Joey’s Red Hots has moved, but customers in Orland Park do not have to go far to find the restaurant they have visited for the past 10 years.
The restaurant recently closed its original location near 174th Street and Wolf Road and reopened across the street at 17259 Wolf Road.
Owner Anthony Nardo said the lease on the original property expired this year, and the buildings had also deteriorated. He saw an opportunity to purchase the property across the street and create a larger location.
“All under one roof,” Nardo said. “No more going into two different buildings.”
The difference in size is significant. The new Joey’s occupies about 7,000 square feet, compared with two buildings of about 1,200 square feet each at the former location.
The new restaurant can seat about 100 people, with additional outdoor seating.
“Nothing’s changing,” Nardo said. “Same menu, same original people — just more comfortable for everyone to enjoy, and a way better customer experience.”
Nardo owns Joey’s Red Hots with Nick Iozzo. The Orland Park restaurant was the first location for the business, which has since expanded to seven other locations in Chicago, New Lenox, Crest Hill, Justice, Riverdale, Orland Hills and Burbank.
A new location is also planned in Cicero, Nardo said.
Joey’s menu remains the same at the new Orland Park location, with Chicago-style favorites including Vienna Beef hot dogs, Italian beef, burgers, gyros and pizza. The restaurant also serves homemade Italian ice and gelato.
One familiar piece of the old restaurant made the move as well. The horse statue that stood outside the original Joey’s now stands at the new location.
The new restaurant opened Oct. 2 and is open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
After a decade in its original location, Nardo said he is looking forward to continuing to serve the Orland Park community from its new home.
“We look forward to the next 10 years serving the community,” he said.
