By Joe Boyle
Breakfast and lunch are ready for customers who want to be served at the new Blueberry Hill Cafe that has opened in Oak Lawn.
The official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on the morning of Nov. 1 as local officials, members of the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce, and owners were on hand for the event.
Taking part in the actual ribbon-cutting at the new Blueberry Hill Cafe, 5769 W. 95th St., were Oak Lawn Mayor Terry Vorderer and owner George Nikolopoulos.
This is the eighth Blueberry Hill Cafe to open throughout the south, southwest and western suburbs. Nikolopoulos and Steve Zervakis are the primary owners of the restaurants.
However, manager Dave Hagen said that all the restaurants are run separately under the guidance of the two owners. Hagen said the restaurant actually opened two months ago but they needed time to make the proper adjustments at the new location.
Hagen said he and the staff are excited to be in Oak Lawn.
“Oh yes, we want to be here,” Hagen said. “It took a while to get going. We had to remodel and make some changes. But just the other day someone said he didn’t know we were here. So, it takes some time.”
If the address for the new Blueberry Hill Cafe sounds familiar, it should. The location has a long history of serving breakfast and lunch. This was the location for the Oak Lawn Restaurant, which was serving customers for years at the site before it closed.
Anne Fritz, executive director for the Oak Lawn Chamber, noted that the owners respected that history by leaving up the banner on one side of the building that spells out Oak Lawn Restaurant.
“George said this is not the Oak Lawn Restaurant but it is an Oak Lawn restaurant,” Fritz said with a laugh.
Besides an array of omelets and skillets to choose from, the Blueberry Hill Cafe also offers up French toast, crepes, Belgium waffles and a variety of pancakes for breakfast.
The lunch menu consists of garden salads, sandwiches, burgers, chicken, fresh wraps and club sandwiches. Carry-outs are available.
Vorderer referred to the history of the location during the ceremony.
“I’ve been coming here since I was 9 years old,” Vorderer said, pointing to the old Oak Lawn Restaurant. “It is a great to have this tradition continue and you have made it even better.”
Nikolopoulos was pleased with the kind words but said that he has a deep connection to Oak Lawn.
“I just want to thank the Chamber and everyone for all their help,” Nikolopoulos said. “But I just want to let everyone know that I grew up in Oak Lawn. I graduated from Oak Lawn High School in 1982. So, this means something to me. I love Oak Lawn. Now we just have to spread the word.”
The Blueberry Hill Cafe is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Customers can also order online at 708-634-2101.