To paraphrase the slogan of Binny’s Beverage Depot, if you can’t find something to eat in Countryside, it’s probably not worth eating.
There are more than 20 places to eat just along La Grange Road from Joliet Road to Plainfield Road, with numerous other dining establishments around the city.
While the choices are many, it’s doubtful you can find a better deal than the one offered to senior citizens at the new La Bella Events, 5412 S. La Grange Road.
Pairing with Aging Care Connections, the restaurant is offering lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday to seniors for just $3.
On July 23, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to kick off the Congregate Meals Program, but it has been running each week since a soft opening in May, organizers said.
Most days, 40 to 50 seniors visit for lunch. On July 23, officials expected up to 250 seniors showing up for lunch.
Countryside City Administrator Gail Paul said the lunch program is convenient for residents.
“We have our senior apartments, so it’s nice and close for our seniors. Aging Care Connections arranges this, they subsidize it,” Paul said.
The food is good, Countryside resident Rita Valenti said.
“Every day, they have a special. Maybe it’s chicken one day. One day, they had pancakes and bacon,” said Valenti, who turned 79 on July 24.
Valenti buys a prepaid card for $25 which allows her to enjoy 10 meals for $2.50 each.
For those without the card, the suggested donation at the door is $3 for lunch.
Aging Care Connections covers the remaining cost of the meal which comes to $6.97, executive director Desiree Scully said.
“It couldn’t be a better marriage,” she said of working with La Bella. “It’s a great deal.”
The federally-funded lunch program is intended for seniors to “congregate and have fun,” Scully said.
“They get to see and make friends. We usually have speakers on topics like managing your diabetes. We have the fire department come in once a month to check blood pressure,” Scully said.
Mayor Sean McDermott, who helped cut the ribbon with Scully said, “We’re pleased to have them here (in Countryside).”
McDermott wasn’t the only elected official on hand.
State Sen. Mike Porfirio (D-11th) said the lunch program offered by “a great organization like Aging Care Connections delivers service and takes care of our community.”’
La Bella replaced the former Via Bella restaurant and banquet hall that had been in the same building.
Business has been steady, said Carol Botello, the office manager, sales director and daughter of owner, Rose Botello.
“They said they had a lunch program and brought it up to my mom. We got in a meeting with them and got it together,” Carol Botello said.
“With Aging Care (Connections) having 40 to 50 people here each day for lunch, that’s changed everything for us,” she said.
La Bella does not currently offer dinners, but may soon in the future, Carol Botello said. The hall is available for renting out for wedding receptions, big parties, and reunions, she said.
Mark Ptacek, a board member for Aging Care Connections, said that $3 suggested donation is voluntary, so if someone doesn’t have the money, they can still eat.
“We’re happy to be in Countryside,” he said.
Aging Care Connections serves seniors in Proviso, Lyons, Riverside, Norwood and Leyden townships, administering a number of federal and state programs. Ptacek said.
Westchester residents Charlene Dolnics, 88, and Diana Nowrocki, 89, made their debut at La Bella.
They sat down to a lunch of soup, salad, chicken limone, pasta with vodka sauce, sausage and peppers, green beans and dessert.
Asked if the food was tasty, Dolnics laughed.
“I don’t know. We haven’t eaten anything yet,” she said.
According to www.agingcareconnections.org, reservations for lunch are required and can be made by calling 708-603-2269 at least 48 hours in advance.
You must be at least 60 years old. You may bring a guest or a caregiver, but they do pay the full cost of their meal. There is ample parking behind the building.
Is there a menu posted any place?