,” said Scottsdale Neighborhood Watch President Jason Huff. “First, there’s concern about whether a dispensary…
Dart warns of Kia, Hyundai thefts
Suggests steps to protect vehicle owners From staff reports Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart is warning the public about what he is calling a dramatic rise in thefts of certain models of Kia and Hyundai vehicles. He is urging owners to take additional precautions to reduce the risk of theft. In the past few…
Overnight closures coming Monday night for Roberts Road, 87th Street
Overnight road closures, including weekend full intersection closures with detours, will be scheduled on Roberts Road and 87th Street during the next two weeks to accommodate mainline bridge beam placement as part of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project. Overnight lane closures will also be scheduled on southbound I-294 during this time to complete the work. On Monday, August 15,…
Traffic shift coming Monday on Tri-State between 83rd Street and Mile-Long Bridge
Beginning Monday, night, a traffic shift is scheduled on the northbound Central Tri-State Tollway between the 83rd Street Toll Plaza and the Mile Long Bridge, including removal of the current counterflow configuration. Four lanes will remain open. Overnight August 15, on northbound I-294 between the 83rd Street Toll Plaza and the Mile Long Bridge overnight lane closures will be scheduled, with traffic reduced to a single lane…
Neighbors
SD218 Class of 2026 gets off to a fast, relaxed start
Designed to calm their nerves and introduce them to all that high school will offer, Freshman Day in District 218 greets new students with a warm embrace. For a long time, researchers have known that ninth grade operates as a gateway: Students who succeed tend to excel in later years, while those who struggle tend…
Ridgeland School District 122 unveils Fine Arts Center
By Kelly White Highlighting its love of the arts is Ridgeland School District 122. The district proudly showcased its new Fine Arts Center during ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 11, at 6500 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn. “The layout of the Fine Arts Center has an aesthetic that promotes teamwork and invites students to…
Palos Heights delays vote on ordinance that has advisory board upset
By Jeff Vorva The Palos Heights City Council delayed a vote Tuesday night to draft an ordinance that has the Recreation Advisory Board up in arms. Among the sticking points of this ordinance is reducing the advisory board meetings from once a month to three times a year. After reading a long list of accomplishments…
Mother McAuley welcomes new principal as school starts
By Kelly White Dr. Kathryn Baal, an accomplished transformational educational leader who is known for influencing others and inspiring action to make change happen within schools, has taken on a new role on Chicago’s South Side. She just recently stepped into the role of principal at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, 3737 W. 99th…
‘Mario’s Pad’ stays, for now
Neighbors vow vigilance over short-term rental By Tim Hadac The short-term rental of the single-family home at 5304 S. New England (listed as “Mario’s Pad” on airbnb.com) will continue for the weeks and months ahead, despite the objections of some of its neighbors. The property’s owner, 30-year-old David Anthony Williams, accepted an invitation last week…
Some saying ‘Nope to dope’
Concern over dispensary in Scottsdale By Tim Hadac Owners of a cannabis dispensary want to set up shop in the Scottsdale Shopping Center—a move some in the community are questioning and others are opposing. “There’s a lot of concern out there,” said Scottsdale Neighborhood Watch President Jason Huff. “First, there’s concern about whether a dispensary…
Dart warns of Kia, Hyundai thefts
Suggests steps to protect vehicle owners From staff reports Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart is warning the public about what he is calling a dramatic rise in thefts of certain models of Kia and Hyundai vehicles. He is urging owners to take additional precautions to reduce the risk of theft. In the past few…
Overnight closures coming Monday night for Roberts Road, 87th Street
Overnight road closures, including weekend full intersection closures with detours, will be scheduled on Roberts Road and 87th Street during the next two weeks to accommodate mainline bridge beam placement as part of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project. Overnight lane closures will also be scheduled on southbound I-294 during this time to complete the work. On Monday, August 15,…
Traffic shift coming Monday on Tri-State between 83rd Street and Mile-Long Bridge
Beginning Monday, night, a traffic shift is scheduled on the northbound Central Tri-State Tollway between the 83rd Street Toll Plaza and the Mile Long Bridge, including removal of the current counterflow configuration. Four lanes will remain open. Overnight August 15, on northbound I-294 between the 83rd Street Toll Plaza and the Mile Long Bridge overnight lane closures will be scheduled, with traffic reduced to a single lane…
